Thailand Island Hopping: Guide to The Best Thailand Islands

Thailand has two island regions: the Andaman Sea (west) and the Gulf of Thailand (east). They have opposite weather seasons, different vibes, and different islands. The Andaman side (Koh Lipe, Railay, Koh Lanta) suits those chasing scenery and diving. The Gulf side (Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui) is better for nightlife and a tighter island-hopping circuit. Don’t try to do both on a short trip.

Introduction

Thailand’s islands are what most people come for. And it’s easy to see why: white sand beaches, warm water, cheap food, and a laid-back energy that makes it genuinely hard to leave. But with hundreds of islands spread across two coastlines with opposite weather patterns, knowing which islands to visit — and when — makes the difference between a dream trip and a frustrating one. I’ve done Thailand island hopping on both coasts. I’ve had Koh Lipe feel like an actual dream. I’ve also had Phi Phi feel like a diesel-soaked tourist conveyor belt. This guide is the honest version: what each island is actually like, how to get there, and how to build an itinerary that doesn’t leave you spending half your trip on speedboats. This guide covers 9 main islands across both coasts, seasonal weather patterns, transport options, and practical tips for first-timers. If you’re also planning time in the north, see my guide to chaotic beauty of Bangkok and spiritual Chiang Mai.

Thailand Island Hopping – A First Timer’s Guide

Andaman Sea vs Gulf of Thailand: Which Side Should You Choose?

The most important decision for Thailand island hopping is which coast to base yourself on. The Andaman Sea (west coast) and the Gulf of Thailand (east coast) have different islands, different transport networks, and almost opposite rainy seasons. Visiting both on a single trip is possible but adds significant travel time and costs.

• Choose the Andaman Sea if: you want dramatic limestone karst scenery, world-class snorkeling and diving, or a more remote and varied island experience. Best visited December to April.
• Choose the Gulf of Thailand if: you want a tight island-hopping triangle (Samui, Phangan, Tao), an easier party scene, or you’re traveling between October and January when the Andaman is in monsoon season.

Here’s a quick summary table if you’re in a rush.

	Andaman Sea	Gulf of Thailand
Main islands/spots	Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi	Koh Samui, Koh Tao
Hot/Dry Season	December – April	February – September
Rainy Season	May – November	October – January
Peak Crowds	Christmas & New Year	Christmas & New Year July & August
Worst weather	September	November

If you already know which side you’re going, you can jump directly to the islands. If not, read on to learn more about how the weather behaves in Thailand.

Weather & Seasons in Thailand Islands

There are no guarantees regarding (tropical) weather. Anything can happen at any time of the year. However, it’s generally said that Thailand has three seasons – cool, hot, and rainy. In the islands, the climate has different rules and can get specific from island to island. In particular, the east side of the islands (Gulf of Thailand) follows a different weather pattern.

Best time to go to Gulf of Thailand islands

The Samui archipelago tends to follow almost opposite rules as the rest of Thailand. This area is affected by the south-west monsoon which can lead to heavy rainfall in November and the beginning of December. Seas can be rough and visibility poor during this time. The dry season takes place from January to April and is the best time to come if you’re looking for the best chances of good weather and little (if any) rain. There is more wind too during this period, which can be good news if you’re looking to do water sports. From March to November, temperatures will start to rise, usually reaching peak levels in April and May. Rainfall also starts to gradually rise, but usually in the form of an hour-long afternoon downpour. The only notable exceptions are the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood, which follow similar weather patterns to the beaches along the Andaman Sea coast.

Best time to go to the islands in the Andaman Coast

Usually, the best time to hit the west coast beaches is between December and March. High temperatures hit about 28C in December and rise to 30C in March. Naturally, this is also peak season so expect more crowds and higher prices. That said, the Andaman coast has had many more rainstorms through the high season months than the normal in the past few years. During April, May and June, weather can get extremely hot as the cool winds depart. Expect temperatures up to 35°C. The high humidity brings storms and heavy showers, even though they usually don’t last for long. Can be a good time to visit, since crowds will be almost all gone. The rainy or monsoon season is between July and November. Prices are the lowest of the year – up to 50% less! – and crowds are minimal, but the weather can be rough and transportation choices (speedboats, longtails, and ferries) are more limited. It is, however, a good time to visit Khao Sok National Park, when it is more lush and green. Now let’s go into more detail about the islands on both sides of Thailand.

The Andaman Sea

The Andaman Sea coast is the southwest side of Thailand. It stretches for about 450 kilometers, and most of the area belongs to the Krabi province. Even though the Andaman Sea is extremely popular with tourists – think Phuket or Phi Phi Islands – the islands here are scattered throughout a much larger ocean area, which makes each one feel more isolated and private.

The islands of Andaman Sea on a map

To make things more visual, I’ve put all the islands and places of the Andaman Sea on a map, divided into two groups:

• Main islands in yellow: to stay over at least for a few nights
• Other more off the beate track islands in red: if you seek more remote and less crowded places or to visit as a daytrip

Booking.com I’ve written an article about the islands in the Andaman Coast before. I’ll only focus on the main islands here.

Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi is visually stunning and operationally exhausting. That’s the honest summary. Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Don smells of diesel, the boats are chaotic, and the accommodation is overpriced for the quality. The crowd skews young and party-focused, which is fine if that’s what you’re after. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Lee (where The Beach was filmed in 1999) is beautiful in photos and overwhelming in person. The cliffs are genuinely dramatic. The sheer volume of tour boats makes it hard to enjoy. If you’re not drawn to the party scene, Phi Phi can be skipped entirely. Base yourself at Koh Lanta or Railay instead and do a day trip to Maya Bay if you’re curious. If you do stay, check the the best resorts and set expectations accordingly.

🛥️ How to get to Phi Phi Islands

Regular ferries run from Ao Nang, Phuket, and Krabi Town to Tonsai pier. Overnight tours operated by Maya Bay Toursare also available and include bioluminescent plankton swimming.

🏨 Where to stay in Phi Phi Islands

Accommodation is widely available but it’s considerably more expensive than other places in Thailand. If you’re set on staying on Phi Phi, check this selection of the best resorts. Booking.com

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is actually made up of several islands, the most well known of which is Koh Lanta Yai. There are plenty of things to do in Koh Lanta, including world-class diving and snorkeling spots nearby. The largest beach on the island – appropriately called Long Beach – is the perfect place to catch some rays, read a book, or just chill.

🛥️ How to get to Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is easily accessible by ferry from Ao Nang/Railay, Phuket, Krabi Town and Ko Phi Phi. Note however this service is available during November to March only. From Ao Nang the journey takes about 2:30 hours.

🏨 Where to stay in Koh Lanta

I stayed 4 days in the beautiful place below and could easily stay a few more. Booking.com

Railay

While Railay peninsula is definitely not the place to go if you want to escape the crowds – West Railay Beach is pretty dirty and noisy! – but it has other reasons for interest. My favorite spot in the island was Phra Nang Beach. Stunning scenery, clear waters, and boats selling tasty food right on the beach. What else do you need? One thing to note: rock climbing in Railay is world-class. I watched people do it from a safe horizontal position on the beach, which is also world-class in its own way.

🛥️ How to get to Railay

Railay is NOT accessible by land. There are numerous longtails connecting Railay peninsula to Krabi Town and to Ao Nang. Ferries coming from Phi Phi and Koh Lanta also make a stop here (they’ll make you switch to a longtail to arrive land, as big boats aren’t allowed). Hotels here may arrange all-inclusive transfers for you to and from the airport for instance. Unless it’s already included for free, I recommend booking all transfers on a spot as they’re cheaper.

🏨 Where to stay in Railay Beach

Railay peninsula is small and everything is at walking distance. It can get a bit boring after 2-3 days (wasn’t my case). This is where I stayed: As an alternative, start searching using my shortlist of the best resorts in the Railay peninsula.

Koh Lipe

The best way to describe Koh Lipe was that I felt I was in a dream the whole time. I had high expectations and I still got amazed. The white soft sand beaches, the turquoise waters, the smile of the people and the amazing food. Not to mention the super cheap massage places! There are plenty of things to do, from top-notch diving to snorkeling day trips within the Tarutao Marine Park or even sea kayaking. Or it’s also a perfect place to unwind and live the tropical life for a few days. Have a read at my Koh Lipe travel guide, with everything you need to know to plan your trip.

🛥️ How to get to Koh Lipe

It’s not easy. Located about 60km from mainland, Koh Lipe is the southern-most island in the Adang archipelago and in the whole Thailand. In low season, the only way to get there is by ferry from Pak Bara pier. During the high season, there are connections from other places in Thailand and from Langkawi in Malaysia. Since it’s not easy to get to, I’d say to stay a minimum of 3 full days to make your journey worth it.

🏨 Where to stay in Koh Lipe

Make sure you stay along Sunrise Beach. Close to bars, the main street, and with a chance of witnessing gorgeous sunrises every day. Booking.com

Phuket

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and the busiest. It’s not somewhere I’d go to relax, but it’s genuinely useful as a transport hub. Flights connect Phuket to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and dozens of other international cities. Tours and ferry connections to virtually every other Andaman island depart from here. The Big Buddha statue in Chalong is worth a visit. The beaches closest to the main tourist areas are crowded. In my opinon, the proximity to quieter islands like the Hong or Similan Islands and the Hong Islands is the biggest draw.

How to get to Phuket from Bangkok?

The Gulf of Thailand

The Gulf of Thailand sits on Thailand’s east coast. The water here is slightly greener and less transparent than the Andaman side, because Thailand’s main rivers empty into this part of the ocean. The main draw is the Samui archipelago: three islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao) as well as the Angthong Marine Park that form a natural island-hopping triangle, well-connected by frequent ferries.

The islands of Gulf of Thailand on a map

I’ve put all the islands and places of the Andaman Sea on a map, divided into two groups:

• Main islands in yellow: to stay over at least for a few nights
• Other more off the beate track islands in red: if you seek more remote and less crowded places or to visit as a daytrip

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is the most developed island in the Gulf and the most suitable for families and couples who want a higher level of comfort and infrastructure. The second-largest island in Thailand boasts five-star resorts, luxury spas, and a reliable food scene make it easy to spend a week here without feeling like you’re roughing it. The best beaches are on the north and northeast coasts. Chaweng is the main hub with the most restaurants and nightlife. Bophut (Fisherman’s Village) is quieter and more charming. The best time to visit Koh Samui is between late December and April. February and March are the driest months.

🛥️ How to get to Koh Samui

There are combined ticket options to get to Koh Samui (train + ferry or bus + ferry via Surat Thani), but the best way to get to Koh Samui is by direct flight from Bangkok. There are also direct flights to Koh Samui from Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur. Book early as prices can get expensive.

Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan built its reputation on the Full Moon Party at Hat Rin, which draws tens of thousands of people every month for a beach rave that lasts through the night. If that sounds appealing, Koh Phangan delivers on it completely. If it doesn’t, there’s still a reason to come. Venture away from Hat Rin and you’ll find waterfalls, semi-hidden coves, temples, and hiking trails through the interior forest. The Thong Sala Night Market is genuinely excellent and worth an evening regardless of your interest in the party scene.

🛥️ How to get to Koh Phangan

The easiest connection is from Koh Samui, with at least 3 ferries a day from Big Buddha pier. You can also reach it by bus/train from Bangkok via Surat Thani, or by the Lomprayah catamaran from Koh Tao.

Koh Tao

If you’re as interested in the underwater world at least as much as what’s happening at the surface, Koh Tao is for you. Not only is a world-class diving spot with warm shallow waters, but the island has developed itself into one of the cheapest places in the world for beginners taking a PADI license. Apart from this, there’s still plenty of things to do and see in these 21 square kilometers. More chilled out than its neighbor Koh Phangan but also with an interesting nightlife, Koh Tao also offers opportunities for yoga, hiking, snorkeling, or great beaches for beach bums.

Is Koh Tao a good place to learn to dive?

Koh Tao is one of the best and cheapest places in the world to get a PADI Open Water certification. The island has warm, shallow waters with good visibility, a huge number of dive schools competing on price, and a relaxed atmosphere between dives. A full PADI Open Water course typically costs around 9,000–11,000 Thai Baht, significantly less than equivalent courses in Europe or Australia. Beyond diving, Koh Tao is more well-rounded than its reputation suggests. There’s decent snorkeling, yoga, hiking, and a nightlife scene that’s active without being as intense as Koh Phangan next door.

🛥️ How to get to Koh Tao

The closest mainland connections are from Chumphon pier. Alternatively, take a bus or train to Suratthani and connect to Don Sak pier for the ferry to Koh Tao. The high-speed Lomprayah catamaran also connects Koh Tao directly to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is Thailand’s third-largest island and doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. It sits near the Cambodian border, is significantly quieter than the Samui archipelago, and offers a very different kind of island experience: dense jungle, waterfalls, mountains, and a slower pace of life. White Sand Beach (Ban Hat Sai Khao) is the most popular and lively stretch. But there are many other beaches worth finding, and the interior hiking is genuinely rewarding. Koh Chang follows similar weather patterns to the Andaman coast rather than the Gulf, so it’s best visited between November and May.

🛥️ How to get to Koh Chang

No airport. Take a ferry from Trat, about 30 km from the main town. Bus, train, and flight combinations from Bangkok all connect to Trat.

Where to stay in Thailand’s Islands

I usually use Booking.com or Agoda to find accommodations. Booking.com

How to get to Thailand Islands

By plane

Flying is the fastest way to reach either coast. For the Andaman side, Phuket and Krabi airports have the most connections from Bangkok and other Asian hubs like Dubai and Hong Kong. Hat Yai Airport is useful for southern islands like Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta. For the Gulf side, Koh Samui has its own airport with direct Bangkok and regional connections like for instance Singapore. Other possibly useful airports are in Surat Thani and Pattaya (for Koh Chang).

By bus or train

Bus and train connections from Bangkok to the main island gateways (Phuket, Krabi, Suratthani, Trat) are cheap, around $15–25, but journey times are long, roughly 10–14 hours. Good overnight options exist, making it bearable. 12Go.Asia is the most reliable platform for booking transport in Thailand in advance, including combined bus and ferry tickets. I used them to book some of my tickets.

Combined tickets

Some airlines offer combined tickets that include a flight to the nearest airport plus a bus transfer and ferry to the island. Nok Air offers this for Koh Lipe via Trang Airport, for example. Worth comparing against booking each leg separately. An interesting feature some airlines offer are combined tickets. Example: you can buy a Fly’n’Ferry ticket with Nok Air from Bangkok to Koh Lipe. The island has no airport, so the ticket includes flying to the nearby Trang airport, bus to the near pier and then a passenger ferry to the final destination.

Thailand Island Hopping Tips

• 1. Don’t try to squeeze in as many islands as possible. It’s easy to fall in the mental trap of trying to justify a rather expensive flight with as many places as possible. I know people who visited the Thailand islands and didn’t stay for more than 1 night in the same place.
• 2. Always be on the move has a toll. You’ll end up seeing just bits and bobs and spending most of the time going around on buses, planes, and longtail boats with your backpack or luggage.
• 3. It’s wise to pick a hub island. Pick a place well-connected, with lots of tours, ferries, and day trips opportunities such as Phuket, Railay. My pick in the Andaman Coast was Ao Nang. From there it’s easier to visit other islands. If possible book a hotel close to the main pier.
• 4. Pick a room with AC and mosquito netting. Don’t underestimate the impact of tropical humid weather.

Conclusion

Thailand’s islands reward the traveler who takes the time to choose carefully and stay long enough to settle in. The best trips I’ve seen are the ones with a loose plan: a hub island, a couple of day trips, and enough flexibility to stay an extra night somewhere that turns out to be better than expected. Pick your coast based on when you’re going. Choose depth over breadth when deciding how many islands to visit. And if you only have time for one stop on the Andaman side, make it Koh Lipe. Got a question about a specific island or transport route? Drop it in the comments and I’ll answer it.

Thailand Island Hopping – FAQs