5 Islands Along the Gulf of Thailand You Definitely Must Visit.

As we approach the second half of the year 2015, I believe it is essential we reward ourselves for surviving the first half of the year - by treating our-lovely-hardworking-selves to a little vacation (by the beach) of course! This time round, the islands featured can be found along the Gulf of Thailand, which is on the East coast of Thailand. Unlike the many islands which can be found in the Andaman Sea, the inhabited islands along the Gulf of Thailand are few and is home to the third largest island in Thailand - Koh Samui. Read on to find out about the islands you definitely need to visit along the Gulf of Thailand.

Koh Samui

A familiar name to many, Koh Samui is one of the largest islands along the gulf and remains as a favorite destination to many. If you are looking for a developed island with tons of things to do, then consider visiting Koh Samui. The island is pretty huge so if you are planning on exploring every nook and cranny of the place, walking is not advisable. Rent a motorbike instead, it costs around THB200/day which is much more affordable than riding a songthaew which would cost you around THB100-600/person depending on where you are going. There is something for everybody here: if you love partying and the nightlife, pay a visit to Chaweng beach for a wide range of clubs and bars to suit your fancy; if you are more culturally-oriented, drop by the Big Buddha and Guan Yu shrines which will not disappoint you.

Getting there: You can fly directly to Koh Samui via Firefly or Malaysia Airlines but it may be costly. A more economical option would be to fly to Surat Thani via Air Asia and take a ferry (Seatran) or speedboat (Lomprayah) to Koh Samui. It's about a 2-hour journey from Donsak Pier, Surat Thani to Nathon Pier, Koh Samui by Seatran ferry. The Lomprayah speedboat would get you there faster (around 1 hour 15 minutes) but be prepared for a bumpy ride.

Did you know? 90% of the residents here are Thais who have migrated to the island from other Thai provinces. As a result, there is a mixture of cultures and ceremonies which can be seen on the island.

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park

A must see if you are to visit Koh Samui. An entrance fee of THB200 will be charged by the park rangers upon arrival. Take a day trip to this beautiful marine park surrounded by its 42 islands. The number of caves, lagoons, and white sandy beaches belonging to the islands are numerous so explore to your heart's content! The waters here are fairly shallow with beautiful coral which makes it a lovely place for snorkeling as well. Visit Koh Wua Talap, where you can get a panoramic view of the national park from it's prominent viewpoint. Another must-see island would be Koh Mae Ko.This is where you can see the famous Emerald Lake enclosed by limestone cliffs. To reach the lake, be prepared for a 40-minute climb but trust me, it will all be worth it once you lay eyes on the beauty at the end of your journey.

Getting there: The journey there would take around an hour depending on your mode of transport (speedboat or tour boat) from Koh Samui. Visitors usually take a day trip to the park, but if you are planning on staying, make sure you book your bungalows in advance as there are only a few available on Koh Wua Talap.

Did you know? Koh Mae Ko means Mother Island and Koh Wua Talap, Sleeping Cow Island in the native Thai language.

Koh Phangan

This island's name is synonymous with the world-famous Full Moon Party. The party was first held in 1985 with only a mere 20-30 travelers who attended the event. 30 years later, this party draws close to 30,000 people each month during the full moon. Depending on your interests, you would either choose to immediately skip this island or fly straight to it. Just be prepared for rowdy crowds, fire-breathers, and really potent booze. If you aren't a partygoer though, don't just skip this island. You can still enjoy the serene beaches far from Haad Rin (the beach where the party takes place) such as Bottle Beach and Haad Yao Beach after paying a visit to breathtaking waterfalls located around the island.

Getting there: As the island does not have an airport, you would need to fly to Surat Thani and subsequently take a ferry or speedboat to the island. I would advise you to visit Koh Samui before heading off to Phangan, as the journey by ferry from Samui will take not more than an hour.

Did you know? Besides the Full Moon Party, there are also other parties such as Half Moon Festival, Black Moon Culture, Jungle Experience, and Shiva Moon Party.

Koh Tao

Famous for it's world-class diving sites, this island is one not to be missed. If you are more keen on discovering the beauty which lies beneath the sea instead of lazing on the beach, go on a snorkeling trip or take a scuba-diving/PADI course if you are up for it. The calm and serene surroundings of the island makes it a suitable location to practice yoga which helps one to cultivate ways of ultimately focusing on breathing, which will be helpful during diving. So maybe going underwater isn't really your thing and you're a land animal; Koh Tao still delivers. It's hilly terrain means challenging hikes which rewards you with jaw-dropping scenic views you probably would not be able to experience anywhere else.

Getting there: Like Phangan, Tao does not have an airport so you would have to travel by sea. A ferry from Phangan would take you about 1.5 hours to reach Ko Tao whereas it would take you close to 4-hours if you begin your journey from Donsak Pier in Surat Thani. I guess you know which route you're taking.

Did you know? Koh Tao translates directly into Turtle Island. It was named as so because of it's turtle-like shape.

Koh Nang Yuan

A picture paints a thousand words. Nang Yuan is an island nearby Koh Tao where a possible heaven on earth exists (as you can see in the picture above). Beautiful corals, sandy white beaches, and the clear blue sea are only a few of the many reasons as to why you should pay a visit to Koh Nang Yuan at least once in your life time. As it is a fairly small island, most travelers drop by for a full-day trip on the island and then head back to Koh Tao for the remaining of the day. Among the many activities available are snorkeling, hiking, and the latest attraction - ziplining! It so happens that Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao are homes to the world's first inter-island zipline, so make sure you don't miss out on this one.

Getting there: Koh Nang Yuan is only a 15-20 minute journey away from Koh Tao. You can opt for tour packages from Lomprayah speedboat services but a cheaper and more flexible alternative would be to hire a longtail boat which would cost you about THB100/way.

Did you know? Aluminium cans and plastic bottles are not allowed on the island to preserve cleanliness, so bring your own drinks in glass bottles or containers.

Well, I hope this post has given you more than enough inspiration to  give yourself a break from work and spend some leisure time with your loved ones or yourself. Traveling to Thailand would not burn a hole in your pocket if you know how to do it right. After all, you wouldn't be shopping on an island - or would you? For the best hotel and travel deals, try taking a look at Agoda as sometimes they feature well-known hotels at super-low prices. If you are up for saving more, check out ShopCoupons' Agoda page for even greater deals and discounts. Have a great weekend ahead!

Sources: www.lonelyplanet.com | www.alexinwanderland.com

By Andrew Tai
May 29, 2015 | Seasonal