A popular tourist destination is the Southern Islands of Thailand, called the “paradise islands”. But this is only a part of the amazing pieces of land dormant in the waters of the South China, Andaman seas and two oceans: the Pacific, the Indian. In total, the country owns almost 300 islands. Among them there are large, small, inhabited and completely lonely. Until recently, only the locals knew about them. The development of tourism has revealed the beauty of the ancient atolls, born by the forces of nature, for numerous lovers of beach and active recreation. Before embarking on a fabulous journey, one must clearly understand the conditions for the implementation of the desired type of vacation on a particular island. Many of them are included in protected areas, protected by the state. You can see them only during a sea excursion.
Phuket
Thailand's largest island is located in the Adaman Sea. Now it is an international resort. The best time to visit is the period from November to April. At other times of the year, heavy rains rage over a place of unique beauty, tropical cyclones reign. At the same time, the air temperature never falls below 26°C. Choosing a small hut on the shore of the eastern seashore (for example, in the Naihan beach area), you can feel the long-awaited solitude and silence. Gentle beach sand, the rays of the Thai sun, turquoise waves, beautiful nature allow you to spend happy moments of life in a real paradise.
Fans of fun at night, inexpensive shopping choose the west coast with its luxurious hotels, restaurants, shops, and other entertainment. On Patong Beach, you can feel like a real diver and walk among the coral garden, getting to know its amazing inhabitants. During your vacation, you will definitely want to visit the famous floating Thai village, ride elephants through the surrounding jungle, and see the golden Buddha statue. All this can be done during a holiday in Phuket.
Racha Yai and Racha Noi
At a distance of 16 km from Phuket, there are two small areas of land, surrounded by emerald water, snow-white coast and covered with shaggy palm trees, mountains. Twins, created by corals, attract snorkelers, explorers of underwater kingdoms. The coral reefs of the islands are considered the best in South – East Asia. The tourist mood fills Ko Racha Yai during the arrival of boats from Phuket with lovers of a relaxing beach holiday. The place of residence can be a modern hotel (there are few of them here), bungalows built in the mountains, not far from the beach area.
On the coast there are beautiful, cozy bays. The main beach is located in Patok Bay. In addition to it, the beaches of Kon Kare Bay, Lah Bay, Siam Bay are of interest. Nearby is a 5 star hotel, several cafes, restaurants. The rocky island of Racha Noi is uninhabited. This is a place for walking, diving, fishing, spearfishing. In beautiful clear waters, you can watch octopuses, turtles, moray eels, reef sharks. You can come to the islands along with an excursion departing from Phuket's Chalong Cape or on a speedboat plying between the islands.
Maiton
In the recent past, a small piece of land, lost among the sea waves near Phuket, was a private property and was used for elite recreation of high-ranking officials. There was a 5 star hotel, a helipad, the necessary infrastructure. The earthquake in 2004 destroyed most of the buildings on the island. After restoration work, ordinary tourists got access to the island along with organized excursions. There is a limit on visiting (200 people per day) a beautiful place. You can spend the night and meet an unforgettable sunrise in a restored bungalow (at a very high cost). The hotel has a small gym, spa, conference room.
There are 2 restaurants among the tropical greenery next to the coastline. They serve the participants of excursions. Fruits, ice cream, smoothies, desserts are offered without restrictions. An observation deck is equipped at the top of the exotic island. It offers a fabulous view of the surroundings. Turquoise sea, clear water, snow-white beach, comfortable paths for hiking through the jungle, organized conditions for exploring coral reefs, deep sea attract many people to participate in excursions. Lie down on the soft beach sand, get acquainted with the life of Mayton, get a lot of positive emotions and return to the Phuket hotel in just one day.
Khai
An amazing opportunity for a variety of holidays in Phuket can be a trip to the Khai Islands. Three tiny land plots Khai Nui, Khai Nai, Khai Nok allow you to have a good rest among a tropical paradise surrounded by crystal clear sea. You can come to the islands on your own from Chalong Pier on a rented boat or along with an excursion. Travel is fast and safe, which makes it possible to relax here with small children. At the same time, you need to know that the conditions on the islands are different:
Similan Islands
The marine group of 9 uninhabited islands of the Andaman Sea is considered one of the most beautiful on the planet. All islands are located parallel to the coastline. Since 1982, they have become part of the National Park of the country. According to the established tradition, along with the name of the island, its serial number is indicated. Coral beaches with white sand, clear water, mysterious granite rocks, thickets of tropical forests attract vacationers here. One of the beach areas accessible to tourists is Donald Duck Beach, located on Koh Similan, where the famous Sail Rock rises. It is impossible to wander over the rocks, forests of many islands. They are closed to the public. The diversity of the underwater world has created here unique opportunities for diving and snorkeling. You can get to an exotic place as follows:
Koh Samui
All year round you can relax in a place popular with tourists. The island of the Gulf of Thailand is protected from the tsunami. This creates conditions for a wonderful holiday. You can endlessly bask on 25 beaches, wander through the bizarre mountains to the sound of waterfalls surrounded by tropical vegetation, and take part in numerous marine entertainments. Choosing a place to stay is not difficult: there are inexpensive hostel-type guesthouses, luxury hotels, numerous villas, private houses, standing almost on the beach. Fans of acquaintance with the life of the population are invited to visit the amazing ancient temples of the island (the most famous of them is Wat Khunarm).
See the sculptural compositions of the Buddha, admire the bizarre form of natural formations (Grandmother and Grandfather rock). Take a walk in the Angthong Marine Park, consisting of 42 limestone islands. Two climatic seasons are recorded here, which do not coincide in time with the conditions of the mainland. The best time to travel to Koh Samui is summer, not winter, as in Phuket. All entertainment and infrastructure are built by analogy with Phuket, but on a smaller scale and cheaper.
Lipe
Uninhabited pieces of land among the beautiful sea expanses are gradually being mastered by tourists, turning into favorite vacation spots. Recently, Koh Lipe has gained popularity. It is located in the Adaman Sea near the Malaysian border. Despite the fact that you can walk around the island lazily twice a day, there is everything for a relaxing beach holiday, leisurely exploration of the underwater world, the landscape of beautiful surroundings.
For living are offered beautiful traditional bungalows, huts on the shore. They are suitable for tourists with an average level of budget. There are several diving centers, bars, lounges equipped with air conditioning. It is difficult to think of a better place to hide from the noise of civilization (having little comfort), nightclubs, entertainment for a while. Enjoy the magical sounds of nature, admire the beauty of sunsets, sunrises, swim next to the bright and unfamiliar inhabitants of the underwater world.
Phi-Phi
Among the uninhabited islands of the Phi Phi Don archipelago attracts tourists with modern hotels, luxurious conditions for recreation. This beautiful place has long been a favorite among divers around the world. Not far from the coast you can see sunken ships, caves, coral reefs. Here is the Marine National Park, several beach areas, cozy bays, grottoes with unusual acoustics. The beaches are suitable for families with small children. The main beach of Tonsai Bay is located near the pier on a sandy spit. There are many cafes, bars and restaurants nearby.
The most calm, secluded areas of the island are the beaches of Rantee Bay, Loh Mood Dee Bay. You can organize a place to spend the night, temporary accommodation in hotels, bungalows, traditional huts. The cost of living is much higher than in the main resorts of the country. The highest prices for holidays appear before the New Year. Most rainy days are observed in September. Another interesting island of the archipelago is Phi Phi Ley. There is no rich tourist infrastructure here. But here you can see high cliffs, visit Maya Bay, where the film “The Beach” was filmed, attracting millions of guests.
Samet
The place, which bears the name of a healing tree, known throughout the world, offers to plunge into a magical vacation on snow-white beaches, walk along ecological paths of almost impenetrable forests that occupy the main area of the island. Popular beach areas are located in the eastern part of the island. These are: Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Phutsa (Tubtim). Wong Duean, Ao Wai. The best conditions for relaxation are located in the Ao Kio beach area.
The place of residence can be numerous hotels in the form of bungalows, small huts. You can book a room in advance in 2.3-storey buildings located on the second, third line from the coast. You can get to the recreation area by ferry from Pattaya. There is no public transport on the island. While walking, it is recommended to rent a bicycle, motorbike, car. Or take part in excursions to the hidden treasures of the island. During the rest period, all kinds of marine entertainment, exciting fishing are available.
Chang
Mountains, primeval jungle adorn the “island of elephants”. There are no industrial enterprises here, water activities on motorcycles, skis, speed boats are prohibited. A unique ecologically clean recreation area has been created. Even the luxury hotels of the island do not exceed the height of palm trees (2, 3 floors). Guests are accommodated in cozy bungalows built according to the ancient traditions of the inhabitants. On the second coastline, the cost of housing is much lower.
Compared to the fashionable resorts of Thailand, a quiet, relaxing holiday is possible here, surrounded by beautiful nature, gentle sea, soft sandy beach, amazing waterfalls. The island is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, which sheltered the only water reserve in the world. Local authorities, organizing modern conditions for tourism, are doing everything possible to preserve the pristine nature. So that future generations can safely feed from the hands of animals walking through the jungle, ride on the backs of huge, kind elephants. They get here by ferry from the mainland.
Pangan
A small piece of land, lost in the sea waves, every full moon of the month is filled with extraordinary fun, music and dances. The world-famous party brings together young people from all over the world. The rest of the time, the island seems to fall asleep in its pristine silence, creating the conditions for a high-class relaxing holiday. The best time to travel to the lost paradise with deserted beaches is the period from January to March and from August to October. There are many budget accommodation options on the wild island.
Along with luxury hotels, there are really inexpensive options for houses, traditional bungalows. The best tourist infrastructure is organized in the Thongsal area. Shops and a hospital are located here. Hotels, cafes, restaurants, evening market, souvenir shops. Resting with children, it is proposed to stay near Mae Haad beach with a gentle entrance to the sea, the opportunity to swim at low tide. On all the beaches of the island you can rent sports equipment, take part in fun sea activities.
Tao
Not far from Koh Phangan is a favorite place for divers KoTao or “Turtle Island”. With the arrival of people in their habitat, they found themselves other secluded places, so they are not often seen by vacationers. But diving enthusiasts who have occupied the territory meet these amazing animals, which gave the name to a small piece of land. Once upon a time, King Rama V visited these places. You can still see his monogram on a stone near the snow-white beach of Saire Beach. At a certain period there was a camp for prisoners.
But now the maritime possessions of Thailand have found a new, joyful life. Thanks to tourists, numerous hotels, shops, restaurants appeared here, another life began to boil. Not all beaches (eg Mae Haad, Mango Bay) have safe swimming options, especially with children. This allows divers to feel like real owners here. There is a diving center and a fishery museum on the island. During walks you can see the famous diamond caves.
Nang Yuan
Day trips, diving trips, and snorkelling have become popular on the beautiful, small island. These are three small atolls connected by a sandbar. Often during high tides, it disappears completely. The only residential point here is the diving center. A place to spend the night in it must be booked in advance. The territory belongs to a private owner, so the visiting time is from 10 am to 5 pm. The only resort with a hotel and restaurant is the Nang Yuan Diving Resort. The central atoll has a pier, a restaurant, a toilet, a bar, a paid shower.
You can see the coastal beauty from the observation deck, located at the highest point of the hills. There are no turbulent currents in the surrounding waters. Therefore, novice diving enthusiasts love to come here. You can get to the protected area from the territory of Koh Tao by a public boat that runs twice a day or a special taxi boat at any time. Travelers staying at the Koh Tao hotel travel free of charge.
Tarutao
There are not many ordinary tourists on this island. It is wild, almost uninhabited with a unique pristine nature and is in demand by avid travelers. A variety of animals (dugongs, turtles, whales), rare plants in the form of mangroves, little-studied inhabitants of the underwater kingdom in the form of rare jellyfish, bright fish attract attention for detailed study. The water near the coast is not as clear as in other recreation areas in Thailand. You can come here by mainland boat only during the high season. Snorkeling, snorkelling, and diving are relatively difficult.
For accommodation, you can use a campsite, a primitive bungalow, a rented tent with a minimum of comfort. Tourism is just beginning to develop here. The Tarutao National Park was created, uniting 46 islands of the Andaman Sea. In the center there is an inner bay, through which you can ride a kayak and see the mysterious caves, including the Crocodile (the name is given because of the shape of the entrance, similar to it). From May to September, during the monsoons, travel here is prohibited. You can get there by boat from the fishing village of Pakbara. It is the end point of Thailand on the south side next to Malaysia.
lanta
Absolute calmness, the absence of noisy charms of civilization awaits vacationers on this piece of land in Southern Thailand. Mountainous landscapes, long stretches of coastal beaches, untouched nature, unique coral reefs fill the archipelago, which consists of two islands. Lanta Noi is an uninhabited island and Lanta Yai with a young resort. There are many modern hotels in the form of low bungalows, villas, guest houses, infrastructure is developed.
They have swimming pools, fitness rooms, SPA centers, massage rooms, yoga schools. Particular attention is paid to the organization of children's recreation. Playgrounds, experienced babysitters, a special menu at a local restaurant. There are many beaches on the coast with small shell rock, a gentle entrance to the sea. Among them are Kantieng, Klong Dao, Long Beach. Easy to get by bus from Phuket. Travel time is about 5 hours.
Things to do
It is a pity that during a holiday trip you cannot see all the extraordinary islands of the Kingdom of Thailand. These are not only the popular resorts of Pattaya, Phuket, but also very small land areas covered with turquoise waves that have preserved the pristine elements of nature. Each person before the trip makes plans for the upcoming vacation. Most often they include the following activities:
- Beach vacation. You can not calmly take your eyes off the commercials with the beaches of Thailand. People of any age dream of quickly plunging into the blue water paradise, running along the warm white sand, and then sitting in the shade of shaggy palm trees. Sometimes it seems that it is quite easy to conquer the waves with white scallops, dive into the mysterious depth or catch a big fish.
- Diving. It is enough to see beautiful fish through the turquoise, crystal clear water once, as there is a desire to go down to them and find out the secrets of the underwater world, next to which they live. On many islands, all conditions for this have been created. Even beginners can get initial lessons at diving centers. It will not work to stop the process and you will want to purchase the necessary equipment, at any opportunity to strive to the kingdom of the underwater world of the islands of Thailand.
- Health care. Thai massage, non-traditional methods of treatment, the level of medical diagnostics will surely attract the attention of vacationers. Clinics have highly qualified doctors, modern equipment. SPA salons provide rejuvenating, cleansing procedures using healing herbs, minerals, and special sets of exercises.
- Excursions. Thanks to the information received from experienced guides, you can immerse yourself in the historical past of the island state, learn a lot of interesting facts.
- Rock climbing. Many of the islands have complex rock formations that beckon to be conquered.
Best time to travel
Conditions for recreation on different islands differ not only in infrastructure, but also in weather conditions. Tropical heat, showers gradually move across the country. There is no clear expression of the seasons on the islands with a mild climate. The best time to travel is New Year's Eve. In spring, humidity and temperature rise, making it difficult to enjoy a comfortable stay. It is better to choose the northeastern, eastern recreation areas.
At the end of spring comes the rainy season, the heat drops. Summer travel is associated with showers, increased wind, restless waves on the sea. Rest is best spent in the resorts of the mainland. In the autumn off-season, the rains go to the southeastern regions. Even the northern territories are blooming with new colors of renewed vegetation and are inviting for a relaxing holiday.
How to choose a hotel
Living conditions during the holidays are important, especially if children are involved in the trip. When choosing a place of rest, the initial acquaintance with numerous offers takes place on the Internet. At the same time, they use the international classification of the level of the hotel, rooms. For example, L – Deluxe, category 5, F – First, the first or five-star hotel, S – Superior 4 stars, M – Medium, medium, or 3 stars, B – budget budget level 2 stars.
The main points for clarification include: diet, distance to the beach, the desired range of services, the availability of a private beach, attractions, shops, places for entertainment that are within walking distance. There are many hotels. The list provides examples of the best hotels for holidays on individual islands, taking into account these wishes: