The 14 Best Quiet Islands in Thailand to Avoid Tourists

While away lazy days gazing at the blue sea from Koh Kradan, a remote paradise off Trang in the Andaman Sea. Feeling active? You can kayak around the entire island in just three hours to take in the views. This island is just 4km (2.5mi) long and almost entirely protected for conservation, with a bone-white stretch of sand on the east side of the island.

If you’re not quite ready to ditch all signs of tourism, Koh Yao Noi is the ideal compromise. This island, in the Phang Nga Bay within easy reach of Phuket and Krabi, is a dream for anyone needing some serious R&R. It’s home to 4,000 residents and is just 12km (7.5mi) long, so days are spent swimming, boating and snorkelling. Alternatively, try trekking through the untouched forests to reach deserted waterfalls. There are a handful of cafes, diving shops and small resorts to provide some home comforts.

Easily accessible from Krabi (just 15 minutes by speedboat or 40 minutes by longtail boat), Hong Island is actually an archipelago comprising several small, uninhabited islands in the Than Bok Khorani National Park, characterised by white sandy beaches, towering limestone cliffs and a secluded turquoise lagoon. On a day tour here, you can swim, snorkel and kayak among shoals of colourful fish in the calm, shallow water or follow the nature trail through the jungle, keeping a close eye out for white-faced gibbons and monitor lizards.

Fancy a real desert island experience? Sleepy Koh Mak is 40km (25mi) from the mainland and well away from the tourist trail. So, it’s a haven if you’re looking to soak up sun, sea and silence. There’s almost no nightlife on this island, but you will be in the company of 10,000 palm trees, a Buddhist temple, plenty of winding bicycle tracks and a diving school to make the most of those gin-clear waters.

Koh Lanta was once a closely guarded backpacker’s secret, but it now appeals to families and beach lovers looking for a quiet escape with plenty to do. The island is just 30km (18mi) long and has nine sweeping beaches, a sprinkling of restaurants and bars, and a dense forest with mysterious caves to explore. There’s also a well-paved network of roads, so it’s a great idea to rent a motorbike and zip around for a memorable tour in the tropical sun.

Love nature? Seafood? Getting back to basics? Then, you’ll feel right at home in tiny Koh Bulon Lae, 23km (14mi) west of Pak Bara. A glorious speck in the Andaman Sea, it has one main white-sand beach, no cars, a scattering of simple beach huts and a friendly fishing village. It couldn’t be simpler to explore either; it’ll take just 20 minutes for you to walk from one end to the other.

The ideal mix of deserted tropical beaches, laidback bars and relaxed restaurants, Koh Lipe is a peaceful alternative to the big-name islands with all of the amenities. The island, on the edge of the Tarutao National Marine Park, is best known for a spectacular coral reef and jaw-dropping white beaches that make it a dream for divers. At night, unwind at seafront reggae bars to enjoy full-moon parties, live bands and cocktails underneath an endless starry sky.

Bring a sense of adventure to Koh Kood and explore this wild, unspoilt island of waterfalls, mangroves and rainforest. The beaches are as beautiful as you’d expect but the real thrill comes from whizzing down dirt tracks on a scooter, hiking through the steamy jungle and kayaking in brilliantly turquoise waters. If you’d rather spend days lolling on a hammock underneath a palm tree though, you couldn’t pick a better spot.

Serene Koh Mook, in the Andaman Sea, is all about the picture-perfect beaches. If you can drag yourself away, there are a handful of Thai restaurants and street-food stalls, winding jungle roads and local villages, but the renowned Emerald Cave should not be missed. This hidden beach is reached only by swimming through a dark mountain tunnel; go early to get it all to yourself.

Yearning to do nothing? Beautiful Koh Jum, on the western coast of Thailand, is made for unwinding. It’s got nothing more than a handful of secluded beaches, bath-warm water for snorkelling, and the occasional low-key bar. If you need a little more activity, cycle the length of the island in around an hour or head to the mountainous north, which has excellent hiking trails, including a route up Koh Pu Mountain.

As the largest island in the Ko Tarutao National Park archipelago, Ko Turato offers an assortment of natural wonders you won’t want to share with anyone else. Think limestone caves, cooling waterfalls, vanilla beaches curved around a clear sea, and rainforest-blanketed mountains. Take it all in by hiking up the rugged Toe-Boo Cliff for dramatic views over this island wonderland.

Wild animals do not always make for the best of company. That being said, those looking for the most secluded of islands might appreciate the company of a monkey or two as opposed to an onslaught of tourists. This is certainly the case on the island of Koh Payam, located on the upper Andaman coast. With only about 500 inhabitants, it is no wonder that an abundance of wildlife, including monkeys, snakes, and birds call this island home. In addition to wildlife, the island is made up of forestry worth exploring on foot. With only a handful of bungalows, restaurants, and sleepy bars, this is the perfect island for those looking to get away from civilization and get back to nature. Recommended by Kelly Iverson

Travellers making their way to the Land of Smiles may have caught wind of the islands of Koh Lanta. It remains the less visited destination in comparison its well-known neighbors, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi, who continue to win popularity contests because of their unique combinations of their idyllic beaches and thriving party scenes. The island of Koh Lanta Noi, the smaller of the two islands that make up Koh Lanta, remains largely deserted and quiet. This overlooked island is usually only visited by those travellers passing through on their way to its neighbouring tourism hot spots. Those looking for complete privacy and seclusion, however, should stay awhile instead. From fishing villages to abandoned beaches, one can surely find ways to spend time on this otherwise forgotten island. Recommended by Kelly Iverson

People vacation for a number of different reasons. Whether they are escaping stress, responsibilities, or both, people will always find an excuse to pack their bags and make a run to find their own piece of paradise. This is exactly why visitors of Thailand should make their way to the island of Koh Chang Noi. This island sits off the coast of the popular island of Koh Chang, which attracts far more visitors than its smaller counterpart. Also known as Little Elephant Park, the island certainly lacks luxury: no hot water, sketchy wifi, no television, and other modern amenities have yet to make their way to the island. It is for this reason that many tourists tend to steer clear of Koh Chang Noi. The island’s laid-back atmosphere in addition to it remaining off tourists’ itineraries, however, makes it both quiet and secluded, athough there are plenty of things to see and do on the island. Recommended by Kelly Iverson