Thailand's Islands — Andaman vs Gulf, Which One for You

Thailand's largest island and where most people start — it has an international airport you can fly straight into, beaches in every flavour (busy Patong, quieter Kata and Karon), restaurants, hotels at every price, a Sino-Portuguese old town, and it's the launch point for day-trip boats to the Phi Phi Islands, nearby islands, and the Similans. Best for first-timers who want everything within easy reach.

The image of Thailand you see on every postcard — tall limestone cliffs wrapping a bay of emerald water. The headliner is Maya Bay, which was closed for years to let nature recover and has since reopened (with rules that sometimes ban swimming in the bay itself). Uninhabited Phi Phi Leh holds the scenery; Phi Phi Don has the accommodation and nightlife. Many come on a day trip from Phuket or Krabi, but staying over gets you the island once the tour boats have gone.

The limestone coast that plenty of people prefer to Phuket — quieter, with the scenery front and centre. Railay is a peninsula with no road access; you arrive by longtail boat, which gives it an island feel, and it's home to rock climbing that draws climbers from all over and the lovely Phra Nang beach. Ao Nang is the main accommodation strip and the base for boats to the nearby islands (Ko Poda, the "separated sea" sandbar). Good for couples and anyone who wants nature over nightlife.

The island for people who actually want to slow down — a string of long beaches down the west coast, sunsets every evening, and an easygoing mood with none of Patong's nightlife. Cafes and restaurants are spread along the shore, and it draws long-stayers, families, and remote workers. Lanta is also a jumping-off point for boats to Ko Rok and Ko Haa, with some of the best snorkelling in the area.

The Andaman's clearest water and a diver's dream — a nine-island national park with vivid water, fine white sand, and reefs full of fish. You can come on a speedboat day trip or join a multi-day liveaboard for deeper dives. The key thing to know: the park only opens roughly Oct–May and closes for the monsoon to let the reefs recover, so you have to go in season.

The biggest island on the Gulf side and the easiest of them to visit — it has its own airport (fewer flights and pricier tickets than Phuket), busy Chaweng beach alongside quieter Lamai, resorts at every level, restaurants, and sights like the Hin Ta–Hin Yai rocks, the Big Buddha, and waterfalls. It's an easy base for boats onward to Phangan and Tao. Good for families and anyone who wants Phuket-style convenience but on the Gulf.

The island the world knows for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin — a beach party under the full moon that draws people from everywhere — but that's only one corner of it. The north and east of Phangan are genuinely quiet, with pretty beaches, cafes, yoga retreats, and wellness stays. It works for both the party crowd and people trying to escape it, depending entirely on which side you book.

A small island that's one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to scuba dive — clear water, lots of coral, a good chance of turtles and the occasional whale shark, so it's packed with dive schools running affordable Open Water courses. The mood is friendly and backpacker-ish, and there are photogenic snorkelling spots like Ao Muang and the connected sandbars of Ko Nang Yuan. Best for anyone wanting to start diving, or for budget-minded adventurers.

Two eastern-Gulf islands you can reach without flying, ideal for a weekend from Bangkok. Ko Samet (Rayong) is the closest — about 3–4 hours by road to Ban Phe pier, then a short boat — with fine white sand, clear water, and easy access. Ko Chang (Trat) is a bit further but much bigger, with jungle-clad hills, waterfalls, and a range of beaches, and a quieter feel overall. Both sit on a different coast from Samui and Phuket, with a season closer to the Andaman's (good late in the year into spring).