Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Ko Tarutao: Solitude on the pristine beach of Ao Son
From north to south, Ko Tarutao may be Thailand’s last island, but for those looking for an unspoilt escape, it’s closer to the top of the list. Located off the coast of Satun Province in the Andaman Sea, near the Malaysian border, this large island is part of the Tarutao Marine National Park and is one of the few Thai islands fully protected by its park status. national, i.e. only the buildings of the national park. are allowed.
You won’t find any resorts here, just a few basic national park bungalows near the ferry pier, and further down the island just campgrounds, each with a single restaurant where you can dine . Consider it a luxury, compared to what Tarutao looked like. In the 1930s, the Thai government used the island as a penal colony and it became home to thousands of prisoners. During World War II, the Japanese invasion of Thailand meant that the island ceased to receive food and medical supplies, forcing prisoners and their guards to resort to pirating passing ships to survive.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Ko Tarutao: Vide Ao Pante Malacca
Nowadays, the old guard’s residences and some original buildings, as well as a small museum and a reconstruction of the prison are the official tourist attractions of Tarutao. But even better are the empty white sand beaches, lush jungle and abundant wildlife that adorn the island. There are a few forest trails to follow, you can rent bikes to get around, and the quiet campsites make you feel like you’re on a desert island rather than somewhere in Thailand.
In fact, it seems so remote that the TV series “Survivor” used it as a filming location. Although you may no longer be a prisoner here, you may end up wanting to stay much longer than you imagined.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Koh Kood: islands like this in Thailand are hard to find
For years, Koh Kood — an island technically closer to Cambodia than mainland Thailand — was known as Bangkok’s boutique island. This was mainly because there were only a few very expensive luxury resorts, where Thais from Bangkok went for long weekends, taking an expensive flight to Trat and then a speedboat to reach the island.
Over the years, more affordable accommodations have emerged, as well as ferry and speedboat options that sail not only from the mainland, but also from nearby towns of Koh Mak and Koh Chang, making it much easier access. Yet Koh Kood remains remarkably under the radar, despite having beaches and water that are much more like the Maldives and still being quite undeveloped compared to other Thai islands.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Koh Kood: kayaking paradise
The sea here is a kayaker’s dream, with calm, warm turquoise bays to paddle in, as well as mangrove channels and the Klong Chao River leading to beautiful waterfalls. The luxurious Soneva Kiri has built a resort on the northern end of Koh Kood for those willing to shell out upwards of $1,000 per night. But even backpackers can enjoy this breathtaking island with simple huts for around $15-20 a night, making Koh Kood accessible to everyone.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Koh Lanta: Empty sand and sea
While Koh Lanta may not be the isolated, undiscovered island it was 15 years ago, it still floats quite far off the tourist trail, as far as the Andaman Islands go. Known for its abundant marine life and large population of clownfish, you can snorkel here (or get a permit if you aren’t already) or on land visit a village of the Chao Ley people.
Best of all, Lanta is one long island over 18 miles from top to bottom, which means there are plenty of beaches to choose from. The northern end near the ferry pier is more built up and has nightlife. Heading south to the end of Lanta where there is a national park, things get rather relaxing and you can find a slice of heaven for yourself here.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Koh Lanta: the best infinity pool in the world at Pimalai
Koh Lanta is home to savvy resorts such as The Houben, a small Belgian boutique hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the Andaman, which features minimalist decor, private hot tubs and fabulous views over Kantiang Bay. At the southern end of Lanta, the luxurious Pimalai boasts 3,000 feet of beachfront, stunning views and one of the finest infinity pools in Southeast Asia. It used to be that Lanta was synonymous with utter isolation and hard to get to, but these days it’s a good mix of convenience with plenty of decent white-sand getaways and a much more subdued vibe than neighboring Ko Phi. Phil.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Koh Mook: The Hidden Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot)
Not only is Koh Mook (meaning “Pearl Island”) a gem of an island, but it’s also home to one of Thailand’s most unique features. Called “Tham Morakot” in Thai, the Emerald Cave is a sinkhole where the roof of an underwater cave has collapsed, allowing light to flood in and a jungle environment to grow.
The only access to the cave is through a 300-foot black tunnel in the sea, which can only be reached at low tide (tour groups swim using flashlights and buoys). Once inside, the cave opens to reveal a sublime jungle and a white sand beach bordered by emerald water. If you rent a kayak and head out on your own early in the day, you’ll likely have the cave and beach all to yourself – and you’ll truly feel like Robinson Crusoe.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Koh Mook: Sun, sand and surf
Aside from Emerald Cave, Koh Mook also has beautiful beaches. Half of the island is part of Hat Chao Mai National Park and is a protected area, with plenty of pristine jungle scenery. The island’s best dig, the Sivalai Beach Resort, sits on a cape that feels like it’s in the middle of the ocean. Had Farang (Foreigner’s Beach), also known as Garnet Beach, is the longest beach and the best place to watch the sunset. The island is relatively small, which makes it ideal for walking around or getting around on a rental scooter.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Koh Kradan: life is a beach on this island
If you’ve made it all the way to Koh Mook, save a few extra days to make the short crossing to nearby Koh Kradan. Kradan is also part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park, and Thai tourism loves it, mainly because of its gorgeous beaches and truly turquoise water. There are no roads or villages on the tiny island, just a handful of resorts, ranging from basic bungalows and camping to a few fancy spots. There is a good coral reef just offshore for snorkeling, and when the water is calm kayaking here is fantastic.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Koh Kradan: lounging in paradise
Although Koh Kradan is the perfect place to experience a relaxing, hands-off piece of paradise, you might not want to come here on Valentine’s Day. Given the beauty of the sea here, Trang Province chose it to host its annual Underwater Wedding Ceremony, where couples get married underwater.
While this could certainly be a new and unforgettable way to get married, it can be quite difficult to get a reservation at the handful of resorts here, and with only 2 miles of island, your slice of paradise might get a little crowded. . For the rest of the year, Koh Kradan is a wonderfully relaxed place.
