For many travelers, the question of the best island in Thailand is a hotly contested debate. Some love the direct journey to Koh Chang, others revel in the energy of Koh Phi Phi, while a small few prefer the castaway feel of Koh Kradan. There’s no right or wrong answer, but you’ll still want to know which ones are worth considering before you make any concrete plans.

Many factors come into play when choosing the right Thai island such as affordability, activities and atmosphere. Are you willing to pay top dollar for a private beach resort or are you happy in a budget bungalow surrounded by backpackers? The more pressing concern, though, is timing and logistics. The weather patterns can vary across the different island chains and getting to your destination of choice can entail a long voyage.

Mapping out your route and seeing which islands make sense should be your first course of action. If you’re starting in Bangkok and don’t want to travel too far, then the Trat Islands are a fantastic choice. If you don’t mind taking an overnight bus or domestic flight, the Gulf Islands are a great alternative (especially in the monsoon season). But if you’ve settled on Krabi or Phuket as your base, you’ll have the entire Andaman Sea at your disposal - stretching all the way down to Koh Lipe by the Malaysian border.

After a decade of traveling in Thailand, we’re still amazed by the diversity on offer here. One day you might find yourself marooned on a beautiful sandbar and the next snorkeling in a sea of tropical fish. This country makes island hopping easy - with ferries, speedboats and day tours connecting you to even the most remote shores. Our travel guide highlights 15 of the best islands in Thailand, our personal favorites (ranked in order), to give you endless inspiration for your next holiday in the sun.

15 Best Islands in Thailand

1. Koh Kood

Koh Kood is without doubt the best island in Thailand. Everything about this place just oozes “tropical paradise”: the palm trees leaning over the water, the quiet roads ideal for scooter rides, and the homely restaurants serving up delicious, fresh seafood. Our favorite beaches here are Bang Bao Beach and Ao Jark Bay - two beautiful bays where it’s easy to forget about the worries of the world. While tourism is increasing, Koh Kood remains blissfully undeveloped (especially compared to Koh Chang). The only downside is that hotels can be expensive if you don’t book well in advance.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Kood — *Koh Kood*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Kood Beach — *Koh Kood*

2. Koh Ngai

There are no towns or roads in Koh Ngai, just one magnificent beach lined with a few boutique resorts, towering palm trees and hornbills flying overhead. What we love most about this tiny island, located in the Trang archipelago, are the views out across the turquoise waters to iconic little karsts. Koh Ngai is best suited for couples looking for a peaceful, romantic getaway and can easily be visited on a speedboat from Koh Lanta.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Ngai — *Koh Ngai*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Ngai at Night — *Koh Ngai*

3. Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is always a special experience for us and not just because of Maya Bay. As we arrive by ferry, it’s become tradition to put on Porcelain by Moby and soak up the views - speedboats whizzing by and the hour-glass island coming into frame. There’s no denying that Koh Phi Phi is touristy but we still appreciate its natural beauty, range of activities and buzzing nightlife. Your days can start on a longtail drifting into the quiet Wang Long Bay and finish with a fire show on the beach. And the fact that it’s a walk-only island makes everything feel cozy and bustling at the same time.

Best Islands in Thailand - Phi Phi — *Koh Phi Phi*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Phi Phi Sunset — *Koh Phi Phi*

4. Koh Lanta

Large in size and laidback in character, Koh Lanta is one of those places you could stay for weeks on end and never get bored. It’s a favorite for digital nomads and long-term travelers who come for the coworking spaces, modern cafe culture and long golden beaches. But there’s plenty to do here on a short stay as well. On our visit we enjoyed exploring the local markets, riding south to the national park, taking a phenomenal boat tour to Koh Rok, and finishing every day with a gorgeous west coast sunset.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Lanta Beach — *Koh Lanta*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Lanta Sunset — *Koh Phi Phi*

5. Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is known for the Full Moon Party, but there’s far more rewarding ways to experience this beautiful destination. For starters, just riding scooters around the island is a thrill - especially the jungle roads lined with palm trees and that one famous downhill section leaving Haad Rin, with epic views out across the sea. We also loved hiking up Bottle Beach Viewpoint, taking a boat tour to Nang Yuan Island and eating mookata (Thai BBQ) at the local restaurants. Koh Phangan offers a relaxed and bohemian atmosphere, with lots of fantastic beaches to choose from.

Best Islands in Thailand - Phangan — *Koh Phangan*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Phangan Road — *Koh Phangan*

6. Koh Chang

We visit Koh Chang every chance we get, as it’s close to Kat’s family in Chanthaburi, and it never disappoints. The west coast is a hive of activity - rent a motorbike and you’ll discover one beach hub after another filled with restaurants, bars, beach clubs and a seemingly endless supply of 7-Elevens. Highlights here include Klong Kloi Beach and Sol Beach Club. But venture out to the east and you’ll find the opposite: quiet coastal roads, groves of coconut trees, mangrove forests, and one lonely 7-Eleven. The great thing about Koh Chang is that it’s a family-friendly island with some superb resorts offered at a fraction of the price of its neighbor Koh Kood.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Chang — *Koh Chang*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Chang Sunset — *Koh Chang*

7. Phuket

Phuket may be popular, and in many ways suffering from over-tourism, but it still packs a punch in terms of the visitor experience. Despite the crowds, you can still find pockets of quiet, like the northern end of Bang Tao Beach, and corners of local life, like the streets surrounding the Old Town. We like Phuket because it acts as the gateway to the islands of the Andaman Sea - it’s so easy to jump on a boat tour out to the Similan Islands or Koh Yao Yai, two gems you absolutely have to see. This, in addition to its incredible food scene (which is a hit even with Thais), makes Phuket hard to ignore.

Best Islands in Thailand - Phuket — *Phuket*

Best Islands in Thailand - Phuket Old Town — *Phuket*

8. Koh Mak

Koh Mak sits directly in between Koh Chang and Koh Kood, and is the smallest of the three main Trat Islands. Riding a scooter from one side of the island to the other takes less than 20 minutes, which is part of its appeal. On our visit, we slipped into the slow and tranquil way of life: exploring beaches, getting lost in coconut groves, and enjoying Thai tea and cake at cute little roadside cafes. But there’s still a few action-packed adventures to be had as well such as Muay Thai classes and a day trip to Koh Kham, famous for its abandoned resort and volcanic rock beaches.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Mak Hotel — *Koh Mak*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Kham — *Koh Kham*

9. Koh Samui

One of Thailand’s classic travel destinations, Koh Samui still draws in a crowd but balances it nicely with a healthy dose of local life - from temples to markets to fishing villages. Visitors can do it all here: chill on Lamai Beach, chase waterfalls at Na Muang, admire the views from Overlap Stone, take a day trip out to Ang Thong National Marine Park, and party the night away in Chaweng. The island is a top choice for families and couples who are looking for family-friendly beaches and luxury resorts.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Samui - Overlap Stone — *Koh Samui*

Best Islands in Thailand - Ang Thong — *Ang Thong National Marine Park*

10. Koh Kradan

The small, skinny island of Koh Kradan is the very definition of paradise. Its main beach has flour-like white sand, shallow turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs swimming distance from shore. The island has a few basic bungalow accommodations, with limited amenities and electricity, giving travelers a real sense of isolation and connection with nature. There’s nothing to do here apart from sunbathe, snorkel and kayak, but for most travelers that’s all they need. Koh Kradan can be added onto your island hopping trip in Trang or visited on a day tour from Koh Mook.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Kradan Trang — *Koh Kradan*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Kradan — *Koh Kradan*

11. Koh Rok

Koh Rok is a hidden gem of the Andaman Sea, located 30km south of Koh Lanta and often combined with Koh Haa on a snorkeling tour. The coral reefs here are amazing, however nothing really prepares you for the sheer beauty of the beaches. When we arrived at Koh Rok, we were absolutely gobsmacked by how clear the water was and how white the sand was. We would love to come back for an overnight stay one day, as the National Park manages bungalows and tenting accommodation that you can book.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Rok — *Koh Rok*

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Rok Beaches — *Koh Rok*

12. Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is home to strikingly clear turquoise waters that wouldn’t look out of place in the Maldives or Tahiti. Located at the southern tip of Thailand, this is the most challenging island to reach but those who make it here are generously rewarded. You’ll be able to snorkel right from the beach, kayak to neighboring islands and enjoy the increasing number of amenities on shore such as cafes, restaurants, sunset bars and a vibrant walking street.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Lipe — *Koh Lipe*

13. Koh Tao

If you’re a diving enthusiast, look no further than Koh Tao, the “unofficial diving capital of Thailand”. Both beginner and expert divers are drawn to the island’s reefs - teeming with tropical fish, turtles, reef sharks, and even whale sharks (from March to May). Beyond that, Koh Tao is just a cool little island hangout. There’s clifftop viewpoints to check out, paradise coves like Sai Daeng Beach, beach bars, fire shows and so much more. Nang Yuan Island also sits off shore, a triplet of islets connected by a white sandbar.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Tao — *Koh Tao*

14. Similan Islands

Visiting the Similan Islands was one of the best experiences we’ve had in Phuket. Even the large crowds couldn’t distract us from the natural beauty on offer: shimmering turquoise waters, squeaky white sand, and gigantic boulders dotted around the island’s coastlines. The day trip out here from either Phuket or Khao Lak is absolutely worth the price and travel time - you’ll go snorkeling, have time to climb up Sail Rock for iconic photo opportunities, get a buffet lunch and have plenty of free time to soak up the scenery. For an elevated experience, consider booking a liveaboard trip where you’ll have the islands all to yourself for a few moments.

Best Islands in Thailand - Similan Islands — *Similan Islands*

Best Islands in Thailand - Similan Islands from Phuket — *Similan Islands*

15. Koh Yao Yai

Koh Yao Yai is one of the best alternatives to Phuket, especially if you love slow-travel. Situated in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, this island offers a slower pace of life to its neighbor - defined by fishing villages, rice paddies and secluded beaches. Find yourself some cozy accommodation and enjoy the simple things - whether it’s walking the sandbar of Laem Haad Beach, exploring aimlessly on scooters, or watching the sunset across the bay.

Best Islands in Thailand - Koh Yao Yai — *Koh Yao Yai*

FAQs About Thai Islands

Which Thai Island is Right for Me?

When choosing among Thailand’s islands, you’ll want to pick the ones that align with your interests and travel style. After all, there’s no point in going to Koh Rok if you’re a party animal. For families with young kids, you can’t go wrong with Phuket, Koh Samui or Koh Chang. All three of these islands have the right amount of family-friendly resorts, beaches and activities to keep the little ones (and the adults) thoroughly entertained.

If you’re searching for unique diving and snorkeling sites, Koh Tao is the obvious choice followed by Koh Rok and the Similan Islands. For pure beach life, without any other distractions, head to Koh Lipe, Koh Kradan or Koh Ngai. Although we actually rate Koh Ngai as the best place in Thailand for couples, either a romantic getaway or for something special like a honeymoon or anniversary. Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phangan are party islands, so go there if nightlife is a priority. On the flip side, Koh Lanta, Koh Mak and Koh Yao Yai are ideal for remote work or experiencing local life.

Which Island Chains are Best in Thailand?

If you’re looking to hop around two or three different islands in the same area, which makes total sense by the way, then you’ll want to weigh up how each island chain compares. Thai islands can be loosely categorized into these five regions: Trat Islands, Gulf Islands, Phuket Islands, Krabi Islands and Trang Islands. Our favorite area is the Trat Islands, otherwise known as the Eastern Gulf or Koh Chang islands. These include Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak, and some hidden spots like Koh Wai.

Our second favorite grouping would be the Trang Islands of Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Lipe (broadly categorized). These islands are more remote and untouched, giving you that postcard quality of beaches. All four are connected via a network of speedboats, making travel relatively easy in the dry season (as long as the seas aren’t rough).

The Gulf Islands are another cool set to explore, all offering something unique: Koh Samui for its nice resorts, Koh Phangan for its backpacker vibe, and Koh Tao for its snorkeling and diving. You’ll have totally different experiences at all three. The islands surrounding Phuket are more suitable for day tours - think Similan Islands and Surin Islands - but Koh Yao Yai is definitely worth a two or three night stay. The final grouping is the Krabi Islands which mainly include Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, however you could also incorporate Ao Nang Beach and Railay Beach as well. These two are fantastic islands, Phi Phi the classic and Lanta the laidback gem.

When Should I Go Island Hopping in Thailand?

As a general rule of thumb, visiting the islands of Thailand in the dry season from December to March is the best approach. This will give you clearer skies, less rain and calmer seas for ferry or speedboat journeys. If you do want to visit a Thai island in the wet season, head to one of the Gulf Islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao) particularly from May to August. These months have less rainfall in the Gulf, especially compared to Phuket and Krabi.

Best Islands in Thailand - Similan Islands Tour — *Similan Islands*

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