You must have heard about Thailand’s islands with their clean beaches, clear waters, delicious seafood, and all-night parties. So now you’ve started making plans to visit Thailand, but with so many Thai islands, how do you know which ones you’ll like to explore?
There are islands for the party vibes, and there are islands for the relaxing vacation. This all depends on what you’re here for. But if you want to go island hopping and get the best of all the islands, then here are the 14 best islands in Thailand you must visit this 2025.
14 Best Thai Islands You Must Visit in 2025
1. Koh Lipe
When you imagine Thai islands, you’re probably imagining picture-perfect beaches, luxury hotels, and few tourists. This totally summarizes Koh Lipe. Known to have some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, Koh Lipe is the perfect vacation spot for romantic couples and honeymooners.
This island is small enough to be explored on foot with your lover, cos every attraction is within walking distance. There are so many fun activities you can do here, like swimming, snorkeling, diving, and for couples, a spa massage. During the day, you can explore the Pattaya Beach and the Sunrise Beach for that vibrant beach life, but if you want somewhere more secluded, then head to Sunset Beach with your partner.
2. Koh Samui
Koh Samui is one of those islands in Thailand that perfectly balances fun, comfort, and luxury. It’s mostly known for its parties, but this island is a perfect vacation spot for couples, families, and solo travellers who want to connect with nature.
There are so many beach resorts and budget-friendly hotels with infinity pools, spas, childcare services, and onsite restaurants that serve delicious local meals. You can even connect with yourself and with nature in wellness retreats like Kamalaya and Absolute Sanctuary. If you’re lucky, a boat tour around the island might even give you a chance to spot pink dolphins in Thailand, a rare and beautiful sight found in these waters.
And if it’s your first time in Southeast Asia, Koh Samui will make you never want to leave. For a laid-back evening, you’ll find a good mix of chill spots and party scenes at some of the beach clubs in Koh Samui, especially around Chaweng and Lamai.
3. Koh Tao
If all you want to do during your vacation is to scuba dive, dive, or snorkel, then this Thai island has got you covered. Its thriving underwater life and dive culture make it one of the best islands in Thailand for marine adventures. Koh Tao draws all types of divers from newbies to experienced ones.
And if you don’t know how to dive, that isn’t an issue. Cos there are so many affordable dive schools all around the island, where you can take training courses until you get certified. And if you’re already a diver, the fun options are limitless. You can go night diving, wreck diving, shark spotting, and more.
4. Koh Pha Ngan
If you came to Thailand to attend Thai islands parties like the Full Moon Party, then Koh Pha Ngan is your next destination. And even if you miss that party, you can still attend the Half Moon Party, the Black Moon party, the Waterfall Party, and more. You get the point. This is the best island in Thailand where you can party all night.
And if the parties get too wild for you, there’s still so much out there to do on this island. You can go take a break from the crowd at Bottle Beach or Thong Nai Pan Yai, where you can swim, read, and relax. Or you can go for a beauty and massage spa treatment at Suncliff Resort or the luxurious Anantara Rasananda.
5. Phuket
Thai islands are known for their luxury, especially this island. From celebrity chef dining to six-star resorts, Phuket is the Thai island you come to not to disconnect from the world but to experience the high life. You’ll find luxury, nightlife, adventure, and indulgence all on this island.
At Patong Beach, the island party spot, you’ll get to dance all through the night, but that’s not all this island has to offer. If you want a more high-end luxury, then head to Kata Noi and stay in resorts that are more beautiful, calm, peaceful, and expensive. If you want to experience something different, then take a day to explore Phuket Old Town, where you’ll see museums, boutique hotels, and some of the best cocktail bars like Club No.43.
6. Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is that Thai island that will give you the best of everything together. So here, you’ll be getting a bit of adventure, luxury, good food, family friendliness, and fewer tourists. Koh Lanta offers a laid-back back relaxed vibe that makes it easy to navigate.
So you’ll find quite long beaches where you can dive, snorkel, kayak, swim, and relax sometimes without seeing any other person. And for the delicious seafood, you’ll have to visit the fishing villages like Lanta Old Towns, where the beach bars serve local meals in a friendly atmosphere. This island is a good spot for families and older seasoned travellers cos you won’t find a lot of young backpackers here.
7. Koh Chang
Just cos it’s one of the best islands in Thailand doesn’t mean it should be crowded with lots of tourists. And if this is the kind of vibe you’re looking for, then welcome to Koh Chang. As the third-largest island in Thailand, this is the perfect spot to roam around and have a peaceful vacation.
On the western side of this island, you’ll find the busier beaches, but if you want something more bohemian and rustic, then go to the Had Sai Noi beach. The nightlife is also quite cool and not like the rave parties in Phuket, so you’ll be getting fire shows, delicious meals, and cold beers under the stars.
8. Koh Yao Islands
These twin Thai islands, Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi, feel like they exist in another world. They give a quiet, authentic vibe, perfect for travelers who want to live off the grid and don’t mind the underdevelopment. This is the exact Thai island you come to when you want to live slowly and peacefully.
Koh Yao Noi, the smaller island, is the more developed of the two but still feels like a hidden gem with popular spots like Had Pasai and Klong Jark Beach. And from here, you can go on day trips to Koh Yao Yai, where you’ll spend a quiet day, exploring empty beaches, and drinking Thai iced teas in village cafes like The Rest Calm.
9. Similan Islands
If you want to island hop between Thailand’s best-kept secrets, then you should start from the Similan Islands. Here, you’ll find a chain of nine secluded but beautiful islands with untouched coral reefs and clear turquoise waters. These islands form a national park in the Andaman Sea.
You can swim over most of these islands, but only a few are truly inhabitable on land, like Koh Similan and Koh Miang. You can also take time to explore Koh Tachai, which has practically the softest sand in Thailand and one of the best diving spots in the world.
10. Koh Si Chang
If you’re only going to be visiting Thailand for a few days, then you’ll need to stay in one of the best Thai islands that is close to the city. And that is Koh Si Chang. This island is the best option for an easy, relaxing vacation without you needing to travel a long distance to other Thai islands on this list. It’s also a smart pick for budget-conscious travelers, much like a few others featured among the cheapest islands to visit.
Koh Si Chang has a peaceful charm, way different from the bustling energy of Bangkok. And here you get to enjoy delicious seafood meals at restaurants at the Haad Tham Phand Beach, or you can decide to relax by the seaside with a beer in hand. This island is basically free from tourists and tourist attractions, so it’s a good spot to truly enjoy a simple beach experience.
11. Nang Yuan
This Thai island has three small islets connected by white sand that create the serene and private atmosphere most romantic couples look for in a vacation spot. Nang Yuan island is far less developed than most Thai islands, but this adds to its charm and makes it a good spot for those who are looking for a peaceful getaway.
The best thing to do for fun here is to go diving or snorkelling, cos the coral reefs are both large and untouched. And it doesn’t matter if you’re still a beginner, you can snorkel in the shallow parts and leave the deeper parts for the more experienced divers. If you’re here with your partner, you can plan a picnic on one of the small islets where you can watch the beautiful sunset and make unforgettable memories.
12. Koh Kood
It might be the fourth-largest island in Thailand, but Koh Kood is still a hidden gem and the perfect hideaway spot for those looking for a quiet retreat. It’s still underdeveloped, so you’ll find creamy sand beaches, crystal clear waters, palm trees, and an overall untouched natural beauty.
If you want to feel like you are alone on this island, then go to beaches like Ao Tapao, Klong Chao, and Bao Bang. These spots are so beautiful that they feel like a natural paradise. For a place to stay with a bit of luxury and privacy, head to Soneva Kiri with your family, friends, or partner.
13. Koh Phi Phi
Some of the best Thai islands, like Koh Phi Phi, are so popular that all you see are tourists everywhere. But its beauty and lively atmosphere its part of the charm. At least, now you know you can’t come here for a peaceful, quiet vacation.
Despite the crowds, it still remains one of the best islands in Thailand for social travelers and party lovers. You’ll go on popular island hopping tours, explore the beach bars with your new friends, and party all through the night. It might be a different vibe from what you expect from Thailand’s islands, but this adds to your vacation experience.
14. Koh Mook
Koh Mook is one of the small Thai islands that you should plan to visit in 2025. It’s not usually crowded with tourists, but this island has a popular spot, Emerald Cave, where you’ll likely find a lot of adventurers.
To get to the cave, you’ll have to swim through a dark tunnel to the hidden beach surrounded by large limestone cliffs. But apart from this cave, Koh Mook gives a vibe of slowing down and relaxing. So if you’ve spent your time exploring other popular Thai islands, this is where you can come to for a few days of rest and peace.
Conclusion
Thai islands are all different and unique, so you can’t expect to go to Koh Mook and get the same vibe you got in Phuket. In fact, several Thai islands often make it to lists of the most beautiful islands in the world, and it’s easy to see why. It’s just not possible. So when choosing which islands to visit during your vacation, you’ll need to narrow it down to the vibes you want to chill with.
If you’re here for the partying, the adventure, the diving trips, or you’re simply here to get away from your reality, Thai Island provides a natural paradise for you. So if you want to make unforgettable memories, you can start by exploring these best islands in Thailand.
