THIS POST IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN : 
Nederlands
Thailand is known for its many beautiful islands with white beaches, waving palm trees and clear blue seas. We are often asked, which island is the most beautiful or which island should we really not miss when we go to Thailand? Well then we can mention our favorites, but is that really what you are looking for?
There are party islands, tourist islands, authentic islands and even uninhabited islands! Some islands belong to a national park, here you are often only allowed to sleep with permission of the park rangers, really back in nature!
Combining islands
We understand that choosing is difficult, there is so much beauty! That’s why we made a short intro of all those beautiful islands we already visited. Does it appeal to you? Then click on the photo of the island and read on!
Good to know is that sometimes you don’t even have to choose! Because combining multiple islands, also called island hopping, is easier than you think! One night you can party on Koh Phangan and the next day you can admire the underwater life of Koh Tao.
To the islands in the rainy season?
Yes you can, we have done this many times. The result? Quiet beaches and tourist attractions, lower prices, cloudless skies, sometimes a heavy shower and once in a while a rainy day or two. We also experienced the opposite, climatically the perfect time and island, but still several days of rain in a row.
Don’t you have the luxury to travel to Thailand in the best months? Don’t be deterred from visiting this beautiful country! Just imagine a big downpour and don’t forget, after rain comes sunshine!
Koh Chang is the second largest island of Thailand. It has beautiful beaches and a lush green and hilly interior. Although Koh Chang is a little less visited, there are plenty of tourist facilities on the island. Koh Chang is also close to the islands of Koh Kood and Koh Mak, a nice combination for those who have the time.
Koh Chang is part of the National Marine Park, which is famous for its beautiful underwater world. For this reason, the island is also a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts.
Location: Gulf of Thailand, part of Trat Province, near mainland Cambodia.
Best Time to travel: The best months to visit Koh Chang are November, December, January, February and March.
Koh Kood, or Koh Kut, is a small island in Thailand near Koh Chang and Koh Mak. Many believe Koh Kood is one of the most gorgeous islands in Thailand. It has peaceful white beaches with lush palm trees, crystal clear waters and lovely waterfalls. Koh Kood is also a part of the Koh Chang Marine Park, an area well known for its beautiful underwater world.
Location: Gulf of Thailand, part of Trat Province, near mainland Cambodia.
Best time to travel:: The best months to visit Koh Chang are November, December, January, February and March.
Authentic Koh Mak is located between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. It is the smallest and least visited of the three islands. About 700 people live permanently on the island. In the interior there are mainly coconut and palm oil plantations. Koh Mak still has an authentic Thai feel, which is why most visitors come.
Location: Gulf of Thailand, part of Trat Province, near mainland Cambodia.
Best time to travel: The best months to visit Koh Chang are November, December, January, February and March.
Koh Phi Phi Don has beautiful snow-white beaches with wonderfully clear water. There is a cozy village full of restaurants, shops, massage parlours and diving schools. Koh Phi Phi Don is located near the island of Koh Phi Phi Leh known from Maya Bay. This bay became very popular because of the movie The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio. Phi Phi has the reputation of being a party island, but if you look beyond the crowd you will still find beautiful quiet beaches. And don’t miss the beautiful viewpoint of Koh Phi Phi!
Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand. Best travel period: November – April
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Phi Phi
Koh Lanta is a hip island with cozy bars on and on the beach. Yet Koh Lanta is not known as a party island. The atmosphere here is still very relaxed. Partly because of this atmosphere Koh Lanta is also a popular destination for families. There are fun activities to do on the island and there are beautiful snorkel trips to the surrounding islands. You can easily explore Koh Lanta yourself by scooter. Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand. Best travel period: November to April
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Lanta
Okay this is a little cheating because Railay is officially not an island but a peninsula. But because you can only reach Railay with a (longtail)boat you do have the feeling of being on an island. Railay is surrounded by the special towering rock formations that are frequently climbed. From Railay you can also make beautiful tours and snorkel trips to the surrounding islands. Railay is easily accessible from Krabi Town and Ao Nang.
Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand. Best travel period: November to April
Click on the picture for all articles about Railay
Koh Tao is known as the snorkel and diving paradise of Thailand! There are numerous bays where you can snorkel directly from the beach. Because of this you are not always dependent on snorkeling tours. You will find plenty of bars, restaurants, travel agencies and (tourist) shops. But there are also plenty of beautiful small bays where the evenings are very relaxed.
Location: South East Gulf of Thailand. Best travel period: January till November
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Tao
Koh Phangan is known worldwide for the Full Moon parties. But there are also Half Moon and Black Moon events. In short, there is always something to party at Koh Phangan! But if you take the trouble to explore the island you will soon discover that Koh Phangan is much more than just a party island! Phangan has long deserted beaches and some beautiful bays far away from the hustle and bustle.
Location: South East Gulf of Thailand. Best travel period: January to November.
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Phangan
Koh Samui belongs to the three biggest islands of Thailand! The island is a tourist holiday destination with all (luxury) amenities you could wish for. There are numerous restaurants and you can go out until late at night. The beautiful white elongated beaches slowly descend into the blue sea. Koh Samui is a popular family destination, not for nothing. The island is easy to reach from Bangkok because of its own airport on the island.
Location: South East Gulf of Thailand. Best travel period: January to November.
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Samui
Koh Ngai is the perfect place for honeymooners, couples in love or just peace seekers. Koh Ngai is a lush green island with an amazingly beautiful beach and good snorkeling opportunities. There is not much to do, but that is exactly why you come here!
Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand. Best travel period: November to May.
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Ngai
Koh Kradan is a quiet island. The small island has a green interior and an elongated white beach. The water is crystal clear and has beautiful snorkeling and diving opportunities. You can call Koh Kradan a bounty island!
Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand. Best travel period: November till May.
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Kradan
Koh Mook is best known for the Emerald Cave, a hidden lagoon. Koh Mook itself is a lot less visited. Because of this, the atmosphere is still quite authentic. Yet there are plenty of good resorts and restaurants to find. An interesting island to discover for those who want something different.
Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand. Best travel period: November to May.
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Mook
Koh Yao Yai is an authentic island where you will not encounter many other tourists. In spite of that, there are also very nice luxury resorts on the island. Although the beaches are not among the most beautiful in Thailand, you often have them almost all to yourself. Discovering Koh Yao Yai with a scooter is highly recommended!
Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand. Best travel period: November to April.
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Yao Yai
The five beautiful Surin Islands together form the Mu Ko Surin National Park. It’s your dream destination if you are looking for white beaches, clear blue seas and one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Thailand. You can visit the islands as a daytrip, for example from Khao Lak, but you can also spend the night in a simple bungalow or tent. Location: Andaman Sea, southwest of Thailand. Best travel period: December, January or February. The park is open from November to May, the rest of the months the Surin Islands are closed.
Click on the picture for all articles about the Surin Islands
The Similan Islands are beautiful, both above and underwater! They are among the best snorkel and dive sites in all of Thailand! The islands are part of the Mu Ko Similan National Park. Location: Andaman Sea, southwest of Thailand, easily accessible with a (snorkel) tour from the quiet beach destination Khao Lak, but also accessible from Phuket, Krabi and Ao Nang, Best travel time: November December, January, February. March. The park is open from 15 November to 15 May, the other months the Similan Islands are closed and you can’t visit them.
Click on the picture for all articles about the Similan Islands
Koh Lipe is a tiny paradise, the sea is so beautiful and the white beaches shine out to you. There are beautiful snorkel and dive trips possible in the surroundings of the Tarutao National Park of which Koh Lipe is a part. There is no great nightlife but there is a nice walking street with plenty of choice of restaurants and a number of cozy bars.
Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand, near Malaysia. Best travel period: November to April.
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Lipe
Koh Tarutao is the largest island of the eponymous Tarutao National Park. The island used to serve as a prison, of which remnants can still be seen. Now it is mainly a beautiful nature reserve! Many species of birds, animals and reptiles live here. You can only sleep there if you don’t have a problem with a simple bungalow or tent.
Location: Andaman Sea, in the southwest of Thailand, near Malaysia. Best travel period: November to April.
Click on the picture for all articles about Koh Tarutao
