Thailand is one of the most popular countries in the world to visit, and for good reason. The food, accommodations, culture, and people make it a world-class destination. Some people head to Thailand for the hustle and bustle of its incredible cities like Bangkok and Chiang-Mai. Others head there for the incredible street food and amazing restaurants scattered all over the country, or a chance to check out the country’s amazing and storied history. And still others visit for the incredible islands. The Thailand islands offer a host of incredible beaches, upscale reports, spa, water activities, and so much more. If you’re curious about the best Thailand Islands to visit, you’re in the right place. In this video, we go over our top picks, as well as what makes them great! Join us, as Viewcation presents: The Best Thailand Islands to Visit!
Koh Samui
If you’re looking for a decidedly upscale vacation, you can’t go wrong on Koh Samui. Traditionally, it was an island that appealed to the more low-key set, looking for beautiful beaches and rustic settings, but not necessarily a fancy and expensive visit. It accomplished this through the years by offering amazing hikes and beaches, scattered with inexpensive huts and other affordable accommodations. But that has changed in recent times. Nowadays, Koh Samui has some of the top luxury accommodations on the globe, as well as sparkling beach hotels and spas that will relax you to the ultimate degree.
And while it’s truly a glamourous and luxurious island, featuring fancy hotels that host Michelin-starred dining establishments, there are also more down home options. There are a host of family-friendly spots to stay, for example. These boast features that are geared towards Westerners who might be a little nervous about visiting the region for the first time. So many of the hotels offer food from the west, as well as things like splash pools and day care for youngsters. So clearly it’s an island looking to appeal to visitors who want to avoid some of what they perceive as the more rough and tumble elements of the country. As far as hotel choices, you’ll be spoiled for choice, as long as you’re willing to shell out a decent amount of money. The Four Seasons is as delightful and detail oriented as you’d expect from that chain, appealing to both families and people looking for a romantic getaway. Then there’s Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort and Spa, which is an ideal for families. They have a ton of activities geared towards kids, like bracelet making, candle making, and origami … towel origami that is.
Koh Samui is also a haven for spa and yoga lovers. The top choice for spa and overall wellness is Kamalaya, which sits in the rainforest and beckons visitors with its amazingly cool-looking lodges that are perfectly set into the surrounding nature. And Absolute Sanctuary is the place to head for all things yoga. It’s a world-renowned spot that will have you feeling spiritually and physically refreshed.
Koh Pha Ngan
If you tend to lean more towards the hedonistic and natural side of life, then Koh Pha Ngan will be your cup of tea. Especially if you’re looking for a short jaunt into party-ville, followed by a nice recovery day of pampering. Every full moon, the island offers beach parties that last for three days at a time. Think of it as a Thai “burning man.” You’ll join big-time partiers and people with their fair share of locked and braided hair, dancing on the white sand and and drinking under the full moon. Of course, it woudn’t be a party island if there were only parties once a month, right? You’ll be glad to know they have half-moon and black-moon soirees that are just as intense. Plus, there are tons of bars and clubs that serve up a good time every night of the week.
By Koh Pha Ngan doesn’t leave you in the lurch when you wake up after a three-day party. There are an assortment of great spas and secluded beaches where you can nurse a hangover, and get refreshed. Bottle Beach is perhaps the best known, and is considered one of the best beaches in the country. If you’re looking for a simple and pragmatic spa, there are a ton of those. And if you want to splurge a little more on your day of recovery, head to Ayurvana Spa at the Santhiya Resort for some high end pampering.
As far as hotels, you’ll likely want to spend time in Haad Rin, which is the primary city on the island. The Suncliff Resort is a great spot nearby, situated just far enough away so that you can walk there easily, but won’t be kept awake by the beach clubs pumping loud music. There’s also a more upscale spot called Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa that is accessible by a quick boat ride.
Phuket
Phuket is likely the most famous of the Thai islands, and it’s extremely popular with Western tourists. It has adapted over the years to offer many of the accommodations and perks that travelers from the west have grown to expect. And it even goes beyond that, offering things most people wouldn’t even think to ask for while visiting, like private butlers, and top doctors providing plastic surgery. But assuming you’re not visiting for those exorbitant amenities, it’s still an excellent place to visit. While its popularity in the global market has led to some shady tour groups offering package deals that should be avoided, the island offers some great beaches and luxury hotels. If you’re looking for the most laid back and chill spots of the Thai islands, then Phuket isn’t for you. It tends to get pretty crowded, especially in the warmer months. But if you’re looking to spend some dough on your vacation, you can grab a room at a high end hotel and bask in the sun on its corresponding private beach. It’s also a premiere Thai island for shopping, offering world-class boutiques and 5-star dining options.
As far as hotels, you can’t go wrong with Banyan Tree Phuket. It’s offers incredible service, world-class amenities, and a top-notch spa. There’s also the COMO Point Yamu, which is located near Phang Nga Bay. Any fans of James Bond will be delighted at this location, since it’s where The Man With The Golden Gun was filmed.
Kho Phi Phi
If you’re rolling solo on a trip to the Thai islands, you’re gonna want to check out Kho Phi Phi. It was tragically torn to pieces by a tsunami, but has managed to come back strong, vibrant, and ready for tourists. It offers a mix of relaxation and partying that seems to match the needs of the younger and solo traveler set perfectly. If you’re looking for activities like snorkelling, boat rides, diving, and more, it’s a great spot for those. One very popular day trip is a boat ride over to Koh Phi Phi Ley, which was made famous for being the setting of the Leo DiCaprio movie, The Beach. It was closed off to tourists for a while, but has since reopened. If you choose to check it out, be warned that it’s Hollywood fame has made it quite popular, so there might be crowds.
Visitors to Kho Phi Phi tend to enjoy the incredible beaches, bop around to the assorted shops, and eat some authentic Thai food. Then they can enjoy the festive nightlife of assorted beach bars, and street performers doing their thing. It’s a very social island, and people from all over come to hang, party, and make new friends.
One great option when you visit is to stay at the Zeavola Resort. It’s a hotel that’s set back from the hustle and bustle of the town, which allows for some quiet reflection before and after you join all the festivities. It’s a traditional Thai design, and you’ll get great views of the ocean from your room.
Koh Yao islands
The Koh Yao islands are actually a pair of islands that are accessible from Phuket (via a speedboat ride that’ll take about a half an hour) and are perfect for making your vacation feel like a true getaway. It you’ve been partying it up on Phuket or Koh Pha Ngan, you might want a slight reprieve where you can just experience Thai culture and not be surrounded by people. Or perhaps you arrived in Thailand looking for more of a sleepy and relaxed vibe. And that’s exactly what you’ll get on Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi. The shores there are laced with little villages filled with fisherman. And the local jokingly refer to the one convenience store they have as “the mall.” The ideal way to explore these islands is to rent a scooter, and bop around, checking out the rice paddies and plantations as you drive along the dirt roads. You’ll feel like you stepped into another time, far from the amenities of the modern world. Koh Yao Noi is slightly more developed than its twin island, though it’s still way more chill than the other Thailand islands.
Most likely you’ll want to grab a stay at an apartment set up for rental, but there is a cool hotel called Six Senses Yao Noi that is full of gorgeous villas that are positioned to make you feel as if you’re the only people there.
If you’ve been to Thailand before, but haven’t yet explored the islands, you’re missing out. And if you’re never been to the country at all, we highly recommend spending some time on the mainland, and then doing a little island hopping to experience the best Thailand has to offer. Now it’s time to hear from you? Have you ever been to any of the Thailand islands? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below.