The Kingdom of Thailand owns hundreds of islands, which are located not only in the Andaman Sea, but also in the Gulf of Thailand. All of them are located near the mainland of the country. For a long time, most of the islands were uninhabited, but in recent years, many of them have been actively developing as popular tourist resorts, which have gained recognition among tourists from all over the world due to the cleanest beaches, magnificent nature and comfortable conditions for recreation.
Here there is a whole tourist infrastructure that turns the rest into a real pleasure. Modern hotels with the highest level of service, spas, excellent diving centers are located on the best islands of Thailand. That is why every year the flow of tourists from different countries is increasing here.
Which island of Thailand is better to go? Let's deal with this issue. It should be understood that different conditions for recreation are created on different islands: somewherenoisy parties are held every night, somewhere calm and quiet reigns, and somewhere just a paradise for diving is created. In this review, we will try to tell you what features are typical for the most popular of them.
Climatic conditions of Thailand
Let's talk about what excites all tourists. It so happened that in different regions of this country the climate is different. This is due to the significant length of the island from south to north. Two types of climate are distinguished on its territory - tropical savannas and monsoonal (tropical). In the central part of Thailand, less precipitation falls during the rainy season, which allows tourists to relax on the east coast almost all year round.
What to choose?
The list of the best islands in Thailand, which are popular among tourists, can be presented as follows:
- Phuket.
- Koh Samui.
- Ko Lipe.
- Ko Samet.
- Phi Phi.
- Phangan.
- Ko Chang.
- Tarutao.
- Ko Tao
- Lanta.
We will introduce some of them further.
Phuket
This is the largest island located in the south of the country. Surely, to the question: “Which island is better to relax in Thailand?”, Young and active travelers will answer: “In Phuket!”. Today, our compatriots like to spend time here. Therefore, in most restaurants you will be offered a menu in Russian.
Although this island has a huge number of vacationers, nature here has not suffered too much from human activity. The beaches are clean and everywhereexotic trees. The mild climate of Phuket favors beach holidays. During the year, air temperature drops are minimal: during the day +30 °C, at night in summer from +24 to +26 °C, from October to April the night temperature sometimes drops below +22 °C. Water keeps a constant temperature throughout the year - about +27 °C.
Judging by the reviews, Phuket is ideal for an active youth holiday. In addition, windsurfers will have a wonderful time here - winds blow in summer, big waves often occur. When the sea is calm (in December and January), regattas are held on the island.
Ko Chang
In size - this is the second island of Thailand, where it is better to go for lovers of a relaxing family holiday. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand, off the east coast. Beach lovers will appreciate this heavenly place: the coast and water are impeccably clean, there are not too many vacationers on the beaches, the tourist infrastructure is well developed, the restaurants serve delicious dishes of European and local cuisine, the climate is mild and conducive to a relaxing holiday.
Tourists note that there are many comfortable hotels on the island, the cost of living in which is quite affordable. Older people feel the best on the island of Koh Chang, who are tired of the hustle and bustle and families with children.
Koh Samui
Among the best islands in Thailand, Koh Samui ranks second in popularity and third in terms of area. Travelers from all over the world come here torelax on well-groomed, clean beaches, enjoy the picturesque nature, as well as excellent service in modern hotels and restaurants.
Koh Samui is located in the south of the country, in a region with a subequatorial climate. During the year, there is a high air temperature in the daytime - in the range of + 31 … + 35 ° C. At night, the thermometer drops below +25 °C. The water temperature is constant throughout the year: +27…+28 °C. Only in January it can drop below +25 °C.
According to vacationers, on the island of Koh Samui everyone will find something to their liking. In the afternoon, you can take part in excursions to the surrounding islands. The beauty of the local nature delights - picturesque waterfalls several tens of meters high, amazing tropical plants and trees. Water sports lovers can go diving and snorkeling.
Ko Lipe
On which island is it better to relax in Thailand if you want privacy? Let's turn to seasoned travelers. Experienced tourists recommend in this case to opt for a small island located in the south of the country. Koh Lipe is famous for its beautiful well-groomed white sand beaches. Along with 50 islands, it became part of the Taratao Marine National Park, Tourists in their reviews note that here, in addition to a wonderful beach holiday, you can get acquainted with local attractions and visit neighboring territories.
Ko Tao
Some tourists are wondering where it is better to go to the islands of Thailandlovers of diving and snorkeling (except Koh Samui). You can go to Koh Tao. This is a small island (21 sq. km), which is located in the Gulf of Thailand. To get to it from the mainland, you need to cover about 65 kilometers by ferry.
This is where the most favorable conditions for snorkeling and diving are created. If in other places you need to rent a boat and sail several hundred meters from the shore on it to scuba dive, then on Koh Tao this can be done almost by the beach. You just need to swim a few meters to the side.
If we compare which island of Thailand is better - Koh Samui or Koh Tao, then many tourists believe that the latter is more suitable for lovers of secluded relaxation. According to travelers, the remoteness of this island has its pros and cons. Its advantages include not crowded, stunning nature, clean beaches, low prices in hotels. And the disadvantages are not so significant, but still they are also there: it takes a long time to get to the island itself, there are not many attractions, there are interruptions in electricity and the Internet.
Phangan
Some of the best islands in Thailand are a real paradise for young people. Among them is Koh Phangan, 45 km away from the mainland. The island with an area of 168 sq. km is not crowded, the infrastructure is developed only in some of its parts. However, tourists are attracted by wonderful beaches, azure water and crystal clear air. The main part of the territory is occupied by mountainous terrain, covereddifficult forests.
On the west coast of the island (on the beach of Had Rin) all conditions for youth recreation are created. It is here that the Full Moon Party takes place - a monthly party known throughout the world, which is attended by up to 30 thousand guests from different countries. It starts at full moon. Officially, the celebration lasts one day, but in fact, three days before it begins, festivities begin and the same number continues after completion.
Phi Phi
Describing the best islands in Thailand, one cannot fail to mention Phi Phi. And that's why. In fact, this is a group of islands, an archipelago consisting of six pieces of land located in the province of Krabi.
Phi Phi is located between the popular and most crowded Phuket and the mainland. To get here, you have to sail by boat for two hours. The climate on Phi Phi is very comfortable for recreation. The average air temperature in summer ranges from +28 to +32 °C, in winter it gets a little cold, but it is almost imperceptible.
Only two islands of the archipelago are of great interest to travelers: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, the other four are uninhabited and not easy to get to.
The main island of the archipelago is Phi Phi Don, which consists of two mountains, 1 km apart and connected by a sandy strip about 160 meters wide, on which restaurants, bars and bungalows are built. During the peak season, almost five thousand visitors come here every year. These are mainly young people, who, judging byaccording to reviews, active nightlife attracts here.
