Thailand’s Islands at a Glance
Thailand has over 1,400 islands. Here’s how the main ones compare.
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Gulf of Thailand (East Coast)
Koh Tao
Best for: Diving and snorkeling. One of the world’s cheapest places to get PADI certified (฿9,000–12,000 for Open Water). Good nightlife, beautiful bays (Sairee, Haad Rin).
Avoid if: You want luxury resorts or large beaches.
Best time: April–September.
Koh Phangan
Best for: Full Moon Party (monthly at Haad Rin — 20,000+ people), yoga retreats, beautiful beaches (Bottle Beach, Thong Nai Pan Noi), budget travel.
Full Moon Party: Monthly on the full moon, plus Half Moon and Black Moon parties. Budget: ฿1,000–3,000/night during party.
Best time: February–September.
Koh Samui
Best for: Luxury resorts, families, couples, developed infrastructure.
Best time: February–September.
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Andaman Sea (West Coast)
Koh Lanta
Best for: Long beaches, relaxed atmosphere, good diving, families. Less commercial than Phuket.
Best beaches: Long Beach (Klong Dao), Klong Nin, Kantiang Bay.
Best time: November–April.
Koh Lipe
Best for: Crystal water, excellent snorkeling, small island atmosphere. Thailand’s most beautiful small island.
Getting there: Speedboat from Pakbara (2.5 hours) or ferry from Langkawi, Malaysia.
Best time: November–April.
Koh Kradan
Best for: Couples, snorkeling directly from the beach, quiet. One of Thailand’s most beautiful small islands.
Best time: November–April.
Phi Phi Islands
Best for: Day trips from Phuket or Krabi. The scenery is extraordinary — but the main island (Phi Phi Don) is extremely overdeveloped.
Koh Yao Noi / Koh Yao Yai
Best for: Escape from crowds, cycling, traditional village life. 30 minutes by boat from Phuket but feels like a different world.
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How to Choose Your Thailand Island
| You want… | Best island |
|---|---|
| Diving & scuba certification | Koh Tao |
| Party scene | Koh Phangan |
| Luxury & development | Koh Samui |
| Beautiful beaches, quiet | Koh Lipe or Koh Kradan |
| Families | Koh Lanta |
| Close to Phuket | Phi Phi (day trip) |
| Digital nomad life | Koh Samui or Koh Tao |
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Inter-island ferry tickets and island day trips are bookable on Klook — convenient to organize transport before you arrive.
Book Thailand island tours & ferry tickets on Klook →
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