When you look up the best islands in Thailand, the top three are on Thailand's east coast situated in the Gulf of Thailand, clustered not too far from the mainland. Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan have everything you want in an island getaway, each one known for its own little thing, having its own character and charm.

While the west coast islands in the Andaman Sea are beautiful, some more worth your time than others (Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe are dope), if you’re short on time, skip them all together and head to the east.

How to Get to Thailand's East Coast Islands

You have a few options to get to Thailand's east coast islands:

First, you can fly to Ko Samui from most Thai airports. It’s a tiny, open air, flowery airport. I think it only has one runway. It’s government owned which makes it a little more pricey than the other options, but the convenience is well worth it.

Second, is a fly/ferry combo: you can fly into Surat Thani airport on the mainland, then take a ferry to the islands. A bit cheaper, but more time consuming.

Third is a bus/ferry combo. You can take a bus from most cities in Thailand to Surat Thani, then the ferry to the islands. Cheapest, but most time consuming.

Island Hopping is a Breeze

Once you’re on any of the islands, its a breeze traveling between them. Each island has a major ferry port that takes you to any neighboring island. Use 123go.asia to check ferry times and duration (but don’t book online, book through your hostel or hotel, or buy them when you’re there).

Rainy Season Lasts a Little Longer There

Be aware: rainy season on the east coast is a little longer than in the rest of the country. It can go well into December, so even if it’s sunny in Bangkok or Phuket, you may find yourself reaching for a poncho on Ko Samui. It’s still a warm rain, but does make scootering, beaching and sightseeing a bit more difficult and less pleasurable.

I got caught in a storm on Koh Samui and ended up staying three more days, but can’t complain about an extended stay, chilling beachfront with good people, good food, and good drinks.

Check out the best of Thailand's east coast islands: