Looking for an island that’s more intimate than Phuket or Koh Samui? Consider one of these dreamy isles, says our “islands correspondent”, John Borthwick. Then snooze, swim, grab massage. Repeat cycle.
Koh Kood
So good Koh Kood sits unruffled in the eastern waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The beaches of this jungle-clad island, Thailand’s fourth largest, are whistle-clean and usually jet-ski free. There’s plenty of seafood dining and a refreshing scarcity of 7-11s, and you’re not here for the clubbing. Quality resorts include Cham’s House and opulent Soneva Kiri. Koh Kood is your launch pad for diving in the surrounding Koh Chang Archipelago. Onshore you can go river kayaking and waterfall trekking. explorekohchang.com
- Getting there: Fly to Trat, road transfer to the pier, ferry to Koh Kood.
- Don’t miss: Treepod Dining at Soneva Kiri – the waiter arrives by zipline.
Koh Lanta
Lush and rugged Koh Lanta, south of Krabi is called “the island of long beaches.” Wander along its near-empty Klong Dao Beach, or stay at west coast resorts like Layana on Prah-Ae Beach or Pimalai on Kantiang Beach. There’s an excellent national park, while the original teak buildings of Lanta’s Old Town are a reminder of how village life was in earlier times. kolanta.net
- Getting there: Fly to Krabi and transfer by road, ferry or speedboat to the island. Or take the ferry from Phuket.
- Don’t miss: Dive the beautiful Koh Ha (“Five Islands”), where you’ll see vibrant soft corals, teeming with life and several beautiful underwater caverns.
Koh Pha Ngan
Once infamous for the full-moon rave parties at its Hat Yin Beach, as well as half-moon and “black moon” spin-offs, Koh Pha-Ngan in the Gulf has come a long way in terms of sophistication. There are scores of accommodation options from bungalows to luxury suites, but much of the island is still jungle with waterfalls and empty shores. Explore and you’ll find that beaches like Hat Mae and Hat Sadet deliver a laid-back, siesta-style stay.
- Getting there: By speedboat or ferry from Koh Samui.
- Don’t miss: A full moon beach party with a few thousand of your newest besties.
Koh Phayam
Koh Phayam (pronounced “pie-am”) floats in the Andaman Sea just off Ranong, near the southern tip of Myanmar. This 35 sq km dot has no cars. You get around on motor scooters on paths that lead to beaches like Ao Khao Kwai and spectacular Ao Yai. Phayam boasts few big bars or lavish spas but instead has good bungalow resorts along the west coast. Bamboo Bungalows on Ao Yai (Big Bay) is among the best, while Blue Sky Resort on the east coast aims further upmarket. kohphayam.org
- Getting there: By 30-minute speedboat trip from Ranong.
- Don’t miss: Sunset cocktails with grilled prawns at Bamboo Bungalows’ beachfront restaurant.
Koh Samet
Being within driving distance of Bangkok you might expect the small Gulf island of Koh Samet to be hectically hip. It is actually a national park island, even though there are many resorts, as well as hot spot beaches like Hat Sai Kaew. However, the sandy coves that loop down the eastcoast become increasingly quieter the farther south you go. Accommodation is mostly in smaller hotels and bungalows. More more upmarket retreats include Ao Prao Resort, Sai Kaew Beach Resort and Paradee Resort at the southern tip.
- Getting there: Road trip from Bangkok to Ban Phe, then ferry or speedboat to Samet.
- Don’t miss: Evening fire dancers on Sai Kaew Beach.
Kho Yao Noi
The long, skinny twins of the Kho Yao Islands snooze in the middle of Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi. Koh Yao Noi (Little Long Island) has several beautiful retreats including Cape Kudu, Ko Yao Resort and Six Senses Hideaway. From your suite or a shoreline eatery you can contemplate the mystical limestone upthrusts of Phang Nga Bay Marine Park. Better still, take a cruise or go kayaking among them. Forested Yao Noi runs on slow-boat time and isn’t big on beer bars or nightlife — just what true romantics order.
- Getting there: By ferry or launch from Phuket.
- Don’t miss: Twilight dining at the hilltop Rice Paddy Viewpoint Restaurant.
Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Yai (Big Long Island) is even less developed than its kid sibling. Settled long ago by Malay and Mon people, island life here is more about aquaculture, farming and rubber plantations than bars and boutiques. The best resorts, like Koh Yao Yai Village overlook the dreaming dragon-like isles rising from Phang Nga Bay. Go kayaking or snorkelling, or cycle to a village and then wind-down with an afternoon massage. After that it’s sundowner hour while you contemplate that mystical bay.
- Getting there: By ferry or launch from Phuket.
- Don’t miss: Kayaking inside the “room island”, Koh Hong.
Koh Si Chang
Nicknamed “the Island of Eternal Love”, little Koh Si Chang (not to be confused with more famous Koh Chang) is the closest holiday island to Bangkok. This Gulf island has no cars, just light motorcycles and mutant “Skylab” tuk-tuks. Its beaches and town aren’t particularly notable but Si Chang is popular with Bangkok’s weekend escapees and romantics who come to pose on the late 19th century Atsadang Bridge built by King Chulalongkorn. There are lodges and hotels, with the very comfortable Somewhere Resort being the most stylish accommodation. iamkohchang.com
- Getting There: Drive from Bangkok to Sri Racha port, followed by a 45-min ferry ride to the island.
- Don’t miss: The restored gardens of the former Thai royal summer palace.
Koh Talu
This southern Gulf sleeper has clean sands, plenty of palms and no neons. The 1500-ha island sits on the western, or “sunrise” side of the Gulf, 370 km south of Bangkok. The roomy bungalows of Koh Talu Island Resort overlook the sands of Big Bay and the absurdly pretty Pearl Bay. Your “might-do” list here includes snorkelling, kayaking or a bushwalk, and certainly evening cocktails.
- Getting there: Private transfer from Hua Hin, or travel 160km by train south from Hua Hin to Bang Saphan, and then a ferry to the island.
- Don’t miss: The hawksbill turtle hatchery and squid fishing at dusk.
Koh Prathong
The almost unsung island of Koh Prathong sits off little Khura Buri on the northern Andaman coast. Its palm-fringed beaches have a handful of accommodation choices including Moken Eco Village and BABA Ecolodge. What romantics and others love here are the lush birdlife and excellent coral reefs, plus no crowds. Pristine Prathong Bay and its Koh Pling Islands offer snoozy canoeing and snorkeling. Try morning yoga or just a mind-cruise in your hammock.
- Getting there: Khura Buri is 100km by road north of Phuket airport; then it’s 90 min by boat. Plan to stay a while.
- Don’t miss: Don’t sleep in! Get up before dawn for a bird-watching tour of the island’s savannah.
