Thailand Island Hopping — Andaman & Gulf Itinerary
Thailand has over 1,400 islands scattered across two coastlines — the Andaman Sea to the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east. This two-week itinerary traverses both, combining dramatic limestone seascapes with coconut-palm-fringed Gulf islands, world-class diving with beach-bar sunsets, and enough variety to satisfy both the active and the idle.
Best Time: November–April (both coasts in good condition). For Andaman-only: November–April. For Gulf-only: January–September.
Budget: ฿30,000–50,000 (£680–1,140) mid-range, excluding international flights.
Day 1–3: Phuket
Fly into Phuket International Airport. Base yourself at Kata Beach (good balance of beaches, restaurants, and proximity to attractions) or Karon Beach (quieter).
Day 1: Arrive, settle in. Beach afternoon. Sunset at Promthep Cape or drinks at a Surin Beach bar.
Day 2: Phang Nga Bay day trip by kayak or speedboat — James Bond Island, sea caves, hongs (collapsed cave lagoons), and the Muslim fishing village of Koh Panyee (stilted over the water). Full day: ฿1,500–3,000.
Day 3: Morning: Phuket Old Town — Sino-Portuguese architecture, street art, and Baba cuisine (mee hokkien, oh-tao). Afternoon: Big Buddha viewpoint. Evening: Bangla Road (for the experience, even briefly).
Day 4–5: Phi Phi Islands
Ferry from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi Don (1.5–2 hours, ฿350–500). Phi Phi is beautiful and busy — the karst-framed bays are genuinely spectacular.
Day 4: Arrive midday. Check in (book ahead in peak season — accommodation is limited and prices are high). Climb to the Viewpoint (3 viewpoints, 20–30 min climb) for the iconic twin-bay panorama. Sunset drinks on Long Beach.
Day 5: Full-day boat tour: Maya Bay (Phi Phi Leh, now reopened with 300-person cap; no swimming in the bay, but you can walk the beach), Pileh Lagoon (swimming in turquoise water enclosed by 100-metre cliffs), Viking Cave, Bamboo Island (snorkelling), and Shark Point. Tours run ฿800–1,500.
Evening: Phi Phi's beach parties are legendary — fire shows, buckets, and music on the sand at Loh Dalum Bay.
Day 6–7: Krabi (Railay & Ao Nang)
Ferry from Phi Phi to Krabi/Ao Nang (1.5 hours, ฿350). Transfer to Railay by long-tail boat (15 min, ฿100).
Day 6: Railay Beach — West Railay for sunbathing, then walk to Phra Nang Beach (the most beautiful beach in Thailand, beneath soaring cliffs). Afternoon: Tonsai Beach for a rock-climbing taster session (half-day: ฿1,000, no experience required).
Day 7: Four Islands tour by long-tail boat (฿800–1,200): Koh Poda, Chicken Island, the sandbar between Koh Tub and Koh Mor, and snorkelling stops. Afternoon: Return to Ao Nang, explore the strip, Tiger Cave Temple if ambitious (1,237 steps to a hilltop Buddha).
Day 8: Crossing to the Gulf
The Coast Switch: This is the logistical crux — crossing from the Andaman coast to the Gulf coast. Options:
- Fly: Krabi to Koh Samui (Bangkok Airways, from ฿2,500, 1 hour via Bangkok or direct seasonal). Fastest but expensive.
- Joint ticket: Minivan + ferry combo from Krabi to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan via Surat Thani/Donsak pier. Available through any travel agent: ฿600–1,000, 5–7 hours total. Surprisingly efficient.
- Via Bangkok: Fly Krabi–Bangkok–Samui (if the timing works and you want a Bangkok interlude).
Day 9–10: Koh Samui
Arrive Koh Samui. Base yourself at Bophut Fisherman's Village (charm), Chaweng (action), or Lamai (balanced).
Day 9: Beach day at Chaweng or Lamai. Big Buddha temple. Afternoon: Lad Koh Viewpoint (panoramic). Evening: Fisherman's Village Walking Street (if Friday) or Chaweng nightlife.
Day 10: Ang Thong National Marine Park day trip — 42 islands of stunning karst scenery, emerald lagoons, kayaking, and snorkelling. The park's signature is Thale Nai, a saltwater lake inside a cliff ring. Full-day by speedboat: ฿1,500–2,500.
Day 11–12: Koh Phangan
Ferry from Samui to Koh Phangan (30 min, ฿250–350). If your timing coincides with a Full Moon Party, stay at Haad Rin. Otherwise, head to the quieter northern beaches.
Day 11: Arrive and settle in. Explore Thong Sala (the main town) and its night market. Afternoon: motorbike to Bottle Beach (accessible by boat or a steep, unpaved road). Swim and relax. Sunset from Amsterdam Bar on the west coast.
Day 12: Morning: Yoga class (Koh Phangan has a serious wellness community — Agama Yoga, Orion Healing Centre). Afternoon: Haad Rin area — even without a Full Moon Party, the beach is lively with bars and a backpacker energy. Alternative: hike to Phaeng Waterfall in the island's interior.
Full Moon Party night (if applicable): The party runs from approximately 21:00 until dawn. Bring minimal valuables, wear shoes on the beach (broken glass), and stay hydrated.
Day 13: Koh Tao
Ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao (1–2 hours, ฿300–500). The diving island.
Day 13: Arrive and either: (A) Start a 1-day Discover Scuba Diving course (฿2,500–3,500; no certification, but you'll dive to 12 metres with an instructor), or (B) Snorkelling trip around the island (฿500–800): Japanese Gardens, Shark Bay (blacktip reef sharks), Koh Nang Yuan (the iconic triple-island connected by sandbar — ฿200 entry fee, bring your own bottle — no single-use plastic allowed).
If you have extra days, a full PADI Open Water certification takes 3–4 days (฿8,000–10,000 including accommodation at many schools).
Day 14: Return & Departure
Ferry from Koh Tao to Chumphon (1.5 hours), then fly to Bangkok (1 hour, from ฿1,000). Or ferry to Surat Thani and fly from there.
Alternatively, Lomprayah overnight catamaran runs Koh Tao → Koh Phangan → Koh Samui → Surat Thani, connecting with flight times.
Packing for Island Hopping
- Reef-safe sunscreen (chemical sunscreens damage coral)
- Underwater camera or waterproof phone case
- Dry bag for boat transfers (your bags WILL get splashed)
- Reef shoes (for rocky entries)
- Light sarong (doubles as beach towel, temple cover-up, and sunset blanket)
- Snorkelling mask (hiring quality varies — bring your own if serious)
- Motion sickness tablets (for ferry crossings)