Relax on the beach beside the warm,
turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, or enjoy some of the world's
most fantastic scuba adventures among the islands of the Andaman Sea.
Thailand is one of the best, most reasonably priced places for a seaside
vacation.
There are hundreds of beaches to
choose from. From the tropical paradise of a bungalow on Ko Samet off
the coast of Rayong province, only a few hours from Bangkok by
comfortable air conditioned bus, to the luxurious resort developments on
Phuket Island, just a short flight from Bangkok, you can have the best
vacation of your life.
More remote venues, such as the
lovely and unspoiled Koh Ngai in the Andaman off the coast of Trang, make
it possible to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life without
spending a fortune.
Most visitors choose to come after the rainy season ends in late
October and before the hot season starts in April. But even during the
peak of the monsoon season in September it usually only rains for an
hour or so in the afternoon, and the rest of the time you can indulge in
the water sport of your choice, or just lay in a hammock and chill out.
Islands in the Gulf, like Koh Chang, are great for a family excursion.
Backpackers will love the wild parties on Phangan Island off the coast
of Surat Thani. For scuba enthusiasts, exotic Koh Tao is not to be
missed. Single travelers may prefer the uninhibited nightlife of Pattaya
Beach.
Whatever your holiday preference,
Thailand's beaches and islands can provide the precise combination of
excitement, exotic locales, recreation, entertainment and leisure that
you desire.
So, here's an overview of some of the
best islands in Thailand, including the best-known spots like Koh Samui,
Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Samet. We've also covered a
smattering of the lesser known islands that you probably won't read
about in your guidebook, in our opinion these can be some of the best
islands in Thailand.
An island of the name "Pearl of Andaman", Phuket in
Thailand has much to offer its visitors in The Land of
Smiles. White sandy beaches abound, warm water where you
can maximize you pleasure with the tropical sun.
Choosing Phuket for your travel and trips? What make
Phuket different from other cities in Thailand is green
limestone islands with spectacular sandy beaches line on
the west and and mangrove formations beautifully lined
shores, on the east.
Koh Chang, or
"elephant island" is the second largest
island of Thailand after Phuket and part
of the Mu Ko Chang National Park. Close
to the Cambodian border, its
kilometre-long beaches, waterfalls,
unique mangrove forests and
well-preserved coral reefs are major
attractions. Tropical rain forest covers
around 75% of the total area and is
considered one of the best preserved in
the whole of South-east Asia
Lanta Island,
between Krabi province and Phuket
island, offers relaxing beaches and
little coves surrounded by rugged
mountains. Not as easily accessible as
Phi Phi, there's no crowds, no hustle
and bustle - just peace and quiet. Lanta
is also home to a community of ethnic
sea gypsies who still follow the old
ways and traditional customs.
Ko Phangan has
beautiful beaches and inexpensive, basic
bungalows. It's the simple beach life
which attracts many tourists each year,
and also the island's reputation for
full moon parties and hedonistic
culture. Popular with budget tourists
seeking paradise and cheap
accommodation, the Full Moon parties.
Although there have been changes caused
by development, Koh Phangan still has
plenty of remote beaches, surrounded
with beautiful coral and protected by
the spirits of old temples
Koh Phi Phi,
offers an extraordinary landscape with
immaculate beaches, impressive cliffs,
aquamarine water and fascinating corals.
Phi Phi Island, boasts a convenient
escape, providing its locals and holiday
makers with amenities and services they
need while having a fabulous time
offshore. Not to forget a healthy Phi
Phi, vacation must include some outdoor
activities especially scuba diving in
one of the most striking sites on earth.
The island is
typified for its splendid beaches and
white silky sand, surrounded by tropical
coral reefs and crystal clear sea.
Tourists can also enjoy a plethora of
delicious cuisine and fine nightlife.
It’s a popular tourist destination for
Thais and foreigners alike. As Ko Samet
is so near Bangkok, the island is ideal
for those in the capital wanting to
chill-out with their families for a
couple of days.
On the east coast
in the Gulf of Thailand, is Ko Samui.
Once on the backpacker's trail with
basic facilities, the island has
developed into an international resort.
Despite development Samui still retains
its friendly charm, beach lifestyle and
local flavour. The main beaches of
Chaweng and Lamai, have a great
nightlife with clubs, discos, live
music, cool bars and restaurants while
Bophut, Maenam and Buddha beach are for
those who enjoy a simpler, less hectic
lifestyle.
Ko Tao (Turtle
Island) is an island in Thailand located
near the eastern shore of the Gulf of
Thailand. It covers an area of about 21
km².The island is well known for scuba
diving and snorkeling, and also offers
some hiking. The most popular place for
tourists is Sairee on the West coast,
which has a white sandy beach of 1.7 km
interrupted only by a few huge boulders
and a scattering of medium budget
resorts and restaurants. A multitude of
beautiful granite boulders, which nestle
both in the forests and on the beaches
of Koh Tao.
