Attribution: CC BY-SA 3.0. “The credit for this work goes to Jeerawat Kaewprasoeng and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.”
Over the past years, Thailand has emerged as one of the most visited countries in the world. And we can say, it is justified.
Thailand is home to some of the most tranquil beaches in the world, each of which connects to crystal clear, cool waters. Further into the country, tourists are treated to magnificent temples and scenery as well as cultural and archaeological sites honouring the country’s colourful history.
In addition to that, foreign visitors are warmly welcomed in Thailand. In fact, Thai locals are known for their gentle and hospitable nature… so much so that it earned the country the moniker “The Land of Smiles.”
While these features are certainly reasons why visitors are drawn to Thailand, there is one main factor that keeps tourists coming back for more: the Thai islands.
Thailand boasts a wide range of beautiful islands, each of which houses world-class beach towns perfect for visitors coming to the country looking for the perfect sandy escape. Within these islands, visitors often find themselves lost in the beauty of the overworld and underwater.
On land, Thailand is marked with towering statues and monuments depicting the country’s history, traditions, and beliefs. The streets are also bathed in the scents of delicious aromatic spice elements featured in Thai cooking. Under the sea, Thailand serves as the home to hundreds of thousands of vibrant coral reefs and fishes.
If you’re planning on visiting Thailand any time soon, here are the islands you should never miss.
Koh Lipe
Credit: Lipe Beach Resort | Wikimedia Commons
Who is this island for? Couples and Honeymooners
Koh Lipe is one of the 51 islands that make up Tarutao National Marine Park off the coast of the southern Satun Province. Many agree when people say that Koh Lipe has the most beautiful beaches in the world. The island has that dreamy feel and— combined with its remoteness, perfect beaches, and luxury hotels—tourists will certainly be spoiled in paradise.
The island is small enough to explore on foot. That being said, it offers plenty of activities to keep your days and nights occupied. During the daytime, plenty of vendors dot the island’s beaches and inland offering snorkelling and diving packages. Some may also offer tours to a nearby island. After sundown, Koh Lipe’s Pattaya Beach becomes a hotspot for partygoers looking to dance the night away.
Koh Yao
Credit: Alin Meceanu | Wikimedia Commons
Who is this island for? Off-the-beaten paths and fewer crowds
The Koh Yao Islands in Thailand are located in Phang Nga and also near the lively city of Phuket (in fact, it’s just a half-hour speedboat ride away). That being said, the environment in Koh Yao Yai (‘big long island’) and Koh Yao Noi (‘small long island’) is as calm as a whisper. Whereas Phuket is filled with glitz and glamour, Koh Yao houses sleepy fishing villages and quiet streets. You can even visit Phang Nga Bay which is another gem in Southern Thailand. Also unlike Phuket, there are no big shopping malls in the area, except for 7-11, which is regarded as the shopping mall on the island.
The Koh Yao islands are known for their patchwork of rubber plantations and rice paddies, all of which are connected to dirt tracks. There are a few paved roads on the island where tourists can zip about on a scooter.
The best part about the island is its remoteness. You can lounge near a mangrove forest while sipping authentic Thai iced tea. You can also spend some time on the island’s white sandy beaches where you’re more likely to bump into a water buffalo than another tourist. There are also several restaurants along the main road selling the freshest catch of the day.
Koh Tao
Credit: Visions of Domino | Wikimedia Commons
Who is this island for? Scuba divers and sea lovers
Koh Tao, which translates to Turtle Island, is lined with sandy coves and lantern-lit restaurants serving authentic Thai cuisine. However, the island is a go-to among tourists looking for dive shops where they can sign up to get their PADI and SSI Open Water Competition. In fact, the island is known as one of the world’s top places for diving, so much so that scuba diving certifications here are likely the cheapest. Koh Tao certainly is one of the best islands in Thailand for free diving and snorkeling amongst absolute pristine nature and sea animals.
Certifications usually take four days to finish. However, if you’re short on time, dive schools on the island also offer Discovery Dives where tourists can go down 12 meters without any certification. This takes only one day.
Tourists with certifications can also take more advanced courses, including night diving, wreck diving, shark diving, and Nitrox diving.
Koh Phangan
Credit: Per Meistrup | Wikimedia Commons
Who is this island for? Partygoers
If you’re looking for the best beach party in the world, there’s really no other choice but to go to Koh Phangan. The island is home to Full Moon Parties at Haad Rin’s Sunrise Beach. When these parties are held, you can expect the sandy beach to be filled with roughly 20,000 partygoers and travellers waving their new dreadlocks.
If you’re visiting Thailand at a different time, Koh Phangan hosts half-moon and black-moon parties in the intervening weeks. There will be fewer crowds attending these parties, but the drinks and treats continue to flow endlessly from beach bars and cocktail bars.
Traveling to Phangan is also extremely convenient from both Koh Samui and Koh Tao (nearby islands). It is only around an hour’s boat/ferry ride away, making it even more fun for tourists to go island hopping and explore the beautiful nature of some of the best Thai islands.
Koh Lanta
Credit: AdrienBe | Pixabay
Who is this island for? Families and first-timers
Of all Thai islands, Koh Lanta is perhaps one of the most family-friendly islands. It’s also a lot less overwhelming than bigger, more crowded islands such as Phuket, making it a great place to go for newcomers.
Koh Lanta is made up of small islands, the most famous of which is Koh Lanta Yai. The islands feature plenty of nature reserves and white sand beaches where you’re likely to see a small crowd of travelers, families, and backpackers. There are also a variety of accommodations running across the island, all of which range from spare inns to luxury resorts.
If you’re visiting with children, the island is perfectly safe for the little ones. The waters are also calm, allowing children to have fun swimming and splashing around. Apart from the beach, there are also some shops offering kayaking tours through mangrove forests.
Similan Islands
Credit: Roma Neus | Wikimedia Commons
Who is this island for? Island Hopping
The Similan Islands National Park is a chain of nine islands surrounded by the Andaman Sea. The islands are known for their untouched coral reefs where visitors can snorkel and enjoy the views of the underwater world. From February to April, tourists often head to Richelieu Rock near the Burmese border where whale sharks swim about.
If you’re considering visiting Similan Islands, please do so before May. The national park closes from that month and does not open until after October due to rough weather conditions and for security purposes. The exact dates vary each year, so it’s important to look it up before visiting the park.
Koh Phayam
Credit: spinheike | Pixabay
Who is this island for? People looking for laid-back island living
Near the Burmese border, Koh Phayam is a beautiful island that promises visitors an opportunity to experience a slow life, allowing you the chance to see how locals lived back in the old days.
The island is the exact epitome of “simple living.” In fact, there are only several places on the island where you can enjoy 24-hour electricity. That being said, the island’s lack of major development is part of its charm. Coupled with a natural vibe, the island is perfect for those looking to relax after months of grueling work.
Despite being a little less developed, there are still plenty of things tourists can do on the island, including strolling along the quiet beach, hiking or biking through rubber plantations and sprawling forests, or lazying around on a hammock.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a massive Thai island filled with beach towns, restaurants, and plenty of shopping options. The island, which was once a sleepy location, has grown to become the vacation mecca on Thailand’s eastern coast.
It’s no secret that the beaches keep crowds flocking to Koh Samui. However, the island is best known for its various temples and shrines, with the Big Buddha being the most popular. Located at the north end of the island, the 15-metre-high golden Buddha statue overlooks Koh Samui’s landscape, reflecting the calm and pure ambiance around the temple grounds.
