The Best Islands to Visit In Thailand
Thailand has over 1400 islands to explore. Just which of these islands are worth your while? This post rounds up some of the most beautiful and interesting islands that this country has to offer.
Phuket Island
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and its most popular beach destination. Although incredibly touristy, Phuket is still worthwhile visiting for its beautiful beaches and buzzing nightlife. This is definitely the destination to go if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere - the vibrant food markets, neon signed bars and bustling shops make for an assault on the senses. Old Phuket Town meanwhile offers some history. James Bond Island (which featured in The Man With The Golden Gun) is located not far from Phuket and is also worth visiting.
Koh Samui
The scenic white sands of Koh Samui make this another popular Thai beach destination. However, this is a much more laid back destination than Phuket that’s better suited for those wanting a truly relaxing getaway. Hotel complexes such as this Samui resort offer ocean views and private dining experiences. Spas and wellness retreats are popular across the island. At the same time, there are temples and waterfalls to explore across the island for those wanting some adventure.
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is home of the famous Full Moon Party - in which thousands of visitors gather on the beaches to party under the moonlight. As you can imagine, it’s a popular destination for partygoers. However, Koh Phangan can have a laid atmosphere during the day. Many of its bars have a Bohemian vibe and tend to play quite laid back music, and there are yoga classes on the beach. Activities like snorkelling are also popular here.
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi islands can be visited from Phuket or Krabi. Maya Bay - which featured in the movie The Beach - can be found here, and is a popular tourist destination. Tourism has unfortunately spoiled a lot of these beaches and there is a serious litter problem. However, the huge rocks and dramatic coves are impressive and worth exploring via boat (there are quite a few boat tours around these islands that you can choose from, including private tours).
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is known as the ‘island of a million eyes’ because there are so many smaller islands to explore off of it. It is less touristy than many of the islands listed above and can be great for those craving a more remote beach destination. Activities to consider include cave kayaking and scuba diving. There’s also an elephant sanctuary here that you can visit to see rescued elephants.
Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are the most remote Thai islands on this list. There’s one big reason that tourists come here: scuba diving. The reefs around this island are the most stunning in all of Thailand’s waters. You’ll be able to spot all kinds of marine wildlife here from manta rays to seahorses. There are Similan Islands diving schools that you can try here if you don’t know how to dive.
