Thailand's Secret Islands and Hidden Beaches

bang-berd — Ban Berd is a fabulous hidden beach on the Gulf of Thailand not that far from Hua Hin.

Getting to a secret, deserted island is one of many travelers’ biggest dreams. In Thailand you can fulfill that dream, and even surprisingly easily.

Southern Thailand has several deserted islands, which have been turned to national parks and protected from development. They make great playgrounds to feel like Robinson Crusoe, however, without being completely shipwrecked.

Ko Tarutao – Thailand’s Biggest Deserted Island

Thailand’s biggest deserted island is Ko Tarutao, a mountainous and jungle covered island just off the Malaysian border. You can camp on Ko Tarutao’s long and beautiful, secluded beaches and hike in the jungle. You don’t need to hunt or fish your food, though. The park rangers guarding the island operate few simple restaurants, and they rent simple bungalows too.

Ko Tarutao has a real feeling of an isolated island, especially if you go to the island’s most remotest beaches. The only downside of Tarutao is that there is not much snorkeling to do.

Ko Adang – Fabulous Snorkeling on a Deserted Island

Another attractive deserted island is Ko Adang next to the increasingly popular island destination Ko Lipe. In Ko Adang you can sleep in a tent or in comfortable cabins, rented out by the park rangers. Fabulous coral reefs begin right from the shore.

And best of all: if you get bored in your solitude, busy Ko Lipe is just a 15-minutes boat ride away. The closeness to Ko Lipe makes Ko Adang feel less private than Ko Tarutao, though.

Ko Adang is a perfect island for enthusiastic snorkelers, less for hardcore solitude seekers.

Ko Tarutao and Ko Adang are just two of Thailand’s many deserted islands. Read more: Thailand’s Top 5 Deserted Islands

Ko Phayam – Quiet But Not Exactly a Deserted Island

Truth to be told, deserted islands often end up to feel too lonely for most travelers. Many dream of getting to a deserted island, but once there travelers quickly become bored and start missing for a good coup of coffee.

For those kinds of people, who look for an island away from the crowds, but still want to be able to enjoy some modern comforts, a good destination is Ko Phayam.

For years Ko Phayam used to be a “secret island” of which only a few had heard of. Today, the island enjoys already cult status among hippies and backpackers, but the atmosphere is still very relaxed and calm.

Secluded Beaches South of Hua Hin

ban grood — Where’s everyone? Welcome to Ban Krut, your perfect choice of a quiet beach.

This may come as a surprise to many, but secluded beaches can be found surprisingly close to popular tourist spots too.

Just an hour or so south of Hua Hin begins a 200 kilometers long strip of untouched Thailand, where you will find deserted beaches and picturesque wooden towns. Nice beach towns on the strip are Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ban Krut, for instance.

Both towns have long and beautiful beaches just on their footsteps. And if you are looking for a really deserted beach, rent a car or a motorcycle, and drive to the fabulous Ban Berd Beach from Ban Krut.

Khanom, Thailand’s New Beach Paradise

One of the great things about Thailand is that you can always find new quiet beach paradises, when the old ones start to feel too crowded and developed.

One such place is Khanom, situated on the coast just next to the popular Ko Samui Island. On Khanom’s long and stunning beaches you can often see only your own footprints.

The best part of Khanom is that despite its low-key status you can still find some nice restaurants, and a few elegant hotels catering for even the most sophisticated tastes. The leading hotel in Khanom is Aava Resort & Spa, one of Thailand’s best kept hotel secrets.