Thailand Island Packing List: Beach Essentials & What NOT to Bring

Island life in Thailand is 90% swimwear and 10% everything else. But those 10% decisions separate a smooth island experience from frustrated beach days spent waiting for wet clothes to dry or wishing you'd brought reef-safe sunscreen to Koh Tao.

This guide covers what to actually pack for Thai islands, what to rent, what to buy there, and the critical environmental rules that are changing island-by-island across Thailand.

The Island Packing Mindset: Travel Light, Wash Frequently

Island humidity is relentless. Your clothes won't dry. Humidity creates mildew. Swimwear doesn't fully dry for 24-48 hours.

Rule of thumb: Bring fewer clothes than you think. You'll wash every 2-3 days (very cheap at island laundries: 50-100B per load). Rotate between 2-3 sets of everything.

Swimwear: Bring Multiple Sets

Pack 2-3 complete swimwear sets. Here's why:

In island humidity, swimwear doesn't fully dry in 24 hours. A damp swimsuit grows mildew and smells bad. Rotating between sets means you always have a dry option while one dries on your balcony or in the sun.

Rashguard is essential for snorkeling:

• Reduces sunscreen use (sunscreen + salt water = washed off constantly)
• Protects from UV and coral scrapes
• Covers tattoos if you're sensitive about that
• Gives you security in a busy beach environment

Board shorts are fine for guys, but a good rashguard is not optional for serious snorkeling.

Buy additional swimwear in Thailand: If you're island-hopping for 3+ weeks, buy a cheap second swimset at any island shop (200-400B). It's cheaper than laundrying daily.

CRITICAL: Reef-Safe Sunscreen Rules

Koh Tao has officially banned oxybenzone and octinoxate — the two most common chemical sunscreen filters. These compounds damage coral reefs. If you apply non-reef-safe sunscreen in Koh Tao, you're directly harming the ecosystem you came to see, and dive shops will call you out.

Koh Tao's rule: Reef-safe zinc oxide or titanium dioxide only.

Other islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Lanta, and other diving hotspots are following Koh Tao's lead. If it's not explicitly reef-safe, don't bring it.

What to do:

• Bring from home: Reef-safe sunscreen (zinc oxide-based). Brands like Stream2Sea, Suntegrity, and Blue Lizard make good reef-safe options.
• Buy in Thailand: Banana Boat Reef Friendly (widely available at island dive shops, ~300B), Suntegrity (at high-end resorts and dive shops), or ask at the dive shop when you arrive — they always have approved options.

The dive community on Koh Tao is strict about this. Respect the reef.

Snorkel Gear: Rent vs. Buy

Rent (Best Option for Most Travelers)

Snorkel gear is available for rent at every island: mask, snorkel, fins, full set = 500-800B per day.

When to rent:

• You're visiting under 3 weeks
• You've never snorkeled before
• You don't have specific equipment needs (e.g., prescription mask)
• You want to travel light

Rental shops are everywhere. Literally every beachfront has 5+ rental operators. Quality is decent, fins fit okay, masks usually don't leak.

Buy Only If:

• You have prescription lenses in your mask (custom lenses are 2000-3000B)
• You're diving (SCUBA cert required) and do multiple dives per week
• You're staying longer than a month

Otherwise? Rent.

Don't pack snorkel gear from home. It takes up valuable luggage space, and Thai rentals are cheap and reliable.

Waterproofing: The Essentials

Humidity + saltwater + careless splashing = wet phone/wallet/documents.

Dry Bag (Essential)

A 5-10L dry bag protects your belongings during boat trips, snorkeling, and beach days. Waterproof roll-top, around 200-400B in Thailand.

What goes in it:

• Phone (even if you have a waterproof pouch)
• Wallet and cash
• ID/passport copy
• Small valuables

Waterproof Phone Pouch (Double Layer of Protection)

A clear waterproof phone pouch (200-300B at any island shop) lets you take photos/videos while snorkeling and keeps your phone safe during boat rides.

Buy it IN Thailand, not at home — it weighs next to nothing, costs 3x more at home, and you'll need it immediately upon arriving.

Ziplock Bags as Backup

Gallon-size ziplock bags work in a pinch for phone/wallet during snorkeling. Not ideal, but free if you bring a few.

Footwear for Island Life

Reef Shoes or Water Shoes

Reef shoes protect your feet from sea urchins, coral cuts, and sharp rocks. If you're snorkeling regularly or walking on rocky beaches, they're essential.

Bring from home or buy in Thailand: Reef shoes at island shops (300-500B) are fine. Brands like Crocs has reef-friendly models. Local Thai brands work too.

Pro tip: Walk through the water in your regular flip flops at your first island to test conditions. If the bottom is rocky or covered in urchins, get reef shoes immediately.

Flip Flops That Can Get Wet

Your everyday island flip flop should be waterproof-friendly: Havaianas are great (durable, dry quickly), but cheap Thai flip flops work fine too (50-100B at any market). You'll lose at least one to the ocean.

Island Clothing: Less is More

Cover-Up or Sarong

A lightweight cover-up or sarong (buy in Thailand, 100-200B) lets you transition from beach to shop/restaurant without changing. Wrap it, you're done.

Lightweight Dress or Shorts

One lightweight dress (women) or shorts + linen shirt (men) works for evening meals and casual outings. You'll wear shorts/swimwear 90% of the time.

Minimal Wardrobe

Seriously, bring fewer clothes:

• 2-3 swimsets
• 1-2 lightweight shirts or tank tops
• 1 lightweight dress or casual shirt
• 1 cardigan or light jacket (AC inside restaurants)
• Underwear (5-7 pairs, you'll wash often)
• Reef shoes/water shoes
• Flip flops

Buy additional clothes in Thailand as needed. Island markets have cheap t-shirts, shorts, and dresses everywhere.

After-Sun Care: Essential for Island Travelers

Sunburn in Thailand is aggressive. You'll get burned even with sunscreen because you forget to reapply.

Aloe Vera Gel

Buy aloe vera gel the day you arrive (available at every pharmacy, market, and shop in Thailand, 30-50B for a huge tube). Much cheaper than home. Slather it on every night if you get burned.

Aftersun Lotion

Optional, but a lightweight aftersun lotion with aloe and vitamin E helps skin recover faster. Available at Watsons and pharmacies (100-150B).

Jellyfish Season and Protection

Most Thai islands don't have jellyfish problems, but a few do:

• Koh Samui & Koh Phangan: Box jellyfish season October-November (mainly). Irukandji (dangerous ones) possible but rare.
• Koh Tao: Rarely affected, but occasional small jellyfish in plankton blooms.
• Railay Beach (Krabi): Occasional jellyfish, not common.

If you're nervous:

• Check local conditions when you arrive
• Ask at your dive shop or hostel about current jellyfish activity
• Wear a full-body rashguard as protection (extra benefit: sun protection)

A full rashguard is the best jellyfish protection. Wetsuits are overkill for Thai waters (too hot). Vinegar is NOT recommended by marine biologists anymore.

Electronics for Island Travelers

Waterproof Phone Case

Even with a dry bag, spray and splashes happen. A waterproof case lets you use your phone without worry (snapping photos, checking maps, texting).

Buy it in Thailand (200-300B), use it for the entire trip, leave it there or take it home if it's nice.

GoPro or Action Camera

Optional. If you're serious about snorkeling/diving footage, a cheap action camera (GoPro or knockoff, 3000-4000B) captures underwater footage your phone never will.

Buy in Thailand if interested: Slightly cheaper than home, and you'll know immediately if you want to use it.

Solar Charger

Nice if you have one, but not essential. Hostels and restaurants have outlets everywhere. A solar charger adds weight and isn't worth it unless you're doing multi-day camping treks (which islands don't have).

Night Life on Islands: Koh Phangan Full Moon Party & Others

If you're going to the Full Moon Party or a rager on Koh Phangan:

Old Clothes You Don't Mind Destroying

Beach parties have buckets of colored sand/paint, body paint, spilled drinks, and sand everywhere. Wear clothes you don't care about staining.

Sturdy Sandals, Not Flip Flops

Broken glass on the beach at parties is a real problem. Flip flops don't protect your feet. Wear old sandals with ankle support or water shoes.

Whistle & Buddy System

The Full Moon Party is chaotic. Bring a cheap whistle on your keychain. Always have a friend group. Set a meeting point if you separate.

Common Sense

Party islands are fun but watch your drink, don't leave valuables unattended, and know when to head back to your room.

What to Buy on the Islands

Sarongs and Cover-Ups

Every island has night markets selling sarongs (100-200B), cover-ups, and lightweight wraps. Buy there.

Basic Snorkel Gear

If you decide you want to buy instead of rent, island shops sell basic sets (1000-2000B). Mask, snorkel, fins, net bag.

Island Tank Tops and Casual Wear

Cheap branded (and off-brand) tank tops, t-shirts, and shorts (50-150B) are everywhere. Buy as needed to rotate while laundry dries.

Sunscreen (Especially Reef-Safe)

Bring some from home, but buy reef-safe options on the islands, especially at dive shops. They know what's approved.

Island Packing List (Beach-Focused)

Bring from home:

• 2-3 complete swimwear sets
• 1 rashguard (snorkeling essential)
• 1-2 lightweight t-shirts or tank tops
• 1 lightweight dress or casual shirt
• 1 lightweight cardigan or cover-up
• 7 pairs underwear
• Reef shoes or water shoes
• Flip flops (can get wet)
• Reef-safe sunscreen (small bottle to start)
• Aloe vera gel (buy in Thailand)
• Medications (antihistamine for mosquito bites, etc.)
• Waterproof phone case or dry bag
• Light rain jacket or poncho
• Sunglasses and hat
• Toiletries (minimal)

Buy in Thailand:

• Sarong (100-200B)
• Additional lightweight clothes (t-shirts, shorts, dresses) (50-150B each)
• Extra swimwear if staying 3+ weeks (200-400B)
• Reef-safe sunscreen (at dive shops)
• Aloe vera gel and aftersun lotion (30-150B)
• Waterproof phone pouch if you didn't bring one (200-300B)
• Additional underwear as needed (50-100B per pair)

Key Takeaway

Island packing is about minimizing what you carry and maximizing rotation and purchases locally. You'll spend 90% of your time in swimwear or beach casual clothes. Bring 2-3 key pieces, fill the rest with island purchases, and you'll travel faster and lighter than tourists with enormous suitcases.

The islands of Thailand are incredible. Travel light, respect the reef, and enjoy.