With dozens of islands speckled around the mainland, Thailand is a tropical paradise. But the vision of paradise tends to vary from person to person. One may consider a remote island, untouched by tourism to be the ultimate beach destination, while someone else may be seeks outdoor adventures such as hiking around waterfalls or rock climbing. Whether it’s scuba diving over exotic coral reef or partying under the full moon until sunrise, the Thai islands offer a perfect beach vacation, regardless of who is doing the talking.
Here are summaries of six islands in Thailand to help you decide where to spend your time in the land of smiles:
Phuket: Phuket, located in the Andaman sea is the largest island in Thailand, and as such has a vast number of places to explore, towns to visit, beaches to enjoy and more. Phuket is connected to the mainland by bridges (and also has an airport) which has allowed the island to grow and prosper into a bustling extension of the southern provinces, catered around many different tourist groups. With hundreds of luxury hotels and villas for rent, the island has developed a reputation with the rest of the world as one of the best but also most accessible places to take a tropical vacation. With stunning beaches along the entire perimeter, a mountainous interior and a bumping nightlife, Phuket is a place with everything in one. A good choice if you’re limited on time and have many people to please!
Koh Samui: Koh Samui is known as Thailand’s “boutique” island, boasting some of the most developed beach towns in the country, filled with modern resorts, villas and even bungalows to rent for a short or extended stay. It’s a the third largest in the country, so it’s a comfortable place to live as well offering everything a Westerner could need in a hometown. International schools, world class restaurants, cinemas, nightlife, nature, beaches, etc. It’s all located on the island, which takes under two hours to drive around.
Koh Phi Phi: Set between Phuket and Krabi, Koh Phi Phi is arguably Thailand’s most popular small island, made famous from the year 2000 film, The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio which takes place on this island. The movie justifiably features the island as an absolute, idyllic paradise with the most beautiful beaches imaginable. Despite the extreme influx in tourism since the movie premier, Phi Phi still retains its stunning natural beauty and continues to be a bohemian getaway with hundreds of little shops surrounding the walking streets (no cars on the island!). While most of the physical area of Phi Phi, which is actually comprised of six limestone islands remains calm and quiet, the main and most accessible beach is now also home to a wild, ongoing backpacker party scene.
Koh Tao: Located in the Thailand’s sparkling Gulf, Koh Tao was named as one of the world’s best islands by the Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Awards this year and rightfully so. It’s perimeter is covered in white sand beaches, overlooked by steep hills – some only accessible with four-wheel drive vehicles, and many perfect for rock climbing. It’s much quieter than most of the other more touristic islands in Thailand, so a visit to Koh Tao can provide pure rest and relaxation. With an average of 300 days of sun per year, it’s a destination that one can enjoy at any time. The beauty of the island aside, the waters surrounding the island also contain some of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the world. With hotels and hostels to suit any budget, it’s a great place for a leisure trip or a backpacking destination.
Koh Lipe: A beautiful little gem in the middle of the Andaman Sea, Koh Lipe is one of the most remote islands on this list, allowing visitors to enjoy a secluded getaway on unobstructed, undeveloped beaches. While a few resorts and villas exist, there are lot of traditional accommodations such as grass huts and even air conditioned bungalows along the beaches. It’s possible to walk around the entire island in just over an hour, which helps turn this tropical getaway into a place where one can sink in and disappear for a while, or immediately find themselves in a small community. Despite its small size, Lipe is also home to several scuba diving and snorkeling sites, with dive shops and resorts that rent out the gear and arrange boat trips. Fun fact: 25% of the world’s tropical fish species found in the area
Koh Lanta: Another beautiful island, resting south of mainland Thailand, Koh Lanta is relatively developed, decorated with many shops, hotels and restaurants. The key feature to Koh Lanta as a unique beach destination are the long stretches of white sand beaches. These uninterrupted and natural scapes are perfect to go for a long breezy run or explore on motorbikes. There are actually two islands that Koh Lanta consists of, including the larger island (Koh Lanta Yai), and the smaller (Koh Lanta Noi).
There are many more islands in Thailand to explore, so stay tuned for the next issue of our island guide coming soon!