Move On, Visit These 11 Best Alternatives to Phuket Instead!

When I backpacked across Thailand for two months, Phuket was the city I first landed in. I spent a total of 5 nights in the “world’s most overcrowded tourist destination”, and honestly, I couldn’t have gotten out of there fast enough! Sure, I stayed in two of the most stunning hotels here on the whole trip – Thavorn Palm and Thavorn Beach. But the overcrowded beaches, exceptionally high cost of stay and dining, and long travel times, just didn’t cut it for me. And even though Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, tourism is mostly concentrated in a few odd places like Karon, Patong and Old Town which makes it even easier to get swept in the crowds of unchecked mass tourism, making it all the more important to look for the best alternatives to Phuket!

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11 Best Alternatives to Phuket

Let’s be real – Phuket must definitely have been a sought after destination in the initial days of Thailand’s tourism. But now, there are way too many options for those seeking sun, sea, and vibrant nightlife in Thailand, to choose overcrowded and overpriced Phuket. For cheaper, quieter and more authentic experiences, check out some best alternatives to Phuket for your next Thai holiday.

From the serene beauty of Koh Samui and its lush landscapes to the raw, unparalleled adventures that Koh Mook has to offer. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, this guide to the best alternatives to Phuket will help you discover new paradises to satisfy your wanderlust!

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta was the very first island I landed on after my stint with Phuket, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for it as it is easily one of the best alternatives to Phuket. I spent 10 days here recovering from the madness and fast paced life of Phuket. I slowed down, and gave myself plenty of days to “do nothing” and an equal number of days to live out my adventures under the sun. I went snorkelling here, I went kayaking in the mangroves and inside a limestone cave – yes, you heard that right! Talk about things you couldn’t have done in Phuket, amiright!

Koh Lanta is also a great spot if you’re looking to indulge in meaningful experiences. You can check out the Lanta Animal Welfare and Following Giants – an ethical elephant sanctuary. There are plenty of secluded beaches to spend your time swimming, snorkelling or just bumming it out, and a few worthy look outs for the crimson sunsets, making this one of the best alternatives to Phuket.

Getting to Koh Lanta is easy. A direct AC bus from Phuket to Koh Lanta takes you all the way and even drops you to your hotel! I stayed at Baan Ok Chawkoh which was very nice, clean and budget friendly). The journey was comfortable and the bus stopped for lunch midway, and the entire journey can take about 4 to 6 hours depending on your driver. For all my travels within Thailand, I used 12goAsia which was wonderful to get me from point A to point B!

Koh Mook

By Claire of The Restless Beans

When searching for some of the best alternatives to Phuket, you can’t go wrong with the ‘Pearl Island’, Koh Mook. It is an exquisite little utopia off the coast of southern Thailand’s Trang province, bounded by thick jungle, beach huts, long stretches of white sand and more coconuts than you can count. Sold on this best alternative to Phuket yet?

Koh Mook is little visited – there are few tourists, zero 7-Elevens and no cars. It’s a far cry from Phuket’s wires, traffic, malls and high-rise hotels! Thatched huts are the norm, fishermen live in stilted shelters and seafood is straight from the sea to your plate.

The island is famed for the stunning Emerald Cove, a hidden, inland cave with a beach, accessible by kayak or by tour. It also proudly boasts two of the finest beaches in Thailand, Sivalai and Charlie, perfect for a sunrise stroll and a sunset cocktail. Koh Mook also has fantastic hiking through intact, protected jungle and day trips to nearby islands, such as Koh Ngai and Kradan, the latter featuring some of the most impressive snorkelling in Thailand – exactly why Koh Mook is best alternatives to Phuket!

To reach Koh Mook, there are ferries and speedboats that operate from all the popular tourist hubs, including Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and Koh Phi Phi. These can be booked in advance via <12GoAsia> or in person on arrival at each island. The nearest airport to Koh Mook is Trang Airport, which is around one hour by taxi away on the mainland and a 15-minute longtail boat.

Check out the best hotels in Koh Mook here!

Railay Beach

By Catherine of Nomadicated

Escape from the large crowds and high prices of Phuket to Railay Beach, a destination in Krabi Province characterized by towering limestone cliffs that encircle the entire beach. While Railay Beach is still popular, it is much smaller and secluded compared to Phuket. As night falls, most day-trippers depart, leaving behind a tranquil beach retreat great for romantic dinners and swimming with the bioluminescent plankton, one of the best alternatives to Phuket.

While the sightseeing spots are all spread out in Phuket, at Railay Beach, all the attractions are easily within walking distance. Explore every section of Railay’s beaches, including Railay West, Railay East, and Phra Nang Cave Beach. Each beach has unique vistas of limestone cliffs where you can swim to secret shores, hike into bat caves, or lounge the day away. 

As one of Asia’s best rock climbing spots, Railay Beach has over 700 rock climbing routes. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced multi-pitch climber, challenge yourself by hanging in caves over fantastic ocean views, easily making it one of the best alternatives to Phuket.

There are some challenging hikes scattered throughout Railay Beach. Among them, the hike to the viewpoint at the top of Railay West is particularly popular. This trail continues to Princess Lagoon, where a serene emerald-green lagoon awaits, providing a hidden oasis to cool off. 

To reach Railay Beach, various transportation options are available to Krabi, or you can fly directly to Krabi International Airport. Once you arrive, take a taxi or shuttle to Ao Nang Pier, where long-tail boats will transport you to Railay Beach. Alternatively, you can take a ferry or a private boat tour from Phuket directly to Railay.

Koh Phangan

By Sean of LivingOutLau

Koh Phangan, also spelt as Koh Pha Ngan, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is one of the country’s most beautiful islands. As the fifth largest island in Thailand, it is one of the best alternatives to Phuket for travellers who are mainly looking to avoid crowds and save on the budget.

Phuket is one of the most touristy places in Thailand and that often strips away its local charm. On the other hand, the island of Koh Phangan is a lot less developed, so travellers can still see authentic Thai culture and lifestyle while enjoying tourism-friendly infrastructure.

Many might believe that the beaches in Koh Phangan aren’t as nice as the ones in Phuket. But to be honest, they are as nice, and often a lot less crowded than the ones in Phuket – so you could say they are in fact better! And because the island is smaller and more accessible, you can easily go to a different one if you prefer.

Another reason why Koh Phangan is one of the best alternatives to Phuket is the legendary full moon party. This monthly event attracts travellers from around the world to Haad Rin Beach, and people party until the sun rises!

However, getting to Koh Phangan is slightly more difficult than getting to Phuket. You could either fly to Ko Samui Airport and take a ferry to Koh Phangan from there, or even get on a boat from Surat Thani if you are on the mainland, to get to Koh Phangan.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang was the last island stop on my two months in Thailand and it was definitely one of the best islands in Thailand. Its sheer size is one reason why I could keep going there over and over again. Koh Chang is the second largest island in Thailand. It’s a great spot for scuba diving with frequent whaleshark sightings, the top reason why it’s one of the best alternatives to Phuket! There are five waterfalls in the national park, each worth visiting. There are a lot of kayaking options to choose from, as well as Muay Thai classes if you’re interested.

When I came back, I often proclaimed, “If there’s one Thai island I must live in, it would be Koh Chang”. And I stand by it, as it is by far one of the best alternatives to Phuket. The west coast is more popular with travellers with more markets, restaurants and hotels. But if you’re looking for a rawer, more authentic feel of the island, consider staying on the east coast as we did and absolutely loved the tranquillity. (The drive from the east coast to the west coast is incredibly beautiful too).

So if your question is, Koh Chang vs Phuket, you already know which one I’m going to pick!

Getting to Koh Chang is easy. There are direct buses every morning from Bangkok and the ferry + hotel drop-off is included in your ticket. The journey takes 7 hours in total and is very comfortable, with a lunch stop en route.

Koh Tao

By Michael of Time Travel Turtle

Of the main string of tourist islands in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao is the smallest, the furthest from the mainland, and the quietest. It’s this relative isolation, free of big developments or loud parties, makes it one of the best alternatives to Phuket. Once mainly the domain of scuba divers, it’s becoming a popular destination for people looking for something a bit more relaxed than Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.

Even though Koh Tao is small, steep mountains through the interior mean it can still take a bit of time to get from one side to the other. That sometimes means a bit of an adventure to reach the various beaches – but that’s part of the fun.

Other than the beaches, there are quite a few things to do on Koh Tao, including hiking up to viewpoints (many of which have cold drinks waiting), learning to scuba dive, a few temples and other cultural sights, as well as cooking classes. Snorkelling in Tanote Bay is also quite popular in Koh Tao.

One of the top activities is a boat trip around Koh Tao, stopping at different bays to snorkel and some time at the picturesque Koh Nang Yuan, a small island just 500 metres off the coast, making it one of the best alternatives to Phuket.

To get to Koh Tao, you can take a ferry from Koh Samui (where there’s an airport with regular flights from Bangkok) via Koh Phangan, with a few options offering different speeds for different prices. Or there are mainland ferries from Surat Thani or Chumphon.

Koh Jum

By Annelies of Travelers & Dreamers

Koh Jum, or Koh Pu, is considered one of the best alternatives to Phuket if you are a traveller seeking a quieter and more laid-back island experience in Thailand. Unlike the bustling and touristy atmosphere of Phuket, Koh Jum offers a peaceful and serene environment. It’s less crowded and has a slower pace of life, making it ideal if you are looking to relax during your holiday.

Koh Jum boasts stunning natural beauty with pristine beaches, lush jungles, and clear waters. The island’s landscape is more untouched and less developed compared to Phuket, offering a more authentic tropical paradise.

There isn’t that much to do on Koh Jum except lazing your days away at the beach and taking a dip in the sea. If you feel up for it though, you can get active, by hiking to to the top of Mount Pu, kayaking all the way from Kubua Beach to Freedom Beach, or cycling around the island. Snorkelling is also possible at Koh Jum. At low tide, you can see a variety of corals and big schools of tiny tropical fish. Koh Jum might not be for everyone but, if you are a traveller that likes to stay away from crowds and prefers an authentic Thai island vibe, then Koh Jum is for you.

You can get speedboats from both Phuket and Krabi directly to Koh Jum via the Tiger Line Ferry website. If you want to have even more of an adventure, you can consider getting a taxi or songthaew to Leam Kruat Pier and from there board a local longtail boat to Koh Jum. The prices for these are much cheaper as it is the local way of getting around!

Koh Tarutao

By Dotti of Travel Oasis

For those who are looking for the perfect balance of island life and adventure, you can’t get better than Koh Tarutao. Think white sand beaches, interesting wildlife encounters, tropical waterfalls and hiking trails galore.  And the best part? Koh Tarutao is completely untouched by tourism and lying within Tarutao National Park, is protected from development by the Thai government, making it one of the best alternatives to Phuket.

Phuket on the other hand, well, it’s overdeveloped and overcrowded at the best of times. So yeah, Tarutao is basically one of the best alternatives to Phuket. If you’re looking for adventure, but still want some peace and quiet, then Koh Tarutao is the perfect place to be. 

The best activities on Koh Tarutao include: 

• Chilling on a beautiful deserted beach;
• Renting bikes and exploring the island;
• Discovering the island’s mangroves and caves via kayak;
• Taking in amazing ocean sunsets from the comfort of your tent (bring your own or rent one from the park); and  
• Checking out Koh Tarutao’s interesting wildlife, which includes wild pigs, water buffalo, sea otters, hornbills and spectacled langur monkeys. 

The closest international airport to Koh Tarutao is Phuket. However, the island is best accessed from Hat Yai’s domestic airport. From here, many travel agencies offer a combined minibus/boat ticket. This should cost approximately 750 THB. You can be picked up at the airport, or any venue of your choice. A visit to Koh Tarutao can also be easily combined with a trip to Koh Lipe, as all boats going to Koh Lipe conveniently stop at Koh Tarutao!

Koh Lipe

By Martina of PlacesofJuma

Koh Lipe is one of the most attractive and best alternatives to Phuket, especially if you want to see one of the most stunning islands in the country. There are several reasons why many travellers prefer Koh Lipe over Phuket.

First and foremost, Koh Lipe is one of the best alternatives to Phuket because it is less crowded and offers a more intimate and peaceful island experience. Due to its smaller size and limited number of accommodations, you will find many quiet beaches where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

What really sets Koh Lipe apart is its authentic Thai charm. It exudes a genuine, relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with the commercial atmosphere of Phuket. The beaches are also much nicer and are great for swimming, snorkelling or just sunbathing. Unlike some of the crowded beaches in Phuket, here you have plenty of space to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Koh Lipe also offers a diverse culinary scene with numerous beachfront restaurants serving delicious Thai and international dishes. Fresh seafood and traditional Thai street food are highlights for foodies, easily making it one of the best alternatives to Phuket.

For adventurous tourists, Koh Lipe is also an excellent recommendation because here are the best opportunities for snorkelling and diving. The vibrant coral reefs and the underwater world around the island are simply fascinating.

To get to Koh Lipe, you can get a combined van + ferry connection ticket from Krabi that’ll directly take you to Koh Lipe.

Koh Samui

By Peta and Jonas of Exit45 Travels.

Koh Samui, often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Gulf of Thailand’, is one of the best alternatives to Phuket. Unlike the crowded streets of Phuket, Koh Samui has retained a more relaxed atmosphere. You can still find pockets of authentic Thai culture, lush jungles, and serene beaches, but without the hustle and bustle.

Even though Koh Samui is quite a small island in comparison to Phuket, there are still lots of things to see and do. Your guide to Koh Samui would usually include some stunning beaches such as Chaweng and Lamai, known for their powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. If you are looking for nature, head into the interiors of the island to see the awe-inspiring Na Muang Waterfall and the Secret Buddha Garden, where mystical sculptures are hidden in a tropical forest.

If you are looking to do some island hopping, Koh Samui serves as a gateway to the beautiful Ang Thong National Marine Park, a haven for snorkelling, kayaking, and hiking amidst limestone cliffs and emerald waters. Some other popular day trips include snorkelling trips to Pig Island and Koh Tao.

In addition to the above, you will find fantastic shopping opportunities, a night market and an amazing array of international restaurants in Fisherman’s Village. If you are looking more for nightlife, Koh Samui still offers a vibrant nightlife scene, particularly in Chaweng, with beachfront bars and clubs to enjoy. Koh Samui is definitely one of the best alternatives to Phuket because it has everything one can ask for, with lesser crowds!

Getting to Koh Samui is convenient. You can fly directly on Bangkok Airways to Samui International Airport, which has connections to major Thai cities and some international cities such as Singapore. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Surat Thani or Donsak on the mainland, a scenic ride that offers glimpses of picturesque coastal vistas.

Koh Racha Yai

By Noel of Visit Spain and Mediterranean

If you are looking for a more subdued and low key version away from busy Phuket, consider visiting Koh Racha Yai, one of the best alternatives to Phuket. Less than an hour speed boat trip from the main port of Phuket, Racha is truly a paradise with mostly day trippers visiting. If you stay overnight or a few days, you can have more time to discover different parts of the island that most visitors don’t see and enjoy, making for one of the best alternatives to Phuket.

Things are much quieter on Racha and evolve around the beach and water activities. You can swim, snorkel and do a whole variety of water activities from parasailing, jet skiing, and kayaking to taking other tours around the island and nearby places that are even more remote to explore. I would definitely recommend staying overnight or a few days in this alternative to Phuket, a more natural wonderland that is fun to just lounge in and live that island experience in Thailand.

Best Alternatives to Phuket – Frequently Asked Questions

Where is better than Phuket?

There are several best Thailand islands that can easily beat Phuket. Apart from the ones you’ve already read on this best alternatives to Phuket guide, Khao Lak, Koh Kradan and Koh Phi Phi are good alternatives too. In fact, going from Phuket to Maya Bay might be a better option too!

Is Phuket worth the hype?

Phuket definitely has a really nice dining and nightlife scene but it’s mostly just that – a city. So I feel it’s not worth the hype and there are far better alternatives to Phuket out there that you should look at.

Is Khao Lak better than Phuket?

Khao Lak is definitely better than Phuket. In fact, it is one of the best alternatives to Phuket.

Should I stay in Krabi or Phuket?

Krabi, even though still quite overcrowded and quickly succumbing to mass tourism, is definitely better than Phuket, and equally better. So in Krabi vs Phuket, Krabi will win!

Is Chiang Mai or Phuket better?

Chiang Mai and Phuket are poles apart in terms of geographical landscapes. One has mountains, the other has beaches. But if you compare the two cities, Chiang Mai is definitely more artistic, hipster and laid back. It’s a large city with the slowness of the countryside which I admire so much! The Chiang Mai Flower Festival is a highlight too!

Is Goa better than Phuket?

Goa and Phuket are both countries run by over tourism in their own countries. Goa has a more hippie vibe with a more relaxed setting. However, Phuket is more fast-paced and metropolitan when compared to Goa.