Thailand is known for many things – ornate temples, friendly locals, delicious food and exotic wildlife. But perhaps the best things about it are the beautiful Thai islands. They have something to offer everyone – from white, sandy beaches where you can enjoy a cocktail in a hammock to world-class shopping centres and unmissable nightlife; there are many things to do.

Here at Vivutravel, we have compiled a list of the five must-see islands for you to visit in a Thailand tour package.

1.    KohSamui
Located in SuratThani province and, with a ferry ride that is less than an hour in duration, KohSamui is one of the essential islands to visit on your Thailand tour. There are many things to do here; unlike many of the Thai islands it boasts a Central shopping centre with many designer shops, just a hop, skip and a jump away from the famous Chaweng Beach. If you’re looking for a quieter beach, Lamai beach has clear water and an abundance of luxury resorts.

The Sunday night walking street market is a culinary hot spot, with locals and expats alike offering delicious food at bargain prices, and there are many handcrafted trinkets up for sale as well.

The Hin Ta and HinYai rock formations are worth a visit, as is the neighboring island of Koh Tao, which offers unforgettable diving and snorkeling packages at rock-bottom prices.

2.    KohPhangan
KohPhangan is synonymous with the famous Full Moon parties; monthly occurrences where thousands of revelers gather on the beach in order to have a good time and dance the night away. Often with famous DJs spinning their favourite tunes and alcohol aplenty, it’s a great place to unwind and enjoy yourself. But if partying isn’t your thing, don’t worry – there are many more things to do here! On the north of the island lays Mae Haat beach, which is unique as two differing currents meet here, making quite the spectacle as you see a narrow strip of land separating two different coloured bodies of water.

Whilst you are here, you can also learn to cook. Cooking classes are a great way to learn about Thai culture, meet people and learn recipes in order to recreate all those yummy dishes that you ate on your Thailand tour. If you’d rather eat than cook, the Tong Sala night market has fresh seafood that shouldn’t be missed.

3.    Similan Islands
Located in Phang Na province to the west of Thailand, the Similan Islands are the best of the Thai islands for diving. The water here is amongst the clearest in Thailand, with great visibility for both diving and snorkeling. For a more relaxing dive, there is the eastern side, where beautiful schools of fish and colorful corals can be viewed at your leisure. The western side of the island however offers a series of maze-like rock structures for you to swim amongst and through. The Similan Islands are perhaps best known for the Elephant Rock Head and East of Eden dive sites, which have proven popular with divers due to their rock formations and stunning beauty below the waves. Above the waves, the islands themselves are very beautiful; white, sandy beaches, thick green forests and huge boulders that look precariously balanced are typical of the typography of the 11 islands, which are very close to paradise.

4.    Koh Phi Phi
The island of Koh Phi Phi in Krabi province is possibly the most famous of all the islands in Thailand, and with good reason. Koh Phi Phi’s fame is largely down to the success of the movie “The Beach”, where many viewers fell in love with the island and wished to visit it for themselves. It is home to Maya Bay, a stunningly beautiful bay surrounded by limestone karsts, which has proven to be a popular place to take a picture and to appreciate the beauty of nature, but be sure to get there early as it soon becomes busy. For those that wish to be more active on their Thailand tour, the Phi Phi viewpoint hike is a 30 minute hike which is definitely worth the effort, as those who undertake it are rewarded with a spectacular view from the top of two of Phi Phi’s beaches divided by a thin strip of land. Phi Phi is also home to a vast array of animals. Shark diving is available for those who like to live life on the wild side, whilst Monkey Beach offers its visitors the chance to relax in the company of many wild monkeys. Like most Thai islands, it is home to several bars and restaurants that can keep you entertained during your stay, and its night markets are a great way to spend an evening.

5.    KohLipe
KohLipe is a prime example of the beauty of nature and all it has to offer. Located in Satun province not far from the Malaysian border, KohLipe is set to be the next big place to go on a Thailand tour as people are starting to find out about its gorgeous beaches and turquoise waters. KohLipe of often referred to as Thailand’s best kept secret. It is a lot quieter than most of the Thai islands, meaning you can get a taste of the real, authentic Thai island life,but there are still plenty of things to do here. Walking between the two main beaches takes only twenty minutes, and the famous stone arch from the beach into the water is one of the most photogenic scenes in Thailand. Kayaking along the coast is popular, but if you’re not in the mood for anything to strenuous then getting a massage or joining in a yoga class as you watch the sun come down is an experience you’re bound not to forget.