Which Is the Best Thailand Island to Visit? (2026)
On my first solo trip to Thailand, I started in Bangkok and then headed to one of its islands. It turned out to be the perfect introduction – city life first, then island time to slow down and relax. I’ve been back to Thailand several times since. Here’s my guide to four of the Thai islands I went to and reasons to visit each one.
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Quick overview of which Thailand island to visit
- Koh Chang for off-the-beaten-track adventure
- Koh Samui for a romantic island paradise with quirky attractions
- Ko Lanta for chilled-out vibes with authentic cooking classes
- Ko Phangan for the legendary Full Moon Parties and yoga community
Koh Chang
Located close to the Cambodian border in the east of Thailand lies the island of Koh Chang. It’s only five hours away by bus and boat from Bangkok, so it’s convenient to get to. This is one of the best Thai islands for backpackers searching for somewhere off-the-beaten-track.
Over the years Thailand has become an increasingly popular and commercialised tourist destination. However, Koh Chang – meaning Elephant Island – has remained relatively undeveloped.
Why visit Koh Chang?
Koh Chang is one of the few Thai islands that hasn’t been swallowed by mass tourism. Most of it is still covered in dense rainforest, the beaches are uncrowded and the adventure options give you something to do beyond lying on the sand. If you want Thailand without the tourist trail, this is it.
Where to stay in Koh Chang
Lonely Beach is a cool little backpacker-friendly beach. Here, you can meet other travellers and chill on sunloungers during the day with drink in hand. On party nights, the laid back bars wheel out their big speakers and even bigger tunes for the bare-footed boys and girls dancing on the sand. Not so lonely after all.
Check out the map below to find out the best prices for accommodation on Lonely Beach:
What to do in Koh Chang: Go zip-lining over the jungle
This is one of the best Thai islands for backpackers who love adventure. You will enjoy the opportunity to spend the day zip lining through the jungle in Koh Chang.
At the Tree Top Adventure Park there are three levels of walkways, bridges and obstacles. There are novel ways to transport yourself through the foliage, including airborne bikes and skateboards.
As you navigate higher and higher, you start to zip line high over the trees. Personally, this terrified me, but if you’re not scared of heights you will find this exhilarating!
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is on the other end of the spectrum. It’s very much developed as a tourist destination for backpackers and families alike. Local restaurants and colourful bars sit alongside McDonalds and massage parlours, it has nonetheless kept hold of its charm.
Why visit Koh Samui?
Koh Samui is the top choice for couples. Lamai Beach is one of the most romantic spots in Thailand, perfect for candlelight dinners on the sand. If you take a midnight dip, you might spot the ‘sea sparkle’ – floating marine plankton that glitters when you move through the water.
Where to stay in Koh Samui
Lamai Beach is a short drive from the main ferry terminal and if you can find a resort on this beach, you’re in luck.
Step onto the soft sand and you will remember why you came to Thailand in the first place. Clamber over the nearby boulders for fun – bet you can’t resist – and soak up the sunshine on the rocks with a large Chang beer.
This beach is one of the most romantic in Thailand, so if you are on a date night, why not go all out with a candlelight dinner on the sand and, if you decide on a naughty midnight dip, watch out for the ‘sea sparkle’ – floating marine plankton that glitters when you move. Simply magical.
See the map below for the latest availability and prices of accommodation in Koh Samui for your dates:
What to do in Koh Samui: Visit the tomb of a mummified monk
On the island of Koh Samui, legend has it there’s a ‘Mummy Monk’. And it’s true.
The best known is in the temple of Wat Khunaram, a short bike or bus ride from the popular resort of Lamai Beach. It houses the undecomposed remains of a monk named Luong Pordaeng (1894 – 1973).
Legend has it, in 1973, at the age of 79, he died while meditating. He instructed his followers to publicly store his body in a glass casket, to inspire future generations to follow the Buddhist teachings. If you visit the temple, you can indeed see his preserved remains.
Book a half-day highlights tour of Koh Samui, including the mummified monk here.
Ko Lanta
In Thailand’s western Krabi province is Ko Lanta, a group of islands with an intoxicatingly laid back vibe.
Why visit Ko Lanta?
Ko Lanta is a quieter destination. The island has held onto an authenticity that busier destinations have long since traded away. Come here to decompress. And when you’re done relaxing, you’re sure to find a bar with friendly locals ready to challenge you to a game of pool.
Where to stay in Koh Lanta
Some areas are more popular than others but head a little further south than most and you will find the charming Klong Khong Beach. Wander around the area and you’ll find totally chilled restaurants where you can relax on cushions and tuck into a bowl of noodles while you listen to a local band’s impromptu jam session.
The beach itself is partly stony, but you won’t have trouble finding a beachfront resort with a large pool to cool off in.
Check out the best accommodation prices for your dates in Koh Lanta via the map below:
What to do in Ko Lanta: Take a Thai cooking class
Why not spend the day learning to make your favourite Thai dishes at Kwan’s Cookery school.
Kwan is bursting with personality and loves teaching people how to cook well-known Thai dishes. It’s best for just one or two people at a time and she will show you how to make things like fresh spring rolls and dipping sauce. Yum!
With ingredients including coconut milk, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, galangal, basil and lime, the deliciously sweet and spicy Thai cuisine is well-loved around the world. Taking a cooking course is one of the best things to do on the Thai islands for food lovers, as it’s a great skill to take home and try in your own kitchen.
Book your cooking course on Ko Lanta and make your own delicious lunch here.
Ko Phangan
On Ko Phangan and you’ll be greeted with day-glo vests and body paint in all the colours of the rainbow. For this is the home of the legendary Full Moon Party.
This island is a backpackers’ mecca. It has countless resorts, cheap restaurants, tour operators and bars where you can stretch out on sofas and watch back-to-back films on a big screen. Travellers are everywhere you look – you’ll be in great company.
Why visit Ko Phangan?
Most people know Ko Phangan for its famous Full Moon Party – thousands of people dancing all night on a kilometre of beach, buckets of cocktails in hand.
But the island also has a wonderful yoga and wellness community not far from the party scene. Depending on the week you arrive, you could be doing sunrise breathwork or dancing until dawn. Some people, like me, end up doing both.
Arrive in style: book your high-speed ferry from Koh Samui to Ko Phangan here.
Where to stay on Ko Phangan for the Full Moon Party
Sunrise Beach on Haad Rin is where you want to head for the time of your life, surrounded by tens of thousands of fellow partygoers, on almost a kilometre of sand.
If yoga is your thing, head instead to Ko Phangan’s The Sanctuary Thailand for a retreat in paradise. I loved this place!
Find the latest deals on accommodation in Ko Phangan for your dates in the map below:
What to do in Ko Phangan: The Full Moon Party
Fill your boots on the festival vibe as you grab a bucket of your favourite spirit mixer and dance to some banging tunes on the biggest sound-systems you’ve ever seen.
I’m not going to spoil the fun by saying too much more about what happens here. Just stay careful, kids.
Final thoughts on which Thailand to visit
This is by no means an exhaustive list of Thai islands. There are around 1,400 in total – but only a handful are inhabited. More of the main tourist‑oriented islands include Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao (great for diving!) and Koh Lipe – though some of these places are now suffering from overtourism.
I’ve been to all four of the islands outlined in this post and liked them all. For me, Koh Phangan wins every time – I love its energy and how sociable it is. I have been there four times and would return in a heartbeat.
But my main recommendation of which Thailand island to visit, is simply to choose one and go. Thailand is one of the best places to go, especially for solo or first-time travellers. Whichever island you start with, it’s hard to go wrong.
