My Guide to Island Hopping in Thailand (2025)

April 5, 2025

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If you’re a beach lover like me then island hopping in Thailand is probably high on your bucket list!

This tropical paradise boasts some of the best islands and beaches in the world – think soft white sands, calm turquoise waters, gently swaying palm trees and fresh coconuts as big as your head! And, as there are over 1,400 beautiful islands in Thailand, why not visit more than one…

From large resort islands with all mod-cons to tiny islets in protected marine parks, each Thai island is different so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re dreaming of a luxury beach vacation, a family friendly holiday, partying on a paradise island, or a more rustic, offbeat adventure – Thailand is where island hopping dreams come true!

During my time living in Thailand I’ve been lucky enough to explore many islands so I’ve put together this guide to help you plan your own epic Thailand island hopping trip.

Carry on reading as I’ll share the best Thai islands to visit, exciting island hopping itineraries to follow and plenty of practical travel tips to help you have the best possible experience.

The Ultimate Thailand Island Hopping Guide

The Best Islands In Thailand

One of the reasons why Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in South East Asia is because it boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and islands on the planet – the hard part is deciding which ones to visit!

Out of the 1,400 islands in Thailand you can stay on about 60 of them. The most popular islands in Thailand are well developed for tourism with a wide selection of accommodation and dining options to suit all budgets.

From cheap and cheerful backpacker hostels and budget beach huts, to 5 star luxury hotels boasting private beaches, stunning infinity pools and world class restaurants, but you can still find plenty of natural beauty and pristine beaches on undeveloped islands too.

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After spending so long in Thailand, a question I’m often asked is ‘Which is the best island in Thailand?’

Well it’s an almost impossible question to answer because each Thai island is different and will appeal to different people.

Some people want a relaxing beach holiday or wellness resort experience, others want party until sunrise or explore Thai culture, while paradise for some is simply hanging a hammock between 2 palm trees and living out your ‘beach’ fantasies.

To make it easier for you to decide these are the best islands to visit in Thailand, depending on what type of traveler you are:

Best for couples and honeymooners – Koh Samui, Phuket, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Kood
Best for families with children – Koh Samui, Koh Lanta, Koh Chang
Best for digital nomads – Phuket, Koh Phangan, Koh Lanta,
Best for backpackers and budget travelers – Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta,
Best for nightlife and partying – Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Samui (Chaweng)
Best for scuba diving and snorkeling – Koh Tao, Koh Surin, Koh Smilian
Most beautiful island in Thailand – Koh Similan, Koh Lipe
Best island to escape from it all – Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Kood, Koh Muk

Whether you’re planning an island hopping adventure or just want to relax on the perfect paradise island holiday here are the best islands to visit. I’ve split it up to groups of islands, because unless you have unlimited time, I recommend exploring one group rather than trying to see every island in Thailand.

Plus, each coast has different weather patterns, so the best one to visit will depend on the time of year – but there’s more practical travel tips later on in this blog.

Best Islands in the Andaman Sea (West Coast)

Phuket

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand with so much to offer, with amazing beaches, lively nightlife, and even a unique culutre and colourful old town.

As one of the most famous islands in Thailand, there are plenty of things to do in Phuket with attractions, activities and accommodation options for all budgets, and a well connected international airport which makes it the best island to visit if you like your beach holidays fun and easy.

Phuket island is home to many beautiful, white sand beaches, forested hills, and stunning viewpoints. The most popular is Patong Beach, where you’ll find crazy nightlife on infamous Bangla road, watersports, and tons of resorts, restaurants, bars and shops, but there’s so much more to explore.

If you prefer more laid back beaches there are plenty to choose from like family friendly Kata beach and uncrowded Karon beach. See my guide to the best beaches and places to stay in Phuket for more information.

And Phuket has plenty of culture too! Don’t miss exploring colourful, historic Old Phuket Town with it’s Sino-Portuguese architecture and lively Sunday walking street market. Also visit Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha, a 45 meter tall white Buddha statue perched on top a hill with panoramic views over the island. You can see the highlights in just one day with this Phuket island tour.

Thailand’s largest island also makes a great base for exploring the nearby islands with plenty of island hopping trips from Phuket to places like the Phi Phi islands, Phang Nga Bay, and the Surin and Similian Islands Marine National Parks.

A day trip to the Phi Phi islands to see Maya Bay is a must. Phang Nga Bay is another highlight – it’s home to unique limestone rock formations as well as James Bond Island, where the movie ‘the Man with the Golden Gun‘ was filmed, and tiny Panyee, a unique floating village. This Phang Nga Bay Adventure Tour by speedboat includes all the highlights – don’t miss it from your Phuket itinerary!

For more information check out my blog posts on Phuket:

Krabi

Krabi is not an island but it is a stunning province located on the West Coast of Thailand that is home to some of Thailand’s best islands, including the popular Phi Phi islands

If you’re dreaming of seeing those iconic Thailand postcard perfect scenes for yourself – colorful longtail boats, dramatic limestone cliffs, and the impossibly turquoise waters of the Andaman sea then you need to visit Krabi!

Krabi is home to over 150 gorgeous islands, beaches, jungles, and mangrove forests. Ao Nang beach is the region’s tourist hub with a wide range of resorts, eateries and activities on offer, but there’s many other places to stay in Krabi if you are looking for more secluded beaches to get away from it all.

Don’t miss visiting Railay Beach, it’s a magical spot surrounded by limestone cliffs and only accessible by boat. Railay has a super laid back atmosphere, there’s no cars and just a couple of resorts, and it’s a great spot to try rock climbing.

There’s plenty of opportunities for island hopping from Krabi, the most popular is the 4 island tour. As you’d expect, this boat trip visits four islands – Koh Poda, Koh Kai (Chicken Island), Koh Tup, and Phra Nang Cave Beach with plenty of stops for swimming and snorkeling.

You can also take a day trip to the Phi Phi islands, or visit hidden gems like the dreamy Hong islands or explore inland and see authentic Krabi Town, climb the Tiger Cave Temple, and swim in the stunning Emerald Pool.

For more information check out my Krabi blog posts:

The Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands are probably THE most famous island in Thailand. This group of six islands, often just referred to as Koh Phi Phi, are located between Phuket and Krabi and shot to fame after the movie, ‘The Beach’ was filmed here.

The only island you can stay on here is Phi Phi Don. It’s unbelievably beautiful with lush towering cliffs over bright turquoise seas and no cars. The main area, Ton Sai Bay Village, has a lively backpacker party scene and plenty of accommodation, beach bars, shops and restaurants, but it’s quite overdeveloped, crowded and noisy.

If you prefer a more peaceful experience simply head to Long Beach or take a longtail boat to one of the secluded resorts like Zeavola on the other side of the island to live out your castaway fantasies.

Don’t miss taking an island hopping boat trip around the Phi Phi islands, – I highly recommend splashing out on this private trip to avoid the crowds in this popular area. The most famous spot from the film is Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh, a stunning white sand beach with emerald water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

Maya Bay can get quite crowded with tourists so, to protect this paradise, you are no longer allowed to swim or camp here, but it’s still a spectacular sight and a must if, like me, that movie inspired your dream of visiting Thailand.

On the boat trip you’ll also visit Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Bamboo island and Monkey Beach and go snorkeling and scuba diving. Once back on Phi Phi Don, the challenging hike up to Phi Phi Viewpoint is well worth it for the incredible views.

As it’s a small, famous and very popular island, Koh Phi Phi sometimes feels like the busiest island in Thailand and has become quite overdeveloped and crowded, but it’s still one of the most beautiful places in Thailand and well worth a visit. Unless you want to party, I recommend staying outside of Ton Sai Village and taking a private boat tour for the best experience.

Koh Lanta

If you’re looking for a less crowded island in Thailand, check out Koh Lanta. This island offers long white sand beaches, plenty of unspoilt natural beauty, and a more authentic, relaxed vibe than some of the other more popular tourist destinations.

Most accommodation options and restaurants are found around Phra Ae Beach (also known as Long Beach) but there’s plenty more to explore. For a taste of traditional Thai island life, visit Lanta Old Town a charming fishing village with colorful wooden houses, local shops and restaurants.

If you like nature walks and scenic viewpoints check out Mu Koh Lanta National Park, it covers the southern tip of the island and protects 16 nearby islands. You can join the 4 islands boat trip from Koh Lanta to the smaller Trang Islands including Koh Ngai, Koh Muk and Koh Kradan. Some of Thailand’s best dive sites are also close to Koh Lanta.

Koh Lipe

Tiny Koh Lipe is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand with such soft white sand beaches and crystal-clear blue waters that it’s earned the nickname of the ‘Maldives of Thailand’. (Psst. Read this blog to find out how to visit the Maldives on a budget! )

Koh Lipe is located in the far south of the Andaman sea in Tarutao National Park, close to the Malaysian island of Langkawi. It’s a small island with a super laidback vibe, amazing sunrises and sunsets, and a good range of accommodation and other amenities including a nightly walking street, but with a much more low key nightlife than places like Koh Phi Phi.

Koh Lipe also makes a good base to go snorkeling, diving and island hopping in the Tarutao National Park – there are 51 islands spread over 3 archipelagos to explore so even though it’s a small island you won’t get bored.

As it’s situated so far south, Koh Lipe takes longer to reach than some of the other islands, but there’s plenty of options, whether you take a speed boat from Phuket or Krabi (5 – 6 hours) Koh Lanta (3 hours) or fly into Hat Yai or Langkawi and take a boat from there it’s an island paradise worth the extra effort to get to.

The Koh Yao Islands

If you’re looking for a tranquil, off the beaten path escape without traveling too far from Phuket or Krabi consider the Koh Yao islands – Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi. Located in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, these barely developed twin islands retain their traditional island life and offer a more peaceful atmosphere compared to other busier islands in the Andaman Sea.

Koh Yao Yai is the larger of the two islands, with long stretches of empty beaches, coconut groves, and a few high-end resorts like Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort tucked away along the coast. One of the highlights is the epic sandbar at Laem Had Beach. The island is still mostly undeveloped, so you won’t find big towns or nightlife here so it’s ideal for pure relaxation.

Koh Yao Noi is smaller but has more accommodation and dining options, making it a better base for budget travellers and island exploration. The views out to the bay over the Hong Islands from Pasai Beach are incredible, however most beaches on this island are only swimmable during high tide.

The Koh Yao islands make a great base for island hopping in the Hong Islands but what makes these hidden gems so special is that they have stayed low-key and laid back and offer a glimpse of Thai island life before mass tourism.

The Similian Islands and Surin Islands

For the most pristine, beautiful islands in Thailand head to the Similan Islands and the Surin Islands – two of Thailand’s most stunning marine national parks with unspoilt natural beauty offering incredible snorkeling and scuba diving.

The Similan Islands, are a protected, uninhabited archipelago in the Andaman Sea, about 70 km off the coast of Phang Nga, with beautiful granite boulders, dreamy azure waters, white sand beaches and amazing marine life.

Koh Similan (Island 8) is the largest island where you’ll find the famous Sailboat Rock viewpoint. The Similan islands are also a top diving destination with deep drop-offs, underwater caves, and the chance to see manta rays and whale sharks.

As it’s a national park there is no accommodation on the Similian Islands, but you can visit this tropical paradise on a day trip from Khao Lak or Phuket, or stay on a liveaboard dive boat. Due to monsoon rains, the park is only open from November till mid May.

The Surin Islands is another national park with five islands which is located slightly further north, near the Myanmar border. The Surin islands are surrounded by shallow coral reefs with abundant marine life are and one of the best places for snorkeling in Thailand. Nearby, Richelieu Rock is one of the best dive sites in the country. There is also a Moken (sea gypsy) village that you can visit on Koh Surin Tai.

It takes about 2 hours by speedboat to reach the Surin islands from Khuraburi, you can take a day trip to the Surin islands from Khao Lak or if you want to stay overnight join this 2 day/1 night trip from Phuket where you camp on the beach in a tent or stay in a basic air conditioned bungalow on the island for a unique castaway island experience!

Best Islands in the Gulf of Thailand (East Coast)

Koh Samui

The largest and most popular island in the Gulf of Thailand – Koh Samui used to be a coconut plantation and is now famous for it’s stunning palm-fringed beaches and luxury resorts – ideal for first timers, honeymooners and families who like their holidays easy.

Even before being featured in ‘The White Lotus’ HBO show, Koh Samui has long been one of the most popular vacation destinations in Thailand with no shortage of beautiful beaches to explore and something to entertain every type of traveller.

Chaweng Beach is the most popular resort on the island with an picture perfect beach, lively atmosphere and plenty of beach clubs, restaurants, bars, shops and nightlife to enjoy. If you’re after a more relaxed, family friendly holiday I recommend heading to Bophut Beach. This is also where you’ll also find the lovely Fisherman’s Village Walking Street and night market.

And if you want to escape from it all there’s plenty of luxury resorts in Koh Samui nestled in secluded coves with private beaches that feel like your own slice of paradise. Check out my guide to where to stay in Koh Samui for more information on all the different beaches, areas and hotel recommendations for all budgets.

One reason Koh Samui is so popular is because there are so many things to do so make sure you get off the beach and explore the unique temples like Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple) and Wat Plai Leam and the jungle covered interior which contains impressive waterfalls, viewpoints and coconut plantations. You can see the highlights easily in just one day on this Koh Samui island tour.

Another must is a boat trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park, a group of stunning karst islets with unique rock formations, crystal clear lagoons, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and an amazing 360 degree panoramic viewpoint.

Located nearby are the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. These can easily be explored as part of an island-hopping trip from Koh Samui but are well worth spending a few days on too if you have time.

For more information read my other Koh Samui blogs:

Koh Phangan (Koh Pha Ngan)

The island of Koh Phangan (also known as Koh Pha Ngan) is just a short boat ride away from Koh Samui. It’s most famous for its monthly full moon parties on Haad Rin beach, but there’s much more to this magical island.

And, if your dates don’t algin with the full moon party, don’t despair – there are many other parties on Koh Phangan including half moon parties and black moon parties.

But the island has so much more to offer – there’s hidden, uncrowded beaches and pristine jungle to explore and a unique spiritual side.

One of my favourite things to do in Koh Phangan is to rent a scooter and go beach hopping along the west and north coast, hike to Bottle Beach and explore the waterfalls and viewpoints in the jungle.

And, if you’re into yoga, you’ll love Koh Phangan, the island has so many yoga retreats and meditation workshops where you can explore your spiritual side and connect with a thriving like minded community.

The island is quite diverse so choose your vibe when deciding where to stay on Koh Phangan – if you want to party head to Haad Rin and Baan Thai, but if you want peace and spirituality you’ll find plenty of that on Koh Phangan too in areas like Sri Thanu and on gorgeous beaches like Thong Pan Nai.

Read these Koh Phangan Blogs for more info:

Koh Tao

The smallest island in this group is Koh Tao, also known as turtle island as it’s shaped like a turtle. This small island paradise 90 mins ferry ride from Koh Samui is one of the best diving spots in Thailand with colorful coral reefs and abundant marine life.

As there’s so many dive shops, Koh Tao is one of the best and cheapest places in the world to get your PADI certification. This top rated PADI open water scuba diving course only takes 3 days, so if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to scuba dive you can’t miss Koh Tao.

And if just want to go snorkelling to explore the underwater world you can take this full day 5 island snorkeling boat trip to discover the best spots around the island. It’s also well worth visiting the tiny island of Koh Nang Yuan nearby which has one of the most iconic viewpoints in all of Thailand!

The main hub in Koh Tao is Sairee Beach which has plenty of accommodation and dining options and a lively nightlife scene. If you’re looking for a more secluded escape there are several other beautiful bays and secluded beaches with low key resorts boasting great snorkelling and stunning views.

More blog posts on Koh Tao coming soon!…..

The Trat Islands (Near Bangkok)

On the eastern seaboard of the Gulf of Thailand, between Bangkok and Cambodia, you’ll find popular Pattaya Beach and the Trat Islands which are ideal if your looking for a quick escape from the capital.

Pattaya is very urban, so probably not your idea of tropical island bliss, but there are a few small islands, including Koh Larn (coral island) that you can visit on a day trip from Pattaya, but if you prefer more uncrowded islands and less seedy nightlife then it’s well worth traveling a bit further to Koh Samet or Koh Chang.

Koh Samet

Koh Samet is the closest major island to Bangkok and a popular weekend getaway for locals and expats looking for a quick and convenient island escape, but it has plenty to offer western tourists too.

It’s a small but beautiful island with white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, hidden coves and nature trails through lush forests. The island is popular and busy, but retains it’s laid-back vibe. Parties liven up the weekends, but the rest of the time it’s pretty peaceful.

Sai Kaew Beach, also known as Diamond Beach, is the main beach near the ferry port where you’ll find some interesting statues and a variety of accommodation options and excellent fresh seafood restaurants. There’s also several smaller bays with exclusive resorts further down.

It takes about 3 – 4 hours on the bus from Bangkok to reach Ban Phe port where you catch a short ferry ride to Koh Samet.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a great choice for an more off the beaten path island adventure. It’s located near the Cambodian border, so it makes the perfect detour if you’re on route between Bangkok to Siem Reap for Angkor Wat.

Koh Chang (Elephant Island) is the largest island with the most amenities in the Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park, a group of 52 under-the-radar islands, so it makes a good base. It takes about 6 – 7 hours by bus and ferry to reach Koh Chang from Bangkok.

Koh Chang is ideal if you’re looking for a less crowded and more relaxed island experience without traveling too far south. This large but less well known Thai island has beautiful beaches, lush rainforests and waterfalls and is also a great spot for snorkeling and diving.

The west side of the island is where you’ll find the most resorts and best beaches, like Hat Sai Khao (white sand beach) and Lonely beach, a popular spot for backpackers with lively nightlife. The east side is still home to authentic fishing villages and mangrove forests while the middle of island is full of pristine jungle and waterfalls to explore.

The Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park is home to many more islands that you can explore. Some of the bigger ones, like Koh Kood (also known as Ko Kut) and Koh Maak, have a small selection of accommodation options, whilst others like Koh Rang are still pristine and protected and can only be explored as part of an island hopping boat trips from Koh Chang.

If you fancy a real back to nature castaway experience you could stay overnight on tiny Koh Wai or Koh Munnork, a private resort island.

Thailand Island Hopping Itineraries

There’s no shortage of beautiful islands to visit in Thailand, and as most Thai islands are quite easy to get to – why not go island hopping and visit more than one!

There’s two ways to do this – either base yourself on a larger island, like Phuket or Koh Samui, and take boat trips and day tours to the surrounding islands, or catch a local ferry and spend a few nights on each island and explore at your own pace.

Koh Samui and Phuket are the best islands to visit in Thailand for first timers they are quite different, so if you’re having trouble deciding between the two read my comparison post – Phuket Vs Koh Samui.

While both are worth visiting I do recommend choosing one side, depending on what time of year you are visiting. If you visit Thailand between December and April head to the west coast and go island hopping in the Andaman Sea, but if you plan to visit from May to September then the weather on the east coast in the Gulf of Thailand is better.

Here’s some recommended itineraries for your Thailand island hopping trip. (This is the minimum amount of time needed to see the highlights of each island – if you have more time I’d recommend adding one more day onto each island to explore at a more leisurely pace.)

12 Day Andaman Sea Island Hopping Itinerary

Phuket (3 Days) – Koh Phi Phi (2 days) – Krabi (2 days) – Koh Lanta (2 days) – Koh Lipe (2 days)

Day 1-3: Phuket

Fly into Phuket and enjoy the fabulous hotels, beaches and nightlife
Explore Phuket Old Town, Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha
Take a boat tour to Phang Nga Bay or the Similan Islands

Day 4 – 5: Koh Phi Phi

Take a ferry ( 2 hours) or speedboat (1 hour) from Phuket to Phi Phi Don
Hike up to the Phi Phi Viewpoint and enjoy the nightlife in Loh Dalum and Tonsai Village
Take a boat tour to Phi Phi Ley to see Maya Bay and go scuba diving or snorkeling

Day 6 – 7: Krabi

Take a ferry (1 hr 15 mins) from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi
Visit Railay Beach, go rock climbing or take the 4 island boat trip.
Explore Krabi Town, the Emerald Pool and the Tiger Cave Temple

Day 8 – 9: Koh Lanta

Take a speedboat from Krabi to Koh Lanta ( 2 hours)
Relax on Long beach, go scuba diving or snorkelling
Explore Lanta Old Town and Koh Lanta National Park
Take a 4 island tour to the Trang Islands (Koh Ngai, Koh Muk, and Koh Kradan.)

Day 10 – 11: Koh Lipe

Take a speedboat from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe (3 hours).
Relax on Sunrise Beach and explore the walking street
Take an island hopping trip in Tarutao Marine National Park

Day 12: Back to Phuket

Either return to Phuket or continue to Langkawi island in Malaysia!

10 Day Gulf Of Thailand Island Hopping Itinerary

Koh Samui (3 days) – Koh Phangan (3 days) – Koh Tao (3 days)

Day 1-3: Koh Samui

Fly into Koh Samui and enjoy the incredible beaches, resorts and nightlife
Explore the unique temples, waterfalls and viewpoints.
Take a day trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park.

Day 4-6: Koh Phangan

Take the ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (30 min).
Explore the hidden beaches on the west and north coast and join a yoga class
Experience the Full Moon Party in Haad Rin (or other amazing parties depending on the time of the month)

Day 7-9: Koh Tao

Ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao (90 mins).
Go scuba diving or take a boat tour to snorkelling spots around the island
Take a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan (just 15 min from Koh Tao)

Day 10: Return to Samui

Return by ferry to Koh Samui for onward travel

If you’re going to spend a few days in the Thai capital before or after your island hopping trip then check out my Bangkok itinerary for all the tips you need to have an amazing time in this exciting city.

Top Tip: If you want to see both sides it’s easy to travel from Krabi over to the west coast islands so (if you limited time) skip Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe and get a bus and ferry combination ticket from Krabi to Koh Samui (the whole journey takes about 4 – 5 hours.)

Essential Travel Tips For Island Hopping In Thailand

Before you book your ticket and pack your swimwear, here’s everything you need to know to plan an amazing island hopping trip in Thailand, from when to go and how to get around to what to bring.

When To Go

The best time to go island hopping in Thailand depends on which part of the country you want to visit as the weather patterns differ between the Andaman Sea (west coast) and the Gulf of Thailand (east coast).

The best time for island hopping on the west coast in the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Similan Islands) is between December and April when the weather is dry and sunny, the seas are calm, and visibility is great for snorkeling and diving.

However as this is the peak tourist season, prices for accommodation are higher, ferries can get fully booked and the islands and beaches can feel crowded. Make sure you prebook accommodation and transport to avoid disappointment.

On the west coast, the rainy season falls from mid May till mid October. The rains generally start off light and get heavier throughout the wet season. While it doesn’t rain all day every day you can expect frequent tropical downpours, rough seas, and less frequent boat services.

Smaller islands, like the Similan Islands, close from mid-May to mid-October, while larger islands like Phuket remain open and offer low season discounts and enjoy less crowds. However, in the case of really heavy rain ferries and boat trips may get suspended for safety reasons and the seas can be dangerous for swimming.

The best time for island hopping in the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Chang) is from January till September. The west coast has a longer dry season and a shorter rainy season making it a good option almost all year round. March to August is especially good for Koh Tao’s diving scene, and the waters around Koh Samui and Koh Phangan remain calm. These islands can get quite busy during the summer holidays in July and August as this side is much drier than the Andamans.

The Gulf of Thailand gets its rainy season later than the Andaman side and is generally quite wet between October and December. November is the wettest month, with heavy downpours and storms affecting ferries and boats.

If you want to visit both sides, the best time to go is in January and February, whereas planning an island hopping trip for October or November isn’t ideal because both coasts experience rain during this time.

How To Get There

Koh Samui ferry pier — Take a ferry to Koh Samui

Thailand is a pretty easy country to travel around, however most Thai islands don’t have airports, so you’ll usually need a combination of flights, buses, ferries, speedboats and longtail boats to reach them.

First, you’ll need to get to Thailand. The capital city, Bangkok, receives the most international flights and entering Thailand is easy as most travellers can visit visa free for 30 days.

Whilst Bangkok is definitely worth a visit, if the main purpose of your trip is going island hopping then getting a flight directly into Phuket International Airport (HKT) will save you time. Check Skyscanner to find the best deals.

You could fly into Bangkok and then connect to a flight to Krabi Airport (KBV) for the Andaman side, or Koh Samui Airport (USM) and Surat Thani Airport (URT) for the Gulf side. These are small airports convenient for visiting the islands but have limited international flights.

Phuket Airport is the biggest international hub in the south of Thailand so it makes the ideal place to start your island hopping adventure. From Phuket you will find buses, ferries and speedboats to all destinations across the Andamans including Krabi, the Phi Phi islands, Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe. You can also get a bus – boat combination ticket to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao from Phuket.

For the Trat islands, including Koh Samet and Koh Chang, the closest airport is Trat airport (TDX) however this a very small domestic airport with very few flights. As it only takes 3 – 4 hours to get a bus and ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samet I don’t think it makes sense to fly here as it’s unlikely to save you time.

The best place to book domestic flights, bus, ferry and speedboat tickets in advance online is on 12 Go Asia. If you’re traveling in the peak season, or anywhere near Koh Phangan around the full moon period, I highly recommend booking your transport in advance as tickets can sell out during busy periods so you could get stuck if your not organised.

Whilst public ferries connect the bigger islands, if you’re visiting smaller islands or national marine parks you’ll need to either join a boat tour or hire a longtail boat to reach them. You can organise this in advance using sites like Viator and Get Your Guide.

What I like about these sites is that there is a wide range of trips and you can see reviews from previous guests so you know what to expect- most offer free cancellation, pick up from your hotel, lunch, and take photos for you making it a hassle free and unforgettable experience. You could also check out Klook – a popular platform in Southeast Asia which has some great deals on tours and attraction tickets.

How To Make It Happen

The easiest way to make your island hopping dreams a reality is to base yourself on a larger, main island with good accommodation options and plentiful connections like Phuket, Koh Samui, or Koh Chang and do multiple island hopping day trips from there.

If you’re on a budget you can join group island hopping tours that cover multiple islands in a day like the Phi Phi islands, Krabi’s 4 islands tours, and Ang Thong Marine Park.

But, if you can afford it and want to avoid the crowds, then I do think it’s well worth getting a private tour or hiring a private longtail boat so that you can go at your own pace and be more flexible so you can avoid large tour groups.

While you can sometimes negotiate directly with the longtail boat drivers, if you don’t speak Thai I recommend booking boat tours online on websites like Get Your Guide, Viator and Klook.

Best Thailand Island Hopping Tours

It’s never been easier to go island hopping in Thailand – just find the right tour for you, book and go!

One of the best places to find island hopping tours in Thailand is on Tour Radar – they have a huge selection of tours from all the top tour companies, and you can read reviews from previous travellers so you know what to expect.

The top 3 Thailand island hopping tours are:

These are young and fun small group tours ideal for solo travellers who want to explore Thailand’s islands while making new friends without breaking the bank.

Alternatively, you can follow my island hopping itineraries (or tweak them to suit you) and make your own DIY tour using public ferries to reach larger islands and taking day trips to smaller islands.

The top 5 island hopping day tours are:

Other Important Tips

Book early in high season (December to March) – Ferries, flights, hotels and boat tours fill up fast. If you’re traveling in the rainy season be prepared for rougher seas and sudden weather changes – mornings are often better but afternoons can quickly become overcast, windy, rainy or even see thunderstorms.

Think about which type of boat suits you best – Speedboats are faster but can be bumpy and uncomfortable; especially in rainy season when waters can get choppy. If you get travel sick you might want to avoid speedboats. Ferries may be slower but they are more comfortable for longer rides and often have toilets onboard. Longtail boats can be noisy if you sit near the engine so are best suited for short journeys.

Protect yourself from the sun – packing essentials include swimwear, sunglasses, hats, light loose clothing and plenty of sunscreen! Thailand’s sun is intense and getting sunburnt kind of ruins your vacation. If you’re snorkeling or spending a lot of time in the sun you’ll probably want to wear a t-shirt over your swimsuit to protect your skin from the sun. And don’t forget to drink lots of water.

Pack Light – For a hassle free trip I recommend packing as light as possible – rolling heavy luggage on sandy beaches or wooden piers isn’t ideal, a backpack or small carry on bag is better. Beware that smaller islands may not have a pier so you’ll either have to transfer from the ferry into a smaller longtail boat to reach the shore, or jump off the boat onto the beach so it’s a good idea to wear easily removable shoes (or ones that you don’t mind getting wet) and avoid wearing long pants, long skirts and maxi dresses when island hopping.

Bring Cash – Not all islands have ATMs and not all businesses accept card payments so bring plenty of cash (Thai Baht.) Many islands in Thailand are part of national parks or marine parks so you often have to pay a 400 Baht national park fee in cash to enter. This is often not included in the price of the boat as there are different rates for Thai nationals and foreigners.

Now you know which Thai islands to visit!

With over 1,400 islands in Thailand, there’s no shortage of island adventures to be had in the Land of Smiles – I haven’t even been able to mention all of the here!

The best part is that there is something for everyone – whether you are looking for a luxury beach vacation or an off the beaten track adventure where you can live out your castaway fantasies, you’re sure to find your perfect slice of paradise on the Thai islands.

And thanks to the many ferries, speedboats, and island hopping tours, traveling between Thailand’s islands is pretty easy and affordable so it makes sense to check out a couple of islands in one trip.

My top tip is to check which side has better weather when you plan to visit and choose which group of islands (either the Andaman coast or the Gulf of Thailand) and follow my island hopping itinerary to see all the highlights of some of the world’s most beautiful and popular islands.

I hope you found my island hopping tips helpful, if you are planning to see more of Thailand check out my other blogs like my 2 week Thailand itinerary which shows you how to see the best of both north and south in just 14 days, my pick of the best places to visit in Thailand and my Thailand travel guide for more.

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