Best Islands to Visit in Thailand
If you are looking for a cheap paradise destination, look no further. Thailand is by far the most beautiful and paradisiac country I have ever visited and amazingly enough, it doesn’t come with a huge pricetag.
When it comes to planning that dream trip to Thailand, the hardest part is deciding where to go. There are more than a thousand islands in this tropical country and so many of them look like heaven, so I decided to guide you on some of my absolute favorites after having visited some of the most famous islands in Thailand.
Koh Lipe
I have talked so much about Koh Lipe that sometimes I wonder if people get tired of me raving about it, but it really is one of my favorite places in the entire World, which is why I couldn’t start this list by mentioning any other place.
Koh Lipe is the southermost island in Thailand and for the tiny island that it is, it really has so much to offer. As soon as you get there, you will get the small-island-vibe that everyone falls in love with and I am sure you will want to stay for as long as possible.
The tiny paradisiac island of Koh Lipe has some of the best beaches I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not nearly as crowded as I expected. This paradise island is perfect for backpackers, families with small kids and couples looking for a relaxing vacation away from the overcrowded Phi Phi islands and Phuket areas. Plus, after having visited those iconic places in Thailand, I can guarantee you that Koh Lipe is a million times more beautiful than all of them put together.
If you’re wondering if Koh Lipe is worth a visit, read more about it here and you will see why this island made me fall in love with Thailand and should really be on your travel bucket list.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: This Tiny Island You’ve Never Heard of is Better Than the Maldives
Similan Islands
If you want to visit a place that looks exactly like the Seychelles but don‘t wanna break the budget just yet by visiting that expensive country, there is a magical place in Thailand that might be the perfect place for you.
This place is called Similan Islands and it’s a beatiful archilepago composed by 11 islands, about 70 kms off the Phang Nga Province.
These gorgeous islands have some of the most turquoise and warm waters I have ever seen and they definitely became one of my favorite places to visit in Thailand. More than the famous Koh Phi Phi or Koh Samui, the Similand Islands will give you the untouched paradisiac vibe we are all looking for when we travel to tropical locations.
The Similan Islands in Thailand have some of the most turquoise waters I have ever seen
If you want to visit these pristine islands, keep in mind that it’s not possible to stay there overnight. The Similan Islands are not inhabited and there is almost no infrastructure there, because it is located in a Natural Park that the Government is trying to protect. So, for anyone who would like to visit this piece of paradise in the Andaman Sea, the only option is to do it on a day tour from Phuket or the Krabi area.
I took this day tour and was so happy with it that I still think about going back and repeating it to this day! The staff was amazing, the places we visited for snorkeling were absolutely out of this World and the islands we went to on the Similan Archipelago were places I will never forget in my life.
Koh Mak
Even less discovered than Koh Lipe, Koh Mak is the definition of paradise on Earth to me. This small island near the famous island of Koh Chang is home to only 700 people and the crowds of tourists have somehow not arrived there yet.
I would recommend Koh Mak especially if you want a relaxed vacation as a solo traveler, a couple or a family. The low-key vibe of this island will slow you down as soon as you get to the pier and I can guarantee you that you will feel a peaceful atmosphere like not many other places can offer.
Koh Mak is one of the most peaceful places I ever visited
The island is small but it offers some amazing beaches with coconut trees and powdery white sand that you will definitely fall in love with.
The best beach in Koh Mak is called Ao Kao Beach and right in front of Lazy Day The Resort Koh Mak, you will find the dreamiest place on the whole island.
I cannot even guess how many hours I spent floating around that coconut tree, overlooking the paradisiac Ao Kao Beach. And the best part is that, even though I visited during the high season (December), I practically had the beach to myself! I can barely believe this island is not overcrowded with tourists by now, to be honest.
Koh Mak is one of my favorite islands in Thailand
Koh Kood
Last but not least, the beautiful island of Koh Kood is one of the best places to visit in Thailand, in my opinion.
Especially if you are looking for an island that is quite easily acessible from Bangkok, Koh Kood is the perfect option for you.
This pristine island located in the Gulf of Thailand is full of coconut trees and some of the best beaches I have ever seen, yet it’s still not crowded with tourists like the famous islands of Phi Phi and the Krabi region. It’s the perfect option for people looking for undiscovered paradise!
Koh Kood is one of the best islands to visit in Thailand
The paradisiac beaches of Koh Kood are ideal for beach bums like myself, who are more than happy to spend hours splashing around and admiring the tropical settings. But if you want to fill your days with some action after so much relaxation, Koh Kood has you covered as well.
If you like snorkeling, Koh Kood is the perfect place for it. There are plenty of day tours that will take you to amazing snorkeling spots where you can see all the marine life that the Gulf of Thailand has to offer, like this one that even includes a buffet lunch for less than 30€ per person.
If you would like to dive deeper and experience what many people describe as lifechanging, perhaps you would like to give diving a chance. There are options of diving for beginners and there are even PADI Scuba Diving Courses you can take.
I hope this blog post inspired you to visit Thailand and discover some of these paradisiac islands that truly deserve a visit in the Land of Smiles! Thailand will always be one of my absolute favorite countries and I am sure you will fall in love with it, no matter which one of this islands you decide to visit.
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