Too many islands, too little time! Thailand has more than its fair share of islands, and for the first time visitor, picking the right Thai island can be a pretty daunting undertaking.

So, here's an overview of some of the best islands in Thailand, including the best-known spots like Ko Samui, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao and Ko Samet. We've also covered a smattering of the lesser known islands that you probably won't read about in your guidebook -- in our opinion these can be some of the best islands in Thailand.

Follow the individual links through for detailed guesthouse and hotel reviews, restaurant and bar listings, attractions and activities, a bunch of photos and maps and of course information on where the best beaches are.

Coverage of more of Thailand's many islands is on the way -- in the meantime, you may also want to read our story: What is the best island in Thailand?

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Ko Adang

Thailand's remote Ko Adang is an ideal island for nature-loving travellers who seek a less-populated haven well away from peak-season beaches packed with sunbathing limbs. With plenty of hiking trails, deserted white sand beaches and jungle waterfalls there's enough here for day-trippers from nearby Ko Lipe along with those who plan to spend a longer stretch of time exploring all this island has to offer.

[ Ko Adang travel guide ]

Ko Bulon Lae

While under the radar for many, little-known Ko Bulon Lae remains popular with returning vacationers (particularly families) year after year. Bungalow resorts are scattered around the island, so choices are as varied as the travellers who stay here: windy hillsides, beaches with or without rocks and mangroves, forested or exposed to sun and salty air. Every night, the generators switch on and Bulon lights up for another laid-back evening. Many travellers come back again and again, to find the particular tranquility they've only found on Bulon.

[ Ko Bulon Lae travel guide ]

Ko Chang

Most of Ko Chang's beaches are on the western coast, and each has built up with a distinctive atmosphere based on shopping, activities, partying or chilling out. Accommodation offers a style to suit every type of traveller, from independent low budget backpackers to those wanting a touch of luxury. There are plenty of activities to be organised from almost anywhere on the island: snorkelling and diving trips to nearby coral reefs, jungle treks and elephant rides, not to mention various beach sports. One of Thailand's fastest developing islands, don't miss the boat to this great destination.

[ Ko Chang travel guide ]

Ko Kradan

A Thai island with so much potential, the beauty and tranquility of Ko Kradan has been squandered over the last decade and it remains best-known for its annual mass underwater-weddings rather than the stunning beach and large coral reef. The view from the beach is spectacular, looking out and over other islands including Ko Muk. If you are in the area, it's definetly worth coming out here -- but for the moment, a day-trip remains the best option.

[ Ko Kradan travel guide ]

Ko Kut

Despite being a beautiful mountainous island with white sandy beaches and crystal blue water, for the independent traveller, Ko Kut can be a difficult destination to explore -- though for some that just adds to the attraction. Popular with Thai package tourists, Ko Kut is a terrific island to escape the hordes of foreign tourists and experience some of the hospitality Thailand is famous for.

[ Ko Kut travel guide ]

Ko Lanta

For a long time Ko Lanta was a little-visited backpacker spot in Thailand, playing second fiddle to the big backpacker magnets of Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao and Raileh Beach. But word has finally got out about what a great island Ko Lanta truely is -- with something for just about every budget -- from high class luxury to basic thatch huts. With a less hectic scene, smooth, calm waters and broad beaches, Ko Lanta is particularly popular with those travelling through Thailand with young children.

[ Ko Lanta travel guide ]

Ko Libong

This large island sits quite close to Thailand's southwest coast in Trang province. Little-visited, Ko Libong is much cleaner than some of its neighbours, the people are polite, honest, friendly and eco-minded. Fewer visitors make it here, but those that do are generally well-rewarded. A nice laid back kind of place that doesn't have the jaded feel of some other busier Thai islands. Oh, and there's dugongs here too.

[ Ko Libong travel guide ]

Ko Lipe

A warm, windy island that offers something for most anyone, Lipe's range of accommodation options and fantastic marine life attract a healthy (and rapidly increasing) number of tourists each year. Still, it's easy to find tranquil surroundings here, even during peak season, with several coves and walks through the jungle from one beach to another. Rapidly increasing in popularity, see Lipe now while it still retains some of its beauty.

[ Ko Lipe travel guide ]

Ko Maak

Just to the south of Ko Chang, Ko Maak is a lot less heavily touristed than its big sister -- a great place to go for a bit of quiet and some less crowded beach front: perfect just for chilling out. The two main beaches are sandy, scattered with rock, and sparsely populated with bungalows. The relatively flat interior is covered with coconut palms and a maze of unsignposted dirt roads. A laid-back hideaway.

[ Ko Maak travel guide ]

Ko Mun Nork

Ko Mun Nork rarely finds itself on the itinerary of roving backpackers and travellers, but ask Bangkokians about it and you'll quickly hear some of the rave reviews Ko Mun Nork receives -- both as a romantic weekend getaway and also for the occasional parties thrown on the island -- parties which are very much invite only. Private label raves and romantic weddings aside, Ko Mun Nork is certainly worth consideration -- particularly on weekdays when you could well have the entire island to yourself. It's a hidden away paradise representing excellent value.

[ Ko Mun Nork travel guide ]

Ko Pha Ngan

Although best known for its full moon parties, which attract thousands of travellers from all over the globe, there is a lot more to stunning Ko Pha Ngan than getting trashed and passing out in the powder-soft white sand. Ko Pha Ngan has swathes of beautiful beaches, great walks, adventurous boat and fishing trips, fabulous diving and even kite-boarding. Equally compelling for many is just spending a few days or weeks in a hammock, watching the sun rise and fall.

[ Ko Pha Ngan travel guide ]

Ko Phi Phi

Ko Phi Phi -- oh what this beautiful island could/should have been. Arguably the most stunning location in Thailand, Ko Phi Phi is home to guest houses, luxury hotels, bars, restaurants, tailors, internet cafes, travel agents, banks, piers, CD shops and clothes markets. Rather than being preserved as a day-tripping destination with pristine walking trails, caving, unspoilt diving and snorkelling spots, Phi Phi is a national disgrace. Despite this, thousands pour onto the island every year and for many, Ko Phi Phi remains the highlight of their trip. Beach solitude can be a little tricky to find, but if you really want to party and meet loads of like-minded souls read on.

[ Ko Phi Phi travel guide ]

Ko Samet

Ostensibly part of a national park, the small island of Ko Samet is the perfect weekend getaway from Bangkok and while this proximity has brought convenience, it has also brought the developers on in hordes. Despite the over-development, it remains a very popular getaway -- on the weekends the beaches are crammed with Thais and expats from the capital along with backpackers and other tourists, while in the middle of the week it is often not difficult to find a beach all for yourself. If you remember that you're on one of the closest islands to a city of ten million people, you'll probably appreciate it more.

[ Ko Samet travel guide ]

Ko Samui

As a popular island destination, Ko Samui is surpassed in Thailand only by Phuket. With an international airport, a mass of ferry connections and close to 500 hotels and guesthouses, this is not somewhere to come to glimpse a corner of the kingdom untouched by tourism development. But if you're hunting for stunning white beaches, turquoise waters and all-day sun, Samui isn't a bad choice. Regardless of whether you want to spend $200 or 200B on a beachfront bungalow there is something on Ko Samui for everyone.

[ Ko Samui travel guide ]

Ko Sukorn

Ko Sukorn is a small island located off the coast of Trang. Home to four small villages, four cars and a handful of small resorts, Ko Sukorn (or Ko Muu as the locals know it) is a great choice for people wanting to escape the crowds of some of Thailand's other great islands. Visitors will have long dark sand beaches pretty much to themselves, along with the spectacular sunsets and great hospitality. A top destination.

[ Ko Sukorn travel guide ]

Ko Tao

Over the years, Ko Tao has been a pirate's hideout, a layover for fishermen, a prison and a badly-kept backpacker secret. Today it is one of Thailand's premier diving locations, attracting thousands of recreational divers and other tourists annually. The island is ranked number two worldwide for the issuing of PADI certificates. Non-divers willing to escape from the congested diver hotspots are rewarded with gorgeous beaches, great viewpoints and hospitable locals. Of course if you are diving, Ko Tao is a must, with some of the best diving in the Gulf of Thailand.

[ Ko Tao travel guide ]

Ko Tarutao

In Malay, Tarutao means old, mysterious and primitive. For many visitors, Tarutao's appeal is in the wildlife: sea turtles, whales, monitor lizards, crab-eating macaques, mouse deer and more all call the island and its surrounding waters home. There's no snorkeling as the waters are murky compared to other Andaman islands, but for most, the clean beaches, waterfalls, great hiking and views more than compensate. For those who are into such things, Ko Tarutao was the location where Thailand Survivor was filmed.

[ Ko Tarutao travel guide ]

Phuket

For the budget traveller, the days of grass huts on the beach are largely gone and simple seafood feasts have been replaced by KFC, Starbucks and Pizza Hut. Phuket is an expensive place, with lodging, eating and transport all far costlier than elsewhere in Thailand. The so-called pearl of the south, Phuket is today unrecognisable from just a couple of decades ago. As property prices soared, many locals sold up to national and international hotels and many of the most beautiful beaches are now host to scores of them, along with restaurants, bars, travel agents, massage parlours and the other usual suspects. Despite these negatives, there remains a tantalising side to the island. Windswept beaches you can camp on and not see a soul for kilometres... these hidden-away gems linger -- you just need to look a little harder.

[ Phuket travel guide ]