Island Hopping On Thailand S Gulf Coast

Like an emerald necklace in the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand, the islands of the Chumphon Archipelago are captivating destinations. Their many charms have the power to lure all manner of traveller -- from globetrotting backpackers to the well-heeled smart set. Three of the islands are favourites: Koh Tao, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Samui, the largest. Each island has pristine beaches, thick tangles of jungle and exciting nightlife, but it is their unique character that sets them apart and has visitors returning again and again. If it’s your first time to the islands and you want to experience them all, we recommend spending at least two weeks, dividing your time among them all. Our guide describes what makes each island special in its own way, so that if you only want to visit one, you know just where to go!

While there are direct flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui, we recommend saving that flight for your return journey. Book a flight from Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok to Chumphon Airport along the coast. From the Chumphon Airport you will get shuttle to the Lomprayah Pier which is only an hour's ferry ride from Koh Tao. Check for tickets that include your bus fair from the airport to the port along with your ferry to Koh Tao, it makes the whole journey more streamlined! Then you can island hop at your leisure and purchase your ferry tickets the morning of your departure.

Atmosphere: Calm and quiet except around the port and Sairee BeachBest for: backpackers, divers, free spirits and couples

Nang Yuan Island, Koh Tao, Thailand Nuan Yang Island. A pair of lush little islands connected by a narrow little strip of pearly sand beach, Nuan Yang Islandis an absolute must stop-over during your stay in Koh Tao. There are several different tour operators that offer half-day or full day snorkeling trips that spend time here. Visitors can hike up to the peak and snap an incredible photo of Nuan Yang from a bird’s eye view; enjoy a refreshing drink from a coconut at the beach bar; relax on the beach and snorkel in the clear shallow waters offshore, where many funky looking sea cucumbers can be found on the sandy floor. Diving. The fantastic diving here is one of the island’s biggest draws. There are roughly 50 dive operators on the island, meaning prices are competitive and there is a diving experience for everyone. Never dived before? No problem, Koh Tao offers plenty of PADI certified dive schools where you can get certified in 5-7 days. Several resorts like Ban’s Diving Resortoffer both accommodation and diving courses for an easy, all-inclusive holiday.

Aminjirah Resort Koh Tao

Boutique Hotel with midrange prices (£36 per night-£118 per night). Infinity pool at Aminijirah Resort Located ten minutes away from the bustling crowds of Sairee Beach, the Aminijirah Resort is a beautiful hillside hotel with a variety of different rooms overlooking the sea. The resort’s friendly and helpful staff, the complimentary breakfast and stunning infinity pool make the Aminjirah really stand out as one of the best places to stay in Koh Tao.

Sairee Cottage Diving, Sairee Beach

Selection of rooms and bungalows that range between £17 per night-£75 per night.Perfectly situated across from Sairee Beach, this dive school and hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Sairee beach and close to all the action. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the Thai-style bamboo cottages are spacious and comfortable while still retaining their simplistic appeal. The hotel’s pool and bar area is a great spot to meet other travellers and relax, but if you’re looking for a wild night out, there are plenty of beach bars, restaurants and pubs close by.

For authentic Thai food at affordable prices, Su Chilli is your best bet in Sairee Beach. Along with flavourful favourites like Panang Curry and Pad Thai, they serve a wide selection of curries, soups and noodle and rice dishes. If you like dive bars, then you’ll dig The Dream Barowned by a U.K. born expat. Close to the Queens Ladyboy Cabaret and Lotus Beach Bar, it’s a great spot to enjoy a nice cold beer and listen to live music and play a round of pool before bar hopping down the street.

Atmosphere: Hectic around 'Full Moon Parties', otherwise very quietBest for: party animals, yogis, hippies

Wild parties The notorious Full Moon Parties at Haad Rin Beach are undoubtedly Koh Pha Ngan’s biggest draw. Every month between 5,000 and 30,000 young reveller descend upon the island for a night of hedonistic debauchery and dancing until dawn. The DJs set up shop on the beach and blare psychedelic trance, house, dance and reggae music all night long, and bars are open until the morning too. Party goers can expect lots of neon lights, fire dancers, buckets of alcohol and an atmosphere unlike anywhere on Earth. The popularity of the Full Moon Party has inspired the smaller, feverish ‘Half Moon’ and ‘Quarter Moon’ parties along with the more exclusive Waterfall Party and Secret Garden Party. Visitors are advised to take precautions while attending these parties as theft, drug abuse, injury and vandalism are not uncommon. Yoga retreats With over a dozen yoga retreats and studios located on Koh Pha Ngan, yoga lovers are well catered to here. Whether you want to strengthen your practice in a weeklong retreat, get your teaching certification or just drop in on a class, there is a studio for everyone.Agama Yogais an internationally renowned spiritual school that brings Yoga to life through courses, workshops, and retreats. In the yogic spirit, Koh Pha Ngan is home to a number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants and organic health shops in the north of the island. Waterfalls Four lovely sets of waterfalls are scattered around the island, so visitors looking for a tropical hike or cooling swim can pick and choose, or visit all four. Phaeng Waterfall in the southwest corner is the largest and can be reached by a steep 250 metre jungle trail. Wang Sai waterfall in the northeast has several pools that are great for swimming in after a heavy rainfall. Thaan Sadet waterfall is also in has been a favourite stop for Thai royalty for generations. Thaan Prawet waterfall is also in the northeast and offers a beautiful stretch of cascading falls that can be reached by Haad Thaan Sadet beach or from the main road that runs above the bay.

Tommy Resort, Haad Rin Beach

3-star hotel with a variety of rooms for all budgets, however room rates spike around Full Moon Parties, £40-£175+

The Tommy Resort sits smack dab in the centre of Haad Rin Beach and the restaurant, along with many of the freestanding bungalows, have fantastic views over the beach and cove. The resort is plush without being fussy and boasts a beautiful pool and lounge deck.

High Life Bungalows, Haad Yao Beach

Nice budget-friendly hotel with rooms starting at £23 per night to £35 per nightNestled on a more remote hillside, High Life Resort is perfect for budget travellers. The resort’s rustic vibes extend to its lobby and restaurant. The bar area has a bohemian vibe and includes a few wooded pagodas with low tables, plush pillows and slinky hammocks to relax in while enjoying a local beer. The rooms could use a facelift but the larger cottages have breath-taking sea views and even the poolside rooms have comfortable king size beds and air conditioners. The real highlight here is the infinity pool overlooking the wild coastline.

If your idea of paradise includes eating delicious pizza on the beach then La Dolce Vita Ristorante and Lounge Beach Bar is perfect for you. Located on a quiet stretch of beach, diners can dig their toes in the sand whilst they enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and a mouth-watering selection of authentic Italian and Thai specialties. Everything on the menu is made from the freshest and finest ingredients. So whether you opt for their zesty Ligure pizza with homemade pesto, rich Ravioli di Zucca or bold Massaman Curry, you will savour every bite. La Dolce Vita is a romantic choice for honeymooners and couples looking for exquisite cuisine with unparalleled sunset views. Just south of the busy Thong Sala pier is Beachlounge, one of the island’s most popular restaurants. The kitchen churns out crowd-pleasing Thai curries and a host of grilled seafood dishes. At night, the restaurant glows by candlelight and tends to fill up quickly so reservations are highly recommended. The service is warm and attentive and despite the rather steep prices, the Beachlounge always delivers fresh and flavourful food.

Atmosphere: Lively all year round, quieter on the southern end of the islandBest for: families, students, honeymoons

Mu KoAng Thong Thailand Angthong Marine National Park is one of Thailand’s most recognisable and treasured national parks. The jungle-covered islands of the Angthongarchipelago rise up from the shining turquoise waters to form a breathtaking panorama. Spend a day exploring these remote islands via one of the many boat companies that operate out of Koh Samui or Koh Pha Ngan. A Safari speedboat is recommended because they cut travel time down to only 45 minutes each way, while the slow boats can take between 2-3 hours to reach the park. Tours include kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, hiking and a buffet lunch. Relaxation: Visitors looking to rest and recharge will love the chance to enjoy some of the hundreds of luxury spas and beachfront massage parlours in Koh Samui. At Chaweng Beach, you can’t walk ten feet without being offered a traditional Thai massage at all hours of the day and night. However, if you’re looking for world-class spa therapy, the island boasts many high-end options as well, including the spas at the W Retreat Koh Samui and Le Meridian Koh Samui Retreat.Jungle Tours: Koh Samui’s beauty isn’t limited to its beaches, with its own collection of stunning waterfalls, lush landscapes and diverse wildlife, you won’t want to miss out on a jungle or eco-tour. Visitors can choose from a range of tours that are either full or half-day. These tours include lunch and visits to the island’s most unique sites like the mummified Buddhist monk and Big Buddha, as well as activities such as elephant trekking, rubber plantation and market tours and jungle treks on top of a 4x4 vehicle. Cooking Classes: Koh Samui has several outstanding cookery schools where food lovers can master traditional Thai dishes. The Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Artshas been in operation since 1999 and offers the island’s most intensive and professional classes. Their instruction menus change every day and, with a daily morning and afternoon classes, there’s no excuse to miss this tantalising opportunity. Each class is 2.5 hours long and is followed by a lavish meal where you can enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Ark Bar Beach Resort, Chaweng Beach

3-star hotel with rooms that start at £36 per night. Photo Credit: Ark Bar and Resort Centrally located in Chaweng Beach, Ark Bar Beach Resort is optimal for gap year students and visitors looking for a lively, youthful atmosphere. The large resort consists of multiple rows of two-story buildings that contain several different types of suites. The rooms are well maintained and offer all your standard conveniences including a stocked mini-fridge, air-conditioning and free WIFI. What makes Ark Bar stand out amongst the dozens of other nearby resorts is its buzzing beachfront bars and three different pool areas where all day parties and live DJs are a staple.

Banana Fan, Chaweng Beach

4-star hotel with rooms starting at £89 per night Banana Fan is a wonderful option for families and travellers who want a holiday with a real resort feel to it. Accommodation here ranges from large garden suites to beachfront bungalows equipped with their own private splash pool. The whole resort is elegant and stylish, making you feel like you are in a lush Thai palace. The pool deck is perfect for lounging with a good book and a cool drink. The well-rounded breakfast buffet offers an excellent selection of Continental, American and European choices along with lots of tropical fruit, fresh coffee and friendly service.

Secret Garden Resort, Big Buddha Beach

Budget with rooms starting at £39 per night to £90 per night Right off the busy main road of Ban Bangrak, this colourful resort is a real treasure. The ladies at the front desk are warm and welcoming and go out of their way for guests. Secret Garden has several different accommodation options including beachfront bungalows, garden view rooms and poolside villas- all of which are artfully decorated, if a bit basic. There is a pretty pool area and open-air restaurant that serves up traditional Thai dishes and Western fare. The resorts best feature might be its nightly dining and entertainment, with something special ever day of the week. Stay on a Sunday for their delicious all-you-can-eat beach BBQ and live reggae music by local musicians.

Combo 3is a bright welcoming space among the chaos of Chaweng’s main strip. Everything on the Thai menu is fresh, authentic and utterly delicious. The restaurant’s manager Mr. Gai goes above and beyond for his patrons and his warm smile is contagious.