Island Hopping: Top 5 Islands To Visit Around Samui

Koh Wua Talap

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The headquarters of Angthong Marine National Park is located on Koh Wua Talap (Sleeping Cow Island in Thai), the second largest island of the archipelago. The island features basic infrastructures including bungalows, an information desk, restaurant, first aid center, and sea kayak rental desk. It is on the circuit of most of the day trips in the park. Along with a lovely, clean beach, the island has a stunning coconut tree grove, lush vegetation, stunning viewpoints, and a nature trail to Hua Boke cave. Read More…

• Location: Ang Thong, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

Koh Phangan

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Koh Phangan is Thailand’s fifth largest island. It’s located just 12km north of Koh Samui, and is still barely developed. Ferries from the mainland and from Samui are at hand to get there, leaving frequently throughout the morning and early afternoon. It features a hilly, lush tropical jungle interior, many idyllic, long white-sand beaches and over 20 nearby dive sites. Featuring a good choice of accommodation options for all budget types, Koh Phangan’s main claim to fame is largely due to its many Full Moon, Black Moon and Half Moon parties held on the beach of Haad Rin. The rugged, mountainous interior is also more dramatic than many other islands in Thailand. Read More…

• Location: Koh Phangan, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand

Koh Tao

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Koh Tao (Turtle Island in Thai) – lives up to its name, being one of the greatest scuba diving destinations in southern Thailand. The perfect white-sand beaches which ring the hilly 21 km² island are surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The compact island is about 60 km to the north of Samui and was only really ‘discovered’ in the early 1980s, but now supports a varied selection of hotels, from budget guesthouses and beach bungalows all the way up to five-star luxury resorts. So far from civilisation while still being relatively easily reached, it is the idyllic tropical island paradise. Read More…

• Location: Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand

Koh Mae Koh

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Situated just one kilometre north of Koh Wua Talap, Koh Mae Koh (Mother Island) is the second most visited island in Angthong Marine National Park. It is especially famous for its two stunning viewpoints – most of the panoramic photos you see of the park are taken from them, and for its emerald lagoon named Talay Nai in Thai. This vivid green ‘small sea’ contains sea water surrounded by limestone cliffs. It is connected to the sea by underground tunnels. The island features a cool beach bar, and kayaks are available for rent.

• Location: Ang Thong, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

Koh Taen

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Located a short boat ride – five kilometres, from Samui’s south coast, Koh Taen is often part of snorkelling and fishing day trips departing from Thong Krut. This small island of 7.5 km² bungalow accommodation at hand, a couple of restaurants and a wooden walkway through a mangrove swamp. The Koh Taen Conservation Society, has erected helpful blue signs identifying plants and buildings of historical interest. Most of the day trips to Koh Taen also include neighbouring Koh Mudsum, which is also an interesting island to visit or stay at, as it hosts two hotels: U Koh Mudsum Samui and The Treasure Koh Mudsum. Read More…

• Location: Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

What’s your favourite island around Koh Samui? Let us know in the comments below!

This article was originally published on kosamui.com