My Ultimate Top 5 – Thailand’s Most Beautiful Islands!
Hearing 'Thailand' you immediately have pictures of swaying palm trees, white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters come to mind. It's the perfect beach and slow travel destination! With so much stunning coastline and a whopping total of 1430 islands dotted throughout the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, choosing the ideal island getaway isn't easy. Let's take a little journey to my top 5 Thai island destinations to see what they are like. Each one is stunning in its own right, but which one is your favourite? Are you ready for the island?
Obviously, I only touched the surface of what Thailand offers in terms of stunning island destinations. There is just too much choice! Ranking them is difficult because they are all beautiful, while most other deciding factors entirely depend on personal preferences. What works for me might not work for you. However, let me give you my impressions of each island and let’s look at the pro’s and con’s, how hard is it to get there and tips on where to stay. This might help you choose the best island getaway to take it down a notch and slow down!
#1 - Koh Lipe - The Favourite One
This island truly blew my mind and is my personal favourite! The water looks like the Maldives – crystal clear and so blue it nearly hurts the eyes! The gorgeous sea paired with the white sandy beach welcoming you to the island is almost too beautiful for the mind to comprehend! Koh Lipe is situated in the very South of Thailand, about 70 km away from the Malaysian island of Langkawi. The island is protected and part of the Tarutao National Marine Park. Initially set up by the Chao Ley Sea Gypsies, Koh Lipe has undergone rapid development and is today a popular tourist spot.
Highlights and Sights
The island is so tiny you can reach pretty much everything on foot. There are three main beach areas on the island you should explore.
Pattaya beach is where you arrive and leave the island from. This beautiful stretch of beach is about 1 km long and is a great spot to laze on the beach or watch the sunset with a drink. Then you have Sunrise Beach on the opposite side of the island, but only a short walk away from Pattaya Beach. This stunning 800-metre long beach is just mindblowing with coral reefs just right ahead of you, overlooking the small neighbouring islands. Last but not least, you have Sunset Beach on the Northside of the island. Here, you have to walk down a steep road to reach the beach area. Small rustic resorts are dotted around the beach area where you can get some food and drinks.
The main things to do around Koh Lipe are island hopping trips and snorkelling or scuba diving excursions around the stunning coral reefs. The island’s walking street offers plenty of shops to buy souvenirs, beachwear and other knick-knacks. You also find here plenty of bars and restaurants to stay entertained. Explore the island on foot or by bicycle. Other than that – it’s recommended to relax and enjoy the beach!
What I loved
It is – hands down – the most beautiful Thai island I have visited! The stunning waters with the coral reefs are just amazing. The island has such a relaxed vibe without any cars and only a few motorbikes around. You can walk or cycle anywhere to explore this gorgeous piece of land. Our rustic-chic accommodation added to the perfect island feeling waking up right next to the beach. Koh Lipe is, for me, the perfect island getaway!
What wasn't so great
The perfect island and weather conditions also attract a lot of tourists. Given its small size, it can get a bit cramped here in the high season, especially around December. Due to its geographic location, the island is also very popular with domestic and regional visitors. If you want to avoid crowds, opt for the less busy wet season. But this is honestly the only downside I found in Koh Lipe.
Best Time to Travel
There are only two seasons – the wet season and the dry season. The dry season is obviously preferable, even though it might attract more tourists. Between November and April, it’s mostly dry and sunny and is considered the best time to enjoy Koh Lipe. On the downside, this also means that it gets busy on the island and accommodation prices soar. Book well in advance and try to avoid public holidays. The wet season lasts from May to October. During this time, it rains on average 2 hours per day and is a little less hot, but still sunny. The island quietens down with the only ferry connection going to Pak Bara on the mainland. If you don’t mind the occasional rain shower, prefer fewer tourists and lower accommodation rates, the wet season might just be for you!
Where to stay
We stayed at the Castaway Koh Lipe Resort, a stunning rustic-chic beach resort situated on Sunrise Beach. I just loved wooden Thai style huts with your own little terrace, a hammock and a private bathroom. The rooms are lovely rustic, yet come with all needed amenities.
When we booked, we were advised that there is no hot water in the huts, which made me slightly worried for a moment. The water temperature turned out perfect for the hot weather outside and we didn’t miss anything. There are different types of bungalow accommodation. We had a Seaview Bungalow, but you also get Seafront and Garden View Bungalows, some on stilts with stunning views over the sea or the tropical garden.
The restaurant area is located on the deck overlooking the beautiful beach and surrounding islands. The food and especially the cocktails here are simply delicious and well priced! It’s the perfect place to spend your afternoon and enjoy your evening! If you want to get around the island by bike, you can rent them here for a small fee. I couldn’t speak more highly of the Castaway Resort – it was the perfect place for our island getaway!
How to get there
From Bangkok, it’s easiest to fly to Hat Yai and then take the minivan taxi to Pak Bara ferry port. Many low-cost carriers like Air Asia sell tickets to Koh Lipe, including the flight, land transport and ferry to Koh Lipe. This is the easiest way to book it all in one go. The flight between Bangkok and Hat Yai takes about 2 hours, the road transfer between Hat Yai Airport to Pak Bara takes about another 1.5 to 2 hours and finally, the ferry ride between Pak Bara to Koh Lipe then takes about another 1.5 – 2 hours. That means you have a full day of travel before reaching your island destination.
During high season there are also speed boat connections between the island and Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi and Trang in Thailand and Langkawi in Malaysia. It will always take you a while to get to Koh Lipe, but oh my – it is so worth it! I would recommend spending at least three nights on the island to make the journey worth your while!
#2 - Koh Phangan - The Wild One
Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phangan is part of the glorious trio of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. These three are probably the best-known islands in Thailand and are sorted by size. Koh Tao is the smallest and most Northern island, Koh Phangan sits in the middle and Koh Samui is the largest and most developed island of the three, located in the South.
Koh Phangan has probably the most relaxed atmosphere of the three Gulf islands and is still a favourite amongst hippies and backpackers. These days, the island is much more developed than just a few years ago, but it still kept a bit of the lonely island magic.
Highlights and Sights
Most people would have heard about the legendary Full Moon Parties in Koh Phangan. Especially young tourists flog once a month to the Southern shores of Koh Phangan for a wild night of partying. In recent years the Full Moon parties have become increasingly controversial in terms of safety and environmental impact. However, if your heart is set on dancing the night away at a Full Moon Party, by all means, do it!
Koh Phangan has about 30 beautiful beaches that can be explored. If you go on a beach exploration trip, make sure you visit Chaloklum Beach in the North of the island, Bottle Beach in the North-East and Haad Seekantang in the South of the island.
Around Bottle Beach, you have some great hiking trails and stunning viewpoints over the quiet bay. If you are interested in hiking, Khao Ra, the highest mountain on the island, is a must-visit! From here, you have fantastic views over Chaloklum Beach and the surrounding area.
Activity-wise there are no boundaries! You can find anything here from sea kayaking to yoga and meditation practices, Muay Thai boxing, snorkelling and scuba diving. The island is ideal to rent a scooter to explore the island single-handedly. If you don’t dare to ride on your own, speak to your friendly accommodation provider to book transfers and activities.
What I Loved
Koh Phangan has preserved its feeling of an unexplored island paradise. Even though the island is well developed these days, you still find plenty of quiet bays and beaches hidden away from the busy tourist hubs.
While the South-West of the island is busy and developed, the less accessible North-East is much more pristine. Everything is still pretty small and rustic on the island, giving it a relaxed atmosphere. The island’s interior is very lush and green, with thick rainforest all around, giving you a bit of a castaway feeling. It is entirely up to your personal preference if you stay in one of the more busy areas or if you prefer a remote place. Either way, Koh Phangan is definitely worth a visit!
What was not so great
Meanwhile, the beaches are beautiful, most of them are not great for swimming. Especially during low tide, the water is in many places too shallow to swim. If this is a no-no for you, do some extra research if your chosen beach is swimmable. If it doesn’t phase you too much where you swim, you can always make sure your accommodation has a swimming pool available.
Best Time to Travel
The best – and busiest – time to travel is between December and March! During this period, it’s dry, sunny and slightly cooler than the rest of the year. With the best weather, you’ll naturally also have more crowds. So, be prepared for higher rates and busier beaches. Luckily though, the Gulf of Thailand has one of the shortest wet seasons, usually only lasting from October to the first week in December. Between April and November, it is definitely less busy and crowded in Koh Phangan. The accommodation rates drop up to 50% compared to the high season prices. Weatherwise, the humidity rises and it gets hotter until the monsoon hits. Temperatures don’t change too drastically throughout the year, averaging a high of 30°C and a low of 25°C.
Where to Stay
The accommodation options in Koh Phangan are endless, from high-end resorts to backpacker hostels – anything is possible. I made two choices for you in Koh Phangan, both suitable in the lower to midrange budget. Both have beach access and a cosy bar and restaurant area, just located in two very different areas on the island.
Seaflower Bungalows is located at Haad Chao Phao Beach. With Srithanu village at your doorstep, you have all the needed amenities, such as ATMs, restaurants, bars and convenience stores. The resort offers two types of accommodation. Around the pool area, you have modern, more luxurious Pool View Suites. The rooms overlook the stunning pool area while you relax on your balcony in your hammock. The older traditional Thai style Beachside Bungalows are located in the lush tropical garden area right next to the beach. The rooms are simple but lovely. All of them come with a private terrace and hammock, just a stone throw away from the sea. The restaurant and bar are conveniently located just a few metres away. It is a relaxed place at one of Koh Phangan’s most stunning beaches.
If you want to feel like Robinson Crusoe, you have to stay at Haad Khuad Resort at Botte Beach. Located in the remote North of the island, this little gem is perfect for nature lovers. The jungle-covered mountains surrounding the beach offer some beautiful viewpoints overlooking Bottle Beach. The area is ideal for hiking adventures and Bottle Beach is one of the best swimming beaches on the island. There are only three small resorts located the Bottle Beach as well as a small convenience store to assist guests with some essentials. The Haad Khuad Resort offers different room types, ranging from the Hotel Seaview rooms to the more simple Garden and Ocean Fan Bungalows. The restaurant delights its guests with typical Southern Thai cuisine, but also some Western specialties. If you are interested in activities and transfers, you can book it at the reception! Family owned and run, you’ll feel like part of the family in no time!
Nothing is more important for a great trip than finding a great place to stay! As I mentioned before – what works for me must not necessarily work for you. If my hotel recommendations don’t tick your boxes, don’t sweat it. Have a look at Booking.com to find a place that 100% suits your needs!
How To Get There
The easiest yet most expensive way to get to the island is flying into Koh Samui and then taking the ferry over to Koh Phangan. There is only one airline flying to Koh Samui, which is Bangkok Airways. Since it’s a private airline with a monopoly in Samui, flights can be expensive, but it’s by far the quickest way to get to Phangan. A slightly longer option is flying into Surat Thani airport and then taking a road transfer and ferry over to Koh Phangan. With low-cost carriers like Air Asia, you can again book the entire trip to Koh Phangan with all transfers directly on their website. It takes a little longer, but it is much cheaper than flying to Samui.
If you are starting from Bangkok, there is also the option to take the overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani, then further on by minivan and ferry. And last but not least, you can book a bus and ferry all the way from Bangkok to Koh Phangan with the local ferry company Lomprayah. For more ferry connections between the main and the islands, you can also check Seatran Ferry.
Again, even if you fly down South, you will still travel for the better part of a day. I would therefore suggest again to spend at the very least 3 nights on the island!
#3 - Koh Samet - The Closest One
One of Koh Samet’s biggest appeals is the convenient location relatively close to Bangkok. This makes it a favourite amongst locals and ex-pats for a long weekend or school holidays! This little island paradise is situated just off the coast of Rayong, about a 3-hour drive, depending on Bangkok’s crazy traffic. For once, no flight or lengthy overnight transport is needed. Escaping the busy city life in Bangkok, a couple of days in Koh Samet are the perfect way to recharge your batteries. There aren’t many sights or must-do activities. This island is best enjoyed relaxing by the beach, enjoying the calming effects of island life with a drink in your hand!
Highlights and Sights
Koh Samet’s biggest appeal is to do as little as possible. Moving between the beach, your accommodation and the closest beach bar/restaurant is often as wild as it gets. If you love to be in the hustle and bustle of it all, book yourself into a resort in Sai Kaew, Ao Phai and Ao Vong Duen. Especially Sai Kaew is the main area with a little walking street and plenty of beach bars and restaurants. If you stay here, you really don’t need to go far to rotate between the sea, restaurants and your accommodation
If you feel the need to be on the go all the time, Koh Samet might be a little boring for you. The main point of staying here is to relax and take it easy. Why not opt for a beach massage?
Having said that, there are, of course, options to escape the beach boredom and find some more exciting things to do. Especially, diving and snorkelling trips are most popular here, thanks to the fascinating marine world around Koh Samet. From pufferfish and manta rays to black-tipped sharks, stingrays or barracudas – the island is a divers paradise. Other exciting activities available on the island are jet skiing, kayaking, fishing, ATV riding and even beachside Muay Thai boxing. You will definitely find something to keep you entertained.
What I loved
The last time I went to Koh Samet with a group of friends to spend some time by the beach together, doing as little as possible. It was the perfect short holiday, not worrying about anything. No pressure to go somewhere or to miss out on Must-Do activities. I found this quite relaxing and even if you don’t travel with a group of friends, it’s a great place to spend a bit of quality time with your partner or just by yourself.
It’s a no-frills, easy-going place where you can just relax and have a good time. Enjoy the island feeling without going through too much hassle!
What was not so great
Koh Samet is a beautiful place, but the islands in Southern Thailand are simply more impressive. It’s hard to beat the stunning, unique rock formations of Pha-Nga Bay around Phuket and Krabi. And you can’t help but feeling in awe looking at the tropical beauty of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Don’t even get me started on Koh Lipe’s breathtaking beaches! But hey, it truly is a first world problem to bicker about a beautiful island not being exotic enough. Koh Samet is the closest island getaway to Bangkok, which gives it the edge. Apart from that, the island is gorgeous in its own way and definitely worth a visit!
Best Time to Travel
It’s the same as with all the other islands – the busiest and most popular time to travel is the dry season between November and April. Especially over Christmas, New Year and over Songkran (the Thai New Year) in April, the island usually gets extremely busy and accommodation rates soar. For the best rates, try to avoid public holidays and long weekends.
If you travel during the wet season, rates are usually lower and there are fewer crowds. Due to its proximity to Bangkok, weekends are always busier than during the week. If you are looking for some island serenity, keep this in mind when booking.
During the wet season, you can expect short but heavy downpours most days. The wettest months in Koh Samet are September and October. During this time, heavy storms can batter the island and disrupt the ferry traffic between the mainland and the island.
Where to Stay
It depends on what you want out of your holiday! For a bit of action and the longest beach on the island, choose Sai Kaew! You’ll find anything you need here from shops to restaurants and bars. All your activities during your stay can be booked here and the kilometre-long beach invites you to some lovely beach walks. There are plenty of accommodation options, depending on your budget and preferences.
Both times we came to Koh Samet we stayed at the Viking Holiday Resort, a lovely midrange resort in Ao Thian about 4 km South of Sai Kaew. It’s a great location if you want to relax, away from all the hustle and bustle. The neighbouring properties are of a similar standard with restaurants so you can opt to eat out without having to organise transport. You find one or two little convenience stores in the ‘neighbourhood’ to buy some basics.
The outdoor restaurant area at the Viking Resort is the best part of the place. It is set up in typical Thai style on a sandy beach area overlooking the glorious sea! Simply stunning! A little beach adjacent to the property is perfect to go for a swim in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The rooms are simple but good, with all the needed amenities. A scrumptious breakfast buffet is included to get your day started. Khun Tik, the property manager, is always making sure you have everything you could possibly need. In case you hear the calling of the big smoke in Sai Kaew, just ask at the reception to get you a Songtheaw, a traditional Thai pick-up truck vehicle used as a taxi, to drive you into town. The Viking Resort is a lovely quiet place where you can 100% relax and enjoy island life!
How to get there
From Bangkok, you have several options to get to Koh Samet by road. The most convenient option is to hire a private taxi. You can get a private taxi from about 2000 – 3000 THB (about 52 – 78 EUR or 60 – 90 USD). The taxi will bring you to Ban Phe Pier, where you then get a ticket for the 30-minute ferry ride to Koh Samet. The prices for the ferry are depending on the company and the drop-off pier.
Alternatively, you can also go by bus or by minivan to Ban Phe pier. Both depart hourly from Ekkamai Bus Terminal. The minivans hold up to 10 people and it takes about 2-3 hours to the ferry pier. You pay about 200 THB (about 5 EUR or 6 USD) for the ride, which is unbelievably cheap. The bus is even cheaper, costing about 150 THB (4 EUR or 5 USD) but takes about 4 hours to get to Ban Phe pier.
From Ban Phe pier, ferries and speedboats depart regularly. You can best check at the ticket counter what boat is available. On arrival in Koh Samet, foreigners have to pay a 200 THB national park fee (about 5 EUR or 6 USD) since the island is set in a protected marine area. As you see, it’s easy and relatively quick to get from Bangkok to Koh Samet. One of the best features of the island!
#4 - Koh Phi Phi - The Famous One
I guess nearly everyone has heard of Phi Phi islands thanks to the hit movie ‘The Beach’ with Leonardo Dicaprio. Phi Phi is actually a group of islands located between Phuket and Krabi in the Andaman Sea. The largest island is called Koh Phi Phi Don and is the only inhabited of the Phi Phi islands
I have to say, the movie didn’t exaggerate how beautiful the island is. Absolutely mindboggling! Overgrown huge rocks sticking out of the clear, pristine waters overlooking white sandy beaches surrounded by dense rainforest and coconut palm trees – it does simply look unreal!
With the movie fame also came millions of tourists to Koh Phi Phi. Trying to cram thousands of tourists daily onto the island and hundreds of boats polluting Maya Bay, where the movie was shot, was just not sustainable. By 2018 the Thai government had to close Maya Bay to visitors to give the ecosystem a chance to rejuvenate. The plan was to keep the bay closed for only a few months, but it became apparent that this wouldn’t be enough for nature to completely recover. Maya Bay is still closed in 2021 with no immediate plans to reopen. At least the pandemic gives nature some extra time to recover. Unfortunately, Koh Phi Phi is in many ways a sad example of the negative effects of tourism.
Nevertheless, it is probably one of the most beautiful places in Thailand and is worth the trip.
Highlights and Sights
Even though Maya Bay might be closed, there are still many other stunning islands, bays and islets around to discover on an unforgettable island hopping trip! One of the Must-Visit islands in the Phi Phi archipelago is Bamboo Island or in Thai Koh Phai. Its tropical beauty and mind-blowingly stunning beaches make for a great day trip. When choosing your tour, I would recommend going with a small group operator that might cost a bit more, but who might avoid the big crowds. Obviously, snorkelling and scuba diving are the other big-ticket items to do on the island. Most dive centres in Koh Phi Phi Don support the worldwide initiative Trash Hero. Should you be interested in more information about sustainable tourism and recommended diving operators in Koh Phi Phi, please click here!
Another Must-Do when you are on Koh Phi Phi is to visit the Phi Phi View Point. You would be hard-pressed to find a view of the island more stunning than Phi Phi View Point. A 20 – 40 minute walk – depending on your fitness – takes you up the paved path about 186 metres above sea level. Otherwise, there are plenty of amazing bays, beaches and coves to discover all around Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh, the neighbouring smaller island. You won’t get bored for sure.
What I loved
Words can barely describe how beautiful these speckles of land in the Andaman Sea are. It is once again a situation where the brain gets nearly overwhelmed by the amazing natural beauty. The small size makes it easy to get around on foot and you quickly feel like you died and woke up in paradise. There is obviously a reason for Koh Phi Phi’s popularity. It is a wonderful place to visit and should definitely be on your bucket list.
What was not so great
As mentioned in the introduction, you can’t mention Koh Phi Phi without acknowledging the toll mass tourism has taken on the archipelago. I once went on a day trip to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket and it was possibly one of the most depressing trips in my life. I couldn’t believe the number of people in Maya Bay (when it was still open) and on the island. People throwing their cigarette butts into the sea and simply not enough space on the tiny island for all the day visitors. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to realise that this is just too much. The daily number of tourists to the island needs to be controlled to limit future damage to the environment and ecosystems. It is up to the Thai government and the local Thai people to protect the vulnerable archipelago. Economically, only a few people profit from exploiting the islands. The damage to the archipelago concerns Thailand as a whole. Time to pump the breaks, I’d say.
Best Time to Travel
Koh Phi Phi’s dry season is between November and April, with December to March being the driest and busiest months on the island. The wet season starts officially in May and ends in October. If you would like to avoid the worst of the tourist crowds, I suggest planning your trip towards the start and end of the dry season. You might just avoid the worst crowds travelling at either end of October, early November or in April and May. The wettest and potentially stormiest months are between August and October, with partly heavy storms that disrupt the ferry connections. Generally speaking, those months are usually the least favourable to travel to Koh Phi Phi.
Where to stay
If your aim is to avoid the crowds at all costs, I have just the place for you! If you are not bothered perusing the busy streets of Tong Sai but rather enjoy the serenity of the island, stay at the Phi Phi Natural Resort. It is located in the north of the Koh Phi Phi Don, far away from the busy area of Tong Sai. You only have stunning Laem Tong Beach on your doorstep with a few more hotels around and not much else. The resort is not a budget accommodation, but if you treat yourself to a stay on Koh Phi Phi you might as well splash out a little.
How to Get there
To get to Koh Phi Phi, you can best fly into Krabi or Phuket airports either internationally or from Bangkok. Most of the time you can arrange transport with your accommodation provider, which is the easiest option.
Otherwise, there are options to take a private taxi or a minivan to the ferry pier. From Krabi, the ferry takes about 90 minutes to Koh Phi Phi and from Phuket about 2 hours. Especially during high season, make sure you have your transport booked beforehand. Once again, many low-cost carriers like Air Asia or Nok Air let you book the entire journey to Koh Phi Phi in one ticket. This is the easiest and often the cheapest option.
You can always stay a few nights in either Krabi or Phuket before moving on to the island. It makes the journey a bit shorter and stress-free while you acclimatise with a cocktail by the beach. Life could be worse! Given the proximity to Krabi and Phuket, which makes the journey not too long, you should plan probably a minimum of two nights on Koh Phi Phi.
#5 - Koh Yao Yai & Koh Yao Noi
- The Natural Sisters
Those two sister islands are located right next to each other, so closely, you can easily see them. I couldn’t decide which one is more beautiful or better to stay at, so I decided visiting both doesn’t hurt. Situated in the breathtaking Pha-Nga Bay, these two islands are wedged between Phuket and Krabi. In Thai ‘Yai’ means big, ‘Noi’ means small – therefore, you can either stay on the bigger or the smaller island.
Not many people have heard about these two stunning beauties even though they are well worth a visit. Admittedly, the islands are small and very quiet, so there is not too much to do outside of what your accommodation offers. Therefore, you should really choose your accommodation wisely here to ensure you have the best time possible.
The main attractions are around Pha-Nga Bay and, like most of the area, it’s a paradise to go snorkelling or scuba diving! If you want to go off the beaten track, enjoying your time away from the big tourist crowds, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are the way forward.
Highlights and Sights
The main attraction to Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi is the peaceful environment far away from the tourist hassle. Use your days on the island to unwind, read a good book and enjoy the beautiful sight.
During your stay on either of the islands, you should definitely go for a boat cruise around Pha-Nga Bay. Visit nearby Hong Island on a day trip or for sunset. Make sure to cruise around the famous James Bond Island, where the 1974 James Bond movie “The man with the golden gun” was shot.
From Koh Yao Yai, you can go sea kayaking or explore the local mangrove forest by canoe. You can also explore the island village which makes you feel like stepping back in time with a guide explaining the local traditions and way of life. If you prefer to explore the island independently, rent a scooter and see what the island has to offer. Most resorts also offer spa treatments and massages, yoga and cooking classes, different boat trips and kayaking. You just need to make sure you find your perfect place to stay.
What I loved
I came to the islands for work to look at different properties. To be honest, I hadn’t heard about either one of the islands before and had no idea what to expect. I was just blown away by the beauty and serenity of the islands. Pha-Nga Bay is simply stunning with the majestic rocks sticking out of the water and little islands all across the bay. You have amazing views from all parts of either one of the islands. Both islands feel very natural, where the locals go about their daily business pretty undisturbed by the few tourists on the island. The resorts on both islands are a bit more upmarket, which keeps the big crowds away from the island. I loved both islands and would love to spend some time here.
What was not so great
If you are looking for kilometre long white sandy beaches, you will be disappointed. Like many Thai islands, you have rather small beaches, depending on the tide only a few meters long and wide. The coral shelves around the island make it in some places difficult to get into the water at all. Most resorts do have a decent patch of beach at their doorstep for guests to use. All of them have beautiful swimming pools with beach beds and umbrellas overlooking the stunning bay. You will have everything you need for the perfect beach day just be prepared that you won’t be going on hour-long beach walks here.
Best Time to Travel
As everywhere else, it’s the same old story about the dry and wet seasons. Between November and April, you have the dry season here with clear sunny skies and average temperatures of around 28°C. This is also the time most other visitors will come to the island and rates are higher, especially around Christmas and New Year. Between May and October, it’s the wet season here where temperatures and humidity rise and there are often short but heavy downpours. Especially in September and October, it can get stormy at times with the heaviest rainfalls. As always, it depends on your time and personal preferences. Given the fact that it is generally less touristy than other places, even the high season is not as busy as elsewhere.
Where to stay
I have quite a few places where I would love to stay on either one of the islands. Let’s pick two each that I believe makes for the perfect island stay! If you are looking for budget stays, none of these would probably fit into your plans. I have chosen some once-in-a-lifetime stays and experiences for both islands.
Let’s start in Koh Yao Noi – the small island:
I was lucky enough to stay at the Cape Kudu Hotel Koh Yao Noi and I loved it. The relatively small luxurious property has a light and airy atmosphere with a maritime theme in white and blue. You have several room options here from stunning rooms to Pool Villas. The property has three restaurants in total around the beautiful swimming pool area overlooking the bay. Across the small road, you’ll find a little sandy area by the sea decked out with beach beds and umbrellas to give you the perfect beach feeling, making up for the lack of a natural beach. It is honestly a little piece of paradise here – amazing food, luxurious rooms and an array of activities on offer. The Cape Kudu comes highly recommended.
If you really want to splash out and indulge in luxury, stay at the Tree-Villas Koh Yao for the ultimate luxury Robinson Crusoe feel! On the perfect secluded stretch of beach on the far North of the island, you find the Tree-Villas resort. The resort can only be accessed by boat offering guests unrivalled luxury. Set in the treetops overlooking the perfect beach and stunning Pha-Nga Bay, you feel one with nature while lacking nothing of the modern world. You will be looked after with culinary delights from the restaurant, get a candlelight dinner set up on the beach or enjoy some cocktails at their Sundowner Bar. This is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime island experience!
Koh Yao Yai – the big island:
Let’s move over to the bigger island and stay with the once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I would love to stay at Santhiya Koh Yao Yai. What a special place! What is most striking about this eco-luxury resort is that everything is made out of carved wood. The stunning restaurant area is beautifully done with colourful glass windows and light sail material giving you a shady outdoor seating area. The entire place has a decisively Thai style.
The highlight is, however, the pool villas set high into the lush green hills overlooking the stunning bay. You have your own plunge pool in complete privacy. Surely not a budget option, but a dream to stay for at least 2 nights. The resort offers all types of activities for you to enjoy. Pack your bags and make it happen!
Last but not least and more affordable is the Koh Yao Yai Village. Beautiful rustic-chic bungalows set in the forest of the island. The restaurant and pool area are set by the beach overlooking the beautiful Pha-Nga bay. The resort has a high emphasis on working sustainably in all ways. The bungalows are beautifully decorated and very spacious. You have your own little terrace area to relax under the shady trees. Obviously, you can book all needed activities to keep you entertained and explore the island and surroundings. The perfect rustic luxury island getaway!
How to Get there
You can – once again – get to both islands from either Phuket or Krabi with Phuket being the easier option. If you have booked your stay on the islands you can arrange your transfer from the airport directly with your accommodation provider. It’s the easiest way to get to your destination, the safest way to avoid any hiccups along the way.
If you prefer to get to the islands independently, take a taxi or minivan taxi from Phuket airport to Bang Rong pier. The drive takes about 25 minutes to get to the pier. From here you can take a longtail ferry boat to bring you over to Koh Yao Yai first and then on to Koh Yao Noi.
From Krabi, you always go first via Koh Yao Noi to get to Yai. There are several possibilities and piers to depart from. For more detailed information on how to best get from Phuket or Krabi to the islands, please click here.
I would suggest staying for at least 2 nights on either one of the Koh Yao islands. It’s not a long way from Phuket especially, so it’s easy enough to do. Treat yourself a little and splash out on accommodation here. It is worth the money!
I hope you enjoyed this little excursion to explore only a few of Thailands stunning islands. There are so many missing that are in their own way beautiful and worth a visit, but I guess we can’t discuss them all.
Next week we will explore Koh Samui with a local once again, getting a little bit off the beaten track and look at the island from a local’s perspective. This will then also be the last of our Thailand Appreciation Month. It’s time to move on!
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