Thai Islands, Thailand
"Longtail boats, limestone cliffs, and beaches for every mood"
Thailand's islands split neatly into two seas and two moods. The Andaman side — Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi — is all vertical limestone and turquoise water. The Gulf side — Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao — is gentler, greener and cheaper to dive. Pick one sea per trip and let the monsoon calendar decide which.
Best Time to Visit
November to April for the Andaman; January to August for the Gulf
Nov – Feb
Peak season on the Andaman: calm seas, clear skies, highest prices.
Mar – May
Hot and still. Great visibility for diving, quieter beaches after Songkran.
Jun – Aug
Andaman monsoon, but the Gulf islands are at their driest and sunniest.
Sep – Oct
Wettest across both coasts. Bargain prices and dramatic skies if you don't mind rain.
Getting Around
Fly into Phuket, Krabi or Samui, then move by ferry and longtail. Distances are short but timetables are seasonal.
⛴️ Ferries
Daily connections between all the major islands; reduced in low season.
🛶 Longtail Boats
Charter by the hour for beaches with no road access, like Railay or Bamboo Island.
🛵 Scooters
The way to explore Lanta, Samui and Phangan. Helmet on — police checkpoints are routine.
🚐 Minivan + Boat Combos
Sold as one ticket from most towns; slow but simple and cheap.
💡 Book the first ferry of the day — afternoon crossings get choppy and cancellations cascade.
Suggested Itineraries
Arrive Krabi
Settle in Ao Nang, first seafood dinner on the beach road.
Railay Day
Rock climbing intro or a lagoon scramble, then Phra Nang sunset.
Ferry to Koh Lanta
Afternoon on Long Beach, sunset bar with your feet in the sand.
Lanta by Scooter
Old Town, Mu Ko Lanta National Park lighthouse, quiet southern beaches.
Four Islands from Lanta
Koh Rok or Koh Haa snorkelling — some of the clearest water in the country.
Phi Phi Stop
Ferry via Phi Phi, viewpoint hike at dawn, Maya Bay by boat.
Phuket & Departure
Ferry to Phuket, last swim, evening flight.
✨ Feeling dizzy already? Breathe. This is a menu, not a to-do list — skip a stop, nap by a fountain, leave a couple of sparks for next time.
Highlights
Must See
- Railay Beach
- Koh Lanta
- Ang Thong Marine Park
- Koh Tao dive sites
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
The two coasts have opposite monsoons — if the Andaman is stormy in October, cross to the Gulf and the sun follows you.