Thailand’s islands are often the highlight of any trip to the country, yet choosing where to go is not always straightforward. Each island has its own personality. Some offer lively nightlife and busy beach towns, while others remain quiet and undeveloped, perfect for travellers wanting to slow down and simply enjoy nature.
The good news is that many of the best Thailand islands are easy to reach from the mainland or via short domestic flights, making it simple to combine cities, beaches and island life in one journey. Whether you’re looking for entertainment, diving, quiet beaches or somewhere to unwind for a few days, there is an island that will suit your travel style.
This guide focuses on islands that are relatively easy to reach while still offering the scenery and relaxed pace most travellers imagine when planning a Thailand trip.
Phuket: An Island That Feels Like the Mainland
Although Phuket is technically an island, its size and infrastructure often make it feel more like part of the mainland. With an international airport and excellent road connections, it is one of the easiest beach destinations in Thailand to reach.
We have stayed in Phuket several times in different areas, and accommodation options are endless. From budget guesthouses to luxury beachfront resorts, there is something to suit every budget and style of travel. Check out or guide on Finding Accommodation in Thailand to see places we have stayed at.
Patong is the most famous area and attracts visitors looking for nightlife and entertainment. Those wanting a calmer atmosphere usually head to beaches such as Kata, Karon, Kamala or Nai Harn, where the pace slows considerably and families and couples tend to gather.
Phuket also works well as a base for exploring nearby islands and national park areas. Day trips regularly depart to Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay and smaller surrounding islands, making it easy to experience spectacular scenery without constantly changing hotels.
Getting around Phuket is straightforward, though traffic can be heavy in busy areas. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely used, and motorbike or car rental is common for travellers comfortable driving locally.
Phuket suits travellers wanting convenience, plenty of accommodation choice and easy access to nearby island adventures.
Koh Samui: Comfortable, Convenient and Well Developed
Koh Samui remains one of our favourite islands in Thailand, and we have visited numerous times over the years. Unlike most Thai islands, Samui has its own airport with frequent flights from Bangkok, making arrival easy without needing ferry transfers.
One of Samui’s strengths is the sheer variety of accommodation available. You will find no shortage of options to suit every budget, from self-contained apartments to luxury resorts.
For longer stays of a week or more, we often prefer self-contained apartments. Most have decent kitchens, allowing you to buy groceries in bulk from the island’s many shopping centres and eat in when you feel like it. This works well if you like flexibility or are travelling as a family.
For shorter stays of two or three nights, however, resort accommodation becomes far more convenient. Having breakfast included or easily available means you can start the day without worrying about cooking or searching for cafés.
On one recent visit, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Koh Samui for a luxury break, and you can read more about that experience in our dedicated guide. Over the years, we have also tried a number of other resorts and apartments, and we share more detailed recommendations in our article on finding accommodation in Thailand.
Getting around Samui is easy, with taxis and private drivers readily available, and motorbike rental common for confident riders. Roads are generally good, although traffic increases during busy periods.
A particularly memorable activity we tried was hiring a jet ski for several hours and joining a guided ride to Ko Mat Sum, a small island just south of Samui. It turned out to be one of the most fun experiences we have had on the island. Even travellers who normally prefer quieter activities might enjoy this for something different. Jet skis are widely available for hire along Samui’s beaches.
Koh Samui suits travellers wanting tropical island scenery combined with comfort, dining choices and good infrastructure.
Koh Phangan: More Than the Full Moon Party
Koh Phangan sits just north of Koh Samui and is reached by ferry or private boat charter. While famous worldwide for its Full Moon Party, the island actually offers much more than nightlife.
One mistake we made on an early visit was bringing a car across on the ferry. While Seatran Ferry allows vehicles, many of Phangan’s best beaches are reached via narrow roads or tracks more suited to motorbikes. Having a car meant we missed out on some of the island’s more remote beaches, so we would now advise against bringing a vehicle unless absolutely necessary.
Outside party periods, Phangan is a delightful island with quiet bays, relaxed resorts and beautiful scenery. Beaches such as Haad Yao, Haad Salad and Thong Nai Pan offer peaceful alternatives to the party areas.
If you are travelling with family or simply prefer a quieter atmosphere, avoid visiting during Full Moon Party dates. Accommodation becomes scarce, prices rise sharply and thousands of young partygoers descend on the island.
We visited roughly ten days after a Full Moon Party and stayed at Maehaad Bay Resort on the northwest coast. It turned out to be a great location, relaxed but still close to good restaurants.
There are plenty of good places to eat around the island, but shopping centres are almost non-existent, so we believe staying in a resort with its own restaurant makes life easier.
Koh Phangan works well for travellers wanting a mix of relaxed beaches and occasional social atmosphere, without the intensity of larger destinations.
Koh Tao: Thailand’s Diving Favourite
Koh Tao is smaller and quieter than both Samui and Phangan and is best known for diving and snorkelling. Many visitors arrive intending to stay only a few days and end up extending their stay thanks to the relaxed atmosphere.
Ferries connect Koh Tao with Samui and the mainland, though journeys take longer than reaching Samui or Phangan. Once there, visitors are rewarded with clear water and easily accessible coral reefs.
Sairee Beach forms the island’s main hub with restaurants and modest nightlife, while quieter bays offer peaceful stays. Accommodation ranges from simple bungalows to boutique resorts.
Roads can be steep and sometimes challenging, so taxis or organised transport are often safer options unless you are confident riding motorbikes.
Koh Tao is ideal for travellers focused on snorkelling, diving and laid-back island life.
Koh Phra Thong: Thailand’s True Escape
Koh Phra Thong offers a completely different island experience and remains one of the quietest places we have visited in Thailand. Located north of Phuket, the island feels far removed from busy tourist centres.
There are no proper roads and very little infrastructure. Only a handful of eco resorts and homestays operate here. Eco resorts generally mean limited electricity, so travellers should not expect air-conditioning, mini fridges or modern conveniences.
Solar power is available at larger resorts such as Moken Eco Village and Sea Rounding, where we have stayed previously. The island can only be comfortably visited during the dry season, usually from November through April or early May.
Getting there involves travelling to Kuraburi on the mainland and hiring a long-tail boat to the island. Boat transfers cost around 1,500 baht each way, but sharing with other travellers reduces the cost.
Once on Koh Phra Thong, there is very little to do except enjoy miles of empty white beaches and peaceful surroundings. Getting around is difficult because tracks are mostly sandy bush paths. We hired an ATV to explore the island and drive along beaches, which made a huge difference.
As far as we know, there are no cars or motorbikes for hire. We obtained our ATV through contacts on the island, and we prefer not to publish their details publicly to respect privacy, though we are happy to share information privately with readers. The ATV cost us 1,000 baht a day to hire and comes with a trailer too!
Of the places we have stayed, we highly recommend Moken Eco Village. Accommodation is basic but clean, and the restaurant and bar operate throughout the day, making meals easy. Staff also organise island tours and transfers using 4WD tractors from the pier.
By contrast, we would not recommend Sea Rounding, despite its location. During our stay, the food was below average and service disappointing. Access is also more complicated, requiring boats to land on the west coast where guests must wade ashore with luggage.
Koh Phra Thong suits travellers wanting solitude and nature rather than entertainment.
Ko Mat Sum: A Fun Side Trip
Ko Mat Sum sits just off Koh Samui and is usually visited as a day trip. The island offers calm beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, and its small resident pig population has made it popular with visitors.
Many people reach the island by boat tours, though adventurous travellers sometimes arrive via jet ski from Samui when conditions allow. Facilities are minimal, making it ideal for a short escape rather than overnight stays.
James Bond Island and Nearby National Park Islands
James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay became famous through film and now attracts many visitors. While often busy, the surrounding limestone scenery is spectacular, and many tours include kayaking through caves and stops at quieter lagoons.
Thailand also has several national park island groups, including the Similan and Surin Islands, known for pristine beaches and excellent snorkelling. Access usually involves organised tours, and parks close seasonally for conservation.
These islands are better suited to day trips rather than long stays.
Other Popular Islands and National Parks in Thailand
Thailand has well over 1,400 islands scattered across both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, and only a small number are widely known. Beyond the major destinations, there are countless smaller islands and protected marine national parks offering spectacular beaches, coral reefs and quiet escapes.
Island groups such as the Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Tarutao National Marine Park, and the islands around Trang are especially popular for snorkelling, diving and unspoilt scenery. Many of these are protected areas with limited accommodation, often visited on day trips or short overnight tours, and some close seasonally to protect marine life.
The reality is that Thailand offers far more island choices than most visitors realise. From lively beach towns to tiny islands with only a handful of bungalows, you could spend years exploring different options.
If you’re still deciding where to stay, it’s worth browsing accommodation options across multiple islands before committing, as prices and experiences vary widely. You can compare resorts, guesthouses and island stays across Thailand using Booking.com, which makes it easy to discover lesser-known islands that might suit your travel style perfectly.
For official destination information and seasonal travel updates, the Tourism Authority of Thailand website is also a useful planning resource before choosing which islands to visit.
Choosing the Best Thailand Islands
Choosing the best island depends on what kind of trip you want. Phuket offers convenience and entertainment. Koh Samui combines accessibility with comfort. Koh Phangan balances relaxed beaches with occasional nightlife. Koh Tao appeals to divers and snorkellers. Koh Phra Thong provides genuine solitude.
The good news is that island hopping in Thailand is easy, allowing travellers to experience different island styles in one journey.
Tip: Accommodation prices can vary hugely depending on travel dates. Before booking, see how we use Booking.com’s calendar tool to find cheaper hotel deals and reduce travel costs:
https://trustytraveltips.com/find-cheaper-hotel-deals-booking-com/
Final Thoughts: An Island for Every Traveller
Thailand’s islands are far from identical. Some buzz with activity, others remain wonderfully quiet. Some suit short beach breaks, while others invite longer stays.
With sensible planning, choosing the right island becomes one of the highlights of travelling in Thailand rather than a difficult decision.
