Thailand is full of life and beautiful landscapes. There’s the floating market next to Bangkok and temples all around that you can visit, but what makes Thailand all the more interesting is the dozens of islands that are located next to the coast. The islands feature varying levels of development, but all of them give you fantastic beaches to relax on, along with beautiful views that will stay with you for a very long time.
With so many options, it can be difficult to choose the right ones on your trip to Thailand. To help you make that decision, here are the 10 best islands to visit in Thailand:
10) Koh Yao Islands
If you want to get away from all the clubs and the glitzy glamour of Thailand’s coastal life, the Koh Yao Islands offer you exactly what you’re looking for. The Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Nai islands are located just 30 minutes away from Phunket (by boat), but they share absolutely nothing with it when it comes to atmosphere.
The Koh Yao islands are known as natural getaways. There’s not much there for you to hold parties or all-night drinking sessions, but that’s where all the charm lies. The Koh Yao islands allow you to be completely free from all of your worldly problems and just focus on recouping your mental health.
9) Koh Samui
Koh Samui is far different from the Koh Yao islands. Rather than being a natural getaway, it offers a proper resort where you can spend time doing yoga and enjoying many of the island’s facilities. While not the most natural spot you can find, it is the perfect place to visit for people visiting Thailand for the first time and for honeymooners. Visiting Koh Samui opens up the rest of the islands for you.
8) Koh Tao
Known as Turtle Island, Koh Tao features scenic beauty in droves. It’s covered with sandy coves and features gorgeous lantern-lit restaurants. Koh Tao makes for the ideal place if you’re looking for a gorgeous spot for a romantic night out. Adding to the appeal of the island are plenty of diving shops. If you’ve had deep sea diving on your bucket list, Koh Tao will provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore that. It’s an island full of possibilities. Additionally, hike up to the lookout point for a breathtaking view of the island.
7) Kho Pha Ngan
If you’ve had beach parties on your mind while planning your trip to Thailand, Kho Pha Ngan is where you need to go. It’s the ultimate spot for beach parties and is casually noted by locals to be the island for hedonists and hippies. Every night on the beach is filled with action, allowing you to let your party animal out.
The “Full Moon Party” is the most well-known event on this island. From R&B to techno, there is music for every taste. One of the wildest parties I’ve ever attended is this one. There will be many booths at the beach’s entrance that will paint your body with glowing paint for you. I recommend you get even a small painting on your body to blend in with the party vibe. There will be a lot of people there, so just watch out for yourself, look after your belongings, and stick with your friends. It will be quite difficult to find any of your lost friends if you. Watch out for how much alcohol you consume because you’ll see a lot of people passed out on the beach in the morning. Also, because the drink is distributed in buckets, someone might easily slip a pill into your bucket, so just be careful and enjoy yourself. This party will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t regret. Have a good time.
If the activity gets too much for your body, there are also several opportunities to relax and get a Thai massage. It’s the ideal party and rest cycle on the most gorgeous island you could go to.
6) Koh Lanta
If you’re confused between all the different options, the prudent decision is to go for one that offers you a bit of everything. That’s what you get with Koh Lanta, which provides an all-around experience. It features nature reserves where you can escape to meditate and relax, and then make your way back to the beach to take part in the parties that never seem to end. Koh Lanta may not give you the biggest highs, but it does give you the most highs.
5) Phuket
Phuket is the island you go to when you’re looking to live large and experience everything that Thailand has to offer. It’s one of the country’s largest islands and is also one of its most well-developed. It’s the busiest island in Thailand, but there’s a good reason for that. There’s no other island in Thailand that has beaches as large and as beautiful as the ones you find in Phuket. So, if your idea of a good vacation is spending time on the beach, Phuket is where you need to be. You can also take an island-hopping excursion in which you’ll see three different islands, two different snorkeling spots, and ultimately the well-known James Bond island.
I traveled to Phuket to celebrate the New Year with my friends. It was really crowded, and we went to Patong Beach at night, where a lot of people joined in a countdown, watched fireworks, and released lanterns into the air together with many other people. After that, we continued the New Year’s celebrations on Bangla Road. Bangla Road is a street full of pubs, clubs, and restaurants. This is a terrific street where you can do club and bar hopping, and it’s incredibly fun.
4) Koh Lipe
The most attractive aspect of Thailand’s islands is how diverse they are. What you may find lacking in one place you are bound to find in another. Koh Lipe will fulfill any romantic expectations you may have from Thailand. It’s small enough to just get through your fight, making it the ideal romantic escapade. What enhances its reputation is how remote it is, allowing you to just disappear with your loved one for a while.
3) Koh Phi Phi
If visiting Thailand with your significant other isn’t in your plans, then Koh Phi Phi will fulfill your desire for a bachelor pad next to the ocean. It’s an island frequented by young people, making it the party-going capital of Thailand’s many islands. It’s a great place to socialize and connect with people from all over the world.
2) Kon Chang
Out of the big Thailand islands, Kon Chang is the least busy. Most of the island is a national park which makes for a fantastic place for a jungle trek. It’s quiet, and the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. However, that doesn’t mean that Kon Chang does not have a party scene. It may be mellower than Phuket, but Kon Chang still offers all kinds of activities for you to enjoy and make for an ideal vacation.
1) Krabi Island, Railay Beach
You may not have been aware of Krabi Island, but it’s a place that you cannot ignore while planning your trip to Thailand. It offers the perfect postcard-worthy scenery that will make an impression on you as soon you get there with its limestone cliffs and tall palm trees.
However, it’s the turquoise sea that surrounds Krabi Island that defines it – with the Railay beach offering you a world-class beach. Formerly a fishing village, Railay has now become a full-fledged tourist destination hosting thousands of guests every single year. It’s made of three different beaches, each with its own distinct character. It’s important to visit all three and enjoy the parties there.
Also, if you enjoy hiking, the island offers some breathtaking trails and lookout points. Additionally, rent a kayak and explore the stunning islands nearby and beyond.
