Holidays on the island with island hopping in Thailand

There are several island hopping routes for travelling around Thailand's islands in a different way. In the Gulf of Thailand, the Samui archipelago as well as the islands along the coastal regions of Rayong and Trat are ideal. Some of the best-known islands in the east of Thailand are Koh Samui, Koh Chang and Koh Samet. On the western side, the islands of the southern Andaman Sea in particular offer a great choice of combinations for island hopping. From Phuket and Krabi, for example, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai and Koh Lipe in the far south can be combined into an extraordinary round trip through the island world of Thailand. The island chain off Ranong in the northern Andaman Sea is a little more difficult to reach, but no less beautiful.

Each island in Thailand has its own character, so you will gain new impressions when visiting different islands. Larger islands such as Koh Samui and Koh Lanta can be combined with small, idyllic islets such as Koh Jum and Koh Lipe for a colourful island holiday. Most of the islands offer accommodation ranging from simple and good to luxury resorts such as the Pimalai Resort on Koh Lanta. Typical Thai resorts such as the Anandah on Koh Kho Khao, which favoured the islands 10 to 15 years ago, are few and far between. Especially on well-known and popular islands such as Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui, many new resorts have been built that offer a modern ambience and comfort. A few years ago, island hopping was particularly popular among young people and backpackers, but the range of hotels and boat transfers now makes this form of travel possible for holidaymakers of all ages and also for families.

Island holidays do not mean that there is nothing to discover and do apart from sunbathing on the beach. Just like the different characters of the single islands, the possible activities also differ. When it comes to water sports, a difference can be made between pure bathing islands with beautiful, extensive sandy beaches and islands with rocky coasts where the sea invites you to go snorkelling and diving. Both small and large islands invite you to explore them by car, moped, tuk-tuk or on foot, depending on their size. Phuket, as one of the largest and best-known islands, offers the widest range of tours both on the island and boat trips to offshore islands, for example to Phang Nga Bay with the James Bond Rock made famous by the James Bond film. Small islets such as Koh Ngai offer footpaths across the island's hinterland through the forest and past plantations to various bays and beaches. On Koh Samui you can go on beautiful quad bike tours through the island's centre and on Koh Maak you can comfortably explore the island in a golf cart and let your mind wander and, with a bit of luck, watch Khun Pom play disc golf and maybe even try a few throws of your own.