An island getaway is arguably the best idea for a relaxing summer retreat. It's not only a great way to alleviate all the stress built up from the hustle and bustle of living the fast-paced city life, but it's also the best way to fulfill the wanderlust in you. Can't you already feel the fine white sand between your toes and the windy ocean breeze in your hair?
If you've long been dreaming of walking along the shores of the pristine sandy beaches, you've come to the right place. We're absolutely positive that Thailand is the place you're looking for! True to its nickname, the Land of Smiles truly is an enchanting spectacle that is guaranteed to make you beam with joy.
Celebrated for its stunning geography, Thailand is home to vast stretches of mesmerizing archipelagos, making it one of the best vacation destinations for island hopping.
But with a long list of islands to choose from, where do you even start? Well, here are some of the key islands you must visit if you're in Thailand.
1. Phuket
This is definitely one island that comes to mind when you think of Thailand's island vacation spots. Located in Southern Thailand, Phuket is a city surrounded by the Andaman Sea. It has an amazing array of watersport activities for sporty beachgoers. Well, this is not limited to banana boating with the family, scuba diving to see the coral reefs, and paragliding across the glittering ocean.
With endless options of beach fun, you're sure to be spending a lot of time at the beach; packing a tube of sunblock in your beach bag is a must to avoid being sunburned by the scorching Southeast Asian heat.
Next, if you're looking to catch a glimpse of the sea view in Phuket, Karon Viewpoint is the place to go. Apart from its island paradise, this metropolitan area is well-loved for its top-quality seafood restaurants that offer mouth-watering local cuisines and, of course, a tasty menu of hearty seafood options.
And if you want to walk off the meal you just had, the colorful night markets are a great place to admire Thai craftsmanship and maybe get your friends and family a souvenir or two.
2. Koh Phi Phi
There are more than 300 beautiful islands in Thailand. One of the best sight seeing island is Ko Phi Phi. You must should visit those islands during Thailand tour. Island trips are awesome, particularly Ko Phi Phi Don. Spectacular boat ride and amazing day. You can book these through your hotels or tourist agents.
They are all pretty much the same deals and pick you up from your hotel and drop you back. Take the seasickness tablets, if you must. They are offered right after breakfast. You can snorkel and scuba dive during these day trips. Equipment will be provided.
A paradise for beach lovers, Phi Phi Islands is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Thailand. It is the best place if you want to escape the crowds and delight in the pristine waters and vibrant parties. The popularity of Phi Phi Islands shot up after the 2000 Hollywood film, ‘The Beach’.
Yup, if Phuket towns have enticed you, then that is just the beginning. The Phi Phi Island is a nearby world that has been marked as a must-visit tourist destination once you reach Phuket. So, don't you miss your pretty planned adventure at this fantasy island! Wade along in a peaceful beat, then get touched with the peaceful vibes amidst the huge rocks and the dreamy effect that fauna and flora offer at this lovely place.
It is a hidden quiet area that has been untouched by the city life and that is what makes this palace such beautiful to believe. Nature is raw beyond imagination and we can actually allow ourselves to sink into the slow pace of life blissfully.
Ko Phi Phi is the biggest island, with most of the inhabitants living here. Most of the architecture is new on this island as it was severely hit by tsunami. However, this place is a must for anyone to visit as it possesses truly natural beauty beyond anyone's imagination. There is plenty of accommodation on the island for everyone to stay, and there are always plenty of beaches to wander.
A small archipelago in the Krabi province in southern Thailand, this place is truly amazing for a happy ending massage. 90% of massage shops offer two basic types, Thai and Oil massage. Thai massage is most common and cheapest and you would normally wear underwear. Oil is normally more expensive and gives generally a better quality of massage.
Depending on the establishment you could wear underwear, use a disposable one provided or go commando. It’s pretty much given that if you chose the latter then you will get a tickle in the most sensitive places to gauge your reaction to see if you want more. This rarely happens with a thai massage. The quality of massage is totally variable and depends on the practitioner.
The idea that strength offers a better, deeper massage is usually prevalent in the touristy places but it can also cause damage. You are always better off if you go with the oldest lady in the shop who knows her stuff and not looking to provide extras. Obviously this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Women rarely offer extras. It is always best to ask around for recommendations. If you walk in off the street without knowing what the place is, you are totally chancing your luck.
Make the most out of your stay at Koh Phi Phi by island hopping around the archipelago! The Phi Phi Islands, located in the Andaman Sea, are known for its stunning beaches, clear waters, and tropical landscapes. The most famous beach on the islands is Maya Bay, which was made famous by the movie "The Beach". Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkelling, and diving in the crystal-clear waters. Maya Beach is one that you're advised not to skip. The crystal-clear blue waters paired with the magnificently grandiose rock formation are indeed a spectacle to behold.
While you could have fun splashing around and sunbathing on the island, there are historical elements that you can explore, too. Furthermore, Maya Bay houses a Viking Cave, a cave found at the foot of a limestone cliff. The cave got its name from the paintings on its walls that resemble Viking ships, otherwise known as the Scandinavian Drakkar, that were potentially left long ago by sailors who took refuge.
For some nightlife, venture into the island a little and you'll find a bunch of beach bars where you can crack open a cold one as you enjoy the chilly night ocean breeze. To make this more interesting, there will be Thai fire juggling performances around the beach. This is such a sight to marvel at; you would really want to bring your smartphone to capture this!
3. Koh Pha-ngan
Now that we've covered some of the famous islands in Thailand, time to move on to some of the lesser-known gems on the Thai map. Koh Pha-ngan is one of them! This island is most popular for hosting neon-lit rave parties. Moreover, you can join the Full Moon parties, Half Moon parties, and Black Moon parties held at the numerous reggae bars scattered around the island.
If you’re looking to visit Koh Pha-ngan to experience its hyped nightlife, Haad Rin’s Sunrise Beach is the place for you. Since the place is likely to be crowded, it will be beneficial to check out some tips to stay safe while on vacation.
Tired after a long night of partying? A good Thai massage should do the trick. Apart from the high-spirited nightlife, Koh Pha-ngan is also great for relaxing downtime. De-stress at one of the many spa resorts and wellness centers; the service at Ayurvana Spa at Santhiya Resort is recommended.
4. Koh Kai
Koh Kai is also known as Chicken Island. If you see the pictures, you'll understand why. The island got its name from its infamous rock formation that looks a lot like a chicken. You'll need your Polaroid camera to capture this unique product of nature.
This beach is usually packed with speedboats roaming around. So, strap on and get ready for a thrilling boat ride on the glistening waters of Koh Kai. Additionally, you can control your adventure more and opt to kayak around the island instead. And when you’re tired, hit the beach bars for a cold coconut shake or a can of soft drinks.
The cherry on top, the water is so clear that it is a perfect spot for snorkeling. Just one thing to keep in mind, don’t feed the fish; that is considered illegal.
5. Koh Tao
Bring out the adventurer in you through bouldering, hiking, and rock climbing at Sairee Beach. Whether you’re a professional or someone who wants to dip their feet into the art of scuba diving, Koh Tao is just the place for you. The diving courses here serve as the main selling point of this tropical island.
You'll be glad to know that the competitive prices in the surrounding islands have driven down the cost of scuba diving lessons at Koh Tao. What a way to plan a holiday on a budget!
Additionally, the tourists are also generally drawn to this island as it boasts extremely diverse ocean wildlife, turtles being the focal point. To enhance your experience of the beauty encapsulated under the seas of Koh Tao, there is a wide selection of diving activities you can participate in.
For starters, you can swim alongside the whale sharks and bull sharks in the shark diving activity. Apart from that, other diving explorations such as night diving, wreck diving, and Nitrox diving are all intriguing and riveting as they sound. Put simply, Koh Tao is a scuba diving paradise you don’t want to miss out on.
As we established, Thailand has a collection of breathtakingly mesmerizing islands. Most of the time, these islands are located within a hop, skip, and jump away from each other; well, not actually, but they are a short boat ride away. Be sure to do some research on the surrounding islands and how they fit into your vacation plans.
All in all, words can't do justice to the beauty of these islands with their lush greenery and the rich underwater wildlife they carry. The spectacular views and uniqueness are without a doubt something to experience at least once in your lifetime!