Thailand's Most Special Islands and What Each Is Known For
Phuket is the most developed and flexible, Koh Phi Phi suits rock scenery and clear water, Koh Samui (family-oriented) and Koh Phangan (nightlife) are in the Gulf, and Koh Tao is known as a diving destination.
Phuket
The largest, most tourism-developed island โ the most direct flight options and hotel variety.
Koh Phi Phi
Known for its cliff scenery and clear water โ popular for day trips from Phuket or Krabi, also as an overnight destination.
Koh Samui and Koh Phangan
In the Gulf area, with different character from the west coast โ Koh Samui more family-friendly, Koh Phangan better known for nightlife.
Koh Tao
Known mainly as a diving destination โ one of the cheapest places in the world to get a diving certification.
Quieter Islands Worth Knowing
Koh Lanta is a calm island with long beaches, suited to families and couples. Koh Lipe, in the south, is known as 'the Maldives of Thailand' thanks to its clear water. Koh Chang, in the east, is greener and wilder, and Koh Samet is the closest island to Bangkok. Each island has its own guide: Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Chang and Koh Samet.
Real data ยท Agoda
Real data ยท Agoda
Real data ยท AgodaHow to Choose an Island by Style
For comfort and infrastructure, Phuket and Koh Samui. For quiet, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe or parts of Koh Phangan. For diving, Koh Tao. For dramatic scenery, Phi Phi and Krabi. You'll find the differences between the east and west coasts in east vs west, and the details on Phi Phi in the Koh Phi Phi guide.
Anyone who likes diving and snorkeling will find the full story in diving in Koh Tao.
How to Get There and What to Know
Some of the islands have an airport, and others can only be reached by ferry or speedboat. In the rainy season and on days of rough sea, boats may be cancelled, so don't plan a transfer without a margin. Transfer costs are discussed in inter-island transport costs, and ferry details in ferries and speedboats. And finally, don't try to cover too many islands in too few days, because each island deserves at least a few nights. Ready-made routes: the southern islands and the Gulf islands.
Seasonal Islands and Islands for Diving
The Similan Islands, one of Thailand's famous diving sites, are usually open only part of the year, and close in the rainy season, so if they're in your plans, check the dates. Koh Tao is open for diving almost all year, although sea conditions vary.
Koh Samet and Koh Chang are considered islands you can reach without a flight, because they're close to Bangkok, and Koh Lipe, at the southern tip, is beautiful mainly in the dry season. When choosing an island, it's worth looking at its season too, and not only at the pictures. Don't forget that even the calmest sea has windy days, so in any island route it's worth keeping one flexible day.
Also check travel times, because remote islands sometimes require a flight followed by a ferry, and a leg like that can take a whole day. That way you'll know how many nights to allocate to each island before booking. If you're torn between two, the comparison guide between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan may help.
Keep reading
Snorkeling in Thailand: seasons by coast, choosing a tour and staying safe.
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