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 spicy food is a moreish flavour bomb, and you can’t beat a 4 o’clock Thai massage on the beach. It’s also one of the more affordable tropical destinations to vacay.

While there’s always a secluded bay or cove 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 each year. Some areas are becoming uncomfortably saturated, and you can see the strain. If an option, travelling here outside of the major holidays will be preferred (as a teacher, I get this may not be possible!), but I’ll let you know some peak areas to avoid in this post. 

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 (on the southeast coast) is 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 (on the southwest 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 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. Thailand has over 50 established islands to explore, and a further 1’300 uninhabited ones.

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

5 Must-See Islands in Thailand

Some of the 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. But, I can almost guarantee that you won’t be complaining when you get there.

That being said, families and those less mobile may not want the faff. So in this article, I’ll include details on how to reach each destination.

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!

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). However, as the airport is owned by Bangkok Airlines, flights are expensive. Then hop in a van/taxi to the pier (15 mins) and a ferry to the island (from 1h30 to 3hrs).
2. Or, 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). They’re about 5 km apart. As you can only book tickets directly with them on the day, it’s much easier to organise transfers in advance online with 12Go.

2. Koh Samui

Ahh, Samui. It was our holiday here that inspired our move to Thailand. Except we ended up somewhere that couldn’t be less like this lovely island!

Koh Samui is an excellent option for families and couples seeking a relaxing holiday. I think the setting here makes it feel quite romantic, with its gorgeous palm-fringed beaches and lush jungle interior.

It has established itself as a wellness island, offering an array of holistic retreats, from yoga to meditation and sound healing. Nearby Koh Phangan is a wellness haven too, but it’s more for your hippie-type yogis like me and more dedicated spiritualists; Samui is more geared towards high-end travellers. 

Since White Lotus was filmed on Koh Samui and went to air this year, global interest in travelling here (and Thailand in general) has surged. But as Thailand’s second-largest island, there’s plenty of it to go around, and it still retains a laid-back island vibe. 

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 think we visited most of them when we came, but that was 10 years ago so my memory is a bit fuzzy! As all beaches in Thailand are crown-owned and not private, you’re free to explore ones where the 5* resorts are perched, and most allow non-hotel guests dining at their restaurant (occasionally too, use of their sunbeds, which was a popular pastime for us). Chaweng (northeast) is the longest and most popular beach because it’s stunning, and has many sunbeds + food & bevvy vendors. Baan Tai (north coast) is much more chilled if you want to steer away from muggles. 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.
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

Samui has a generous supply of 5*resorts and wellness retreats- like Kamalaya, Anantara and Four Seasons (where White Lotus was shot). However, it also has many great mid-range hotels, from family-run nature retreats to boutique stays.

We stayed on the southeast coast and north coast during our time on the island, which I preferred as both areas were peaceful. Check out the full spectrum of stays on Booking.com.

How to get to Koh Samui

Getting to the southern islands in the Gulf of Thailand can often be a bit of a mission. Samui is an exception as it has its own airport; however, direct flights are more expensive than other domestic ones in Thailand. As Bangkok Airways owns the airport, it has a monopoly and is almost the only airline that flies here (bar Scoot flights from Singapore).

Here’s the quick option v the cheaper option.

1. Fly direct to Koh Samui (1h05 from Bangkok or KL). Tickets are about $250 AUD per person, one-way, give or take.
2. This fly+bus+ferry route is longer but cheaper. Fly to Surat Thani on the mainland with Air Asia (1h10 from Bangkok). Then take a bus to Donsak Pier and 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.

Extra// 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 much 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 powerboat handling courses, abseiling, party cruises, cliff diving 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

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

1. For a relatively quick-ish journey, you can fly to Chumphon Airport on the mainland (1h10 from Bangkok – no direct flights from KL). Then take a bus to Matapon pier (about 35 mins) and grab a boat over (about 2h45).
2. Similarly to above, 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 a bit long, though.
3. The most expensive but quickest option is flying to Koh Samui (1h05 from Bangkok or KL). 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.

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

3. 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 complaining 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, and even tried to move there last year. 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. 

Fun Fact: Phuket comes from the Malay word bukit, meaning ‘mountain,’ so there are plenty of cool viewpoints. 

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

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.

Much of the Midwest and the Southwest coast has experienced significant development of late. We visited Karon and Kata Beach last year, a decade on from our first visit, and it was significantly more developed. Karon Beach also seems to have turned into a little Moscow, sadly. 

People who enjoy a livelier vibe may quite like Kata Noi. 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. 

Check out Phuket’s plentiful array of stays on Booking.com.

How to get to Phuket

Getting to Phuket is a doddle. Book a cheap, direct flight with Air Asia from BKK (1h20), Kuala Lumpur (1h25), or via VietJet from Ho Chi Minh (2h). You can also easily drive to Phuket from the mainland as there’s a connecting bridge. We once did a 14-hour road trip from Pattaya, 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

And like the rest of you, I nearly dubbed Koh Phangan as nothing more than a party island with ravers during the Full Moon Party. How wrong I was!

I’ve visited this island twice for a holiday (soon to be third), and it’s quickly become one of my faves. It is so much more than the Full Moon Party, trust me. If you visit after the FMP and stay away from Haad Rin beach (easy to do), then you’ll surely love it too.

Tip: Like Phuket, it gets busier during major holidays. But unlike Phuket, it’s not as crowded or commercial. 

Koh Phangan lies just north of Koh Samui and is Thailand’s 5th-largest island. It used to be dubbed a hippie, backpacker place with lots of low-end accommodation. But all that’s changing. Whilst cheaper stays can be found, there’s plenty of mid-range options to suit all budgets and a growing number of higher-end resorts.

Although thankfully, it still stays faithful to its laid-back, hippie vibes. You’ll love KP’s great mix of really friendly locals & expats. Heck, if I were a digital nomad, I’d be here!

There are countless beaches to explore that aren’t overcrowded- my favourites are Bottle Beach (perfect for spending a few nights), Haad Yao and Thong Nai Pan Yai.

Pretty decent snorkelling can also be experienced in and around the island. Head to Mae Haad for some coral and tropical fish just off the beach.

We loved driving around on a scooter- the roads are scenic and in good nick- with more than its fair share of stunning viewpoints (a great hire company is Easy Bikes if you go). 

Another pleasant surprise about KP is its wellness scene, which, for me, feels more authentic than Samui, like it’s imprinted into the soul of the island. If holistic healing is your jam, then there is a whole range of classes and retreats on offer, from yoga, meditation and sound healing (check out Pyramid for all 3), to detox, and tantra. A fellow teacher and wellness coordinator at my school (who was a yoga teacher for many years), really enjoyed the health offerings here and even told me about an Ecstatic Dance he went to, which sounds well out of my comfort zone, and it’s all done sober. But perhaps I’ll give it a craic!

For keen kiteboarders, the island also offers ace conditions when the wind is up, particularly for beginners like myself. I did my IKO certified kitesurfing course on the island and it was so much fun.

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

For a more chilled holiday, I’d recommend avoiding the south coast, particularly near Haad Rin. In Koh Phangan, the West is generally best, or for an even more chilled experience, head to the northeast coast around Thong Nai Pan Beach. I wrote an article on places to stay in Koh Phangan- check it out here, or see what’s available on Booking.com.

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 there from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

5. Koh Lipe

Lush Lipe is often described as the Maldives of Thailand, with its powdery white sand that crunches between your toes and its crystalline water. Koh Lipe is a little gem in the Andaman Sea.

I first came here a little over a year ago at Christmas and was blown away by its beauty and size. Koh Lipe is nice and small (approx. 2.5k by 3.5k), so getting around by foot is easy and nowhere is too far. It exudes those small island vibes that the larger islands are missing and [almost] offers barefoot luxury.

However.

Like many Thai islands before it, Koh Lipe has seen a surge in tourism and development in the past decade. I went back again recently in February and was quite shocked at how many more tourists there were, almost double the number. And it wasn’t even the peak season.

Whilst it’s still stunning and definitely not as busy as other islands in the north of the Andaman (because it’s the farthest island south), you may wish to consider splitting your time between Lipe and quieter Koh Adang, which is a 10-minute boat ride away. If secluded beaches are your thing. 😉

Or why not be adventurous and venture even further afield! There are heaps of other coral-lined islands in the Tarutao National Marine Park. If I were to come back again, I’d definitely check them out.

But nevertheless, if you do head to Lipe, make sure you’re that fantastically sustainable traveller I know you are!

Apart from beach bumming, there’s good snorkelling to be had around the island. When we came the first time, we also went on a bioluminescent plankton trip which was quite cool. (But maybe don’t expect it to be like ‘The Beach’ scene where Leo DiCaprio and ‘Françoise’ hit it off, or as magical as pictures you see on advertising displays!)

Kayaking is another great way to hit the water and see Lipe’s stunning coastline. Or you can hop over to Koh Adang for the day, which has great jungle trekking. There’s 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 beaches here!

Lipe’s slowly growing a number of more fanciful restaurants to dine at (try Italian restaurant Capriccio), but some of the best food you can have is at the less fussy seafood BBQ joints along walking street (try ‘Ja Yao’). We also loved dining at Castaway Resort, located on Sunrise Beach, which is our recommended place to stay.

Staying out late? If you’re after a beach bar with great tunes, then check out ‘Maya Bar’. If it’s not ram-packed in the peak season or a weekend, and if the Thai owner is on the decks, then you’re guaranteed a great night.

How to get to Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is one of the easiest Thai islands to head to from Malaysia, as you can get a boat over from Langkawi during the dry season (October to the end of June).

• Dry Season: Take a flight from KL (1h10) to Langkawi Island (no direct flights from Bangkok). Then take a boat to Koh Lipe (1h30.) Or alternatively, you can take the long boat ride down from Phuket, but this takes about 5-6 hours.
• Monsoon season (July to beginning of October): You’ll need to take a ferry from the southern Thai mainland at Pak Bara Pier.

Resources:

• Search for flights on Skyscanner.
• Or check out 12Go.Asia for a comprehensive list of transportation options.

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