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The Gulf of Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for travelers in Thailand. The three major islands, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao attract countless visitors every year. Each island offers something for everyone. Beautiful beaches, colorful underwater worlds, lively markets, wild parties, stunning nature with jungle landscapes, waterfalls, and more.
Island Hopping – Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and More
The three islands Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are located relatively close to one another and are perfect for island hopping, allowing you to explore all three during your trip. How to get to the Gulf of Thailand, what you can see and experience on the islands, and more can be found in this article.
1. Koh Samui
The tropical island of Koh Samui is the second largest island in the country and one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations. For many travelers, Koh Samui is their first introduction to the country’s island world, and even the arrival at Koh Samui’s airport, with its small wooden rooftops, creates an instant vacation feeling.
Koh Samui offers something for every type of traveler. Whether you prefer budget hostels or luxurious hotels, you will definitely find the right place to stay. We’ve shared some hotel tips for Koh Samui in one of our articles.
There is also plenty to experience on Koh Samui. All around the island, you’ll find many attractions, beautiful temples like the Big Buddha, and lively markets where you can spend a few hours. You can sample the Thai cuisine or pick up a souvenir or two. More information can be found in our article with 16 things to do for your Koh Samui stay.
If you’re looking for beautiful beaches, you’ll find them on Koh Samui as well. All around the island, you’ll discover countless beaches. Some are quiet and secluded, others lively and bustling, so there is something for every taste. In our Koh Samui beach guide, you’ll find plenty of information about the island’s stunning coconut-lined shores.
If you’d prefer not to explore everything on Koh Samui on your own, there are also wonderful tours around the island with temples, waterfalls, markets, and much more that are absolutely worth it.
Our hotel tip for Koh Samui: Amari Koh Samui
2. Koh Phangan
Just 30 minutes by boat from Koh Samui lies Koh Phangan, our personal favorite island in Thailand. Because of the famous Full Moon Party, which takes place every month on Koh Phangan, the island is often reduced to this single event. But that’s a mistake, because there is so much more to see and experience.
Waterfalls, dreamlike beaches, hikes up Khao Ra (at 627 meters, the highest mountain on the island), temples and markets. All this and much more can be found on Koh Phangan. On a scooter tour around Koh Phangan, you can explore many places on your own. In addition, Koh Phangan is still relatively quiet and relaxed outside the Full Moon Party.
Which beaches on Koh Phangan you should visit and what other things to do Koh Phangan has to offer, we tell you in detail in our articles. The island is truly beautiful and offers many different facets. It’s no coincidence that we have our home base in Thailand here.
Our hotel tip for Koh Phangan: Sea Love Bungalows
3. Koh Tao
Koh Tao is the next well-known island in the Samui archipelago and is especially famous for its stunning underwater world, making it ideal for snorkeling and diving. There are countless dive schools on the island that will teach you how to dive in the Gulf of Thailand and guide you through its underwater scenery.
But even if you don’t want to dive, Koh Tao is well worth a trip. The island offers nearly 20 beaches, some of which can only be reached via dirt roads. But the scenery makes it more than worthwhile. Whether remote spots like Mango Bay in the north or the popular Sairee Beach on the west coast, Koh Tao has no shortage of beautiful beaches.
Koh Tao also offers several beautiful viewpoints, a temple, gorgeous sunsets, and activities like kayaking or stand-up paddling. You won’t get bored quickly. To find out everything you can do on the island, take a look at our guide with 16 things to do for Koh Tao.
Our hotel tip for Koh Tao: Palm Leaf Resort
More Excursions to Islands in the Gulf of Thailand
In addition to the three major islands in the southern Gulf of Thailand, there are several smaller islands and even a national park. Most of these are visited only on day trips, but they are well worth it. We don’t want to withhold the following destinations from you.
4. Koh Nang Yuan
Koh Nang Yuan is located just a few kilometers off the coast of Koh Tao. You’ve probably already seen the stunning photo from the Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint, as it is one of Thailand’s most iconic images.
The small island does have a few accommodations, but 95% of all visitors come on day trips. We highly recommend going early in the morning. The island opens at 10.00 AM for day-trippers, and by midday it’s already very crowded, with potential lines forming for the viewpoint.
Besides the viewpoint, you can also enjoy great swimming on Koh Nang Yuan, snorkel along the rocks, or walk across the sandbar. In our article about the day trip to Koh Nang Yuan, you’ll find all further information about the island. From Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, there are day tours available that you can join.
Our hotel tip for Koh Nang Yuan: Nangyuan Island Dive Resort
5. Ang Thong Marine National Park
Another destination in the Gulf of Thailand is the Ang Thong Marine National Park, made up of 42 islands, most of which are uninhabited. From Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, you can join day tours into the national park.
The tours usually start at 9.00 AM, and you spend the entire day, including lunch, on different islands within the national park. In addition to snorkeling stops or kayaking, the highlight is definitely the Blue Lagoon on Koh Mae Koh, which also features a fantastic viewpoint.
We joined this tour back in 2012 on our first trip to Thailand from Koh Samui. You can read about our experience in our Ang Thong National Park article. We found it absolutely beautiful and will definitely repeat the tour soon.
6. Koh Madsum/Koh Taen
South of Koh Samui lie two more small islands that you can visit on a boat tour. You can reach Koh Taen and Koh Madsum in just a few minutes, and both islands are relatively quiet. You can even arrange tours directly with one of the fishermen in the village of Thong Krut.
A snorkeling stop is ideal in front of Koh Taen, where you’ll find some corals and may even spot small rays or barracudas if you’re lucky. However, Koh Taen itself unfortunately has no beautiful beaches, which is why most tours continue to Koh Madsum afterward.
Koh Madsum offers beautiful white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water with views of Koh Samui and its palm-fringed south. There isn’t much going on on Koh Madsum. Perfect for those seeking peace and quiet. If you want to experience something away from the mass tourism of Koh Samui, make a detour to the small hidden gem Koh Madsum.
General Travel Options to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao
Traveling in Thailand is very easy, as there are many options for getting from one place to another. Except for Koh Samui, getting to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan always involves a boat ride since neither island has an airport.
Below are five travel options from Bangkok to the island world of the Gulf of Thailand:
Flight to Koh Samui
The most expensive but fastest way to travel is a flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways or Thai Air. The flight to Koh Samui takes about one hour and costs between 3000-6000 Baht. Tickets for onward travel to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao can be purchased directly at the airport. The boat ride to Koh Phangan takes about 30 minutes and costs another 400 Baht including the transfer to the pier. The boat ride to Koh Tao takes about 2 hours and costs another 700 Baht including the transfer to the pier.
Flight to Surat Thani
A domestic flight in Thailand is cheaper if you fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani, e.g., with AirAsia. There are packages all the way to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. These include the bus transfer to the pier and the boat trip. Duration varies between 5 and 8 hours depending on the island. Costs range from 1000 to 2500 Baht. You can also book only the flight to Surat Thani and buy a boat ticket onsite at the airport. Counters are located in front of the exit on the airport’s ground floor.
You can find more information on connections and prices to Koh Samui or Surat Thani by plane on Skyscanner.
Train to Surat Thani
The next budget-friendly option for reaching the Gulf of Thailand is a train ride from Bangkok to Surat Thani followed by a bus and boat transfer to your island of choice. The train ride takes about 12 hours and costs between 700 and 900 Baht. You can buy tickets at the train station in Bangkok (don’t let anyone approach you there and only buy at the official ticket counters). More information on schedules can be found at Seat61. Tickets for the bus and boat transfer to the islands can be purchased at the Surat Thani train station. Prices range between 300 and 750 Baht depending on the island and transfer operator.
Bus to Chumphon
The company Lomprayah also offers a combination of bus and boat. The bus departs near the Khao San Road in Bangkok. From there you’ll be taken to the pier in Chumphon and then board the high-speed catamaran to your desired island. Travel time is between 9 and 11 hours. Ticket prices are 1100-1400 Baht. You can book in Bangkok at travel agencies or online at Lomprayah.
Bus to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan
Buses also run daily from Bangkok to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan. The transfer with the ferry to the island is included in the ticket price. Travel time is about 15 hours and costs between 700 and 1200 Baht depending on the class of the bus. The buses depart from Bangkok’s Sai Tai Mai, Southern Bus Terminal, where you can also purchase your tickets onsite.
Tip: You can also buy almost all tickets online at 12go.asia. We’ve used the platform many times. It’s reliable and highly recommended!
Have you ever been to the Gulf of Thailand? Which island did you like best? We look forward to your feedback in the comments.
