Thailand is home to some of the most breathtaking and diverse islands in Southeast Asia.
From the turquoise waters and picturesque cliffs of Krabi to the crystal-clear blue oceans of Koh Lipe, the islands in this country have it all. Beyond its stunning beauty, each island offers a unique experience—ranging from lively party destinations to serene, relaxing getaways. If you are looking to be blown away, Thailand is the perfect place to visit.
Islands to visit in Thailand
Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s largest and most well-known island. Many travelers visit for its stunning beaches, such as Patong and Kata Beach, as well as its vibrant nightlife on Bangla Road. The island also provides plenty of opportunities to experience Thai culture, from visiting The Big Buddha to exploring Wat Chalong Temple.
Tip: Stay near the Patong Beach area if you prefer being in walkable locations and more touristic attractions.
Additionally, Phuket serves as a prime base for island-hopping trips to famous spots like Phi Phi, Maya Bay, and Monkey Beach. We quickly visited this part of Thailand years ago, and would like to explore more during our next visit.
Note: This is the most touristy island and is often recommended for first-timers wanting to visit Thailand’s most Instagram-worthy locations.
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are Thailand’s most iconic destination, famous for their turquoise waters and limestone cliffs. It’s an ideal trip for snorkeling, diving, and cliff jumping. Most visitors take private or group boat tours from Phuket or Krabi for a day trip. We opted for a private catamaran tour with the group of friends we were with at the time (prior to our backpacking journey), and highly recommend it. These tours typically include stops at Monkey Beach and Maya Bay (also known as James Bond Island).
Fun fact: Our first boat trip in Asia was here during our 2016 visit to Thailand. We were absolutely blown away by the scenery, as we had never seen or experienced anything like it before.
Click here for all the activities in Phuket!
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is a larger, more laid-back island known for its long stretches of quiet and beautiful beaches— ideal for a relaxing getaway. It is very diverse, making it perfect for both backpackers and luxury travelers. From exploring Long Beach and Klong Nin Beach, to hiking in Mu Koh Lanta National Park, or kayaking through the mangroves, this island has it all.
We loved driving around with the scooter and stopping along so many breath-taking beaches on the coast. Koh Lanta is the perfect destination for those seeking a less crowded yet still popular island destination.
Tip: The best way to explore all of the islands is to rent a scooter/motor bike and beach hop!
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is known as the “Maldives of Thailand.” It is a small island famous for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. We were blown away by this tiny yet surreal place. It’s one of the few islands where you can walk from coast to coast and explore both Sunrise and Sunset Beach. Surprisingly well-developed for its size, it offers diverse cuisine and a range of hotel accommodations to choose from.
We loved eating fresh seafood and trying their famous coconut doughnut dessert. It ranks as one of our most beautiful destinations in all of Thailand and well worth the bumpy speedboat ride to get there.
Tip: We highly recommend going on a boat tour to explore the smaller surrounding islands and snorkel.
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Koh Muk
Koh Muk, is a less touristy island, home to the famous and peaceful Emerald Cave. Along with kayaking to the cave, we spent most of our time relaxing on Farang Beach, eating delicious local food, and enjoying its stunning sunsets with friends we met in Koh Lipe. Out of all the islands we visited, this felt like the most authentic local experience. This hidden gem is perfect for those looking for a more secluded getaway.
Fun fact: Kelvyn (who is a professional barber) was amazed by a local barber who gave five-minute haircuts to all the kids in town. We were so intrigued that we ended up watching for almost an hour!
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is a very laid-back, bohemian-style island. It is famous for its Full Moon Party, beautiful beaches, and spiritual retreats. Haad Rin is the most popular area, offering both Sunrise and Sunset Beach. Both ideal for relaxing and doing water activities, depending on the tide and swell. The island is very diverse, so we recommend driving around to explore multiple areas, including some of its waterfalls.
We loved the relaxed atmosphere of this island and would consider spending a few months here in the future.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a well-developed island with luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, and a lively atmosphere. We visited famous temples such as Wat Plai Laem and Wat Phra Yai, as well as Na Muang Waterfall and various local beaches. It’s a very large island, so plan to stay for a few days if you want to explore most of it.
Although we enjoyed our time and think it’s worth a visit, Koh Samui ranks as our least favorite island in Thailand. However, this may be because we were feeling a bit “islanded out” and had just explored so many other beautiful ones by the time we visited.
>> Want to know everything else there is to do in Thailand? Check out this blog post! <<
Other Beaches We Recommend
Ao Nang is a town in the province of Krabi (not an island) with beautiful cliffs and beaches. It is an ideal “home base” for island hopping. Also close to Railay Beach, a very small yet extremely popular beach surrounded by limestone cliffs. We highly recommend making a day trip to Railay if staying in Ao Nang.
Note: Tides and swells matter when traveling to ALL islands. Be sure to check the daily tide schedule for the best beach experience.
Islands we still want to visit include: Ko Kood and Ko Chang near Bangkok, Ko Tao near Koh Samui in the east, as well as the Similan Islands off the west coast of Thailand.
Thailand is one of our favorite countries, and we recommend that everyone visit at least once in their lifetime.
It offers a mix of culture, nature, and adventure—perfect for a relaxing getaway or a spontaneous backpacking journey. Having experienced both, we can confidently say it’s one of the best places to do either.
Are you ready to explore Thailand? Let us know on Instagram @THETRAVELERINUS
Disclaimer: All the information shared is based on our research and experiences. Please note that we are not travel consultants, tour guides, or financial advisors and are not held liable for any misinformation. We give suggestions, but advise each person to do their own research and make the decision that best suits them. This blog posts also contains affiliate links, by using the links we provide you are helping us at no additional cost to you.
