Thailand has long been on the bucket list for many travellers and has become one of the most visited countries in the world. In fact, Bangkok was ranked the world’s most visited city last year, and I’m pretty sure most of these people were heading to the islands.

For me, Thailand pretty much offers the complete package when it comes to island holidays, which is why I frequently return over any others in Southeast Asia. Even when I lived in Thailand, I barely left.

Siam’s islands are lined with endless stunning beaches, the hospitality is some of the best you’ll find in the world, the food is just a slap-in-the-face flavour bomb, and it’s hard to beat a 4 o’clock Thai massage on the beach. It’s also still one of the more affordable tropical destinations to vacay, despite rising prices in recent years.

While there’s always a secluded bay that can be sought if you go off the beaten track, it’s worth bearing in mind that Thailand continues to attract an ever-increasing number of tourists, foreign migrants, and development has increased considerably in certain areas. Some spots are becoming uncomfortably saturated, and you can see the strain. Therefore, I’ve updated this list for 2026 to reflect the changing conditions- as such, two top 5 islands have been replaced by alternatives.

If an option, travelling here outside of the major holidays is preferred to grab better value and fewer muggles (as a teacher, I get this may not be possible!). But if the high season is your only option, I’ll let you know more chilled places to stay, and some busy areas to avoid.

When I first visited Thailand in 2013, like many, I stayed on the gorgeous island of Koh Samui. For those less familiar with Asia, Samui and Phuket are two of the larger and more established islands. They’re the easiest to get to and around, but they’re also the most touristy. Both have loads of varying accommodation types— from budget to luxe, and many fancier restaurants for people wanting to splurge. They’re also a great starting point for some island hopping. 

To distinguish between the two:

1. Samui (Thailand’s 2nd largest island, on the east coast) is my favourite of the two. It’s more relaxed and laid-back, and has more of an island vibe. Popular nearby islands are: Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Koh Nang Yuan.
2. Phuket (Thailand’s largest island, on the west coast) is bigger, busier, and more commercial, but it offers more activities. Popular nearby islands are: Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Similan Islands.

I put this list together for freshies to Thailand, even though I still love going back to them. It’s a good starting point if you’re relatively new to Asia and want a taste of comfortable island life that’s catered for tourists. 

But, for more intrepid folks, Thailand has over 50 established islands to explore, and a further 1’300 uninhabited ones. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may want to head to some of the lesser-known islands, or use one of these as a springboard and split your time between them. 

Sticking around? Here’s a healthy dose of island vibes for ya!

5 Must-See Islands in Thailand

Some islands in this article are relatively easy to reach by direct flight from Bangkok. Others require a flight + bus to the pier + ferry and are a bit more of a mission, so good planning is recommended. While I can guarantee you won’t be complaining when you get there, families and those less mobile may not want the faff of extra travel, so in this article, I’ll include details on how to reach each destination so you can decide if it’s feasible.

1. Koh Chang

Elephant Island, aka Koh Chang, is Thailand’s 3rd-largest island and is generally overlooked by tourists from Western countries. A massive perk is that it won’t be as busy as Phuket, Koh Samui, or other well-known islands. It’s also far less commercial and still holds a strong local charm.

The things I loved about Koh Chang are the wide-open beaches, chilled Rasta vibes, and the locals are some of the friendliest islanders you could meet. If you want to experience a taste of authentic Thailand while still having all the tourism conveniences, KC may be your jam.

Koh Chang isn’t a party place (thankfully), and the regular nightlife scene mainly consists of watching a fire show on the beach or listening to reggae tunes from a beach bar. There are plenty of fresh seafood joints up and down the coast, where you can hand-pick your ocean proteins and have them BBQ’d.

While it’s chilled out, KC does liven up nicely during Songkran (Thai New Year, mid-April). It’s actually my favourite place in Thailand to celebrate the festival because of its small-town, local feel.

For other activities, island hopping and snorkelling to nearby Koh Kood, Koh Mak and Koh Wai is a popular pastime (unfortunately snorkelling is not readily available on the island, like most other big islands). Or you can simply head out on a kayak to have some isles all to yourself!

I haven’t been back to Chang since 2016, but I’ve read that development here has been minimal compared to other islands, and it thankfully hasn’t changed much. That said, there will be a 4 billion investment into making it a leading “sustainable tourism” hub, so perhaps that won’t last forever. Or maybe, just maybe, it’ll set a new path for tourism in Thailand. 

Where to stay in Koh Chang

We stayed on the west coast, along Klong Prao beach. It was a really laid-back area with a pretty haad (beach) and local restaurants nearby. Check out the full range of island stays with Booking.com. For the past 15 years, this has been my go-to platform.

How to get to Koh Chang

Getting there isn’t complicated, but requires a few changes. If you’re coming from Bangkok, then you have two options:

1. If you’re in a rush, you can jump on a one-hour flight to Trat (near the Thai-Cambodian border). As the airport is owned by Bangkok Airlines, flights can be more expensive, but it’s still reasonable. Check out all available flights on Skyscanner.
   Then hop in a van/taxi to Trat pier (15 mins) and take a ferry to the island (from 1h30 to 3hrs).
2. Otherwise, book a cheaper bus/taxi from Bangkok to Trat pier (approx 5 hours). Then take a ferry to KC. Check out bus & ferry options from Bangkok here.

Note: there are only two ferry operators from Trat— Ferry Koh Chang (departing from Ao Thammachat Pier), and Centrepoint Ferry (departing from Centrepoint Pier). As they’re about 5 km apart and you can only book tickets directly with them on the day, it’s much easier to organise transfers in advance online with 12GoAsia.

2. Koh Samui

Ahh, Samui. It was our holiday here that inspired our move to Thailand. Except we ended up somewhere you wouldn’t take your gran to (Pattaya), which wasn’t quite the love story I had in mind!

I recently returned to Koh Samui early this year in 2026, and even had my flights booked to move here this summer. (Long story!).

Just like Phuket and Koh Phangan, Samui has seen a surge in development in recent years, which engulfs almost half of the island’s coast. If you haven’t been here before, then you wouldn’t know any different and probably wouldn’t mind. But for folks like me who saw the island years ago, it’s been a shame to see so much jungle replaced by concrete. 

However, Samui is a big island. The other half is thankfully the tropical paradise I remember, and I think it’s still a great choice for couples and families seeking relaxation. I drove around each day on my last trip (which was scheduled as a recce visit, not a holiday!), and found a number of quiet beaches that I think you’ll enjoy too. 

For those of you coming here to escape the crowds, get out on a bike to explore, and experience a more relaxed side of Samui, then I would get as far away from the airport as possible. Heading to the southeast, south, or southwest coast will gift you with peaceful beaches, more low-density resorts, and the area is peppered with small villages, rugged coconut plantations, farmland and meditation centres. On the West Coast, you get to enjoy incredible sunsets too, and I think the setting here feels quite romantic.

Similarly to nearby Koh Phangan, Samui has established itself as a wellness island, offering an array of holistic retreats, from yoga to meditation and sound healing. I stayed at a wellness resort there recently, and it was honestly one of the best stays I’ve ever had.

Apart from relaxing, drinking your weight in fresh coconuts, and daily massages on the beach, if you want to peel yourself away from the resort to explore, there’s quite a bit to see and do around Samui. Here are a few things I’d recommend…

1. Visit the elephants 🐘. Samui has several elephant sanctuaries. Thankfully, practices these days are more ethical than a decade ago, as tourists have become more educated— I also speak for myself, as I rode one when I first visited Thailand in 2013. Samui Elephant Haven sounds like a great place to visit. Set on 23 acres, it has rehomed gentle giants that were previously used for trekking tourists and logging across Thailand.
2. Haad hop. Islands like this are made for renting a scooter and checking out nearby beaches. I’d recommend any of the ones I mention below 👇🏼. The rest is for you to explore.
3. Hit the hiking trails. There are a number of jungle trails on the island that head to viewpoints and waterfalls. If you’d prefer to do something less strenuous, drive to Tarnim Magic Garden in the jungle, which has some very intriguing statues. 
4. Fly through the treetops. For more adrenaline thrills, you can zipline through the rainforest if you’re too lazy to hike! Check out well-rated Hawk Adventures or Samui Zipline.
5. Day trip to smaller islands. As a general rule of thumb, the smaller the island, the more eye-popping the beaches get. We really enjoyed our day trip to Koh Nang Yuan. While it got busy with day trippers, it was incredibly beautiful. You can snorkel right off the beach or hike to the viewpoint.
   Note: this islet is just off Koh Tao, which is about 90 minutes away by speedboat. You may want to split your stay between Samui and Koh Tao (more deets below), or perhaps Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Where to stay on Koh Samui

My favourite areas in Koh Samui are Lipa Noi, which sits halfway down the west coast, and basically everywhere south of there- Taling Ngam (south-east), Thong Krut (South coast) to Nahai Beach in the Southeast. It’s hard not to be charmed by this area of Samui, which has retained the relaxed, more local way of life that brought people to the island in the first place. 

The north and east coast, around Bo Put, Fisherman’s Village, Chaweng and Lamai Beach, are very touristy. As such, they have the most bars, restaurants and resorts (including some luxury ones such as Four Seasons and Anantara, where White Lotus was shot), so you may be tempted to stay here. If you’re the type of person who stays in the hotel most of the time, then you would probably be quite happy, and they can be fun areas to hang out. Although personally I’d avoid Lamai Beach as I think it’s a bit boganic and seedy. 

Resorts and stays in my favourite areas of Koh Samui

There are many stays in Samui, but expect to get what you pay for. Samui is a lot pricier than I remember, and you do need to spend more here for somewhere decent.

If you want to bag the best deals, try staying outside of the high season, or book as early as possible. The low season runs from May to June and from September to mid-December. Prices almost double in the high season between Christmas and Chinese New Year. 

Good to know

Wherever you stay, I would avoid a resort that sits close to the island’s main loop road (4169), unless it has soundproofing. We stayed in two spots- one was a bamboo hut in Bang Po Beach, and the other was a proper brick structure in Maret, but both were super loud with road noise.

After extensive research, here are a few goodies I found in the areas I love.

*My favourite- Best affordable luxury stay: [pictured above] This is the wonderful new wellness resort I stayed in this year (adults only… no funny business). Each villa is spacious, beautifully styled and comes with a private pool, in addition to daily wellness classes. It was super peaceful, and priced well for what it offered- check out all the details in my other article. 

Low-Range Airbnb: If you’re looking for a basic, beachfront stay where you can watch evening sunsets and kick coconuts around, check out this Airbnb. It was booked out on our trip, but it’s well rated, and the location is stellar. About $125 AU per night / £65 / 3’000 THB.

Mid-Range Airbnb: This place is set up in an area of Samui I’d happily call home. I booked this Airbnb for a month in September this year, until our plans changed. This 2-bed villa is highly rated, and Thong Krut is super chilled-out, local and authentic. While the beach is pretty and on your doorstep, it’s not the best for swimming because of the pier; however, others are within an easy scooter ride away, and this pad comes with a private pool. (You’ve gotta have a pad thai and fresh coconut nearby at Green Beach Cafe). About $200 AU per night / £65 / 3’000 THB.

Best High End stay: [pictured below] Conrad Hotel, just wow. This place is next level. The villas here looked amazing, and the staff were incredibly friendly. Even if you don’t stay here, I’d recommend stopping by for the afternoon, which is an experience in itself. Head to their Botanikka cafe to enjoy a coffee with an epic view alongside Xin the cat, or grab something stronger at Ko Lounge. As the hotel has four islands in its seascape, it’s said to be the best sunset spot on Samui.

How to get to Koh Samui

Getting to southern islands in Thailand can be a bit of a mission. Samui is an exception as it has its own airport, although direct flights here are more expensive than other domestic ones in Thailand (Bangkok Airways owns the airport and is the only airline that flies here within Thailand, so it has the monopoly). You can also catch a flight here from Singapore with Scoot. 

Samui is the first island before Koh Phangan, so for more detailed transport specifics, check out my detailed article. Otherwise, here’s the quick option v the cheaper option.

1. Quick Choice- Fly direct to Koh Samui (1h05 from Bangkok or Singapore). Tickets are about $250 AUD per person, one-way, give or take. I 100% recommend this option if you’re travelling from outside of Thailand, otherwise it’ll be a tiring two days of travel to get here with option 2! Browse all available flights with Skyscanner here.
2. El cheapo package- This fly+bus+ferry route is longer, but cheaper. Fly to Surat Thani on the mainland with AirAsia (1h10 from Bangkok- see flights here). Then take a bus to Donsak Pier and jump on a ferry to Samui (bus + ferry times range from 1h45 to 5 hours). The quickest ferry is Lomprayah, which we always go with (avoid snail-paced Seatran if you can help it). Bookings with them also include the bus ride from the Airport. Check out all the bus & ferry options on 12Go.

3. Koh Tao

The Koh Samui archipelago consists of over 80 islands. The three main ones people visit are Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Some people do all three on a trip, although if you only have a fortnight to spare, I wouldn’t do more than 2 otherwise you’ll spend more time travelling than enjoying the islands.

If you’re going to do a time share, for something different, I’d suggest either Koh Samui and Koh Tao, or Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

To be truthful, there are things I loved and hated about Koh Tao. I didn’t like the first impressions when I got off the boat. The small pier was overloaded with touts and drivers waiting to pounce— it felt a bit like a meat market.

The potholed roads were also difficult to get around on a bike. And the island had more than its fair share of young, slightly annoying travellers.

But. It was beautiful, and we ended up having a fun time. I think we expected it to be more off-the-beaten track (what, me crazy?!) and therefore less busy, which was the problem. It’s not!

When most people think of this Thai island, they know it’s famous for its diving opportunities. It definitely boasts many great local sites to explore (I hear) and heaps of schools to choose from. Although a trusted dive master & teacher friend of mine rates Koh Phangan more highly for diving action. Koh Tao has every Tom, Dick and Harry going to dive there, so it can get a tad busy.

Apart from being lined with some pretty amazing beaches (let’s not sell that short), AMAZING beaches and awesome snorkelling from just off them, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy on Turtle Island.

Tour operator Goodtime Adventures offers heaps of action-packed thrills, from rock climbing & snorkelling sessions, to boat handling courses, and of course, scuba diving.

And then there’s also perhaps the second-best activity on the island. Fly trapeze 🙌 I know what you’re thinking, not my cup of tea because I’m not acrobatic enough. The Sailor thought so too, but loved it as much as I did. We were both buzzing after a 2-hour session of complete adrenaline and left with permanent Ronald McDonald smiles across our faces. It also gave me a taste for extreme sports.

Similar to Koh Chang, another island highlight was again Songkran, but for different reasons.

Basically, and I’m not a party animal anymore (seriously, I haven’t been clubbing probably since this!), but we partied the night away during this Thai New Year, and it was heaps of fun. The Sailor and I went to Maya Beach Club, where British DJ Goldie was playing a set. The crowd, tunes and vibes were awesome, although perhaps we had too much Thai whiskey (avoid that stuff if you can!).

If you’re holidaying in Koh Samui or Koh Phangan and have time to spare, then I think Koh Tao warrants up to a week of your time.

Where to stay on Koh Tao

We stayed on the quieter east coast in Tanote Bay, which was nice and relaxing. Although those who want to be closer to the action may prefer the West Coast. Check out Koh Tao’s stays on Booking.com.

How to get to Koh Tao

KT isn’t the easiest one to get to, but not so bad if you break up your trip by staying in Koh Phangan or Samui.

1. The more expensive but quickest and easiest option is to fly to Koh Samui (1h10 from Bangkok- check flights here, or fly with Scoot from Singapore). Then grab a boat to Koh Tao (between 1.5-3hrs, depending on the time of day). There are numerous ferry operators and piers to choose from in Samui.
2. For a relatively quick-ish journey, you can fly to Chumphon Airport on the mainland (1h10 from Bangkok). Then take a bus to Matapon pier (about 35 mins) and grab a boat to Koh Tao (about 2h45).
3. Similarly to Samui’s Option 2 👆🏼, fly to Surat Thani on the mainland (1h10 from Bangkok). Then take a bus to Donsak pier (1.5 hrs) and grab a boat over (about 4.5 hrs). This option is long and tiring though.

Check out all the bus & ferry options on 12Go.

Extra: To Phuket, or not to Phuket?

Phuket is Thailand’s most popular island, and we initially had our reservations about visiting it. Back in 2014, a few teacher friends said they weren’t keen on it because it was too commercial and busy. But then we found out that they were staying in Patong! Staying in Patong is a bit like going to Benidorm or Ayia Napa and then groaning about all the chavs and bogans. If I could urge you, avoid Patong. Apart from being commercially busy, it felt a bit seedy and grotty, like Pattaya (the sex-pat capital of Thailand).

As well as being Thailand’s largest island (approximately the same size as Singapore), Phuket is the most developed. It’s essentially built for tourists, so it’s harder to get a taste of authentic Thailand or small-island vibes, though there are many others nearby to make up for it.

Nevertheless, I still love Phuket. It’s fun, has an upbeat vibe, and offers a bit of everything. You can have an adventure if you want it, or completely chill. While it’s Thailand’s most visited island, you can still find quieter areas to escape to. 

Phuket offers a lot to do, from hiking, to beach and island hopping, to more fly-trapeze fun, jungle gliding, 4×4 trekking, wakeboarding, or shopping at its characterful old town. Phuket comes from the Malay word bukit, meaning ‘mountain,’ so there are plenty of cool viewpoints.

But I realise it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and if I wanted a holiday to just relax and enjoy beach time, I probably wouldn’t come to Phuket. The beaches are okay, but not the best in Thailand. I think you come here if you want to have fun.

Much of the Midwest and the Southwest coast has experienced significant development and population growth of late. We visited Karon and Kata Beach last year, a decade on from our first visit, and it seems to have turned into a little Moscow now, sadly. The window for places I’d recommend staying has got smaller.

Phuket Old Town

One thing Phuket has over all the other islands is the Old Town. It has a completely different vibe from the rest of the island and feels like a Thai version of a quaint European town. We enjoyed spending a few nights here, and it could be a nice way for you to mix up your stay. 

The historic centre is lined with characterful Sino-Portugese shophouses that have been converted into modern hotels, delicious restaurants (try The Charm Dining Gallery for awesome Nyonya food), cocktail bars, cool cafes, museums, and an ever-growing array of boutiques (check out stylish boutique ES Phuket). It also hosts a lively Sunday market on Walking Street, which I’d highly recommend. Even if we’re not sleeping over, we enjoy making a few stops here.

Where to stay in Phuket

If you decide to stay in Phuket, for something slightly more chilled, but not a million miles away from the Old Town and action (when you want it), I’d consider staying on Nai Han Beach. The beaches around that cove are lovely, and you can catch a sunset there, too. Nearby, there’s also a nice hike to Black Rock Lookout (drive and park at Kong Cafe). And you have to check out The Fish Bar and Restaurant on Rawai Beach for their amazeballs Thai-style whole-fried fish.

Otherwise, to completely get away from it all, head north to places like Nai Thon Beach on the northwest coast, or further up to Mai Khao Beach. 

People who enjoy a livelier vibe may quite like Kata Noi, although it’s a lot more touristy than I remember. 

Phuket has the most accommodation options out of any other island, from Luxury 5* wellness resorts, like Anantara (which also featured in The White Lotus), to countless mid-range and budget stays. Check out its array of stays on Booking.com.

How to get to Phuket

Getting to Phuket is a doddle, which has also contributed to its popularity. Book a cheap, direct flight with AirAsia from Bangkok (1h20), Kuala Lumpur (1h25), or with VietJet from Ho Chi Minh City (2h). You can also easily drive to Phuket from the mainland as there’s a connecting bridge. We did a 14-hour road trip there from Pattaya once, but I wouldn’t recommend travelling that far on the roads here, as they can be pretty dodgy (both the potholes and other drivers).

Uber is readily available in the busier areas of Phuket when you’re there. Although, as it’s a large island, it’s handy to rent a bike or car if you plan on exploring. Driving here is relatively easy by Thai standards, and the roads are pretty good. We rented cool bikes from Bikeago—they delivered them to us, and their service was great.

4. Koh Phangan

When I first holidayed in Koh Phangan in 2014, it quickly became one of my favourites. Before then, I thought it was nothing more than a party island, after taking the ferry over from Samui for The Full Moon Party. Thankfully, cheap buckets of booze and wild beach shindigs are not what the rest of the island is about!

The west coast is a hub for wellness and yoga. The north coast is super chilled and more local, and the east coast beaches are some of the most beautiful. 

Koh Phangan lies just north of Koh Samui. It’s Thailand’s 5th-largest island, and it’s surrounded by many glorious white-sand beaches. I returned earlier this year for a holiday at Christmas & New Year (2026), which also doubled up as another recce visit. We stayed in a couple of new places that were incredibly idyllic and reminded me why I fell in love with this island in the first place.

KP used to be dubbed a hippie, backpacker place with lots of low-end accommodation. But all that’s changed now. Whilst cheaper stays can be found, there are many more mid-range options and higher-end resorts. Koh Phangan still stays faithful to its laid-back, hippie vibes, and has a mix of locals & expats who live here, but the dynamics and growth have changed in recent years.

We returned to Sri Thanu on the west coast last January, which used to be one of my favourite areas. Eight years ago it was incredibly chilled, with only a handful of places to dine and stay. It’s also the heart of Koh Phangan’s wellness scene, so you can find a whole range of classes and retreats on offer- from yoga, meditation and sound healing (check out Pyramid for all 3), to detox, tantra and Ecstatic Dances. 

But I was really surprised to see all the development that has gone on. There’s been a huge surge in hotels, many foreign-owned restaurants and bars, where pot was more commonly smoked. It was 5x busier than I remembered; the roads were a rally of kids on scooters, and it felt like a mini Jerusalem.  The peaceful wellness scene from before was overshadowed, and it lost the spark that made it special. 

But maybe that’s just me, and possibly others who knew KP from before. I’d still like to stay here again outside of the high season. A teacher friend of mine (also a wellness guru) really enjoyed this strip and has been back twice in the past year, during the low season. I also met a Swedish couple who have been coming here every Christmas for the past 12 years. 

For keen kiteboarders, the island offers ace conditions when the wind is up, particularly for beginners like myself. I did my IKO-certified kitesurfing course here, and it was so much fun. (The manager at the time was Justin, who was awesome. He now runs his own kite school, Siam Pro Kite.)

Whilst Koh Tao is synonymous with diving, it’s not the only option. If you’re keen to dive without the ‘meat market’ feel, then Koh Phangan could be your place. There are many reputable dive schools and great local sites to explore.

And if you’re keen for some decent nightlife, then skip the Full Moon Party (unless you haven’t been before…everyone should check it out once) and head to some recommended by the locals, like the Half Moon Party, The Waterfall party (set in the jungle) or Ku Club for one of the headlining DJs.

Where to stay in Koh Phangan

If you’re seeking super low-key, laid-back vibes for your holiday, you need to head further north and northeast. I’d highly recommend staying at Thong Nai Pan Yai or Thong Nai Pan Noi [pictured below]. I loved my time here. Tucked around a secluded cove, it felt like its own island within an island, and it’s perfect for just beach bumming. I wrote a full guide on it here.

Another beach I visited and fell in love with is on the north coast, Haad Khom [pictured below]. We came for a day and snorkelled for hours from the shore, enjoyed a massage, and there are a couple of great stays here too. Check out my beach guide here.

You may also like Chaloklum, which is nearby, and has a nice mix of locals and expats with a chilled vibe.

Otherwise, Sri Thanu is still a good pick if you don’t mind a livelier vibe, though I’d only return in the shoulder or low season. While busier nowadays, it does have a good array of restaurants and hotel options. We really enjoyed our stay at Zama Resort, which had gorgeous ocean views and excellent service. Despite being close to the main loop road, we couldn’t hear it from our bungalow. 

Personally, I would avoid staying on the south coast (especially around Haad Rin Beach, where the Full Moon Party is located) as it gets very busy and commercial.

Tip: Driving around the island by scooter is easy. The roads are in good nick, and it has more than its fair share of stunning viewpoints. A great hire company is Easy Bikes if you go. 

How to get to Koh Phangan

Getting here is similar to Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Check out my article for a full low-down on how to get here from Bangkok.

5. Koh Lanta

I island hopped to Koh Lanta back in December 2015, before that strange year that brought us Brexit, Donald Trump Part 1, and Pokémon Go. Despite being an easy getaway from Phuket, it felt a million miles away, and gave all those small island vibes that Phuket misses.

Lanta was really peaceful and sleepy, and felt more local than most other islands I’ve been to. There weren’t that many tourists, even on the main strip where we stayed, and the wide beaches only housed a few restaurants and stays. We spent our nights glued to the sunsets, and watched the island kids splashing about in the ocean. It was a reset button.

Being so far south, Koh Lanta’s population is largely muslim (90%), which made it feel more Malaysian, and there are several mosques on the island.

While I haven’t had a chance to go back, and even more bat shit crazy stuff has happened in the world in between, I’ve read that Koh Lanta hasn’t changed much since then. It’s had steady growth, but managed to resist mass development like other places in Thailand, in part because of the locals who have pushed back, for now.  

Koh Lanta is a great place to base yourself for a week in Thailand, if you’re looking for relaxation away from the crowds, nature-based fun and great value for money.

When it’s time to peel yourself away from the beaches, scootering around is easy. The roads are in good shape, not too hilly and nowhere is too far- it’s only a 39k by 6k island.

The activity I remember the most was hiking through the scenic National Park. Perched in the south, it has an easygoing 3k loop trail with sweeping views over Tanote Bay and the pretty beaches either side of the lighthouse. Most of the walk is shaded by the rainforest canopy, so it’s pleasant even on a sunny day (see more deets on AllTrails). Just watch out for the hobo monkeys near the entrance, who are expert thiefs! (Entry fee: 200 baht for adults / 100 for kiddos / 20 bikes and 30 cars.)

The Mo Koh Lanta National Park doesn’t end on land. It also houses 15 islands and picturesque coves. If you’re keen to see some marine action on a snorkelling or diving trip, this archipelago is said to be one of the most underrated spots in Thailand.

Popular spots are Koh Haa (translated to “five islands”), which is a small archipelago of rocky islets, and the twin islands of Koh Rok Nai and Koh Rok Nok.

1. For snorkellers, this day trip with Discover Thailand comes highly rated, and it’s priced extremely well at $71 AUD per person / £37 / 1700 THB.
2. For scubies, OK Club Diving is highly recommended by divers.

Note: the marine park closes each year between July and August to allow the ecosystem to regenerate. For clearer visibility and calmer water, the best time to snorkel is during the dry season, between November and April.

Here are some other things to keep you out of trouble on Koh Lanta.

1. A hop inland from Nui Bay on the west coast is an ethical elephant sanctuary, Following Giants, who are partnered with World Animal Protection. If you’re keen to observe these gorgeous creatures doing their thing, or spend a week volunteering, check them out (open from 8-5 pm).
2. Khao Mai Khew Cave is one for the adventure seekers. Perhaps not for the faint-hearted, the unfit or those who have claustrophobia! It requires a bit of a hike, crawling on all 4’s and squidging through tight spots, but explorers will be rewarded. The cave looks pretty awesome.
   // To get here, drive to the tourist centre [map] pay for a local guide to take you up (expect limited English, 300 baht for adults/ 200 for mini-me’s). It can get narrow and slippery inside, so proper shoes are recommended.
3. The Old Town [pictured below] is still an authentic fishing village with wooden stilt houses that line the east coast shore. Pictures from today look like it’s been revitalised since we came, and at night its lantern-lit lane looks similar to a road in Malaysia’s George Town. Stop by for a look around and a bite to eat, and if you get there on a Saturday, they have local food markets between 2 and 10pm.
4. In the wet season, from May to October, stop by Klong Chak waterfall [map] which looks stunning when the water is pumping.

Where to stay in Koh Lanta

There are heaps more stays in 2026 than when I came, and most of them are really well reviewed. We stayed on Long Beach where most of the action is, but I’d be tempted to consider somewhere further south and quieter on my next visit, near Kantiang Bay.

If you’re up for something super chilled and more authentic, then you may want to consider staying on the east coast where there’s a few scattered lodgings. The bird life on the mud flats would be a perk if you book an ocean view room.

For those of you just coming here to dive, then you’ll probably want to be based in the north, close to Saladen Harbour, as boats depart from here before sunrise.

Otherwise, here are my top picks.

1. The Lazy Lodge – This mid-range, oceanfront resort is perched on Klong Khong Beach. The bungalows look well styled and spacious at 35m2, and It’s priced really well. See their reviews on Booking.com.
2. Layana Resort & Spa– For a bit more of a splurge, Layana is another oceanfront retreat, but a tad further up on Long Beach. Rooms are very spacious, starting at 49m2, and it looks really comfy for longer stays. Check them out here.
3. Deep Sea House View– For a budget option on the east coast, this family-run stay sounds really peaceful and cosy. Most rooms have a sea view where you can catch a sunrise, and they’re very well rated.

How to get to Koh Lanta

As we drove down from Pattaya to Phuket, we continued from there to Krabi (a scenic 4 hours), then we got a boat over (an easy half hour via speedboat). Driving through Krabi was pretty amazing as it has some incredible limestone karsts and cliffs.

Here are your options if coming from Phuket or further afield.

1. Phuket: You can either take a longer but cheaper ferry from Rassada Pier in Phuket to Saladin Pier in Koh Lanta.. however I wouldn’t recommend it as it takes over 4 hours. The speedboat is by far the easiest option and only takes 1.5 hours, via Koh Phi Phi. I’d recommend going with Bundhaya Speedboats, who have the best reviews- check them on 12Go. (Cost 1,500 – 2,000 baht per person).
2. Fly to Krabi: If you’re skipping Phuket, it’d be easier to fly to Krabi. There are regular domestic flights here from Bangkok and Chiang Mai, as well as internationally (from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, China, Dubai & Doha)- see flight options. Then the rest is easy. Just hire a minivan or private car, which will pick you up from the airport and take you on the ferry to Lanta, so you can just kick back and chill. See transfer options on 12Go.

Extra: What about Koh Lipe?

Oh, Koh Lipe. I first came here in 2015 at Christmas and was blown away by its beauty. This little island is often described as the Maldives of Thailand, with its powdery white sand that crunches between your toes and its crystalline water. It’s one of the furthest islands south of Phuket in the Andaman Sea, and it’s tiny, only 2.5 by 3.5 km. 

Like other Thai islands before it, Koh Lipe has seen a surge in tourism and development in the past decade. I returned again in February 2018 and was taken back by how many more tourists there were, and it wasn’t even the peak season. The walking street was packed at night with visitors. Transfer boats were struggling to keep up with demand. More resorts were being built or extended. While I haven’t been back in the past 8 years, I’ve read that it’s even more saturated.

I’m definitely not saying don’t visit Koh Lipe. But it’s been a shame to see a lack of controlled development on this little island, and it’s why I took it out of the top 5.

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape on a smaller island, I’d consider alternatives like Koh Lanta, Koh Muk or Koh Kood (near Koh Chang).

Across the water from Koh Lipe is also neighbouring Koh Adang. We kayaked over from Koh Lipe one day and had lunch at the island’s only resort. The beach was incredible, and it was so peaceful. There’s also a popular hike on the island that leads to a waterfall and an impressive viewpoint overlooking Lipe (you’re also more likely to find secluded, empty beaches here).

Otherwise, if you do go visit Lipe, then I’d personally only consider the low season. 

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Far out, that was a marathon! If you’re still with me, I hope the article gave some useful info and inspo. Drop me a line below if you have questions, or just want to say sawasdee kah.

Big island love.

Shezz. x

Where next?

Southeast Asia is teeming with islands. If you’re interested in crossing the border, this was my favourite one in Vietnam, or for a treat, this luxury island in Malaysia was one of my most memorable stays.