All the islands of Thailand have something in common - soft sand, gorgeous nature, an atmosphere of relaxation and good nature. But at the same time, each island is unique in its own way.
And if you are looking for something special in the "land of a thousand smiles", then choose from our Top 10 Best Thailand Islands for Vacation in 2019 exactly the one that is optimal for specific purposes. The rating is based on reviews of tourists and various travel publications.
10. Samui
Suitable for: family vacations with children, honeymooners and spa lovers.
Once one of the largest islands in Thailand, it attracted low-income tourists and ravers with its beautiful beaches with cheap accommodation and full moon parties. Now it has become more publicized and respectable, and has become an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy a beach holiday in Thailand.
Newlyweds have a wide selection of cozy cabins, nightclubs and Michelin-starred restaurants, while couples with children can check into “family” hotels with babysitting, children's pools and children's menus.
Koh Samui is one of the best yoga and spa destinations in the world. The most popular spa on the island is the spa center of the five-star Kamalaya Hotel.
- It is beautifully decorated with wood and stone, in the style of classic Thai architecture.
- The spa center has massage rooms, saunas (including infrared).
- There are rooms for manicure and pedicure, pools with water of different temperatures, as well as a steam grotto.
- Yoga lovers can practice meditation in pavilions for 10 or 30 people.
- For those who prefer active workouts to relaxing bathing, various fitness programs and gyms are provided.
9. Koh Tao
Suitable for: scuba diving enthusiasts.
The coast of Koh Tao, or Turtle Island, is dotted with small sandy coves, cute restaurants, and diving shops.
The island is one of the best places in the world to explore the most unusual fish and other inhabitants of the underwater world, and active competition between diving shops allows you to buy everything you need at low prices.
If you are new to diving, get your PADI or SSI Open Water certification. This usually takes four days and includes four ocean dives. If you're short on time (or don't want to take the full course), most diving schools offer Discovery Day Dives, during which you can dive 12 meters without certification.
The teachers at these schools teach in different languages, and children's courses are also available.
8. Phuket
Suitable for: beach holidays with a high level of service and active shopping
Thailand's largest and busiest island offers all the western conveniences you can think of, and perhaps some that you haven't thought of. The best restaurants in Thailand, luxury resorts, and even world-class plastic surgery clinics - all this and much more is in Phuket.
And while the island may seem too poor and crowded in some places, this is offset by cosmopolitan entertainment in the form of designer boutiques, nightclubs, bars and huge shopping centers.
Phuket is rightfully called the "beach capital" of Thailand: almost every local beach has coral reefs, and after the sun loungers were removed from the beaches in the summer of 2014, they returned to their original appearance.
7. Koh Phangan
Suitable for: hedonists and moon dancers.
The gentle sun, gentle beaches, and the famous Full moon parties - this is what Phangan is famous for. Every month on the full moon, Haad Rin Nok Beach hosts "Asian Ibiza". During the peak season, up to 20,000 people can be seen on the island dancing, drinking and jumping on the white sands under the full moon.
If you can't get to Koh Phangan at the right time of the month, don't worry - one night a week, the island's beach and cocktail bars host entertainment events. And even if they are not as crowded as during the "full moon party", they are no less exciting.
6. Koh Lanta
Suitable for: those who have not yet decided what exactly they want.
Of all the finest islands in Thailand, Koh Lanta is the most versatile. It is not one island, but a group of small islands, the most visited of which is Lanta Yai. There are nature reserves and beaches where you are unlikely to see crowds of tourists; and accommodation ranges from the most budget-friendly to the super-chic, which attracts respectable travelers.
Ko Lanta is one of the best places in Thailand for families with children. The local waters are calm and the islands themselves are safe. If you want everything to be as it should on a good vacation: tanning on beautiful beaches, some world-class diving, great massage, fun beach bars, seafood food, then Ko Lanta is the place where your dreams will come true.
5. Phi Phi
Suitable for: those who travel by themselves.
If you are traveling to Thailand on your own or with friends, then this island with a funny name is just what you need.
With a reputation for a variety of activities (diving, snorkeling, high diving, boat trips, etc.), Phi Phi attracts young and energetic tourists from all over the world.
And in the evenings, vacationers flock to the beach bars, watching Thai dancers juggle fire and wriggle in sensual dances.
4. Ko Lipe
Suitable for: romantics and newlyweds.
This cozy and clean island of only 2 km² has three main advantages:
- remoteness (which means that there are much fewer tourists here than in Phuket or Samui);
- many beautiful beaches with "bounty" sand and clear sea;
- many luxury hotels with good reviews.
The island is small enough to be explored on foot, perhaps hand in hand with a loved one. Pattaya Beach is the liveliest of the beaches and home to most of the island's nightlife, while Sunset Beach is Ko Lipe's quietest and most secluded beach.
Snorkeling, diving and excursions to the nearby islets are readily available, although you may prefer a massage at one of the local resorts.
Important: to enter Ko Lipe, which is part of the Tarutao Marine National Park, you need to pay 200 baht.
3. Koh Chang
Suitable for: exploring the nature of Thailand.
Less populated and more secluded than the "older sisters" - Phuket and Samui - Ko Chang is Thailand in miniature.
While not untouched by civilization, most of it is a national park, great for jungle trekking, with easy access to small nearby islets. At the same time, the island has a developed tourist infrastructure and there are no problems with accommodation and entertainment.
And Koh Chang has gorgeous sunsets, according to tourists. However, most of the most popular islands in Thailand are famous for this.
The main trouble of the island is the monkeys, who brazenly steal food and things from gape tourists.
2. Similan Islands
Suitable for: varied and exciting excursions.
Crystal transparency water, snow-white sand, stunning landscapes have provided the Similan Islands with the title of "pearl of Thailand". This chain of nine small wonders of the world forms a national park in the Andaman Sea.
Here are the most popular islands:
- Tachai Island has the softest and most lustrous sand and is the most popular of the magnificent nine.
- Richelieu Rock is one of the world's best diving sites and whale shark territory (February-April is the best time to spot them).
- Khao Lak Resort, located an hour's drive north of Phuket, is the starting point for most exciting day trips in Thailand and walks around the islands.
- Ko Miang is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, known for its turquoise waters and white beaches.
Important: according to reviews of Russian-speaking tourists, these islands are teeming with vacationers from China. Quite noisy, so you just have to be prepared for this.
1. Ko Sichang
Suitable for: quiet stay near big and noisy Bangkok.
If you are in Thailand for only a few days, you may not be able to travel from Bangkok to the outlying islands. Instead, take a day or two off on Ko Sichang (not to be confused with Ko Chang). It is a two-hour boat ride from the city, making it one of Bangkok's closest beach destinations.
The island is popular with Bangkok residents who come here for the weekend. While Sichang doesn't have the softest white sand of any island in Thailand, it offers something different - an escape from the capital's hectic, polluted streets. Tranquil and almost free of foreign tourists, Ko Sichang is your best bet if you would rather spend a few hours on the beach than on the bus or boat.