Thailand is notorious for the many islands which it is comprised of. From beautiful rolling hills to jungle, to crystal clear water and underwater corals; this extraordinary landscape encompasses everything one might assume to be paradise. Before stepping into a world of the unknown, read on to find out which islands in Thailand might be perfect for you!
Koh Phi Phi:
Known as one of the best islands to visit for those travelling on their own, Koh Phi Phi is one of the most remote and relaxing islands on earth. White sands, warm weather, a light breeze, crystal clear oceans and palm trees surround you to envoke a feeling of sheer relaxation. You may have heard about this island due to the Tsunami which left the island in what may have appeared to be a state of disrepair since then it has almost been completely rebuilt, even better than the first time!
Visitors to Koh Phi Phi can look forward to lounging in the sun, swimming, snorkelling, cliff diving and exploring the mainland. When the evening strikes, a range of shops, restaurants and beach bars are available to check out. Let Thai dancers juggle and the fire dancers do their thing as you look on in awe at the once in a lifetime entertainment on offer.
Just a 45-minute speedboat trip or a 90-minute ferry journey from Phuket, the island's world-famous Maya Bay which was used as the setting to the film 'The Beach' has tourists flocking to stay at the Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort.
Mu Ko Chang:
Ko Chang offers jungle covered peaks with amazing views of the picturesque Elephant Island. With hiking trails which look out onto the white sand beaches that sweep across the coast, from the top of Thailand second biggest Island you can see the natural beauty from the beautiful waterfalls and beaches to the quickly developing modern areas of the Island.
Ko Si Chang:
Ko Si Chang is a beautiful Island which escapes the attention of tourists. Only 100km away from Bangkok the tiny populated Island has so much to be discovered. With boat trips around Ko Si Chang and neighbouring islands where you can stop and hike, swim and snorkel you really can tick a number of items off your bucket list.
Tourists can dive and snorkel around Ko Khaanghaao (Bat Island) just off the main island of Ko Si Chang. The clear waters make seeing the thousands of species of colour fish extremely easy. If you. If you would rather walk around the Island and take in the history there is no better place to visit than
King Chulalongkorn's Palace. Built-in 1890 the palace was abandoned shortly after a battle with France shown how vulnerable the palace was to the navy. Now you can walk around the restored structure and take in the history of the site.
Ko Pha Ngan:
The days of Ko Pha Ngan being a quite Island is long gone. Now made famous for the Haad Rin beach which hosts monthly full moon parties, the beach is a backpackers dream location. The monthly full moon party offer drug and booze-fuelled nights where thousands of tourists and residents coming together for a night they will never forget.The party Island also puts on an amazing firework show and offers entertainment like fire jugglers and dancers for the 20,000 tourists who flock to its beaches for the party to end all parties.
Ko Samet:
Despite only being 3 hours away from Bangkok, most of the Island is protected as part of Khao Ya Mu Samet Nationa Park. This means that Ko Samet is a clean and natural Island perfect for a weekend getaway to relax.
With 14 white soft sanded beaches, pure blue water seas, cajeput (Samet) trees the natural beauty that surrounds you is breathtaking.If you are not looking to relax, Ko Samet has a lively nightlife scene which will have you dancing until the early hours of the morning. Despite the fact Ko Samet has less rainfall than a large number of Thai tourist destinations, visitors still get wet with the vast amount of water sports that are on offer. Grab a jet ski and go and explore the turquoise blue sea.
Koh Mak:
Are you looking for a relaxing holiday? Koh Mak is a beautiful quiet Island with white sands and amazing clear seas. Perfect for escaping to, you are bound to release all of your stresses and strains from day to day life once you enjoy a day sunbathing on one of the 5-star beaches in Koh Mak.
With only 400 residents living in Koh Mak, the 16 kilometres that make up the star-shaped Island have attracted filmmakers to the tropical unspoiled beaches. With the attention this has gained for Koh Mak, The Sunday Times has put Koh Mak into the top 10 beaches from around the world.
Ko Kood:
The fourth largest island in Thailand offers an uncommercialized experience which captures the true beauty of Thailand. Declared the most beautiful Island seen in Thailand by travel guide website 'TravelFish' the white sand beaches, tropical rainforests and palm groves are what make Ko Kood so beautiful.
Ko Tao:
Ko Tao is named the Turtle Island after the shape reminding residents and tourists of turtles. Tao has dense forests which are great for exploring, easy to access diving spots where you can scuba around neon corals filled with sharks and stingrays. By night you can put your feet up and toast to your holiday over cocktails as you watch the sunset over the picturesque white beaches.
Ko Phayam:
The kangaroo shaped Island of Ko Phayam is known for the relaxed atmosphere and affordable hotel rooms which make the spot perfect for travellers. For those who enjoy culture and art, you should really check out the art galleries on offer and reggae inspired bars such as Rasta Baby.
Ko Ra:
Ko Ra is the destination for people seeking off the beat, eco-friendly holidays as they discover themselves. As most of the Island is protected, the landscapes provide some amazing views of the hilly forests and empty beaches that stretch across the west coast.
Take your binoculars as you search for wildlife. With premier bird watching destinations and a chance to get a glimpse of monkeys, giant white bears, sea turtles and much, much more, you may see animals which you would only be able to see in the zoo, which would be a once in a lifetime experience.
Mu Ko Surin National Park:
Established as a National park in 1981, the park is covered by 76% sea. The Island has shallow reefs and clear turquoise waters which are perfect for scuba diving as you explore the many coral reefs that home rare species of fish.
Mu Ko Surin is known as a must-visit destination in South Thailand not just because of the white sandy beaches and perfect seas. But for the outdoors experience that is offered like camping in tents on the beach looking up at the stars that fill the night's sky.
Mu Ko Similan National Park:
Above-water and underwater the 11 islands that makeup Mu Ko Similan National Park offer indescribable beauty. With granite boulders to explore under the turquoise waters that offer thirty-metre visibility, the underwater scenery is unbelievable. The coral hides fish, turtles, manta rays, moray eels, sea snakes, red grouper, white tip sharks, barracuda, giant lobster and enormous tuna.
Ko Jum:
Ko Jum is a little-known island that offers lots of accommodation, evening entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a chilled weekend getaway. With local traditions still carried out across the preserved Island, you can really interact with the history of Ko Jum and it's residents.
Ko Jum is the place to visit during the dry season that runs from November to April. The destination for many backpackers around Christmas for the amazing sunsets and early starlight sky that starts at around 11 pm, you Island is a magical place to be.
Ko Yao Noi:
The 'Small Long Island' is located between Phuket and Krabi, with just a 30-minute speedboat trip to Phuket. Despite neighbouring one of the liveliest parts of Thailand, Ko Yao Noi is a peaceful Island mainly due to the Muslim community and low key tourist destinations.
Ko Yao Noi has a picturesque landscape due to the beaches lined with mangrove forests. A destination for the worlds elite, visitors to Ko Yao Noi tend to visit the various private villas and 5-star hotels which have led to Yao Noi having the highest average room rate out of all the destinations in Thailand.
Ko Lanta Yai:
Have you ever pictured lying back on a hammock on a long sandy beach with a coconut in your hand? Ko Lanta Yai is the Long Beach Island perfect for relaxing holidays and honeymoons. Once you have enough relaxing, interact with the local Urak Lawoi residents and add some culture to your trip.
If you would rather participate in some activities explore caves, go snorkelling in the clear blue sea, take in the sites via kayaking down the coast or explore the Island with an elephant trekking experience that will have you never wanting to leave.
Ko Khai:
Once known for being the most developed of the Trang Islands, Thailand has now reclaimed the tourist destination due to fears the Island has become too modernised and has had a negative effect on the environment. The Island still offers amazing sunsets where the sky turns pink and blue over the gently sloping white sand beach and shallow clear water.
Ko Kradan:
The most remote island that boasts beautiful clear waters with amazing coral to explore. Uncover species of fish that you never knew existed or discover the wildlife that is hidden away in the thick jungles. If you are looking for a visually spectacular place to Island to visit, Ko Kradan is the place for you.
Koh Sukorn:
Despite the difficulty to reach Koh Sukorn, the journey is well worth it. An Island where water buffaloes outnumber the residents, the very friendly inhabitants offer a laid-back atmosphere in an environment unlike any other. The Islanders grow watermelons, rice, bananas and coconuts that taste, unlike anything you would eat back home that that be one of the main reasons why travellers end up staying longer than planned.
Ko Tarutao:
The largest of the Ko Turatao National Park archipelago, the word Tarutao means old, mysterious and primitive which describes this Island perfectly. With the best natural variety of mountains, rainforests, limestone caves, mangrove swamps and perfect beaches, the island is a backpackers dream trip to discover unknown lands.
Ko Adang:
The prawn island known for the battle between fishermen and national park rangers overfishing boundaries is located so closely to Ko Lipe that you would think they were the same Island. With steep cliffs to climb you can get exquisite views of the tropical rainforest of Koh Adang or look onto the Island of Ko Lipe which couldn't be more different.
If you're interested in learning more about Thailand's geography, make sure to check out the map below!
