Known for its annual Full Moon Party, probably the biggest beach party in the world. But it’s Heaven on Earth all year round. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Ko Samui, but luxury hotels include a speedboat ride over…directly to the property. No dock..so you get out in waist high water as your bags are held above the water and brought ashore. Adventure!

The northeast section of the island is lined with two beautiful huge crescent shoreline beaches….Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai.

Phenomenal beaches, sumptuous sandbars, great hotels from dirt cheap to pricey. (But pricey here is still under $400 a night…and serious luxury, private speedboat included!)

Anantara Rasananda Villas and Santhiya are two of those top tier hotels. There’s several low-priced (Under $40 a night!) like Phuwadee Hotel and other moderately priced cottage type properties along the beaches. Several cottage and condo rentals as well. This is rather secluded and away from everyone and everything. Plan ahead because these are dozens of accommodations….not hundreds. Low American count too which is always refreshing. 🙂

One exciting super secluded option: Bottle Beach and resort on the north coast. I saw it at night by boat, in the dark…it was enthralling and a little spooky to see a few lights in the complete desolate darkness. You really can only get there by boat…or a hike. They say you can 4 x 4 Jeep it, but I met NOONE who claimed to know anyone who had done it. It’s very jungle-ish. The best kind of getaway and I hope to get back there someday.