The Islands of Thailand: Heading to Paradise!

Thailand is a country where my heart seems endlessly torn between my love for the North, with its lush valleys, and the South, with its paradise beaches. But ultimately, who said we have to choose? What I love about Thailand: everything! And today, we're heading to the south of the country, tracing the beaches and islands we discovered during our two trips to Thailand. Our first trip took us to the Surat Thani region, exploring islands more known to travelers, Koh Tao and Koh Samui. Our second trip allowed us to discover lesser-known Thai islands in the beautiful Trang region.

In this article, you'll find plenty of ideas to escape for a vacation under the coconut trees, whether on touristy islands to enjoy the lively atmosphere or lost in the middle of nowhere, playing the castaway alone in the world. So, who's ready for some blue skies, turquoise seas, and palm-fringed beaches?

Famous Thai Islands

Thailand, Asia, travel, — photo by unsacsurledos.com

What is a well-known island?

When thinking of Thailand and well-known beaches, numerous names come to mind: Koh Lanta, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Pattaya... but it's not to these spots that I'm taking you. One could playfully plot them on a continuum with one end being >, rated 10/10 on the fame scale, and the other end >.

The ones we will discuss today are used to welcoming travelers without being overly commercialized.

The Islands of Surat Thani: Koh Tao and Koh Samui

From Bangkok, we headed toward two islands in the Surat Thani region: Koh Tao and Koh Samui. Along the way, we made a stop in Hua Hin to explore the beautiful Sam Roi Yot Park, which I highly recommend. This trip lasted about ten days during our first visit to Thailand.

For those wanting to follow the storyline of this trip, I invite you to read A Month in Thailand: A Journey Between Islands and Mountains.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao, literally >, is the ideal place to experience the laid-back vibe of Thai islands without getting caught in the crowd. With its 20 square kilometers, it offers a little bit of everything for everyone. There are places to grab a drink to the sound of reggae music, spots to dance once night falls, as well as secret beaches and deserted coves... and awesome spots for diving.

Our Highlights in Koh Tao

Thailand, travel — Our first trip to Thailand... and certainly not the last! photo by unsacsurledos.com

When I think of Koh Tao, I see myself on the terrace of a bar sipping a fresh juice, sheltered under a palm tree with a book in hand, my gaze lost between the blue of the sea and the sky. But not just that! I also remember our beautiful adventures:

our quad escapade, exploring the heights of the island and its hidden beaches
our two scuba dives, with colorful fish and the journey through rock caves and tunnels
and our hiking adventure, in search of a secret beach, getting lost at every fork until we finally reached a fine sandy beach kissed by the waves, topped with a little wooden bar waiting just for us.

Koh Tao in Practice

How to Get There and Get Around?

Most travelers take a ferry from Surat Thani or Chumphon (70 km in both cases, 2 hours).

For getting around, besides walking, we recommend renting a scooter or quad for at least a day.

Activities to Try in Koh Tao

Snorkeling and diving

Tours are available to take you further out to swim with a mask and snorkel or to take you diving. You can even take the opportunity to get your first diving certification (PADI Open Water).

Our Great Addresses in Koh Tao

Thailand, Asia, travel, Surat Thani, island, beach — View at Koh Tao photo by unsacsurledos.com

We settled into a lovely guesthouse: Koh Tao Toscana. Not waterfront, but quiet and a 10-minute walk from the beach on one side and the main pier on the other. A great option in terms of location, comfort, and price.

The hotel on Booking and on Agoda

More detailed information in Favorite Places in Thailand: The Islands of Koh Tao and Koh Samui.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui, we went there with one main idea in mind: to explore Angthong National Marine Park... and we were not disappointed. Adjacent to this park, the island of Koh Samui greeted us with beautiful surprises, including a road trip across the island like a treasure hunt!

Our Highlights in Koh Samui

If I had to remember just a few images from Koh Samui, they would be these:

the kayak ride under the floating rocks of the >
the view from one of the islands in the park, near the Emerald Lake Thailing Nai
the pirate-themed road trip in search of treasure, uncovering all the beautiful known and lesser-known wonders of the island
the farewell flight from Koh Samui airport: a double pleasure. First for the airport, undoubtedly the most beautiful we have ever seen. And then for the view, simply paradise!

Koh Samui in Practice

How to Get There and Get Around?

We went by boat from Koh Tao and flew back to Bangkok.

And we rented a car to tour the island. There is also the option of renting a scooter or taking a collective taxi.

Activities to Try in Koh Samui

Explore the park >, located 1 hour by boat from Koh Samui. Different agencies offer tours for a day trip.

Rent a vehicle and pretend to be a pirate with a treasure map of the island.

Our Great Addresses in Koh Samui

While Koh Tao is known to be a budget-friendly island, Koh Samui is more oriented toward mid- to high-end tourism. So we decided to treat ourselves and stayed in a beachfront bungalow at the Coco Palm Beach Resort. A hotel we indulged in like a magnificent dessert! What a pleasure to have our little cabin, sinking our feet into the sand the moment we cross the threshold, and enjoying a drink on the terrace near the pool by the sea!

The hotel on Booking and on Agoda.

More detailed information in Favorite Places in Thailand: The Islands of Koh Tao and Koh Samui.

Lesser-Known Thai Islands

Thailand, travel, off the beaten path, Asia — Magical sunset (Klong Son Bay - Trang) photo by unsacsurledos.com

In terms of lesser-known islands in Thailand, there are so many that it's impossible to cover them all! We focused on the Trang region to discover southern Thailand off the beaten path.

On the agenda: boat rides among the islands and mangroves, paradise beaches, fiery sunsets, swimming in a pirate cave, and cultivating seaweed to feed the manatees. Relaxation, adventure, nature, and volunteering: all condensed into a memorable trip!

For those wanting to follow the storyline of this trip, I invite you to read the article Traveling in Thailand Off the Beaten Path.

The Islands of Trang: Koh Kradan and Koh Mook

During this second trip to Thailand, our itinerary in the south focused on the islands of Koh Kradan and Koh Mook. We also stayed near Pac Men Pier. This article is dedicated to the islands, so I won't discuss it here, but be sure to read the article about this beautiful journey: we absolutely loved this last stage in the south!

Koh Kradan

Koh Kradan has the reputation of having the most beautiful beaches in the province... and you'll understand why as soon as the boat docks and lets us meet the soft, flour-like sand of its beaches. Koh Kradan is a peaceful... and touristy island. A strange paradox explained by the fact that there is no village on the island, just a few hotels occupying part of the island, leaving the rest to adventurous wanderers.

Our Highlights in Koh Kradan

From Koh Kradan, I particularly remember:

its beautiful beaches and tide allowing you to walk far into the water
the shades of blue surrounding us as far as the eye could see, only broken by islets seemingly floating on the horizon

Koh Kradan in Practice

How to Get There and Get Around?

To reach Koh Kradan, you can depart from the Hat Pak Meng pier to take a boat (30 minutes).

Activities to Try in Koh Kradan

The appeal of Koh Kradan boils down to three points:

Enjoy its beautiful beaches
Take a boat to the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook (which I'll discuss below)
Try scuba diving in its clear and fish-filled waters

Our Great Addresses in Koh Kradan

Thailand, Asia, island, Koh Kradan, Trang — Walking in the water at Koh Kradan photo by unsacsurledos.com

We stayed at a hotel directly on the beach: The Sevenseas Resort in Koh Kradan. With its wooden cottages shaded by small trees along the seaside, it's a really nice setting! However, we had some reservations during this experience, the first being the value for money and the friendliness of the hospitality.

The hotel on Booking and on Agoda.

More detailed information in Unknown Thailand: Trang and Its Islands.

Koh Mook

Koh Mook (or Koh Muk), literally >, has beaches that can rival those of Koh Kradan! Like the beach at Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort or Hat Farang Beach (or Charlie's Beach).

But what distinguishes it particularly from Koh Kradan is its vibrancy: an island that lives to the rhythm of motorcycles, boats, and children's laughter. It's this blend of postcard-perfect beaches and the life of the Moken people (former sea nomads who are now settled and primarily Muslim) that particularly charmed me on this uniquely atmospheric island.

Our Highlights in Koh Mook

From Koh Mook, I remember above all:

the mototaxi-sidecar ride across the island, along stilt villages and forests
the famous Tham Morakot, aka >, a true pirate's lair from the novels of my childhood, and the muffled sound of waves rumbling as I crossed the tunnel in total darkness. Just thinking about it gives me chills!

Koh Mook in Practice

How to Get There and Get Around?

You can reach Koh Mook by boat (30 minutes) from the Kuan Thung Ku pier, located 9 km from Trang.

Activities to Try in Koh Mook

Discover the > (Tham Morakot). Take a tour that departs as early as possible to avoid the > from other tourist boats.
Tour the island by mototaxi.

Our Great Addresses in Koh Mook

Thailand, Asia, island, Koh Mook, Trang — At the port of Koh Mook photo by unsacsurledos.com

We did not stay overnight, but we had a lovely lunch break at the Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort. We had the opportunity to walk between various bungalows, and it made us very tempted!

The hotel on Booking and on Agoda.

More detailed information in Unknown Thailand: Trang and Its Islands.

Discovering the Islands of Thailand: A Delight for Everyone!

I love diving back into my memories of Thailand! It's a dangerous pleasure because while writing this article, I couldn't help but check the prices of plane tickets to Bangkok, just in case...

I hope this summer break with warm colors of the sun and fine sandy beaches, and the azure horizons of the sky and sea has uplifted your spirits as much as it has mine!

If you had to set off right now to the islands of Thailand, where would you go? To the well-known islands like Koh Tao and Koh Samui? Or to the less-known islands like Koh Kradan and Koh Mook? Or maybe you have other island gems in mind? I'm curious to know where your heart leans!

The Islands of Thailand: Heading to Paradise!