When I think of a beach holiday, the first things that pop in mind are white sand, rustic-chic beach shacks and hammocks. Oh sweet comfy hammocks swaying gently between two palm trees as you drift to sleep to the sounds of the waves coming in.
Basically, I think about Thailand and specifically, any one of Thailand’s 1,430 islands.
But each island has a distinct flavour with its own characteristics; and there are so many inhabited islands to choose from. To help you decide, we’ve selected five of our favourite islands for you to visit on your trip to Thailand.
Here are our top 5 best Thai islands
Discover the best islands in Thailand
Phuket
Phuket is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand and offers visitors almost every Western convenience they expect.
From six-star resorts and five-star restaurants, to cheap dive-bars and road-side kebabs, you can expect to be able to indulge every whim you have when you visit the island.
Phuket is also the biggest island in Thailand, and offers holiday-goers the mix of cosmopolitan city life with an island lifestyle and amenities.
What to do in Phuket
One of the main reasons why Phuket is one of the best islands in Thailand is that you can take advantage of island-hopping, especially two popular choices being Raya and Coral Islands.
The island also offers the traditional water activities that make it a popular destination for snorkelers and divers alike enjoy coming to these two islands for some underwater adventures.
For visitors looking for something a little more chill for a night out beyond Phuket’s many bars and restaurants, can choose from a variety of performances and shows that are unique to Phuket. Ideal for the family or just for a relaxing night out, some of the most popular shows include Phuket FantaSea, Siam Niramit and Simon Cabaret.
READ MORE: Phuket is also one of the best and most popular wedding destinations in the world.
Koh Lipe
Often said to have the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, Koh Lipe is located in the south close to the border of Malaysia. It does not have the crowds or glitz of Phuket, but is often used as stock images for beautiful beaches around the world.
The island is actually small enough to explore on foot, and can be a romantic destination to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Though not known as a nightlife hotspot in Thailand, the island’s nightlife is centered around Pattaya Beach and those looking for peace and quiet, can visit Sunset Beach.
What to do in Koh Lipe
Tourists can relax on the many beautiful beaches of Koh Lipe, or a short 20-minute ferry ride will get you to the Koh Adang mountain, which offers a truly stunning view.
If hiking is not on the itinerary, you can explore Koh Lipe’s three most beautiful beaches – Sunrise, Sunset and Pattaya. From watching some of the most beautiful sunsets at the aptly named Sunset Beach to visiting the west-side located Sunset beach to enjoy stunning views of sundown.
Those aside, thrill-seekers can select from an exciting range of water sports including snorkelling and scuba diving to have a well-rounded holiday experience.
READ MORE: Thailand massage and places to relax in Thailand
Koh Samui
Koh Samui was one of the first popular islands amongst tourists to Thailand, drawing in thousands of backpackers and tourists looking for that ‘traditional’ island lifestyle and insane parties.
Modern Koh Samui still retains some of that early spark, but has become a genuine tourist destination for those looking for luxury on the beach.
The island is also one of the best yoga and spa destinations in the world – offering an unmatched experience for those looking to unwind in luxury.
What to do in Koh Samui
As briefly mentioned, visitors can experience and indulge in some of the most decadent spas in the world in Koh Samui. From massage to cleanses, the island offers these services through a myriad of high-end shops.
If relaxing at the spa isn’t your cup of tea, then take a day trip to Angthong National Park. Be prepared for an entire day of sailing the beautiful waters around the island, and seeing some amazing natural rock formations and lagoons at one of Thailand’s most beautiful marine parks.
Another popular attraction on the island is the street markets in Koh Samui, most notably Chaweng Night Market and the Lamai Night Market. From traditional Thai food to roadside bars for a late night drink to get everyone in the mood to party.
READ MORE: Thailand beaches – What are the best beaches in Thailand?
Koh Tao
The island of Koh Tao is also known as ‘Turtle Island’ and has some of the best diving spots in Thailand. The island has numerous coves and white sand beaches, with Koh Samui just a short boat ride away.
Just 21 square kilometers (8.1 square miles for the Americans) in size, this small island is the perfect getaway from the more commercial bigger islands that are so popular in Thailand.
What to do in Koh Tao
The island is best-known for its diving spots and is actually perfect for beginners because of the crystal clear and shallow water. Due to its great location and no off-season, it is a diving hot spot all year long. The best scuba diving spots in Koh Tao are only around 20 kilometers from the island.
Not a diver, but interested to learn? Not a problem, you will find more than 40 scuba diving schools in Koh Tao where you can complete all PADI (diving certification) courses or simply book some separate scuba diving lessons.
Even if you’re not a diver, Koh Tao has an irresistible charm and great nightlife. The island has also been known to host the odd full-moon party, so it offers an interesting variety of ways to explore the island.
READ MORE: Koh Tao is also one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks.
Koh Pha Ngan
Koh Pha Ngan is the party island to end all party islands in Thailand. Three-day beach parties are the norm rather than the exception in Koh Phangan and they are famous for full moon parties that bring travellers from all over the world.
Though the full moon parties are once a month, the party doesn’t stop in Koh Pha Ngan and revellers can expect to start or continue the party with regular beach parties every week.
What to do in Koh Pha Ngan
If all-night ragers are not your thing, you might still be in luck as Koh Pha Ngan also has other activities and things to do for travellers. It is still a tropical island and there are several waterfalls to discover in Koh Phangan such as the Than Sadet Waterfall, which is a great hike and offers an amazing view.
For a fun day out, you might even consider the Challenge Phangan water park, which is located at Sweet Water Lake, on the west coast of the island. Get ready for a water obstacle that features rolling barrels, monkey bars, stepping stones, balance beams, swinging shapes, and more.
READ MORE: Thailand trip cost – How much should you budget for your Thailand trip?
Just these five islands offer a plethora of fun in the sand and amazingly clear waters to wash away your travel blues. Though these are some of the best islands in Thailand, don’t forget there are well over 1,400 more islands more to explore and offer their own unique Thailand experience.
Don’t miss out on our Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide for tips on
everything you need to know when planning your trip to Thailand
so you can make the most of your time in the Land of Smiles!
