Top 10 Best Islands in Thailand

Are you looking for a holiday in a tropical paradise or to backpack around South East Asia’s most popular destination? If so, visit Thailand. And more importantly, head down to one of their beautiful islands. You can find lots of rental in thailand to cater for any budget and type of trip. So, if island hopping appeals to you, check out the best spots below.

1. Koh Samui

Thailand’s most popular island, Koh Samui, has everything a tourist could want. Endless stretches of coastline, warm waters, and beachside bars and restaurants. Visitors can spend their days sunbathing or at the spas and then party away the night. And the food is incredible too with a variety of Thai and international cuisines. So whether you want a relaxing week or to just let your hair down for a few days, Koh Samui is for you.

2. Ko Pha Ngan

Ko Pha Ngan is a backpackers paradise in the Gulf of Thailand. The island has a thick covering of lush rainforest, beaches and lots of Buddhist temples. Backpackers come for the famous Full Moon Party, which takes place each month when the moon is full. More than 15,000 revellers go to the beach for an all-night party. And if partying isn’t for you, Ko Pha Ngan has a reputation for having some of Thailand’s best spas.

3. Phuket

If you’re looking for a tropical paradise with a wide selection of luxurious accommodation choices, look no further than Phuket. There are more than 30 beaches with Patong and Karon Beach being two of the favourites. Visitors have endless opportunities for water sports including jet skiing and riding banana boats. Younger backpackers tend to spend a lot of time here.

4. Koh Phi Phi

Solo travellers and backpackers love Koh Phi Phi. The crowds are often young, full of energy and laid back with a range of tourists from around the world. Favourite activities include water sports such as snorkelling and diving along with boat trips, rock climbing and partying. If you’re travelling alone and want to meet likeminded people, check out Koh Phi Phi.

5. Ko Samet

Ko Samet is one of the best places for relaxation. Large parts of the island is a national park with dense jungle and a wide variety of wildlife. The beaches are long with white sand. Luxurious resorts hug the coastline. Most tourists spend a few days here to unwind and sunbath or take part in windsurfing. The nightlife is quite active here too. Couples often like Ko Samet for the relative isolation, gorgeous views and being able to witness some of Thailand’s most romantic sunsets.

6. Koh Lanta

The small archipelago of Koh Lanta has everything you could want on a tropical island. You’ll find beaches, calm waters, nature reserves, spas, beach bars and small Thai fishing villages. Most head to the more popular island of Koh Lanta Yai where there are more hotels and resorts. If you’re looking for isolation and seclusion on the beach, there are plenty of spots where you probably won’t see anyone else all day. The typical crowd tends to be older tourists and families.

7. Ko Lipe

Ko Lipe is one of Thailand’s western islands in the Andaman Sea towards the border with Malaysia. The island is part of the 51-island archipelago called the Tarutao National Marine Park, famous for their coral reefs, marine life and snorkelling. Tourism is virtually non-existent. You won’t find the same level of infrastructure as some of the other islands. Instead, you’ll see indigenous aboriginals known as the Urak Lawoi, empty beaches and a feeling of being far off the beaten path. Anyone who’s up for an adventure and wants to explore one of Thailand’s most secluded islands should check out Ko Lipe. Just be aware that getting to and from the island can be time-consuming.

8. Ko Tarutao

Another island inside Tarutao National Marine Park, Ko Tarutao is an untouched paradise with white beaches and mountains spanning the interior. Jungle covers large parts of the island, and limestone cliffs hug parts of the coastline. If you spend your time on Ko Tarutao, you’ll likely to get up close and personal with the wildlife including monkeys and giant turtles. Accommodation often consists of bungalows and campsites.

9. Koh Chang

A large national park dominates the interior of Koh Chang, a small island in the Gulf of Thailand near the border with Cambodia. The island gets relatively few tourists and gives visitors the chance to go jungle hiking and relax on the beaches including Had Sai Noi Beach. For a more traditional experience, head to the fishing village of Salakkok Bay. Outdoorsy tourists can join a tour and go kayaking through the mangroves. Whatever activities you want to do, Koh Chang makes a perfect spot for backpackers, couples and families.

10. Ko Yao Noi

The small island of Ko Yao Noi is 30 minutes by speedboat from Phuket and feels very different to its partying neighbour across the sea. Koh Yao Noi has a large population of Muslims who prefer a peaceful atmosphere with little in the way of nightlife. If you’re looking to escape the noise and chaos, you’ll find mangrove forests, the beautiful Phang Nga Bay and golden beaches.

Thailand’s Beauty

With so many islands to choose from and different experiences to have, you’ll never get tired of travelling to Thailand. There’s everything from the ultimate relaxation to jungle trekking and partying on the different islands. Just make sure you plan ahead to find the best destination to suit your interests.