Which Thiland Island's around Phuket and Koh Samui are Best?

We have booked to go to Phuket and Koh Samui but it seems to be a general concensus that you should leave the mainland asap and go to the surrounding Islands, could anyone advise the best ones to visit, we only have one week in Phuket and the same in Koh Samui so we would like to just go to one island and stay there for the week.

Any advice would be great, thank you

I loved Phi Phi when I was there in 2004 just before the tsunami (1 week before). But I don't know what it is like now. But it was an amazing island then. Probably still is. And you can visit Phi Phi Ley while you are there as well. Maya bay (where they filmed "The Beach") is astonishingly beautiful, just try to get there before the tourists arrive.

Yeah, I love Koh Phi Phi as well. It's a lush island and the food there is totally lush as well.

And from Koh Samui I'd recommend going to Koh Pha Ngan. It depends what you want cos it's a bit of a party island but I totally love Koh Pha Ngan.

Thats excellent Thank you, I have looked at some photos and it looks fab! Thank you!

It all depends on what you are after. If you are just going to lay on the beach for a week, the mainland of Phuket has some pretty good beaches. Both Koh Phangan and Phi Phi are on the main tourist agenda and become very busy during high tourist season but are also fun places.

Samui and Phuket are on either side of Thailands mainland and are effected by seasonal weather at different times of the year. When you come should effect the choice of destination. I have spent time on Phi Phi during rainy season and smell of sewers really bothered me. Not what I wanted from an island holiday.

If you post what you want to do on the island, you can get a more detailed reply.

Have fun!

i went to phi phi in march and from the view point the island is amazing, but when you are walking thro some of the streets it reli stinks, a friend told me that after the tsunami the goverment didnt bother to send any boats out to help clean up so there is still waste and rubbish on the island, also i felt the island was way over populated and to many people trying to sell u stuff, in saying that tho like i sayd the view point has an amazing view and well worth the hike up the hill, if ur looking for something more relaxing id say ko lanta would be a good choice altho even there is starting to become more touristy....

I would not spend much time on Phuket. Too expensive and crowded. Take a look at the Krabi coastline. Many options, some with far fewer people around. Koh Jum, Koh Lanta, Railay Beach, For rock climbing, perhaps Ton Sai Beach. You can go sea kayaking out of several beaches. Many nice options from Krabi.

I use one day to go over to the Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine NP while on Samui. Perhaps you might use 1-2 days to visit Koh Phangan as well. Good luck with your planning.