re: Thailand Beach/Island Recs

Here's what I'll say from experience, there are so many options it will blow your mind. Each island has its pros and cons and not all have everything you may be looking for.

1st thing is time of year. December usually favors the Andaman Sea over the Gulf of Thailand, as it will rain more on the Gulf side. However, my understanding is its like Monsoon, where it rains then goes away, so maybe you may want to try GoT.

How many days do you have for the beach? The more days you have the further out you can go.

Next is interests. Do you want to party? Scuba dive? Be on a tourist island or none tourist island?

We had about 4.5 days and wanted a non-touristy island. Diving was low priority so getting to a close island in the Bay worked for us, even if the water/beach isn't the best. My wife also wanted to see Thailand's famous karst formations.

That's how we chose Ko Yao Noi. By the way, if this freaks you out, Yao Noi is something like 90% Muslim. Doesn't bother me but may bother others. I'm not gonna judge.

If scuba diving is high, try to stay near the Similans. Google it, incredible diving. If you want to party, then you have Ko Phi Phi. If you want a nice family beach Ko Lanta/Ko Jum. If you want to get as far away as possible Ko Lipe. Even further, try staying near Tarutao. ETA: I forgot Railay beach but that is on the mainland.


On the GoT side you have Tourist Island Ko Samui, party island Ko Phagnan, and diving Ko Tao. Angthong National Park is also in the GoT.

View from our room:


Rice field on the Ko Yao Noi:


I rented a scooter so I could find a secret beach on the island (which I did) but you don't get more Thai island then stuff like this: Not pictured is giant fricking snake that crossed my path.



Ko Hong: Island you can visit during the day. There's a cool lagoon on the backside but it's hard to post a photo to give it justice.