There are some islands in Thailand that draw in huge crowds – whether that’s backpackers looking for Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan or movie fans looking for a taste of The Beach on Koh Phi Phi. But there are also many quiet islands in Thailand where you enjoy unspoiled beaches all to yourself. They are where you will find the real Thailand, if you ask me.
A word on Maya Bay
Thanks to Danny Boyle’s movie, The Beach, starring a young and beautiful Leonardo DiCaprio, Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi became the most famous beach in Thailand – if not the world!
It became so popular, in fact, that the Thai authorities made the bold decision in 2018 to close the island to visitors in a bid to protect the environment from the damaging effects of mass tourism.
It’s not the first time a decision has been made to put the ecosystem before tourist dollars in Thailand – day trips to the popular but increasingly overcrowded island of Koh Tachai in Similan National Park were banned by local authorities in 2016.
Maya Bay has since reopened (as of January 2022) with certain restrictions in place but Ko Phi Phi is by no means the only island you should be considering for your Thailand holiday. There are many unspoiled Thai Islands that haven’t suffered the same over-crowding and are ready and waiting to welcome tourists to their empty, untouched beaches.
Ready to get off the beaten track in Thailand? Here are 5 quiet islands in Thailand to visit on your next Thai holiday.
You may also want to consider some of these most isolated islands in the world for more off-the-beaten-track destinations.
5 Best Quiet Islands In Thailand
1. Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are a cluster of 9 islands northwest of Phuket that are a goldmine for divers. Their striking white beaches surrounded by giant black boulders are lesser-known than the limestone mounds of Krabi or Phang Nga Bay but are no less stunning.
You can reach the Similan Islands on a daytrip from Phuket or Khao Lak, with the transfer time taking up to 3 hours depending on what charter you go with.
To avoid the crowds in Phuket, book a secluded villa such as these luxury Thailand rentals, or arrange a sailing charter or diving cruise to spend several days exploring the quieter parts of the Similan archipelago.
Note: The Similan Islands are officially open to the public from 15 October until 15 May, but dates may vary each year.
2. Surin Islands
The Surin Islands are the northernmost group of islands on Thailand’s Andaman Coast and can be reached via a 90-minute speedboat ride from Khao Lak.
Like their neighbours above, the Surin Islands offer spectacular diving but they are also uniquely home to a small community of indigenous Moken, the nomadic sea people of the Andaman region.
The Moken are known as ‘sea gypsies’ as they were originally sea nomads who travelled between the islands from Malaysia to Myanmar. They have now settled in several basic reserves, including one in the Surin Islands, which comes under the protection of the National Park Authority and welcomes a fixed number of tourists as part of an organised tour group.
As visitor numbers to the Moken Village are limited there will usually be more indigenous peoples than tourists on the south Surin Island at the same time.
Read more about visiting the Surin Islands
3. Koh Mook (or Ko Muk)
Koh Mook is one of a handful of hidden gems found in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Trang. The relatively untouched island is popular with day trippers from nearby busier resorts due to its Emerald Cave. Reached by a short but slightly scary swim in the dark, the Emerald Cave is a sheltered sinkhole biome and beach with startling green waters that give the cave its moniker.
By staying on the island, which has two golden beaches, a fishing village and a handful of accommodation options, you can explore the Emerald Cave and neighbouring islands like Koh Kradan outside of peak crowded hours.
Stay at Sivalai Beach Resort for an affordable luxury holiday on Koh Mook.
4. Koh Kradan
Another little-known island near Trang is Ko Kradan, which has a stunning secluded beach and warm turquoise waters that I celebrated my 30th birthday on!
The extensive shallow bays, sand banks and views of limestone karsts make Koh Kradan one of the most visually stunning beaches in Thailand – just make sure you bring cash and essential provisions as there are no ATMs or convenience stores on the island.
Similarly to Koh Mook, Koh Kradan is popular with day trippers but come 3pm you’ll have the calm clear waters all to yourself.
From around November to April, speedboats and ferries connect Koh Kradan directly to a number of other islands including Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta and Koh Mook – so it’s perfect for an island-hopping holiday. Boat tickets can be booked via your resort on Koh Kradan, the Sevenseas Resort is a flashpacker favourite, so enquire when making a room reservation.
5. Koh Chang
Photo thanks to Ragnar Vorel on Unsplash
Found in the Trat Province of Eastern Thailand, Koh Chang was once a backpacker secret that has leaked to a wider audience over the last few years. If you’re looking for an island with a bit more infrastructure than Koh Kradan or Koh Mook but not nearly as people as Krabi or Phuket, then Koh Chang is the happy medium.
This large island is framed by fine sand beaches and filled with a lush national park that is perfect for jungle trekking. Local guides can take you on trails through the forest to find waterfalls, monkey, birds and more. You can also island-hop to nearby Koh Mak and Koh Kood, the latter of which offers more laid-back luxury resorts.
In recent years some of the more basic beach huts in Koh Chang have been replaced with resorts and the not-so-lonely Lonely Beach has become known for its party scene. To escape the hustle, head to Hat Kaibae for boutique hotels and midrange bungalows, or escape the tourists altogether on the isolated east coast at Ao Salak Kok and Ao Dan Kao.
To reach Ko Chang you can take a bus or flight from Bangkok to Trat and board a public ferry or private boat to the island. For larger groups and families it might be easier to arrange a private minivan transfer direct from Bangkok Airport.
Read next:
Sea Gypsies and snorkelling in the Surin Islands
Tips for travelling to Khao Lak, Thailand
This literally looks like a dream! I must get to Thailand asap! Great shots!
Thank you! I think I’ve inspired myself to go back for another visit after writing this haha
All that white sand and blue waters… such a dream! I hope they manage to keep it that way by redistributing the crowds and properly managing the tourists!
Me too, I really applaud the decision regarding Maya Bay as from what I have read the crowds were ruining the environment and the experience. There are so many beautiful islands and beaches – you can still have that Leo-esque experience just by going further afield!
Aah…. Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world but since I typically avoid the more touristic destinations it’s been a difficult destination for me – so these tips are really useful!
It really does have some incredible beaches and the backdrop when you’re surrounded by limestone karts and not lots of people is really something else 😀
Hallo. After your experience in Thailand what could you recommend to a similar person?
I’m planning on going to Thailand soon and will definitely refer to your article for some beach time!! Thanks a lot 🙂
Awesome, hope you have a wonderful trip to my favourite places 😀
Really great idea writing this post, especially after Maya Bay has been closed. I’m currently travelling Mainland Thailand and considering coming down to the islands at some point. Had no idea about these islands so definitely adding them to the list. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Oh great timing! Hopefully you get to visit one or a few of these for a more laid back experience.
Great article – Im always trying to seek the quieter less touristy places!
Me too, although not so quiet that they don’t have electricity – a girl has needs haha
These look so amazing! I am desperate to go back to Thailand and it would be nice to avoid the more touristy beaches so I’m definitely bookmarking this. Funnily enough, I absolutely loved Koh Phangan, and while it’s definitely NOT off the beaten path by any means, we stayed the opposite end of the island to the Full Moon Party and had virtually our own secluded beach! So even in the touristy places, there are ways to avoid the crowds. 🙂
This is so true. I did the exact same thing in Koh Phangan, largely because we left booking accommodation until the last minute, but it turned out to be for the best!
Great post! I absolutely love the quiet atmosphere in Koh Mook and Koh Kradan, such lovely paradise islands. Koh Chang is nice too but gets quite busy during high season. I would also add Koh Mak and Koh Wai to this list. Cannot wait to head to Thailand again!
I haven’t heard of Koh Wai – I’ll have to look it up!
Each of these islands looks so tranquil and picturesque. I especially like Koh Mook with the Emerald Cave biome. It sounds like such a fascinating and unique experience!
It definitely warrants the term hidden gem!
I definitely need to make a trip back to Thailand to visit some of these lesser known islands! They seriously look like paradise. Beautiful pics!
Thank you. I’m wanting to return now too haha
I love the Islands. They look like such cool destinations for relaxing and unwinding during vacations.
A lovely read
We plan to travel to one of the islands you mention We have been several times to Koh Lanta .We would be flying into Bengkok .We travel independently and will stay to chillax for x 3 weeks
Which is the easiest island to get to and has cheap/reasonable accommodation .
Thank you
Hello from Trang former CSR director Anantara Si Kao
We are closed now . As living here 18 years please give me an email you missed a few islands