31 Oct Top Experiences In The Thai Islands You Can’t Miss

With so many amazing things to do in the Thai Islands, it’s hard to choose which ones are the best to make the most out of your trip. So, to help you, we’ve compiled a list of the top experiences in the Thai Islands you absolutely cannot miss.

1) Rock Climb in Railay

Whether you are an experienced climber, or a total novice like myself, this is something you cannot miss. The adrenaline rush is awesome, the views of the ocean and the endless limestone cliffs are enough to keep you going, and the beach is perfect for relaxing after a day out on the rocks. After all, it’s often considered one of the best places in the world to go rock climbing. And we certainly agree.

Try: Base Camp Tonsai

Read about our experience here

2) Practice Yoga

The temples, the beach, the jungle, they all inspire you to stretch your body and your mind. Mats on the sand overlooking the ocean or a zen garden? Open spaces with the smell of burning incense on the balmy breeze? Yes, please.

Try Oasis Yoga in Koh Lanta, Grounded in Koh Tao, or The Yogarden in Koh Samui.

3) Kayak in Angthong National Marine Park

These jungle islands are stunning. They’re not easy to reach, but that’s part of why they’re so special. They even inspired Alex Garland’s famed novel The Beach.  There are several tours that go to the park departing from Koh Samui, either by speedboat or slow boat, but we recommend one that also takes you kayaking. Exploring inside the caves and venturing into secret lagoons of  blues and greens, makes it even better.

Try: Blue Starts Kayaking and Snorkeling Tours

4) Snorkel in Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a world-class destination for scuba diving. Given its impressive underwater world and visibility, it’s also perfect for snorkeling.

Rent a kayak in Sai Daeng Beach, paddle to Shark Island, and take out you visor. With some luck you can even spot some reef sharks! You can also go on a snorkeling cruise with Good Time Adventures and they will take you to quiet bays. Or you can just lounge on a gorgeous beach like Aow Leuk, rent a snorkel and head out on your own. Either way, it’ll be one of the highlights of your Thailand trip.

Read about all that there is to do in Koh Tao here

5) Visit a Buddhist Temple. Or two or three.

Buddhism is deeply rooted in Thai culture, so it’s an experience you have to live. Our favorite temples are Tiger Cave in Krabi and the Big Buddha in Koh Samui.

6) Drink coconut water

Buy a freshly-cut coconut. Sip. Relish. Repeat.

7) Watch the sunset from a SUP

There’s something special about paddling out to the horizon while the sky comes alive as the sun sets. The show is magnificent from the beach. From the ocean it’s even better.

Try: SUP Tao Friendly staff, great SUPS plus sunsets in Koh Tao are stupidly beautiful.

8) Sleep in a Floating Lake*

Ever dreamed of glamping in a National Park, of opening your bedroom door right after you wake up and jumping straight into a perfectly blue lake? Well, your dreams can come true in Rainforest Camp.  Trust me, this is something you definitely do not want to miss.

Read about our amazing experience here

9) Bathe Elephants (without riding them)*

Want an elephant experience in Thailand but do not want to ride them? Elephant Hills, which also runs Rainforest Camp, offers an unforgettable experience with these friendly giants. You watch them take a mud bath, scrub them clean, make lunch for them and then you finally get to feed them. It’s heart-warming and super fun.

Read all about our experience here

10) Make local friends in Koh Klang

There are practically no tourists in the tiny island of Koh Klang,  so there are many opportunities to mingle with the locals. If you’re lucky, they can even ask you to play soccer with them. Definitely one of the most special experiences we had in Thailand.

Read about our experience here

11) Learn Muay Thai

What can be more enriching than learning a sport in its birthplace? You shouldn’t leave Thailand without taking at least one Muay Thai class. The trainers in Island Muay Thai in Koh Tao are professional, friendly, knowledgeable and they will push you to get better. At the end of the day (or month) you will leave knowing how to kick some ass.

Read about our experience here

12)  Suffer through a Thai Massage

I will never, in my right mind, have a Thai Massage again. But, I’m also glad I had one because now I know what the deal is about (pure unadulterated pain, that’s what). I wouldn’t have missed something so uniquely Thai.

Read about our (painful) experience here

13) Read a good book on a hammock on the beach

Reading at the beach is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Add a hammock to the equation and you’ve got paradise on earth. Our favorite hammocks can be found at Lym’s in Koh Lanta, or at any bar in Tonsai.

14) Take a Thai Cooking Class

It’s always fun to learn how to cook your favorite dishes from the country you’re visiting. Especially with a cuisine as rich as the Thai. Imagine making lime coconut soup, stir-fried holy basil, or tofu chili with cashew nuts from scratch and then getting to eat it all.

Try: Time For Lime in Koh Lanta

Read about our yummy experience here

15) Eat in a Night Market

Thailand is famous for both its cuisines and its markets. One experience you can’t miss is walking around the food stalls, their smell wafting down the street, and choosing the right one for you. Waiting for your food while you look around, taking in the locals eating next to you, the chaos of sounds from the sizzling veggies, the boiling noodles, and the blended fruits. Finally enjoying every bite of your spicy dinner, knowing you wouldn’t have this experience anywhere else.

16) Explore an island on motorbike

The quintessential Thai experience is renting a motorbike. There’s no doubt about that. Once you have one (and the hard-to-find helmet) set out to explore an island with no destination in mind and no map to guide you. Get lost and enjoy it and come back to let us know what you found.

17) Sip cocktails in a Beach Bar in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is famous for its glamour. You can visit on a budget but you still need to have proper cocktails on a beach bar. Our fave was Coco Tams Bar In Fisherman’s Wharf. Bean bags on the sand, swings at the bar, nice chill music. Great place for some cocktail-sipping sunset-watching nights.

18) Hike to the viewpoint of Koh Nang Yuan

The island of Hok Nang Yuan is only a 15-minute boat trip from Koh Tao and it’s the only place in the world where three different beaches are connected by a sand strip. Enjoy the beaches, and the warm waters. When refreshed, take the hike up to the viewpoint where you can be a witness of the island’s uniqueness. A sight you won’t forget.

19) Fly on a Trapeze

Koh Tao is host to one of the most fun activities on the Thai Islands: a trapeze class with Good Time Adventures. The exhilaration that you get from flying through the jungle holding on for dear life to a trapeze is an experience you simply cannot miss.

Read about our experience here

20) Eat a Fried Ice Cream Roll in Phuket

In my opinion, Phuket isn’t worth visiting. But if you find yourself there you can’t leave without trying the fried ice cream rolls. For this dessert, milk and your desired toppings are poured on an iced grill, and then chopped. When the mixture freezes, it’s flattened and then rolled. These ice-cream rolls are sooo good. And you’ll have to take my word for it because I usually don’t like ice-cream. My favorite: Oreo.

I had one every day. Whoops.

The truth is that whatever you do, the Thai Islands will always have something fun/relaxing/adventurous/stunning to offer. So if you haven’t visited yet, make sure to bump them to the top of your list.

What are your favorite activities on the Thai Islands? Did we miss any? Talk to us on the comment section below.

*Elephant Hillls and Rainforest Camp operate in Khao Sok National Park. Although not technically an island, we’re including them on this list because of the convenience of reaching the park from several islands like Phuket and Koh Samui.