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Thailand is an adventure-packed destination with a lot to see and do. For first timers in Asia, Thailand is perfect for a 2-week trip, hitting the right place between tropical paradise and tourism infrastructure.

And the best part of Thailand? The islands. The iconic tropical beaches backdropped by lush forests. The affordable food and accommodation. The chilled vibe. But… where to go?

This is exactly why put together myself this honest guide, that I wish I had before I go to the Andaman coast of Thailand.

Thailand’s islands For First-Timers – Places to go

In case you’re looking for a list of places to visit, this is what is covered in this article.

After the busy shopping scene of Bangkok and the many things to do in Chiang Mai to keep you active, the islands of Thailand come up in the route of many travellers for some relax.

However the islands the most difficult area to come up with a well-thought travel plan. Why?

• There are hundreds of islands in Thailand
• Every island can be very distinct from its neighbor
• The logistics is hard to grasp

The result is overwhelming. Where the hell to start? Where to base myself? How many days to spend in each place?

The Andaman coast on a map

First things first. What is the Andaman coast?

The Andaman coast is no more than the west coast of Thailand on the south of the country, facing the Andaman sea. Most of the area belongs to the Krabi province.

To make things easier and more visual, I’ve put all these 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
• Day trip islands in red: to visit on a daytrip

Disclaimer: unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit all of these islands. I made sure that my Thai itinerary was not too ambitious and had lots of time to truly relax.

Koh Mai Phai (Bamboo island)

Koh Mai Phai is better known as Bamboo island and technically belongs to the Phi Phi archipelago, albeit it has little in common with its sisters. We visited it while doing a hyped Phi Phi tour so our stop time was very limited.

The island seems like a Survivor island. An amazingly small island with an even smaller beach of pearl white sand and clear sea waters. There’s hardly anything else than a small bar serving drinks and snacks.

We got to explore a bit of the east coast of the island, where I was surprised to find out some debris of the 2004 tsunami are still (!) visible.

Keep in mind Bamboo Island is one of the stops of the Phi Phi tour and there are MANY boats arriving and leaving in short intervals. At certain times, the speedboat traffic started to get really crazy and the beach suddenly became even smaller.

If you are visiting Bamboo Island by yourself, I’d suggest to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to escape the crowds.

Koh Lanta

Hard to believe Koh Lanta only obtained reliable electricity in 1996 (!). Since then, the island has risen slowly but steadily in popularity and today you find can decent restaurants, fast WiFi and top-notch resorts.

Koh Lanta is actually made up of several islands, the most well known of which is Koh Lanta Yai. Even the main island can be considered developed so it makes a great tropical getaway.

Koh Lanta has basically one main road across the west coast where all the main hotels and small businesses are located. While the area near the Saladan pier is the busiest, you’re just a short 5-min drive away from a life of chill and relax. The farther south you move, the quieter the pace of life.

Although there are many world-class diving and snorkeling spots nearby, there’s not a much to do in Koh Lanta. It’s the perfect place to catch some rays, read a book, chill.

After two weeks of intense activities throughout Thailand – including my first time zip lining in Chiang Mai woo-hoo! – it felt damn good to relax by Long Beach for a few days.

Check my guide of Koh Lanta for more tips and advice.

Koh Lanta review

It’s one of those islands hitting the sweet spot between remoteness and accessibility. Great for families and romantic getaways.

• Accessibility: ★★★★☆
• Activities/Things to do: ★★★☆☆
• Beach quality: ★★★★☆
• Facilities/Services: ★★★★☆
• Scenery: ★★★☆☆
• Value-for-money: ★★★★☆

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.

When arriving Saladan pier , don’t succumb to people offering you to take you to your hotel. Just walk a few steps and you’ll find little tuk-tuk taxis for a third of the price.

The Koh Lanta bridge opened in 2016 and connects the island to the mainland to there are buses from several places too – the journey takes considerably longer.

Stay in Koh Lanta

I recommend staying at least 3 full days to have the chance to fully unwind. I stayed 4 days in the beautiful place below and could easily stay a few more.

Long Beach Chalet

High-quality comfortable Thai-style bungalows just a 5-min walk from the best beach in Lanta. Yap, I could LIVE here. Book now

Or… find your own resort in Koh Lanta:

 

Phi Phi Lee

Once a hidden tropical paradise, Phi Phi Lee has jumped to the bucket list of travellers all around the world after the movie The Beach was filmed there in 1999.

The featured Maya Bay has been widely tourist spot since then. An awe-inspiring bay sheltered by 100-meter high cliffs on three sides, looking like a giant reef. While there are several tiny beaches inside – most of them don’t exist at high tide – the main one has silky soft sand and exceptionally clear water.

Now the bad news. You will probably now what’s coming. SO. MANY. PEOPLE. On peak hours, even the harmless act of taking a picture proves to be a hard task given the number of people in the background.

Phi Phi Don

For me, the Phi Phi Islands represents everything that has gone bad in tourism worldwide lately. And just arriving to Tonsai Bay, the main transport hub of Phi Phi Don is… intense.

There were so many speedboats we couldn’t even see the beach. In fact, there was no physical space to park the boat so we had to force our way between two other boats. Strong smell of diesel everywhere. Not a promising start.

After a tasteless lunch buffet next to the beach with 500 thousand other people, we got to explore the surroundings a bit and try to take in the scenery past the touristy stuff. Failed miserably.

Amongst overpriced hotels and resorts, Phi Phi Don attracts a young and energetic crowd ready to party, offering a lot to do, from snorkeling boat trips to booze parties. It’s a great place to make new friends – if you know what I mean.

Maybe my experience could have been better if I wasn’t on a tour. Maybe I should have hiked to the Phi Phi viewpoint. Or maybe it’s not just my kind of place.

In any case, this was my least favorite place in Thailand and unless you have a party spirit, this place can be skipped entirely.

Railay

Railay is not technically an island, but it sure feels like one. It’s actually a small peninsula between Ao Nang and Krabi Town.

Accommodation is also quite more expensive here compared to other places in the Andaman coast. The hotel we stayed in – Railay Princess – was located on East Railay tucked away from the popular spots but was great value.

Railay peninsula has two main points of interest. First, West Railay beach. This is where the longtails from Ao Nang all drop off their passengers, so I was expecting a lot of traffic. Water can get diesel-dirty on low tide. But I was shocked with how noisy the beach can be. During peak hours, it’s even hard to maintain a conversation while sitting on the sand. That’s ridiculous!

The southern tip of the peninsula, where Phra Nang beach is located, is MUCH better. Don’t get me wrong – it can get really busy too – but it’s quieter, the water much clearer and the surrounding scenery of limestone cliffs is stunning.

Also, some boats sell street (or beach?) food which added to a more convincing tropical vibe. This spot is by far the best Railay has to offer. Skip everything else in the peninsula and spend as much of your time as you can around Phra Nang.

There are many activities you can do in Railay, the most popular being kayaking and especially rock climbing – did you know it is one of the top spots in the world for this sport?

Railay review

An interesting mix of secludedness and busy young crowds within stunning tropical scenery. Great for water sports and rock climbing, albeit might feel a bit overpriced for some who aren’t into it.

• Accessibility: ★★★★☆
• Activities/Things to do: ★★★★☆
• Beach quality: ★★★☆☆
• Facilities/Services: ★★☆☆☆
• Scenery: ★★★★★
• Value-for-money: ★★★☆☆

How to get to Railay

Despite being a peninsula, 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.

Stay in Railay Beach

2-5 days. Railay peninsula is small and everything is at walking distance. Can get a bit boring after a couple of days. This is where I stayed:

Railay Princess Resort & Spa

This resort is in a quiet location, has 2 amazing swimming pools and a memorable breakfast. Looking back, I think this was GREAT value. Make sure you keep the windows closed, as monkeys can steal your stuff!
Book now

As an alternative, start searching using my shortlist of the best resorts in the Railay peninsula.

Koh Poda

Do you know those places you love so much you almost feel tempted not to share with anyone else? Well, this is it.

Koh Poda is part of the so-called 4 island tour but you can skip it and dedicate a full-day trip on our own.

Not that it’s a remote island – in fact is completely the opposite, it’s one of the first ones off the coast of Ao Nang – but it feels a lot more secluded. It’s possible to spend a night in a bungalow in the interior.

While the northern area of the island can be very busy with many longtails and speedboats, the east coast to find out an almost deserted pearly white sand beach. An amazing sight.

The only thing that went slightly off was our return journey. Upon arrival we had to agree on a time to our driver to pick us up. 3pm. He didn’t show up and we had to wait for 40+ minutes on the beach for another longtail boat that would take us back.

Getting stuck on a beautiful tropical island, what a first-world problem.

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 turqoise waters, the smile of the people and the amazing food. Not to mention the super cheap massage places!

It’s the perfect place to unwind and live the tropical life for a few days.

There are many things to keep you busy here. Top-notch diving, snorkeling day trips within the Tarutao Marine Park or even sea kayaking. But overall, life is slow-paced here, everyone is friendly and everything is within walking distance.

Have a read at my Koh Lipe travel guide, with everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Koh Lipe review

Still authentic and secluded, Koh Lipe is simply put, my favorite Thai island of them all.

• Accessibility: ★★☆☆☆
• Activities/Things to do: ★★★★☆
• Beach quality: ★★★★★
• Facilities/Services: ★★★★☆
• Scenery: ★★★★★
• Value-for-money: ★★★★☆

How to get to Koh Lipe

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.

How long to stay in Koh Lipe

A lifetime? No, seriously, this island will quickly win you over to its laid-back lifestyle, so you can stay here for weeks. 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

I highly recommend the place I stayed: Zanom Sunrise Resort. With comfy rustic bungalows, they’re the right kind of accommodation in the island: not too frugal but not too fancy either. And the price is very reasonable. You can read my full experience in Zanom Resort here.

The Ultimate Guide to the dreamy Koh Lipe island

Continue reading on my full Koh Lipe guide.

Other Thailand islands to visit in the Andaman coast

The following are islands I still haven’t visited yet but are under my radar for my next trip to Thailand. Worth to consider adding them to your itinerary too.

Phuket

Yes, the infamous Phuket! As the largest and busiest island in Thailand and the main tourist hub, it is infected with a collection of the best hotels and resorts in the country. There’s a lot of activities, a lot of restaurants and a lot of people everywhere. A lot of a lot, exactly what I usually don’t look for.

So why is Phuket on my bucket list?

Apart from the pretty cool giant Buddha statue in Chalong, personally the biggest appeal I see in Phuket is its accessibility. There are tours and boat connections to virtually everywhere in Thailand. The proximity to other more laid-back islands like the Similan and the Hong Islands is also a big plus!

Koh Hong

Despite being a popular day trip from Phuket, I have never heard of Hong Islands until a tour flyer grabbed my attention. An inception picture of a gorgeous island with an enclosed lagoon INSIDE. Turns out it’s Koh Hong, the main island of the archipelago. I was immediately sold.

Except for the birds, gibbons, and lizards, Koh Hong is completely uninhabited and best accessible by kayak.

The other islands are as exciting. Koh Lahding is another beautiful island with a sheltered cove. And both Koh Rai and Koh Kakbiahave top-notch beaches in low-tide. This place looks paradise on earth and I can’t wait to visit!

Similan Islands

Similan is a group of islands considered a true slice of paradise off the coast of the Phang Nga province.

The rich underwater life attracts snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts seeking encounters with tropical fishes, whale sharks, and even manta rays. This small archipelago also boasts pristine beaches, reefs, and coves.

The fastest way to get there is by boat from Khao Lak (2-hour trip). Many choose to do Similan on a day trip, but diving enthusiasts might want to spend more time there.

Koh Muk

This is a more off-the-radar island destination in southern Thailand but definitely worth to look into. No big tourism infrastructure, just a couple of restaurants and hotels. Who needs more anyway?

Apart from chilling on the beach and top-notch snorkeling, the main highlight is Morakot Cave (Emerald Cave). It’s just a short boat ride from the main section of the island, and cannot be missed!

Koh Muk is close enough to do on a day trip from Koh Lanta, but I imagine the best experience to spend a few days in this remote paradise.

Thailand Island Hopping Itinerary For First-Timers

I know people who visited the Thailand islands and didn’t stay for more than 1 night in the same place. Don’t make that mistake, that’s absolutely crazy.

Thailand is not the ordinary travel destination and it’s easy to fall in the trap of trying to justify a rather expensive flight. Just like any other country – Thailand is NOT suited to be explored on a rally course and 2 weeks is the bare minimum.

The best advice I can give you here is to try NOT to squeeze in everything. Visiting fewer islands and really taking the time to explore them is much more rewarding on the long-term.

Otherwise, you’ll end up seeing just bits and bobs and spending most of the time going around on buses, planes, and longtail boats. Not to mention the painful logistics of carrying your luggage and having to pack and unpack all the time.

Apart from my packing tips for Asia, follow the tips below for the best experience:

Obviously, adjust this route to the time you are staying. If you have two weeks available, pick two hub-islands or two “relax-islands” and add in some more juicy day trips!

Finding places to stay in Thailand’s Andaman coast

I usually use Booking.com to find accommodations.

I’ve used Agoda before in Asia, but my experience was not the best so can’t recommend it.

Always make sure you check for a room with A/C or fan. It can get crazy hot and humid in Thailand. Also in the most remote tropical islands, a mosquito net is gold!

How to get to Thailand’s Andaman coast

The easier and direct way to get to the west coast of Thailand is definitely by plane. Phuket and Krabi airports have several direct national and international flights.

There are also several low-cost companies operating in Thailand with flights at laughable prices. Note some of them are NOT listed in flight search engines like Kiwi, so always take a look at their own websites.

Low-cost airlines operating in Thailand islands

An interesting feature some of these companies offer are combined tickets. For instance, you can buy a Fly’n’Ferry ticket with Nok Air from Bangkok to Koh Lipe. Even though the island has no airport, the ticket includes flying to a nearby Trang airport, bus to the near pier and then a passenger ferry to Koh Lipe.

You can also get to the islands by bus or train from Bangkok. While these can be considerably cheaper options, journey times can be a total bitch. We’re talking about 12 hours here!

Best time to go to Andaman islands

The best time to hit 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.

After April, weather can get increasingly hot, up to 35C. Combined with the high humidity due to heavy showers it can be a tough time to visit. However showers are often short and reveal clear blue skies immediately afterward, so it’s still an OK time to visit.

The only period to be avoided is during the rainy season between July and November. Prices are the lowest of the year and crowds are minimal, but the weather can be rough and transportation choices (speedboats, longtails, and ferries) are limited.

Check complete weather details for Phuket and Krabi.

Andaman Islands: The review

Prior to my trip, I was already expecting to come back with mixed feelings.

The beauty of the islands is undeniable. The clear turquoise waters. The backdrop with limestone cliffs. All tied in nicely with delicious food, the amazing value in shopping items and extremely nice local people. A true piece of tropical paradise.

The negative side is obvious and can’t be overlooked. Crowds, boats, noise, pollution. Hard to say what to do as regards to the future of the islands.

It breaks my heart to say some of the places I’ve seen are lost forever to tourism. Especially Phi Phi islands. What will be of Maya Bay?

While I think the Thailand government did well in taking the first steps in regulating/forbidding visitors in some places, it’s still a bit depressing to think about. In the end, it’s a small price to pay to maintain their long-term integrity and sustainability.