There’s not a lot to do in Ban Rak Thai apart from slowing down and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere on offer. You don’t really come here to tick off a bunch of attractions, instead the village itself is the attraction. You’ll find cute homestays wrapped around the lake, red lanterns hanging down from the wooden houses, and tea fields arranged in neat rows.

Koh Rok is nestled within Mu Ko Lanta National Park, and is made up of two tiny islands called Koh Rok Noi and Koh Rok Yai. Koh Haa, on the other hand, consists of five limestone islets surrounded by a turquoise lagoon - giving it the name “Five Islands”. Koh Haa is well known within diving circles, but it still remains a hidden gem for the average traveler/tourist.

Our island-hopping trips have taken us to some pretty amazing places, from Koh Lipe in the far south to Koh Kood in the far east, but none felt as remote as the Surin Islands. Situated miles from the mainland, close to the border of Myanmar, this protected archipelago offers travelers a true adventure: rugged beaches, world-class snorkeling and sea gypsy communities that add a touch of culture to every visit.

Koh Kham is a tiny private island situated off the coast of Koh Mak, famous for its abandoned luxury resort and unusual black volcanic rock formations. We spent the day here during our stay in Koh Mak and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. We did nothing more than sunbathe, swim, take photos and explore Ananya Hideaway but the time simply flew by.

Koh Mak truly lives up to its reputation of being a “hidden gem”. There are no 7-Elevens or resort chains to be found here, instead a handful of sleepy roadside cafes and intimate family-run hotels dot the landscape. The lack of mass-tourism is noticeable as soon as you hop off the boat and take a golf cart to your accommodation, weaving through bumpy dirt tracks and lush coconut groves.

Koh Ngai wasn’t the first island on our radar when we started traveling through Thailand. Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui topped our list in the early days. But recently we heard some amazing things about Koh Ngai, like how dreamy it was for couples, so we decided to give it a go. And what a decision that turned out to be. In our opinion, Koh Ngai is the most beautiful island in all of Thailand!