If we crave blue waters, white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, let's take a look at the 10 most worthwhile islands in Thailand.
There are islands suitable for novice divers and quiet and undisturbed paradises. Each island has its own special features waiting for us to discover.
1. Koh Muk - Mysterious Journey to the Emerald Cave
The famous Emerald Cave is the highlight of Koh Muk. Every day between 10:00 and 14:00, the sun shines through the cave, and the sea water shines like emerald light, which is incredibly beautiful.
- Transportation: It takes about 45 minutes by boat from Trang Town, and the boat ticket is about $8-$12
- Opening hours: The cave is open all day, but the light is best at noon
- Tips: It is recommended to wear a life jacket to enter the cave, and it is suitable for visiting during the tide period
2. Koh Lanta - the perfect combination of tranquility and convenience
This island is suitable for family travel or friends who want to relax. It has both convenient facilities and is not as crowded as Phuket.
- Transportation: It takes about 2 hours by car + speedboat from Krabi Airport, about $15-$25
- Best time: November to April
- Tips: Rent a motorcycle to tour the island, about $5-$9/day
3. Similan Islands - a paradise for divers
Snorkeling or deep diving, it is a dream-level experience here. Swimming with turtles in the transparent sea water is an unforgettable memory of a lifetime.
- Transportation: It takes about 70 minutes by speedboat from Phuket or Khao Lak, and the round-trip speedboat is about $60–$80
- Tickets: National Park tickets are about $14 (500 baht)
- Opening hours: mid-October to mid-May
- Tips: Snorkeling equipment is included in most itineraries, pay attention to environmental protection rules
4. Koh Samui - Diverse holiday experience
There are five-star resorts, night markets with strong local flavor, and a huge Buddha statue watching the coast.
- Transportation: Direct flight from Bangkok for about 1 hour, air tickets are $30–$100
- Best time: January to March
- Tips: Big Buddha Temple (free) and Fisherman's Village Night Market are not to be missed
5. Phuket - Representative of Thailand Tourism
Whether it is shopping, night markets, food or beach activities, it has everything here. Suitable for us who are "first time in Thailand".
- Transportation: Direct flight from Bangkok takes about 1 hour, air tickets are $25–$80
- Best time: December to March of the following year
- Tips: Smart Bus from the airport to the beaches is only $3–$5, which is very cost-effective
6. Koh Phangan - Not just a party
In addition to the carnival party, there are many quiet beaches, yoga centers and cliff attractions.
- Transportation: Take a ferry from Koh Samui for about 30 minutes, the ticket price is $5–$10
- Tips: If you want to avoid the party crowd, choose the northern beaches such as Haad Yuan
7. Koh Chang - the charm of waterfalls and rainforests
The pristine tropical rainforest and wild beaches are a paradise for nature lovers
- Transportation: A car + boat combination from Bangkok takes about 6 hours, with a total price of $15–$25
- Best time: November to April of the following year
- Tips: It is recommended to participate in a half-day jungle hiking trip, about $12–$18
8. Koh Lipe - Thailand's "Maldives"
The water here is highly transparent, the sunset is super beautiful, and there is an experience of snorkeling from the beach.
- Transportation: Hat Yai Airport + shuttle boat, the total journey is about 4 hours, the cost is $30–$50
- Best time: November to April of the following year
- Tips: Book accommodation and boat tickets online in advance to save budget and avoid fullness
9. Koh Tao - an ideal island for learning diving
If we plan to learn diving, the course price here is the lowest in Thailand, and the scenery is superb.
- Transportation: It takes about 2 hours by boat from Chumphon, and the ticket price is $15-$20
- Diving courses: Open Water certificate is about $250-$300
- Best time: March to September
- Tips: Choose a reliable diving school with Chinese instructors to save trouble
10. Phi Phi Islands - Paradise in the Movies
Represented by the famous Maya Bay in "The Beach", the scenery is extremely beautiful, but there are many people, suitable for short-term exploration.
- Transportation: It takes about 1.5 hours by boat from Phuket or Krabi, and the ticket price is $10-$15
- Tickets: Environmental protection fee $0.50 (20 baht), Maya Bay needs to pay an additional $5-$6 (200 baht)
- Tips: Avoid the peak tour group hours from 10:00 to 14:00 and enjoy the tranquility
Lykkers, which island should we start our island adventure from?
From diving paradise to quiet beaches, from bustling markets to secret caves, these islands in Thailand have their own merits. Whether we like to relax, explore or take photos, we can find our own "sea". Now, it's time to plan a spontaneous island trip! Which island will we choose as the starting point?
