What's Your Favorite Island/Beach Getaway?

[eldragon]

What's your favorite island/beach getaway? I've lived in TH a few years, but haven't visited the islands or beaches much. Now I've got a few mates visiting in the spring, and they'd like to spend a couple days on a island or at a beach that's fun, but not the most touristy. So not Samui. I've heard Koh Chang (the one off Trat) fits that description. Are there any places like that down south?

[Fiddlesticks]

Maui comes to mind.

[kannot]

Chumphon

[daveAustin]

Maui comes to mind.

That was in Hawaii last time I was there.

Op, there's Koh Lanta in the south, though beaches not as nice. Loads of islands off the Krabi coast or Tarutao/Lipe off Satun.

[Fiddlesticks]

Maui comes to mind.

That was in Hawaii last time I was there.

Op, there's Koh Lanta in the south, though beaches not as nice. Loads of islands off the Krabi coast or Tarutao/Lipe off Satun.

Yup, still is but can't think of any good Thai island to visit.

[Water Buffalo]

This thread won't be long. Most on here don't like giving up their beach spots.

I wish i went to the ebach enough to have a favourite, but i will say Cha am or Hua Hin, becuase they are quiter than the other heavily touristy beaches i went to.

I plan to go to Chantaburi, or there abouts, next Song Kran to get away from the madness and debauchery of Isaan villages during those 3 days.

I will post my findings.

Indonesia is a fantastic place for beaches and islands. Though travel can be difficult to the more remote locations.

[chaiyapoon]

Some realy good beaches at Chantaburi best are controlled by the Thai navy.

[roamer]

Maui comes to mind.

That was in Hawaii last time I was there.

Op, there's Koh Lanta in the south, though beaches not as nice. Loads of islands off the Krabi coast or Tarutao/Lipe off Satun.

Yup, still is but can't think of any good Thai island to visit.

Know where you're coming from, these days I skip Thai island resorts and head down to Langkawi, Malaysia, instead. Or if I just want a quite beach break then Ao Manao. However the OP wants "fun but not touristy" and that's a hard call these days.

[gk10002000]

I really enjoyed a few days on Ko Samet. We stayed at one of the smaller developed areas. Night dining barbecues out on the beach run by the local hotels. No nightlife but we had our own friends and it was fine. I was actually there during the Tsunami in 2004. We had luckily changed our Phuket plans.

For a beach I really did like Karon beach on Phuket. Not a crowded place. Water was good. Local food was good. Night life was OK.

[ggt]

Nha Trang Vietnam...incomparable...arguable one of the world's most beautiful beaches and pleasant experiences...

[sential]

Koh Chang for sure, can still get whole beaches to yourself, but still plenty to see and do

[thrilled]

I enjoy Koh Phangan during the Full Moon Party

[cooked]

I'm sure as hell not going to tell you because the best thing about ' my beach' is that hardly anybody goes there.

[kingstonkid]

Samet is close and has some bars and night life. There is not a whole lot to do but the scenery on the beach can be great.

[Prof3934]

We have been to Phuket (now overridden with Russians, Sky-high prices and problems unbounded, as seen on this Visa news): then Samui where we had our honeymoon 12 years ago. Have been there 6 more times, the last one only last week. Prices shooting up, unfortunately, about twice those of here in Pattaya : Koh Samet beautiful for a short time as nothing to do, no shopping, no nightlife, but lovely beaches: koh Chang, quite the worst of them all. We went once in the high season and one in the low season. Nothing to do or see. We will never go again. It's only good feature was that we could take our car and our dog with us.

[kieran2698]

If they don't want touristy then Koh Chang is probably not the best for them as it has quite a name for not being touristy which actually results in it being pretty busy however, the smaller islands near to Koh Chang have managed to escape the development almost entirely.

I would definitely recommend Koh Mak, the ferry leaves from the same place as Koh Chang near to Trat.

Koh Mak is very quiet, you can have the beach to yourself, the sea is calm and good for swimming and snorkeling.

Koh Mak is very much an unspoilt island whereas Koh Chang, although it is also possible to find some quiet areas, mostly is developed and a bit crowded now and in my opinion the development is a bit trashy, bar girls and clubs etc.

[kieran2698]

I'm sure as hell not going to tell you because the best thing about ' my beach' is that hardly anybody goes there.

Greedy bugger!

[slipperylobster]

Chiang Mai Beach (Huay Tueng Tao)

Cleanest and quietest....in view of Doi Suthep. (It is not an ocean/bay...it is fresh, clean, clear water)

[kieran2698]

If they don't want touristy then Koh Chang is probably not the best for them as it has quite a name for not being touristy which actually results in it being pretty busy however, the smaller islands near to Koh Chang have managed to escape the development almost entirely.

I would definitely recommend Koh Mak, the ferry leaves from the same place as Koh Chang near to Trat.

Koh Mak is very quiet, you can have the beach to yourself, the sea is calm and good for swimming and snorkeling.

Koh Mak is very much an unspoilt island whereas Koh Chang, although it is also possible to find some quiet areas, mostly is developed and a bit crowded now and in my opinion the development is a bit trashy, bar girls and clubs etc.

Just realised I had overlooked the need for 'fun', not sure shat that means for your friends but many people would clearly find Koh Mak boring, I do not, but I know a lot of young people would feel that there was nothing to do. For me the nature and tranquility is enough.

[kieran2698]

If they don't want touristy then Koh Chang is probably not the best for them as it has quite a name for not being touristy which actually results in it being pretty busy however, the smaller islands near to Koh Chang have managed to escape the development almost entirely.

I would definitely recommend Koh Mak, the ferry leaves from the same place as Koh Chang near to Trat.

Koh Mak is very quiet, you can have the beach to yourself, the sea is calm and good for swimming and snorkeling.

Koh Mak is very much an unspoilt island whereas Koh Chang, although it is also possible to find some quiet areas, mostly is developed and a bit crowded now and in my opinion the development is a bit trashy, bar girls and clubs etc.

Just realised I had overlooked the need for 'fun', not sure shat that means for your friends but many people would clearly find Koh Mak boring, I do not, but I know a lot of young people would feel that there was nothing to do. For me the nature and tranquility is enough.

[slipperylobster]

For an Island, with a fair amount of "fun"....Koh Chang is my fav.

[slipperylobster]

I'm sure as hell not going to tell you because the best thing about ' my beach' is that hardly anybody goes there.

Is that the same one filmed in "Mutiny on the Bounty"? Or the one that Jack Sparrow got stranded on, with one girl and a crate of rum?

[OMGImInPattaya]

Bali no question. It's the best I've been to in Asia and I've been to many of the name destinations. After Maui, it's the most beautiful tropical island I've been to.

[Bill Miller]

We are going to Koh Lan for a couple of days. I have been told by one fellow that there is practically nothing there.
I know that a little bit of nothing will be fine for me as a break from the bustle of BKK.
I hope a break will be appreciated by my companions as well, one of whom in my opinion is classically overworked and underpaid.
The pictures promise a lovely beach experience.
Any reports/opinions?

[robertthebruce]

Any Island that is Rubbish free, but thats more harder to find these days...

Clean beaches goes a long way in my Books...

[bitcoinbob]

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/beaches/

[MrRed]

The isles of Scilly.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Sanibel Island in Florida

http://www.sanibelisland.com/photos.html

The beach is made of crushed sea shells.

Edited December 17, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[elgenon]

Bali no question. It's the best I've been to in Asia and I've been to many of the name destinations. After Maui, it's the most beautiful tropical island I've been to.

Ever been to Tahiti???

[elgenon]

I'm sure as hell not going to tell you because the best thing about ' my beach' is that hardly anybody goes there.

Is this a post to show superiority or because you want to help the OP?