10 Best Islands in Satun

Koh Lipe is by far the most developed island in the Satun province. White sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters, and marine life-rich coral draw in the punters each year, while easy access to the outlying islands offers an excuse to stick around.

The tiny boomerang-shaped island is only a couple of km wide, so it’s easy enough to navigate on foot. A wide range of accommodation options – from fancy oceanfront villas to humble backpacker haunts – reside throughout, and there are enough international cuisine and nightlife to keep even the most cosmopolitan traveller content.

Koh Adang sits just a stone throw from Koh Lipe, yet the two islands couldn’t be further apart. While Ko Lipe boasts an abundance of restaurants, hotels, and bars, Koh Adang remains remarkably pristine. A lonesome three-star hotel, an assortment of basic bungalows, and a humble chao leh (sea gipsy village) are the island's human settlements.

Longtail boats will whisk you from any of the main beaches in Koh Lipe to the Ranger Station in Ko Adang. From here, you’ll have the option to hike to a viewpoint on the top of a hill or walk along a pristine beach. Don’t forget your snorkel and fins because the marine life is spectacular.

Koh Adang’s sister island, Koh Ra Wi is the superior option for when you really want to escape from it all. Koh Ra Wi is an entirely uninhabited island, aside from a ranger station and a few humble shacks.

Your only option to stay the night on the island is by pitching a tent and camp. Most opt to visit on an island-hopping tour from Koh Lipe, in which you’ll see several of Koh Ra Wi’s famously picturesque beaches and be able to snorkel the outlying reefs.

Koh Hin Ngam is a tiny island in Satun, just a few minutes northwest of Koh Lipe. It's a little different from your average Thai island – you won't find a speck of sugary white sand, but big black rocks and pebbles instead, which is an unusual sight in this part of the world.

It’s possible to hire a longtail boat from Koh Lipe, though most travellers prefer to visit as part of the ubiquitous island-hopping tour. Just don’t be tempted to take any of the dark stones home as a souvenir. A sign on the island tells of how rock thieves will be cursed with a ‘shattered family life,’ or a ‘fatal accident’, among other things.

As the biggest island in the province, Koh Tarutao is the namesake of the Tarutao National Marine Park. But it’s far from overdeveloped as you’ll only find a smattering of simple lodgings around the pier at Ao Phante Malacca Beach. It’s precisely this untouched vibe that makes the place so special to visit.

Outdoor adventures abound throughout the island: a mountain bike trip to Ao Son beach, a hike to Lu Du Waterfall, and an in-land kayak journey through a mangrove forest. Opt to stay overnight rather than visit on a rushed day trip to experience everything Koh Tarutao has to offer.

Koh Khai is a small uninhabited island between Koh Adang and Koh Rawi. Besides offering an array of beautiful white beaches lapped by turquoise-tinged waves, the island is mostly famed for its picturesque natural stone arch.

The arch is a must-see attraction for those visiting the Tarutao Archipelago, so almost all island-hopping tours will include a quick stopover en route. Be sure to pass through while holding hands with your partner – local legend claims that doing so will result in eternal love. The arch gets submerged at high tide, though some argue this makes it even more beautiful.

Koh Bulon Leh is one of the quietest islands in Satun – the kind of place you go to do nothing throughout your holiday. There’s no nightlife, no shopping, and no Wi-Fi, but it's all the better for it. Unlike most Satun islands, you’ll find a small but substantial selection of restaurants and lodgings, making for a comfortable island escape without the tourist throngs.

Another major plus is that Koh Bulon Leh is an authentic Thai island with a welcoming local community. Energetic children play football on the aptly named ‘School Beach,’ while family-run business owners greet visitors with genuine smiles – something you don’t get in other more developed islands.

Koh Kra is a tiny island opposite Koh Lipe’s Sunrise Beach. It offers superb snorkelling and some peaceful respite. Although it’s within easy swimming distance of civilisation, strong currents can make the channel treacherous. It’s best to arrive by kayak and seek local advice. In either case, keep an eye out for longtail boats as you make the journey across.

The uninhabited islet has zero facilities, so pack some food and necessities before heading out. The coral here is still in pristine condition, so make sure to buy or rent a snorkelling set from one of the local vendors. 

Koh Hin Sorn is a top snorkelling spot and one of the few places on Earth to boast a ‘natural submarine.’ The geological oddity consists of 2 large cube-shaped boulders lying on top of each other as they jut out from the sea, an unusual formation that resembles a submersible vessel. And they’re rather sturdy – even earthquakes have failed to separate the monolithic stones over the years.

The real attraction here lies under the surface where a colourful coral reef hosts an array of marine life. Koh Hin Sorn is a particularly promising place to find the neon-orange ocellaris clownfish, otherwise known as Nemo thanks to the acclaimed animated movie, Finding Nemo (2003).