Thailand island hopping is a favorite of many travelers in Southeast Asia. After all, Thailand has over 1400 islands and boasts some of the best beaches in the world. Why not take some time to explore as many as you can? But there’s more to the Thai islands than just sun and sand, so let’s take a look at the most popular islands and what they offer.
Thailand Island Hopping: Where To Go?
The bulk of Thailand’s islands are located in the country’s southern region – on the southeast coast is the Andaman Sea, and on the southwest coast is the Gulf of Thailand.
The Gulf of Thailand region is bordered by 3 countries: Thailand in the east and north, and Cambodia and Vietnam along the west. It’s a relatively shallow body of water with an average depth of 200 feet. It’s also an inlet of the South China Sea. The Gulf of Thailand is roughly 500 miles long by 350 miles wide, and its most popular islands are along the western Surat Thani coast. This area includes Koh Tao, Koh Samui, and Koh Pha-Ngan.
The Andaman Sea is on the opposite side of the country and additionally bordered by Myanmar. To the west of the sea are India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a cluster of islands in the Bay of Bengal. The Andaman Sea is known for its idyllic tropical scenery, coral reefs, and diving spots. Historically, the sea was used to transport goods and also for fishing. Today, it’s a hotspot for tourists. Islands like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta are all popular destinations that see thousands of tourists every year.
Gulf of Thailand Region
Let’s take a closer look at the top islands to visit in the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Samui
The resort island of Koh Samui is 229 km2 in size, making it the second-largest island in Thailand and the largest in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s got something for travelers of every budget and plenty of beaches. The most popular is Chaweng Beach, a buzzing 5-kilometer stretch in the northwest that’s the center of tourism. Southwest Samui contains the more relaxed Lamai Beach, as well as Hin Ta and Hin Yai, a tourist attraction of interesting rock formations by the water. The historical Bophut Fisherman’s Village is another popular attraction, which has been transformed into a charming and trendy boutique area of the island. Visitors can also check out The Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem temples in the north, as well as the Na Muang Waterfalls and Secret Buddha Garden in the middle of Samui.
Koh Pha-Ngan
Koh Pha-Ngan (pronounced Ko Pa-Nyan) is slightly north of Samui and is known for its full moon beach parties which take place monthly and last all night long. The full moon party originated in the southeastern peninsula of Haad Rin and is held the night before, the night of, or the night after a full moon. Pha-Ngan’s hilly terrain offers plenty of trekking routes for those that are looking to get some exercise while on the island. A popular mountain hike is Khao Ra, with Phaeng Waterfall being another good option. Of course, you can always just relax on the many beaches and work on your tan if you wish. Visitors to Koh Pha-Ngan can also take a day trip to the neighboring island of Ang Thong to explore the National Marine Park, and dive sites are also easily accessible to explore marine life.
Koh Tao
Located north of Pha-Ngan is Koh Tao, one of the premier diving destinations in Thailand. Sunrises and sunsets are pretty much perfect on this island and are must-dos when visiting. One of the best sunrise spots is the Love Koh Tao Viewpoint, while Mango Bay Viewpoint (or any beach) will provide the best sunsets. Another popular viewpoint to check out is John-Suwan Viewpoint at the southern tip of the island. As for Koh Tao’s beaches, Sairee Beach is the most popular, whereas Ao Hin Wong and Haad Sai Nuan are less popular but equally idyllic. A few meters off the northeast coast is a famous 3-island archipelago, Koh Nang Yuan, which is accessible by boat. The viewpoint here is one of the top things to do when visiting Koh Tao and is a popular spot for taking photos.
Koh Samet
In the north of the Gulf of Thailand is Koh Samet, a small island only 13 km2 in size. Its close proximity to cities like Bangkok and Pattaya makes it popular with locals as a weekend getaway destination. It has a mix of 14 white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant nightlife once the sun goes down. Samet’s location is ideal as it bypasses monsoon season, staying warm and sunny year-round. It’s also home to Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, which is a prime destination for nature lovers. The park is a tranquil location that includes a boardwalk, beaches, coastal inlets, and multiple accommodation choices.
Koh Chang
Koh Chang is an island off the coast of the northeastern province of Trat, near the border of Cambodia. It’s Thailand’s third-largest island and is known for its jungle terrain. Koh Chang translates to “Elephant Island”, named for its elephant-shaped headland. The island has its own preserve, Mu Ko Chang National Park, where visitors can explore the jungle via hiking trails and waterfalls like Klong Plu. White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach are popular for sunbathing, and browsing the shops at Bang Bao Pier is a must. If you want a less crowded island, Koh Chang is for you. It isn’t as well known as the larger islands of Phuket and Samui and therefore, isn’t as touristy.
Koh Kut
Just south of Koh Chang is Koh Kut, a smaller, less developed island that many people feel is a hidden gem when it comes to Thai islands. The trade-off is that it has limited transportation options, limited nightlife, and even a lack of the infamous Thailand 7-Elevens. For these reasons, it can be a turn-off for many travelers. However, Koh Kut is much like Koh Chang in that it’s a mix of heavy jungle and pristine beaches. The area around Klong Chao Beach is the busiest part of the island, making it the preferred area for many visitors to stay in.
Andaman Sea
The Andaman Sea has some of the most popular destinations in all of Thailand, making island hopping here a must.
Phuket
Phuket (Poo-Kett) is the largest and most famous island in Thailand. It averages over 25,000 tourists per day, and because of this, it’s the most expensive destination in the country. Phuket is located on Thailand’s southwestern tip, in the northern Andaman Sea.
As it’s the most developed island, there’s a lot of things to do when visiting. Phuket’s famous beach is Patong, a buzzing hub of activity all day and night. If you prefer something a bit more low-key, the nearby beaches of Kata and Karon are more family-friendly and laid back. Another popular beach is Rawai, which is found in south Phuket.
Travelers can visit Phuket’s Big Buddha, a massive 45-meter high mountaintop statue overlooking the island. Other notable viewpoints are Kata Viewpoint and Khoa Rang Viewpoint. If you want to see temples, they can be found in the easily walkable Old Town district, or you can visit Phuket’s most important temple, Wat Chalong. A trip to the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery is a must for lovers of the drink, and you can get your fill of animals by visiting an elephant sanctuary or Toh Sae Hill aka Monkey Hill where macaques live.
Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi (Ko Pee-Pee) is a small group of islands to the east of Phuket, in the middle of the Andaman Sea. They gained international notoriety as the filming location of the movie “The Beach”. The Phi Phi Islands consist of KPP Don, and KPP Lee. KPP Don is the main island, which is mainly a haven for beachgoers and the party crowd. The only transportation on KPP is water taxi, otherwise, you’ll need to walk or bicycle the island to see everything.
KPP Lee is the secondary island that most travelers visit for its lagoons, caves, and secluded beaches. The downside to KPP is that it is extremely touristy, so much so that Maya Bay had to be closed down to let the environment recuperate from the damage caused over the years. If you’re going with friends or as a couple it might be worth a visit, but as a solo traveler, I found it to be one of the worst places I’ve ever been.
Koh Lanta
The laid-back island of Koh Lanta is located in Thailand’s Krabi region, in the western Andaman Sea. Koh Lanta is the type of place where days can easily turn into weeks and it’s considered to be one of the most underrated islands in the country. Though it’s less visited than Phuket or KPP, Lanta has a lot of charm.
Long Beach is where most of the tourists flock, but the quieter island means it’s sparsely populated. Klong Khong Beach, Kantiang Bay, and Secret Beach are all recommended to visit. The island isn’t very big so you can rent a bicycle or scooter and explore at your leisure. The southern tip contains Mu Ko Lanta National Park where you can hike a 60-minute trail, and on the west of the island is Old Town that you can day-trip to. The Krabi region is also home to Ao Nang and Railay Beach, two beaches that are consistently on Thailand’s must-see lists.
Koh Lipe
In southwest Thailand, close to the Malaysian border, you’ll find Koh Lipe (Koh Lee-Pay). This small island is easily walkable and has three main beaches: Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley), and Sunset Beach (Hat Pramong). Relaxing is the name of the game in Lipe, and there is little to do other than hang on the beach, enjoy watersports, drink, and eat. Lipe Walking Street comes alive at night, though it’s still pretty tame compared to the busier islands. Many travelers take a day trip to the nearby island of Koh Adang. Adang is even less busy than Lipe and provides visitors with hiking, waterfalls, and multiple viewpoints of the surrounding area.
Getting Around
The best way (and sometimes the only way) to get from island to island is via boats and/or ferries. Phuket and Samui have airports so you can fly to them, but when moving between the smaller islands, your options are limited to water travel. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The ferries are large and have adequate, comfortable seating for passengers. Many tourists take advantage of the travel time and simply lay out in the sun while being transported. Traveling by boat also gives you a chance to see the scenery, which can be absolutely breathtaking at times.
You can buy transportation tickets on Thailand’s islands, as it’s a major source of their tourism dollars. I’d recommend buying your ticket with transfers as you’ll save some money this way. Transfers are for getting from the landing port to your accommodation on the island.
For example (these are rough figures), traveling by ferry from KPP to Phuket might cost 300 baht. If you buy an onward transfer to your Phuket accommodation at the same time (or while on the ferry), it might cost an additional 200 baht. But if you wait until you dock at Phuket, you might end up paying 400 baht for the same trip. Basically, bundle your transportation as much as you can to save money.
If you prefer to pre-book your tickets, the best website to use is 12go.asia. You can research the routes and compare costs to give you the best bang for your buck.
Fun In The Sun
Thailand island hopping is a great way to see some of the most beautiful regions in the country. White sand beaches, good food, and epic sunsets are found on all of them, but each island has its own unique vibe. Take your time exploring each one and you’ll have an unforgettable trip.
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