Top 5 beautiful & best islands near Bangkok you should visit
Although Thailand is well-known for its white-sand beaches, the majority of the famous islands are located in the south. The only way to get there is by plane or, at the very least, by car during the day. However, the following islands are very close to Bangkok, making it simple for you to choose your own route to Bangkok. You won’t have to wait long to send your friends pictures of beautiful beaches. Let’s take a look at the top 5 most beautiful and best islands near Bangkok that you should visit with Focus Asia Travel.
Koh Larn Island
As they search the horizon on the sea along the smooth white sand, many visitors are dissatisfied with Pattaya. If you want to enjoy a tropical paradise, the best option is to take a boat to nearby Koh Larn, also known as Coral Island. This island is possibly the only one near Bangkok that has a soft white sand beach as well as amenities like restaurants and water sports.
Koh Larn is very close, easy to get to and you can even return in the day if you take the time to start your journey early. The seafood restaurants along the beach are beautiful as the pictures. If you want to find some quiet, catch the Songtheaw taxi to go to the west coast for relaxation.
Koh Larn Island
+ Accommodation: Koh Larn Island is quite small and not yet widely exploited, but there are two quite interesting places near the beach: Xanadu Beach Resort and Lareena Resort by The Sea.
+ How to get here: The bus routes from Ekkamai or Victory Monument (fare 150baht) to Pattaya. Pattaya’s Bali Hai pier takes about 50 minutes (50baht fare) to Koh Larn. High-speed trains are available at 300baht per person and cost half the time.
Koh Si Chang
This is the island that is closest to Bangkok, Koh Si Chang or Sichang is very popular with both tourists and locals wanting to relax after a stressful work week.
The sea lovers may not be impressed with the quality of the sand in Koh Si Chang. But to compensate for this deficiency, the island gives you the space of ancient fishing villages as well as the small pagodas and the road secluded lagoon with bustling harbor with scuba diving activities. Besides, the island’s dining options are very cheap and fresh with dishes like grilled fish and fresh squid.
Koh Si Chang
+ Accommodation: The facilities on the island are quite basic, most visitors arrive during the day and choose to stay in luxury hotels in Pattaya.
+ How to get here: Take the bus from Ekkamai Bangkok to Sri Racha Bus Station (100Baht fare and 2 hours). From Sri Racha Port, there are ferries departing at an interval of one hour for 50 baht for one way trip about 40 minutes. In addition, more convenient, you can explore Koh Si Chang during the day away from Pattaya.
Koh Samed Island
Koh Samed, also known as Samet, is a famous destination for young people and students for weekend parties. It is the hottest island near Bangkok. It may take some time and effort to reach the island, so this is not the option for those who want to go on the day.
Aside from the freshness, Koh Samed is also proud of its many white-sand beaches, which stretch as far as beautiful beaches in southern Thailand, only a few hours away from Bangkok. This is also the location with the hottest weather in the country. It is an ideal location for those seeking dry weather during the long rainy season. You should be prepared to spend the weekend in overcrowded hotels, bars, and clubs.
Koh Samed Island
+ Accommodation: There are 2-star bungalows to 5-star resorts, depending on your choice
+ How to get there: Take a bus from Ekkamai Station or Victory Monument in Bangkok to Ban Phe Pier in Rayong (250 Baht fare, 3 hours and a half). High-speed trains to the island take about 20 minutes or the ferry to one hour at 200baht, it takes 1 hour to the island.
Koh Kret Island
Of course, Koh Kret is not your average Thai island. The island is only about 2 square kilometers in size and is located on the Chao Phraya River. It is well-known for the Mon tribe, which dominated the island during the canal’s construction in the 18th century. You won’t find pristine beaches or blue turquoise water washing up on the shore, but this place is worth a day trip. Koh Kret, just a few kilometers from the city center, offers a glimpse of old Bangkok, lush greenery, temporary roads, and dangerous bungalows.
Koh Kret Island
+ How to get here: Take a taxi to Koh Kret Pier and take a boat ride (more than 1 minute). Another great way to explore this mysterious island is a cycling tour, where you will be met at the hotel and walk around the island with your bike.
Koh Kram Yai
Although the island is only a few kilometers off the coast of Pattaya, when you arrive near this deserted island, you will feel like you just survived a shipwreck. There are no hotel, no restaurant, and no bar. It completely separates from the outside world.
The topography of the island has hampered development because the majority of the island is surrounded by sharp rocks and cliffs. Adventurers can come here to enjoy the serene, tranquil, and picturesque long coastline. You should bring food and drink with you, and keep in mind that you will not be able to visit the island during the turtle breeding season.
Koh Kram Yai
+ Accommodation: Unless you are a Robinson Crusoe, let’s stay at Buritara Resort & Spa near the main island.
+ How to get there: Go to Sattahip (Chonburi) by Ekkach bus in Bangkok. There are no ferries on the island, but many tour operators in Sattahip are ready to take you to Koh Khram Yai for a day at 1000baht.
Let’s visit these beautiful islands to feel relaxed and immerse you in the nature and culture of your self-guided Bangkok trip. Surely, you will forever be attached to beautiful paintings in this place.
