Yes, in the US, autumn and bad weather are approaching, but luckily this is not the case in all countries in the world… Some (lucky) countries are now enjoying the high season and good weather!
This is the case, for example, in Thailand, where the rainy season is coming to an end, and sunny and dry days are beginning to take hold.
So, let’s escape to 3 Thai Islands and learn what we can for the next big trip to the Land Of Smiles!
Thai Islands to visit
Table of Contents
Phuket: What to See and Do in Phuket, Thailand
The Island of Phuket, located in the south of Thailand, is one of the world’s largest tourist destinations and one of the most popular Thai Islands.
Phuket attracts a lot of attention to travelers looking to have a good time during a few days at the beach, as it offers an excellent combination of relaxation and leisure and some of the Thai islands most sultry nightlife.
What to see in Phuket
If you plan to travel to Thailand and visit this Island, you will surely be wondering what to see in Phuket.
Phuket is well known for its beaches and its nightlife, but it goes much further. In addition to all that, you also want to enjoy Thai cuisine or get to know the country’s culture, Phuket will not disappoint you. As the biggest of the Thai islands, a quick Google search will lead you to countless dining and adventure opportunities.
The Beaches of Phuket
Phuket is the largest of the Thai Islands as I mentioned above and is connected to the peninsula by a bridge: that of Sarasin. One of the most prominent tourist attractions on the Island.
The beautiful Island is located between the south and southwest of Phuket, but each one has its charm and peculiarity.
Here we explain the most relevant of some of the most outstanding beaches that you have to see in Phuket:
Patong Beach
This beach is one of the largest and most well-known on the Island, so it is also one of the most crowded.
In its 3.5 kilometers of white sand and clean waters, Patong Beach offers numerous bathing options, practicing water sports, enjoying the sun, and leisure.
We recommend visiting this beach as it is the tourist center of Phuket, although it is not the most recommended if you are looking for a quiet and romantic stay or traveling with children.
Karon Beach
Karon is a 2.5 km long beach and, after Patong, it is the second most visited by tourists.
However, this beach tends to be more popular than Patong’s because it is a bit quieter. Karon is a beach with everything for all tastes: you will find everything from a volleyball court to practicing water sports.
Companies can also rent jet skis or rent hammocks and umbrellas and even natural shaded areas to rest under the trees.
The Big Buddha of Phuket
The Big Buddha of Phuket is a 45-meter tall statue made of white marble and is a symbol of this Island. It is located on a hill at the top of Mount Nakkerd, between Chalong and Kata Beach.
We recommend visiting it because from there, you will be able to observe beautiful views of Chalong Bay, as well as a pleasant 360º panoramic view of the entire Island of Phuket.
Wat Chalong Temple
Wat Chalong is the largest Buddhist temple in Phuket and consists of several buildings. The main attraction is the main pagoda or Great Pagoda, about 60 meters high. It is decorated with paintings depicting the life story of the Buddha, and various Buddha images are also on display.
There is also an exhibition hall where you will see different wax statues of some of the most prominent monks in the country’s history.
Koh Lanta: An Island Paradise in the South of Thailand
The Island of Koh Lanta is located at the epicenter of Thai tourism. Still, it has perfectly resisted the overcrowding and offers idyllic beaches of white sand and turquoise waters with a good hotel offer.
It can be your perfect vacation if you are looking for tranquility without being Robinson Crusoe to enjoy a spectacular coastline equipped with charming beach hotels with WiFi available. Its hidden pleasures include the fusion of cultures with the special role of the first inhabitants of the Island, known as the gypsies of the sea.
It is a tranquil and beautiful island that is not as crowded as the James Bond Islands or Maya Bay.
Nor can you resist snorkeling in waters ideal for beginners due to the shallow depth and absence of currents. Get ready to dive into an aquatic Eden on the Island of Koh Lanta in Thailand that will captivate you with its variety and color. Welcome to a peaceful paradise! Probably one of the coolest Thai islands.
How to get to Koh Lanta?
This quiet Island is no longer that remote paradise that a decade ago impressed the most alternative travelers but forced them to break their heads to get there.
Today you will not have problems knowing how to go to the Island because it has been fully integrated into the Thai tourist circuit and offers you a great variety of combinations while transiting Thailand and the Thai islands.
The fastest route combines a van to the port and a speed boat. The itinerary from Krabi is less than two hours – from the airport to your hotel to give you an idea. Only the itinerary on a normal ferry takes more than 2 hours. The journey will cost you 1,550 baht.
You can take an intermediate alternative, a taxi, and ferry combination, which will cost you 560 baht, although it will take almost 1 hour more.
Transiting to and from the Thai Islands isn’t hard. Thailand is one of the most tourists friendly countries in the world and gives you ample choices to and from most places.
What Is The Weather Like?
The climate of the Thai island is tropical and ensures high temperatures throughout the year, with an average maximum temperature between 28 and 32 degrees. The weather on the Island also guarantees you a delightful bath with a stable water temperature of 29 degrees throughout the year.
The climate has two seasons, dry and wet. The best time to travel to Koh Lanta is in January and February, with the clearest days of the year.
Cold season – It is not cold, because its temperatures are pleasant all year round. The coolest season is concentrated in December, with nightly lows that drop to 22 degrees while the maximums are around 30 degrees.
Rainy season – The rains are concentrated between April and November and are torrential. This period allows the Island to maintain its breathtaking nature. But you don’t want to go to the beach in a raincoat, do you?
Hot Season – The hottest months of the year are March and April, with highs of 33 degrees and lows of 23.
The Best Beaches
The beaches in Koh Lanta form a long row of fine sand beaches and transparent waters. They are not the best in Thailand, but they have plenty of beauty to impress you. The beaches are perfect for you to take quiet walks and start with your first snorkeling experiences because of their short depth.
Klong Dao Beach
Klong Dao Beach, located at the Island entrance, next to the main town, Saladan; It concentrates most of the hotels and resorts, but it’s 3 kilometers in length meaning that you do not notice the influx of bathers. There is a large rock that forms a small natural harbor to the south of the beach where you can see the picturesque native fishing boats at work.
Phra Ae Beach (Long Beach)
Phra Ae Beach (Long Beach) is the closest Lanta to a party beach. You will find a great variety of bars and restaurants in the far north that will make you have a great night. The tranquility of its waters make it perfect for safe swimming or enjoying an incredible sunset.
Kantiang Bay
Many consider this bay the most beautiful beach on the Island. In this place, you will find yourself on the edge of the tourist area because the good roads end here. Smaller than the northern beaches, it stands out for reefs at both ends full of rocky life.
KOH SAMET, AN ISLAND NEAR BANGKOK
Looking for an island with a beach near Bangkok, we found a destination not frequented by tourists but beautiful enough to leave behind with pleasure for a few days the heat and chaos of the capital, the Island of Koh Samet offered us the sea breeze that we so badly needed.
A few locals frequent Koh Samet Island and many visitors to Bangkok. The Island is known to be one of the top beach destinations for them due to its proximity. The middle and upper classes of Bangkok dominate this Island, so the prices are not cheap.
There are two popular Thai Islands easily accessible from Bangkok. Koh Samet and Koh Chang.
The closest of the Thai islands to Bangkok has its pros and cons but proximity rules in this case. Convenience wins. If you want the Thai Islands experience without a trip all the way to Ko Chang then Koh Samet is your best choice.
Koh Samet is located on the Gulf of Thailand in an area rarely hit by the monsoon in the rainy season, so it is not a bad option for a getaway at any time of the year. It is one of the driest Thai islands: no rain, crystal clear waters, and white sand beaches.
Koh Samet
Indeed, its beaches may not be the best in Thailand, but it is one of Bangkok’s closest places to enjoy a few days of tranquility.
The main port of Koh Samet is Nadan, and it is located in the north of the Island. Green trucks depart from it that takes you to the main town (Nadan Village) and stop near Sai Kaew beach. However, it is a journey that can be done on foot in just 10 minutes.
Dinner in Koh Samet
In Nadan Village, there is a bit of everything along its main street, which, incidentally, is quite touristy: tour agencies, restaurants, ATMs, or massage centers crowd on both sides of the road. In general, the prices are higher than those in Bangkok except during festive periods, when these are much higher.
From Nadan Village, you can continue by road to the south, entering the National Park that occupies the entire Island.
Beach on Koh Samet
Sai Kaew, the best beach in Koh Samet
Sai Kaew beach is under the protection of the National Parks division of the Government of Thailand, so at the entrance, we had to pay 200 Baht each.
The lookout post is located right at the end of the village that links Nuan Thip Pier to Sai Keaw Beach. Honestly, we do not know how this type of payment works because during our four days on the Island, we entered and left through this pass, and they never asked us for the subscription or the ticket again.
Sai Kaew beach is wide, clean, with white sand and in which you feel very August. Maybe the boats that come to drop people off are a bit annoying, but nothing cannot be borne.
In a way, this beach in Koh Samet reminds us of our trip to El Nido in which the truly beautiful is facing the sea, the town being quite low key and decadent. It’s the closet of the Thai Islands to Bangkok and it’s quite the paradise actually.
Throughout the Island, there are other beaches such as Ao Wai, Ao Kit, or Ao Phrao that we did not visit but that are worth a visit according to what we have read.
These 3 Awesome Thai Islands are some of the most popular in the country for good reason. All 3 Thai islands mentioned here are most definitely worth visiting more than once and hopefully, this short guide has helped in your decision on making the trek to the Land Of Smiles and their beautiful and sunny Thai Islands.
If your planning on visiting Pattaya while you’re visiting the Thai Islands or just curious about “Sin City” check out our Pattaya Guide and maybe even see what a flight Motorbike rental costs here.