Thailand’s Newest Island Destinations to Explore in 2025: Hidden Gems for Your Next Beach Escape

Thailand’s Emerging Shores

With more than a thousand islands dotting Thailand’s coastline, how to choose where to go? In 2025, it’s the lesser-known islands that are making waves. While Phuket and Koh Samui are still firm favourites, savvy travellers are increasingly drawn to quieter, more pristine corners of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. These emerging islands promise untouched beauty, barefoot luxury, and a genuine connection with nature.

If you’re chasing that rush of discovery, the hush of the sea breeze, or the sense that you’ve landed somewhere special, we’ve got you covered with these five magical islands. To help you to step off the map and into a new kind of paradise, we also give some travel tips about how to get there.

Koh Khai: A Secluded Slice of the Andaman

Looking for serenity? Koh Khai is small, but alluring. Tucked between the better-known islands near Krabi, this Koh Khai is a pristine patch of sand and forest. With no roads and just a handful of rustic eco-stays, time stands still here. Snorkel with schools of reef fish in astonishingly clear waters, or kayak around its rocky headlands at sunset. The stillness is intoxicating. Conservation is at the heart of Koh Khai’s quiet revival, with marine sanctuaries and reef restoration projects blooming just beneath the surface.

Now that we’ve soaked up Koh Khai’s serene beauty, let’s shift further south to a truly tranquil escape near the Malaysian border.

Koh Bulon Lae: Thailand’s Best-Kept Secret

Koh Bulon Lae whispers rather than shouts. Found in the Satun province in southern Thailand, this tiny island is what seasoned travellers dream of – no traffic, no high-rise hotels, just gentle waves, soft sands, and a way of life that hasn’t changed in decades. Wooden bungalows sit beneath casuarina trees, and fishermen still paddle out each morning in longtail boats. The rhythm here is slow and deliberate. Spend your days walking barefoot, swimming in turquoise shallows, and forgetting about your inbox entirely.

Leaving Bulon Lae’s dreamy silence behind, we venture to an island where wild nature takes centre stage.

Koh Phra Thong: Wild and Wonderful

Koh Phra Thong, in the Andaman Sea, is nothing short of astonishing. Unlike any other Thai island, its unique inland savannah is home to wild deer, migratory birds, and even nesting sea turtles. The beaches stretch for miles, completely untouched, and the sunsets blaze across the sky in unforgettable colour. For nature lovers, it’s paradise. Eco-lodges blend into the landscape, offering peaceful stays that respect the environment and support local communities. Listen to cicadas and stare at the stars instead of screens.

After experiencing Koh Phra Thong’s wild side, it’s time to head east to a rising star in the Gulf of Thailand.

Koh Mak Yai: Peaceful, Playful, and Perfectly Placed

Not far from Koh Chang in eastern Thailand, Koh Mak Yai is beginning to turn heads, but still flies comfortably under the radar. With its rolling palm plantations, empty beaches, and laid-back feel, it’s ideal for cycling, swimming, and savouring seafood by the sea. A small collection of boutique resorts are beginning to bloom here, each one more committed than the last to low-impact design and green energy. It’s the kind of place where you wake up to the sound of waves and fill your day with quiet joy. The sense of space and simplicity is pure bliss.

Next, let’s turn to an island community leading its own revival.

Koh Taen: Community, Culture, and Coral

Koh Taen, just a boat ride from the bustling Koh Samui, is quietly becoming a symbol of local-led regeneration. Once overlooked, the island is now blooming thanks to a community dedicated to sustainability. Snorkel above coral gardens being restored by local divers, visit family-run coconut farms, or sleep in solar-powered homestays where fresh fish is served straight from the sea. You won’t find loud bars or busy resorts. Instead, enjoy the friendly faces, cultural charm, and the hum of nature all around. It’s a beautiful reminder that tourism can support, not replace, tradition.

Having explored Koh Taen’s community spirit, you may be wondering how to reach these secret shores with ease.

Getting There: The Journey to Thailand’s Hidden Islands

Reaching Thailand’s newest island is surprisingly straightforward. Ferries, longtail boats, and even private charters connect many of these emerging spots to larger hubs like Krabi, Trang, or Trat. From Bangkok, regional airports can cut your travel time dramatically. The best part? The journey itself becomes part of the adventure. Whether you're cruising across calm waters or winding through sleepy ports, you'll feel the distance from daily life growing with every passing wave. Just be sure to travel light, stay flexible, and choose operators who respect the islands as much as you will.

Apps like 12Go Asia and Rome2Rio are great for stitching together boat and land transfers to lesser-known islands, while local platforms such as Bookaway often list transport options not found elsewhere. For accommodations and on-the-ground experiences, Travelfish and niche eco-travel forums can uncover hidden gems that mainstream sites might miss.

Why These Secret Islands Steal Your Heart

Beyond the fabulous scenery, these emerging islands offer something unique: the sense that you’ve found something before the rest of the world has caught on. In a world of endless noise, these places offer silence, space, and soul. Whether you're drifting over coral reefs, wandering barefoot through coastal forests, or sharing stories with locals over grilled fish, you’ll carry that peace with you long after the trip ends. For travellers craving meaning and magic—as we do here at Wanderwell—Thailand’s newest island destinations are pure joy.

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