Where To Go Island Hopping in Thailand

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, serves as the perfect starting point for most island-hopping adventures. If you’re exploring Thai islands by boat, you’ll almost definitely begin your trip here. But don't overlook Phuket itself. Instead, explore its vibrant Chillva Market, visit the Big Buddha (Wat Chalong), and take in panoramic views from Karon Viewpoint after a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Kata Noi Beach before hopping on a boat to venture deeper into island life.

While there’s no doubt that Koh Phi Phi Don attracts a younger crowd, it still remains one of the most beautiful spots for island hopping. And there's a chance you'll already recognize the Phi Phi archipelago even if you've never stepped foot in Thailand. Immortalized in the movie The Beach, the Phi Phi islands are the gateway to Maya Bay with its deep blue and emerald tones.

Join a speedboat day trip to swim in Pileh Lagoon, snorkel at Bamboo Island, and marvel at the bay. Hike up to Viewpoint 3 to watch the sunset and admire Koh Phi Phi Leh (the private island destination of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character), as well as Tonsai Village and Loh Dalum Bay.

Related: Know Before You Go: Visiting the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi)

While the province of Krabi is technically part of mainland Thailand, it’s a popular launchpad for island-hopping day trips from Thailand as well as overnight trips. When it comes to island-hopping tours, Thailand’s Railay Beach is one of the most popular spots to visit, and you can take a boat out to swim or rock climb if you’re feeling daring.

In addition, Krabi boasts the Khlong Thom hot springs, one of the highest bungee-jumping spots in Asia, and prehistoric caves. Plus, its extended coast makes this one of the best Thai destinations for all water-based adventures, from canoeing to kayaking and fishing.

Koh Samui is one of the most accessible Thai islands and it’s an easy boat ride away from mainland Thailand. It’s also one of the few Thai islands with its own airport, which makes flying from Bangkok a breeze. Famed for its nightlife in Chaweng, as well as its white-sand beaches, Koh Samui offers the ideal mix of relaxation and excitement. While here, take a boat from the southern coast to Koh Mudsum, otherwise known as Pig Island, a remote spot that’s home to free-roaming pigs, as its name suggests.

Though known for its legendary Full Moon Party, Koh Pha Ngan also offers quieter moments. Depending on what you’re after, you’ll either stay at the top or the bottom of the island. If you’re in Thailand to party, you’ll want to base yourself close to the crescent cove of Haad Rin Beach on the southernmost tip of the island.

For something a little more chill, head to the top half of the island which has a great array of luxe hotels and budget hostels, both of which tend to come complete with spectacular viewpoints.

If you’re a scuba diver, Koh Tao should be top of the list when it comes to must-see Thai islands. A little more remote than Pha Ngan or Samui (it’s the final stop on the boat circuit from the mainland), Koh Tao is all about vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Visit between March and June to see whale sharks at some of its more remote dive sites, but keep in mind that turtles, reef sharks, and shoals of fish are all regular sights here year-round.

As well as enjoying the underwater world, take a small group tour to the Elephant Nursery, where rescued elephants roam freely, or keep an eye out for flyers advertising jungle parties.

Named after an elephant (“chang” means “elephant” in Thai), the lesser-visited spot of Koh Chang is within easy reach of Cambodia and offers a more serene experience than the quintessential Thai island. Here, you can venture into lush rainforests (around 70 percent of the island is a national park) complete with hidden waterfalls and mangrove forests to really escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

While it’s the third largest island in Thailand, Koh Chang doesn’t see half as many tourists as the region's other spots. That also means you’ll also be able to get your hands on some of the best (read: spiciest) Thai dishes here.

Insider tip: If you want to cook some Thai dishes yourself, wander down to one of the many cooking schools by Klong Prao Beach.

Koh Lipe can only be accessed via boat, but you’ve got the option to travel from Thailand (typically Krabi, Phuket, or Koh Lanta) or Malaysia (Langkawi) to get there. Snorkel, dive, bask in the sun, or take a stroll around: This tiny island has no cars or buses and offers a relaxing atmosphere to match. Koh Lipe is part of the Adang archipelago, a cluster of about 10 uninhabited islands, so the dive sites here are less frequented by humans, which typically means more marine life, too.

An ideal day on Koh Lipe starts at Sunrise Beach and ends at Sunset Beach (appropriately), with a stroll down Walking Street for excellent pad Thai somewhere in between.

Ko Yao Yai sits halfway between Krabi and Phuket and is easily accessed from either. If you're looking for a more stripped-back experience without the huge tourist numbers, this is one of the best islands to visit in Thailand.

Koh Yao Yai means "big long island" and, as a predominantly Muslim island, offers a different experience to the rest. Think: restaurants tucked away in local houses and gardens, and no neon-lit bars in sight. Instead, you can kayak through the mangroves, take an ATV tour into the forests, or scuba dive into the Andaman Sea here. Bliss.