Choosing Which Islands to Visit in Thailand
There are lots of islands to visit in Thailand. It’s hard to pick which ones to see. Each island has different beaches.
Thailand has over a thousand islands, making trip planning challenging. However, this variety ensures you’ll find an island you love.
What’s more, Thai islands offer different things. Pick one that matches what you like. Some are great for parties. Others are best for sea diving or fancy hotels. Think about your favourite activities when choosing.
Koh Lipe, for example, offers clear water and white sand. This is a perfect destination for beach enthusiasts seeking to get away from the crowds.
How Built-Up is the Island
It’s important to know how developed each island is. More built-up islands often have more to do and better services. Less developed ones are usually quieter with more natural beauty. Additionally, islands can change quickly. Try to get the latest info before you go. Koh Lipe has a good mix of new things and untouched nature.
Plan Your Island Trip
When deciding which islands to visit in Thailand, pick wisely. Choose ones close to each other. This saves travel time. You’ll have more time to enjoy each place. Don’t forget to add Koh Lipe to your list.
Gulf Islands
The Gulf of Thailand has many popular islands, including Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao. They lie south of Bangkok and Pattaya City. Koh Tao, for instance, is great for seeing fish underwater.
Andaman Sea Islands
Furthermore, other famous islands are in the Andaman Sea. They’re on Thailand’s west coast. This area includes Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Ao Nang. Koh Lanta, Koh Kradan, and Koh Lipe are also here. Koh Phi Phi has popular, beautiful beaches.
Phuket: Thailand’s Big Island
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, stretching 30 miles long. It’s a popular destination due to its busy atmosphere. Many tourists choose Phuket for its convenient airport access.
You can find big hotel chains here, like JW Marriott and Club Med. Some areas, like Patong, have tall buildings and lots of shops. Bangla Road has wild nightlife. If you want quiet beaches, stay away from these busy spots.
The good news is Phuket is big enough to find nice, quiet beaches like Kata Beach. You can also take a short boat ride to the Koh Yao Islands for peace. Or use Phuket as a starting point to visit other islands. For example, you could go to Koh Lanta from here.
Koh Samui: A Calmer Island Getaway
Koh Samui feels more like a real island escape than busy Phuket. It has its own airport, but fewer planes fly here. This means it’s quieter.
This pretty island is more relaxed. Even so, more people visit each year. You can find fancy beach hotels, cool beach clubs, and places to get massages. There are also spots for yoga and beaches with still, clear water. For instance, Chaweng Beach is known for its soft sand and calm seas.
Koh Phangan: Party Island
Equally important, Koh Phangan is famous for big beach parties. The Full Moon Party is the most well-known. But there are many other parties too, like Half Moon and Black Moon parties.
Young travellers come here for fun nights. They watch fire dancers and use bright body paint. You can find cheap places to stay, but also fancy ones. Even with lots of people, the island still has pretty natural spots. For example, Bottle Beach is quiet and beautiful. Truly one of the most entertaining islands to visit in Thailand.
Koh Tao: Diving Paradise
Koh Tao is famous for excellent scuba diving. You can spot large marine life like whale sharks and sea turtles. It’s Thailand’s premier diving destination.
Koh Tao is small but has about 100 dive shops! Getting scuba certified here is cheap. Many people come to learn diving.
The island also has a famous view. From Koh Nang Viewpoint, you can see smaller islands nearby. It’s very pretty, like some views in Indonesia.
Before you go, check if it’s safe to visit. Look up travel advice from your government. This helps you have a good, safe trip.
Koh Phi Phi: Famous but Crowded
Koh Phi Phi actually comprises six small islands. One of them, Maya Bay, was in a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio. The islands have tall rock cliffs that look cool. You can also see the rocky outcrops on other Thai islands too.
But unfortunately, too many tourists came to the island. This hurt nature. The government closed Maya Bay for three years to help it heal. Now, you can’t even swim there or take a walk on the beach. Some people don’t like how crowded it is.
Still, many enjoy Koh Phi Phi. It depends on what you want. You can fly to Phuket or Krabi, then take a boat here. Remember, the main island is tiny – less than 5 miles long. For example, Tonsai Beach gets very busy, but Long Beach is quieter.
Ao Nang: A Good Place to Start
Not an island, Ao Nang is a good starting point for island trips. It’s near Krabi Town, which has a major airport. This makes travel convenient. Ao Nang is becoming busier, while Krabi Town remains quiet. The area has tall, rocky cliffs that look cool. You can take a short boat ride to Railay Beach to see these up close.
Try to visit other Thai beaches too. Ao Nang’s water isn’t as pretty as some places. But it’s less built-up than Phuket. This might be what you want for starting your island visits. For example, from here, you can easily go to Koh Poda, which has clearer water.
Koh Lanta: Laid-Back Island Life
Koh Lanta is two big islands. Most people also visit Koh Lanta Yai. It’s in the south of Krabi area. You can get here from Krabi Town by boat or van.
Koh Lanta is quiet and charming. It only got power in most homes in 1996! Life is slow here. The island is large, about 20 miles long, offering many activities. Exploring by motorbike is the best way to see it.
You can easily visit nearby islands from Koh Lanta. For example, you might take a day trip to Koh Rok, known for its clear waters and good snorkelling.
Koh Kradan, Koh Mook, & Koh Ngai: Island Escapes
These three small islands are great for a peaceful beach trip. They’re not as busy as famous islands like Koh Phi Phi. You can get here by boat from Trang or Krabi.
Koh Mook is the biggest of the three. You can walk across it in 30 minutes. It has roads and tut-tuts. The main attraction is Emerald Cave. At low tide, you swim through a dark cave to a hidden beach. Many tourists visit, so it can get crowded.
Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai are even quieter. They have no roads or cars. Most hotels are fancy, but some cheaper ones exist. Koh Ngai is more expensive. It has hotels along one beach, with jungle everywhere else. You might see big birds called hornbills in the morning!
Koh Kradan has fewer places to stay. It offers empty beaches, hiking, kayaking, and swimming with fish near the shore. If you want peace and can spend a bit more money, this is one of the best islands to visit in Thailand.
To sum up, each Thai island offers a unique experience, from the crowded beaches of Koh Phi Phi to the quiet escapes of Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai. The choice depends on your preferred vacation style.
Our Guides to Thailand
Thailand Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
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