Imagine yourself on a white sandy beach on a remarkable tropical island – Swaying calmly on a hammock under the shadow of palm trees, listening to the soft crash of the waves. Isn’t that a super relaxing thought? Add a Piña Colada to the dream and nothing else is comparable. That is exactly how a vacation in the islands of Thailand feels like: Divine sunsets, breathtaking landscapes, innumerous beach activities, and fresh coconuts. All of this and much more make these Thai islands getaways a tantalizing distraction from your everyday hustle.
Thailand is home to an astonishing cluster of thousands of islands and islets. And each has its share of pristine beaches, pitch clear waters, and amazing hospitality. Despite similar characteristics, most of these islands offer pretty unique experiences.
Best Islands in Thailand
You might have surely heard of the larger islands, like Phuket and Koh Samui. But have you thought of exploring the less crowded islands of Thailand? Here is our list of the best islands in Thailand to add to your bucket list on your next visit.
Phuket
Best island in Thailand: Families, honeymooners, and party lovers.
If you’re looking for an exotic Thai island that can do it all, then Phuket is your ideal choice. Packed with family-friendly resorts, sleek luxury escapes and ridiculously superb yachts to throw the best bachelors party. Thailand’s largest island even happens to deliver the grandest experiences
Located along the southwest coastline surrounded by the Andaman Sea, Phuket has lush green jungles and spectacular beaches in every part of the island. Your trip is never complete if you don’t visit this beautiful paradise, which makes Phuket is a tourist attracting magnet in Thailand.
Koh Samui
Best island in Thailand: Honeymooners, spa lovers and solo travelers.
Koh Samui is one of the best islands in Thailand and is very popular among most of the travelers. This Thai island has your entire holiday bucket list idyllically encapsulated within itself: from luxury hotels and spa treatments to cocktails, sparkling nightlife, and beaches galore.
Coconut trees, and numerous white sandy beaches fill the stunning landscapes of Koh Samui. Finding the real meaning of relaxation isn’t so difficult in this paradise land. You can alternatively explore the unexplored interior jungles of this island for spectacular views.
Koh Samui also happens to be one of the safest islands in Thailand, so don’t stress if you are a solo woman traveler.
Koh Phi Phi
Best island in Thailand: Relaxation lovers and star glazers
Koh Phi Phi is a small island archipelago with limestone rocks and beautiful shores surrounding its six islands. It is also an integral part of the Hat Nopparat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park. This place hosts Thailand’s most preserved beaches and lagoons.
Being one of every traveler’s most sought-ought island today, Phi Phi started attracting tourists about a couple of decades back. These are majorly from the numerous Hollywood movies being shot in this paradise which made tourist from all parts of the globe run to experience the magic of these islands first hand.
Apart from hopping islands, you can enjoy some thrilling Thai Boxing matches, explore the monkey beaches or maybe even swim alongside some friendly sharks. If you love to live the daredevil life, then the Phi Phi islands offer numerous certified spots for cliff diving with experts guiding you all the way till the end.
Koh Phangan
Best island in Thailand: Backpackers and Hippies
Famous for the legendary ‘full moon parties’, Koh-Phangan stands out as the most gorgeous island in the Gulf of Thailand. The island hosts a remarkable spectrum of tropical beaches and paradise coves to be explored. The island is characterized by its dense jungles surrounded by hills. With its many unseen waterfalls, it makes for the perfect destination for an unraveling adventure.
Apart from the night long beach parties, you can indulge in some thrilling watersports, swim alongside the beautiful underwater species, learn to cook some of Thailand’s local dishes or simply relax on the beach while getting the traditional Thai massage.
Krabi Island
Best island in Thailand: A calming luxurious life
Krabi is Thailand’s most popular island and a tourist hotspot throughout the year. The island is encircled with eye-catching limestone karsts emerging from the ocean with thick green forests in the backdrop.
Apart from romanticizing the beautiful landscapes and shores of the Railey Beach, you can live the most luxurious life in this island bars and clubs popping up in every corner of the island.
Koh Tao
Best island in Thailand: Scuba diving
If underwater exploits are also on your list, then Koh Tao is your ideal destination. It is a tiny island situated in between Koh Samui and Koh-Phangan along the east coast of the Surat Thani. Koh Tao’s natural beauty, both above and below the water, is stunning. With beautiful coral reefs and abundant marine life in clear, warm water, this island is any traveler’s underwater heaven.
Bringing thousands of visitors here each year, Koh Tao hosts the most unforgettable Scuba diving, snorkeling, and other underwater adventurers. This island is also known as the Turtle Island due to the numerous green hawksbill turtles that reside in its waters.
Similan Islands
Best island in Thailand: Remote isolated island lovers
Not the most touristy destination (and I hope it stays that way), the Similan islands is a composition of eleven scattered islands, with each of them bringing their unique charm on the table.
Located around the west coast of Southern Thailand, the Similan islands boast spectacular rock formations and iconic giant boulders, tempting adventurers to mark their stay for a couple of days. There are no hotels here, but campsite stays are recommended to have the real experience of this heaven.
Koh Yao Yai
Best island in Thailand: Peace finder and nature lovers
If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, Koh Yao Yai is your ideal destination. Showcasing the epitome of original traditional Thailand, Ko Yao Yai (which means the Big Long Island) lies halfway between Phuket and Krabi in the middle of Phang Nga Bay.
The rawness of thick mangroves and white-sand beaches has somehow managed to be hidden from the booming Thailand tourism. The island is relatively undeveloped and is perfect for you to find solace in the quiet stretches of coastlines, dense forests, rubber and coconut plantations, and quaint villages.
Koh Chang
Best island in Thailand: Exploring the traditional Thailand
Koh Chang is Thailand’s second-largest island (after Phuket) and the most popular island in eastern Thailand. Despite that, it is far less touristy than most of the other Thai islands and remains one of Thailand’s least developed large island.
Nestled within a marine national park, there are a plethora of underwater activities. Also, the island’s jungle-covered interior makes it a great spot for trekking through the unraveled mysteries of Thailand. Are you searching for a less touristy experience and a great place to relax and unwind? You’ll likely find it here.
Koh Si Chang
Best island in Thailand: Hidden Gem around Bangkok’s chaotic life
Koh Si Chang is a magical little island just a couple of hours away from Bangkok. This island often misses the eye of most international travelers.
The central island is surrounded by eight comparatively smaller islands and remains a distinct choice for many of Thailand’s unravelers.
Do you think there are more unheard yet magical islands in Thailand which we are missing out on? Do write about those in the comments for us to explore and write about them.
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