Best island hops in Thailand

Kho Samui

Kho Samui is the largest of the islands in the south east of the country in Surat Thani province.. If you like tourist strips, massage parlours, restaurants and movie shows this will be perfect for you. There are banks, money changers, travel agents, comforts, scooters for rent and all the luxuries you can afford.

Kho Phan-Ngan

Kho Phan-Ngan is slightly smaller and the next island along 30 minutes away by ferry. It is famed for its full moon parties every month but if you're not into the partying and want some peace you'll also find this here. There is less concentration of bungalows and with your own scooter you can easily escape the crowds. Regular day trips leave here for beautiful Ang Thong Marine Park. Most include lunch, snorkelling and walking.

Kho Tao

Kho Tao is generally used by divers and snorkellers as their base. It's a lot smaller but can be more expensive catering to a more sophisticated market.

Phuket

Over one million visitors come here every year so you maybe hard pressed for peace and quiet but the beauties of Phuket can't be denied. While it is rather commercial around the international airport that lands a dozen flights from Bangkok every day (one hour) if you head elsewhere you can find quiet, beautiful places to relax on the beach, eat watching the sunset and dine on fabulous local seafood.

Phi Phi Islands

These six rocky islets are 30 kilometres off the mainland in Krabi Province. Phi Phi Le island is renowned as a film location from "The Beach" although unfortunately Leonardo Di Caprio is no longer there! It's the biggest along with Phi Phi Don. Some are quite commercial with plenty of tourist facilities, while others you can only visit by day in a boat. Gorgeous beaches, fishing boats and vistas everywhere.