7 Islands Near Bangkok That Should Be On Your Bucket List
by Tripti Tanvi on 18/11/17 at 5:27 pm
The capital city of Bangkok is every traveller’s dream – it’s like whipping up all flavours of Thailand in a single dish. From a distinct culture to famed nightlife, world-famous cuisine and plenty of entertainment options, it has everything you could want from your holiday.
The only thing lacking in Bangkok is the beach. But you don’t need to travel far to get the perfect sun-kissed experience – there are a number of islands that you can visit in a day’s time from Bangkok to experience the idyllic beach life.
1. Koh Si Chang
Once a royal retreat, Koh Si Chang is the place to be if you want to experience local culture in an exotic location. Its beaches are amazing, ideal for lounging about and just disconnecting from the world.
If you are one of the active ones, kayak leisurely along the cost and discover abandoned coves. Or, you could rent a cycle and explore the pagodas and temples on the island. Koh Si Chang also has some relaxing massage places that you shouldn’t miss.
How To Reach Koh Si Chang: Ferries run regularly between Sri Racha in Pattaya and Koh Si Chang. The island can be reached in less than half an hour from Pattaya city. Take a bus from Bangkok to Pattaya, which would take about 2-3 hours.
2. Koh Larn
Koh Larn is also known as Coral Island for its colourful corals that fringe the coast. There are six different beaches here for you to loll about on. The waters are ideal for swimming, turquoise-blue and teeming with corals. You can snorkel just off the shore, too.
This island is a haven for adventure enthusiasts. Whether you want to ride a jet ski, zoom around on a Banana Boat, soar in the skies, or walk on the ocean bed, Koh Larn has it all.
How To Reach Koh Larn: Get to Pattaya city and take a speedboat or ferry from there. The speedboat takes 20 minutes to reach, while the ferry takes about 45 minutes. The drive from Bangkok would take 2-3 hours.
3. Koh Khram
One of the relatively less popular islands, Koh Khram is loved by travellers precisely for that reason. Blessed with white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and corals, it’s ideal for that me-time you’ve been craving for.
Koh Khram is a base for the Thai navy so there’s not much happening around here, but you can spend a day kayaking and snorkelling. The shacks on the beaches sell delicious food, that taste even better after a session of underwater activity.
How To Reach Koh Khram: Reach Pattaya city and take a speedboat from there. The speedboat takes an hour to reach. The drive from Bangkok to Pattaya takes 2-3 hours.
4. Koh Samet
Koh Samet has become one of the most popular getaways from Bangkok. In fact, due to the rising number of luxury stay options, it’s even challenging tropical paradises like Phuket and Koh Samui.
Beach bums are spoilt for choice here. There are all kinds of beaches on the island, right from secluded patches to lively ones lined with bars. At night, they turn into venues for fire-juggling shows and barbecue parties.
You can spend the day exploring the island on a bike. There are many remote viewpoints from where you can enjoy unadulterated views of the ocean. Or you could snorkel in its electric-blue waters and end the day with a soothing beach massage.
How To Reach Koh Samet: Take a bus from Bangkok to Nuan Thip Pier. From there, you can take a ferry to reach Koh Samet. It would take around 5-6 hours for the entire journey.
5. Koh Talu
Koh Talu is a true slice of paradise. A small private island with beautiful white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and blissful silence, it’s the kind of place where you string up a hammock and read a novel. And while lolling on the beaches, you even might spot turtles laying eggs. Isn’t that incredible?
If you want to spice things up, try scuba diving, snorkelling, hiking and kayaking. After all this, you can pamper yourself at a nice massage place.
How To Reach Koh Talu: Get to Hua Hin from Bangkok by road. From there, a ferry can take you to Koh Talu. The total journey would take around 3.5 to 4 hours.
6. Koh Chang
Koh Chang is one of the biggest islands in Thailand, and yet has managed to remain relatively unexplored. It’s full of lush-green forests, some of them bordering the island’s flour-like beaches.
If you love nature, hike through its jungle-clad interiors to discover hidden waterfalls with the bluest of pools. But if you’re lazy, you can even go on an elephant trek.
Koh Chang is part of a national park, with plenty of hidden islets, surrounded by sparkling blue waters. Scuba diving in these waters is a fantastic experience.
The island maintains a perfect balance when it comes to nightlife. There are a good number of lively beach bars and chilled-out cafes for you unwind in.
How To Reach Koh Chang: Get to Trat from Bangkok by minibus. From Trat, you can take a ferry to Koh Chang. The total journey would take around 7-8 hours.
7. Koh Kood
One of Thailand’s few unspoilt islands, Koh Kood is the hidden paradise you’ve been looking for. Here, you’ll find stunning beaches, lush-green jungles and sleepy fishing villages.
During the day, you can explore the island on a bike, paddle out into the ocean, kayak along the coast, or just pamper yourself with a refreshing open-air massage. At night, you can sip cold beer while watching the sunset from a beachside cafe.
How To Reach Koh Kood: Get to Trat from Bangkok by minibus. Hop on the ferry from Laem Sok pier to reach Koh Kood. The total journey would take around 7-8 hours.
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