Thailand is home to hundreds of beautiful islands scattered between the Gulf of Thailand, and the Andaman Sea, just south of Bangkok. Choosing the best islands in Thailand to visit can be difficult! Each of the best islands in Thailand are known for something unique, like world class resorts, diving, crazy parties, and jungle trekking.
I have created a list of the best Thailand Islands to help you get an idea of what to expect at each! When I am Island hopping in Thailand, I prefer to book my first Island and leave the rest of my schedule open.
If I really enjoy a particular island or want to explore another one more, my schedule is open! The easiest way to travel between Thailand islands is by ferry boat, but you can hire private taxi boats for travel between some of the smaller islands.
Packing for your trip through the Thailand islands is a breeze because you can pack so lightly! Every island has what you will need to get the most out of your experience, and you can bargain for anything you might need to pick up.
Check out my Ultimate Thailand Packing List so you don’t miss anything you might need to bring. No matter which of the best islands in Thailand you decide to visit while you are planning a trip to Thailand, you will be met with some of the most beautiful scenery, wildlife, crystal-clear waters, and powdery white sand beaches you have ever seen.
I honestly cried when I left. Make sure you don’t miss the sunsets!
The Best Islands in Thailand
Ko Pha Ngan
Koh Pha Ngan is considered one of the biggest party destinations in Southeast Asia. Home to the Full Moon Party, it boasts world class dancing and fun that goes well into the next day.
Thousands of people flock to this beautiful island each month to experience the one of a kind Thailand party scene. People come to dance under the moonlight, adorning neon paint, and enjoying alcohol by the bucketful. You can even plan trips to this island specifically for the parties from Europe!
Ko PhI Phi
Koh Phi Phi Island is Thailand’s most scenic island. It offers crystal clear waters and powder white sands!
There’s tons to do here (snorkelling, diving, boat trips to Koh Phi Phi Ley (photo of me on the top of the island above), cliff jumping, hiking), and attracts a younger, stylish, and energetic crowd.
Koh Phi Phi is one of the best islands in Thailand for honeymoons. The breathtaking sunsets along the coastlines are incomparable to anywhere else in the world. Because it’s a smaller island, I suggest renting a bike for the duration of your stay on Koh Phi Phi.
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Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the mother of the Thai Islands. It has some of the best beach resorts and beach bungalows in Thailand.
While significantly more touristy than Koh Phi Phi or Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui is still a beautiful paradise, and is home to some of the best food on the Thai Islands.
I would almost compare the amazing food in Koh Samui to the street food in Bangkok! This island is very child friendly, offering plenty of family-friendly hotels and activities. It makes for a great starter island when venturing into the paradise of the best islands in Thailand!
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is known worldwide as the best place to go scuba diving in Thailand. Don’t forget your dive computer! The streets are lined with dive shops and beach gear. It is one of the best places in the world to learn, and the competition between the dive shops has made it one of the most inexpensive.
The classes range from beginner (never dived before) to more advanced. Koh Tao offers more than diving though, when I visited here I never wanted to leave.
The nightlife in Koh Tao is amazing, and the shops all have so much to choose from! I went snorkelling here, and had so much fun seeing the sharks at my feet!
Phuket
Phuket is the largest and busiest island in Thailand. They have every convenience you can think of.
Six star resorts with private butlers, plastic surgery, celebrity-chef restaurants, and designer boutiques have turned Phuket into a designer destination that I find to be overpopulated with tourists and people trying to sell you everything under the sun.
The beaches may be beautiful, but I’d much prefer to spend my time cruising the more laidback Thailand islands. If you’re looking for luxury, you’ve found it in Phuket!I have still listed it as one of the best islands in Thailand, because there is just so much to see and do while in Phuket. We really enjoyed some mini golfing and a few dinners while we were here!
50 thoughts on “Guide To The Best Islands in Thailand”
Ohhhh how I love exploring the Thai islands – there are so many beautiful islands that’s for sure. The only one I still haven’t been to is Koh Tao, which I hope to do so one day. I love scuba diving so this would totally be a great island for me…and oh my gosh to see sharks while snorkelling – how amazing!
Koh Tao was honestly my favorite island. Make sure you check it out when you visit again!
“Make sure you don’t miss the sunsets!”
Haha that’s me everywhere I go.
Thailand looks beautiful and looks like a place I’d travel too, seeing as I enjoy hiking and snorkelling (although I’ve never seen sharks at my feet!). I’m planning an Asia trip next year and you’ve helped me confirm that I should go here.
The sharks were a little discomforting at first, but you get used to it and they are so cool! The hikes are amazing, you can’t bring glass or plastic to the island so you will need to purchase water there. Let me know if you have any more questions about your trip, I’m happy to help!
Love this post so much! I’m actually planning a birthday trip for myself to SE Asia and am at the point where I’m trying to figure out where exactly I need to go. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Thailand, and this guide is a great overview to help me FINALLY make my decisions. I wish I had more time to explore all of these islands of paradise!
Happy early birthday! I spent around 2-3 days on each island which I thought was perfect to see everything I wanted to and make sure I could see all of them. Just remember to book your entry island and book the rest as you go, to make sure you enjoy the right islands for you!
Koh Samui definitely my favourite! You’re totally right to have booked only the first leg of the journey and leaving the rest to time! That’s how exactly island nations are to be explored, like this, Philippines etc! I’m yet to head there! Let’s see if future takes me there!
A few of my friends are backpacking through the Philippines right now, I am getting live updated and so so Jealous! It’s definitely on my list. I got sick in Koh Samui, so it was the one island I didn’t get to see a lot of 🙁 I hope it does take you there, good luck in your travels!
Nice little list to some essential Thai islands. I have been to Phuket and liked it a lot and Kh Samui is very popular so I hope to make it there some day. There’s always lots of activities and the chance to relax and do nothing. A part of the world that is really beautiful and certainly a must visit.
I loved Koh Samui, it is a super relaxing island! The islands in Thailand are definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit. I hope you get the chance to visit them next time you’re in the area!
I have never been to Thailand but have been wanting to visit for a while. I love how different each island is. Island hopping goes seem like the best way as I would want to experience each facet and what each has to offer. I like the less crowded ones best and think I would spend more time at those but then end with one or two days of luxury.
You should definitely make the trip over there! It is definitely the best way to experience the islands, because you get to pick and choose how you spend your time in Thailand. Koh Tao is the perfect mix of island luxury and a quieter atmosphere. It was my favorite island for sure!
There are so many beautiful islands in Thailand. I visited Thailand a few times in the past but have never been to any of the islands (it’s a shame!). I have heard a lot about Koh Samui and wish to make my way there (hopefully) next year!
You HAVE to make sure you go to the islands next time you’re there! They are beautiful, and I loved Koh Samui. Have fun when you visit again, and drink a Mai Thai for me!
The Thai islands are somewhere I haven’t yet visited, and really want to! Thanks for the tips to make sure that when I visit, I know which islands to be visiting. I love your pics in this post too! KohTao looks beautiful.
Koh Tao was my favorite island! You should definitely make sure you make it out there next time you’re able to. Paradise!
Thailand tops my bucket list for next year! I think I love the Koh Tao island description and photo best. I hope I get to visit at least 3 of these islands.
Definitely an amazing country! I’d say 3 islands is a great number to make sure you see the differences in each Thailand island.
This makes me look back fondly on my trip to Koh Samui. So idyllic!
Koh Samui is amazing! I hope your trip was as awesome as mine!
I’ve been to Koh Phi Phi, Lanta and Jum and like latter the best since it is really secluded, they don’t even have a jetty. Thailand’s islands are beautiful and the coastline, too, but man, is it crowded! Therefore I enjoyed my culture trip up north much more than the beach part on the islands – unfortunately.
When have you been to Koh Phi Phi? When I was there, it was deafening party music all night long, so I’m not sure I’d like to spend my honey moon there…
I found that visiting during the Thailand ‘hot’ season (it’s always hot, but the hot season was HOT) made it a lot less touristy there. I was in Koh Phi Phi in May, I found it to be pretty tranquil there. But of course, each night had some beach clubs going on.
What a beautiful blog post! Thanks for sharing this with us 🙂 Koh Samui looks so fantastic – I will try this next time!
Have a nice day
Martina
Anytime, I am glad you enjoyed!
You’re making me want to go back to Thailand! I only had time to explore one island and chose Koh Samui, but it looks like there are so many other great options! I am saving this post for a future visit.
Koh Samui is still a great choice, I loved that island! Thanks for saving 🙂
I have been to Bangkok several times and Phuket some 40 years ago. Didn’t realize Thailand has other islands for specific needs: Koh Phi Phi for Honeymooners, Koh pha Ngan for party-goers, Koh Samui for beaches and food, and Koh Tao for diving!!! Much like the islands if the Philippines!
Every island is famous for something different! I have always wanted to visit the Philippines, definitely on my list!
I basically have that exact same picture from the top of Koh Phi Phi! I got sick shortly thereafter and had to cut Phuket and Koh Samui from the trip 🙁 I can’t wait to go back and check them out!!
That’s funny, I got sick on Koh Samui (travellers sickness) and I was out of commission for 2 days. I had to get antibiotics from one of the pharmacies there, it was so bad.
I’m planning a trip to Thailand next year and this is such a useful guide with all the islands info all in a single place. Phuket have become popular now that as you said it’s more of a tourist trap now. I would love to explore Koh Phi Phi knowing it can be seen through bike, then it’s on for me 😀 Although I’m not a party person, I will still try to attend at least one full moon party at Koh Pha Ngan island – hopefully, I like the experience 🙂
The bike idea through Koh Phi Phi sounds like so much fun, make sure it’s motorized though. We had a motorbike to explore the island and it was so much fun, but Koh Phi Phi is VERY hilly. I would suggest hitting up the half moon party if you want to try that, it’s also on Koh Phangan but less touristy and more locals. It takes place in the jungle rather than on the beach, and it’s a bit smaller.
If I ever make it to Thailand, I will probably spend the entire time exploring the islands. I’m not really a party person, so I might skip Koh Pha Ngan, but there are still so many beautiful islands to explore. Just looking at these photos makes me want to book a ticket.
They were stunning, photos don’t do it justice. I’d say skip Koh Pha Ngan then and stick to the other islands, great idea! The others are definitely quieter.
Thailand is a paradise for beach lovers. You have done a fabulous job by listing the bst ones here. It is a great guide for the first timers like me. Personally I am already dreaming of going to Koh Tao. The landscape of this beach is amazing. I would also love to try scuba diving here.
Thank you! Koh Tao was my favorite island, the main town area almost felt like Greece to me at night time. It was beautiful!
I’ve been to Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan and they were gorgeous. I encourage you to visit the Philippines, though. You haven’t seen paradise if you haven’t been to its beaches. 😉
The Philippines are 100% on my bucket list. I just followed my friend’s travels while she backpacked through the Philippines!
I haven’t been to Thailand yet, but it is on my list. I so appreciate this island guide and what each island has to offer. They all look beautiful. I’m not much of a partier so I’d probably steer away from those islands and head for the ones known for food and white beaches.
I’d say steer clear of Koh Phangan then. The rest are pretty serine depending on the season!
I would love to visit the Thai islands, they look so pristine and picturesque. Helpful to have a guide here for when I finally make it there, thanks!
No problem! The islands are stunning. Let me know if you have any questions!
I haven’t been to Thailand in years (20years) but I have always wanted to go back and explore the holidays. These are some great suggestions on your list. Koh Tao is definitely my favourite on here not only does it looks beautiful but it sounds amazing. One my list now
I bet things have changed quite a bit in 20 years, but the beauty of Thailand doesn’t. Koh Tao was absolutely stunning and perfect for honeymooners. I found it to be a quieter island option for sure.
Great guide – the islands look so idyllic, what a wonderful destination to discover! I feel like you could stay there for ages.
I didn’t want to leave, it truly felt like paradise. I wish I could be there sipping a Mai Thai right now!
love your tips ! thanks for sharing ..!!!!!!
You’re welcome 🙂
Love the trips you have one here can’t wait till I get to travel to some of these destinations!!!
Thanks Chris! Let me know if you do!