5 islands near Bangkok you should visit

If you have some few days or even a week to spend in Bangkok, you might want to look for some nearby destination you can enjoy your stay to get away from the busy city.

There are plenty of charming places within a short ride from Bangkok, even tropical paradise islands that are possible to reach with some few hours’ drive. Here there are the five nearby islands from Bangkok that you should not miss if you have time to spare.

1. Koh Laan

Koh Laan (Photo by Wikipedia)

Starting off with the closest island to the capital city of Thailand, Koh Laan is located in Chonburi Province, which is only a 2-hour drive from Bangkok. The island is part of the Gulf of Thailand and even it sits just 7 km away from the notorious Pattaya City. Koh Laan holds a great beauty of tropical nature of pristine beaches and crystal clear water.

There are around six beaches on the island, but the most famous one is Hat Ta Waen Beach due to its white powdery sandy beach. For those who love to enjoy the peacefulness, head to Hat Tien, which is smaller than Hat Ta Waen but has fewer beachgoers. Sports activities such as snorkeling, diving, and sea walking can also be enjoyed on Hat Thong Lang.

You can travel to Koh Laan from Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya city, there is a shared boat shuttle service taking 45 minutes to the island cost only 20 THB/person. If you want something more private, there is a speed boat service from Pattaya Pier, which costs around 1,500 to 2,000 THB accommodating up to 15 passengers.

2. Koh Samed

Koh Samet beach. Photo credit: A word in your ear

Located in the eastern region of Thailand, Koh Samed is part of Rayong province which is just around two to three hours drive from Bangkok. Koh Samed is one of the most famous island destinations among Thais due to its proximity to Bangkok. It is a perfect getaway for Bangkokian so it can be crowded during the weekend or long weekend.

Koh Samed sits just 6.5 km from Na Daan Pier in Rayong Province. It will take around 30 minutes to commute to the island. Packed with facilities and convenient transportation, Koh Samed also boasts beautiful thick sandy beaches. The most popular and populated beach is Hat Sai Kaew due to its quality of powdery white sand and long pristine beach. Again, if you want calmer and less crowded, head to Ao Wong Duan Beach or Ao Prao Beach – these two are as gorgeous as Hat Sai Kaew but fewer people.

3. Koh Chang

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is the third biggest island in Thailand. The island is in Trat province which is a 5-hr drive from Bangkok. You can also fly there by using Bangkok Airway service which will take an hour flight to Trat province. However, you will have to take a van around 30 to 40 minutes’ drive to the pier.

There are two piers that offer ferry services, they are Ao Thammachart and Centerpoint. Both provide services all day. However, Ao Thammachart pier’s location provides a closer route to the island which will take just a 25-minute ride to Koh Chang.

Koh Chang is rich in natural resources, this island has it all – from waterfalls and white sandy beaches to mangrove forests. You can rest assure that Koh Chang has preserved the natural tropical beauty for you to discover due to its status of a “national park”. The island is a perfect weekend destination for those who look for the lush area and peaceful place to rest and relax as Koh Chang still has many to offer. You can choose to kayak into the mangrove, trekking into the waterfall or just relax on the white secluded pristine beaches.

4. Koh Mak

Koh Mak

This small charming island is a neighbor to Koh Chang and Koh Kood in Trad Province. Situated in the east of the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Mak was named after one plant that often seen grew on the island back in the days: the Areca Nut. This island is a perfect paradise for those who in search of a quiet and isolated place to relax. Even the most popular beach on Mak Island is still possible to find a lovely secluded spot to drink in nature.

Koh Mak is not as hilly as Koh Chang, making it easier for roamers to travel around the island. There are four beaches on the island namely Ao Kao, Ao Suan Yai, Ao Nid and Ao Tan where visitors will find small accommodations and other facilities.

Beaches on Mak Island are fringed with palm and coconut trees where you will find great spots to escape from the sun. There are also many cute hotels and resorts and some of them offer a modified golf cart that  you can rent to explore the island.

To reach Mak Island, you have to take a boat from Laem Ngob Pier which is around 17 km from Trat. There you can choose either a speedboat (450/person) or a passenger boat (200/person). It will take 50 minutes to reach Koh Mak by a speed boat and 3 hours by a passenger boat, so choose wisely.

5. Koh Kood

Koh Kood (Photo by Wikipedia)

Koh Kood is the outermost island from ashore among the three Trad islands (Koh Chang and Koh Mak). The island is a paradise for snorkelers and divers as the sea is clear and there are many diving sites in and around the island.

The island is as private as Koh Mak but just bigger. Most of the accommodations are small ones and if you are looking for some international hotel chain, you won’t find any. However, there are local resort chains that offer relatively luxury and comfortable package for travels. Make sure to book it in advance or in a travel fair to get a good deal.

To reach the island, you have to take a boat service at the Laem Ngob in Trat province. It will take around an hour or a little more to reach Koh Kood by a speedboat and a good four to five hours by a slow boat.

Need more ideas for your trip? Check the top destinations in Thailand.