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Andaman Islands Tours & Trips

Find the right tour package for you through Andaman Islands. We've got 13 trips going to Andaman Islands, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 9 days. The most popular month to go is June, which has the most tour departures.

13 Andaman Islands tour packages with 5 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

Andaman Tour With Neil Islands

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Andaman Serenity Escape: A Beach Paradise Voyage

• Island Hopping

Port Blair Discovery Tour

Port Blair Tour with Havelock Island

Andaman Island - A Divine Romantic Escape (A Budget Friendly Tour)

• Health, Spa & Wellness

Andaman Enchantment: Love's Retreat Across Havelock, Neil & Ross Islands

Highlights of Andaman

• In-depth Cultural

8 Days Andaman & Nicobar Islands Tour

Tour to Andaman

"The Piatra Craiului ridge walk was spectacular but a little more challenging and"

Best of Andaman

"Havelock island is to die for but the transportation system is very disorganized in these islands." Jason, traveled in February 2019

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Get Ready For The Adventure Of A Lifetime

Explore krabi & support locals, james bond island.

A day trip to James Bond can be spent kayaking into caves, swimming in the warm water, with lunch at a floating village all surrounded by spectacular scenery.

Four Islands Tour

The Four Krabi Islands are Koh Gai, Koh Tup, Koh Mawr and Koh Poda, some of the most photographed locations in Thailand. A must see! We also offer sunset trips with BBQ 

Koh Phi Phi Island

A hugely popular trip to visit the Koh Phi Phi Islands, which  consists of six small islands where fine sandy beaches and soaring limestone cliffs form spectacular scenery

Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave

Our Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave Day Tour is an extremely popular choice. Railay Beach is isolated from the mainland, the peninsula of Railay surrounded by the warm Andaman Sea, lush jungle, and twisted rock.

Koh Yao or Long Island

Long Island is a group of islands between Phuket and Krabi, the two main are Koh Yao Noi (Small Long Island) and Koh Yao Yai, (Big Long Island). Join us for a day of exploring,  kayaking, hiking, snorkelling and swimming.

Northern Krabi Itinerary

We introduce to you, Northern Krabi. Kayak through the Bor Thor river, explore caves and visit Than Bokoranee National Park for swimming in fresh water pools.

Southern Krabi Itinerary

For our Southern Krabi Day Trip, you will visit ancient temples, climb the 1,200 step Tiger Temple and enjoy hot springs before a cool off in the stunning  emerald pools of Krabi. 

Bamboo Island

Bamboo Island is a remote beach of white sand that emerges from the turquoise waters. Enjoy swimming in the warm shallow waters or just relax on the white sandy beach. 

Why Choose Us?

When booking with Andaman Camp & Cruise, not only are you supporting local families in Ao Nang, but you are also championing tours that ensure our paradise, our seas and our islands are respected and cherished.

Unfortunately, many tour agencies in Krabi do not have the same love for the nature we explore. We have been disappointed to arrive to areas and see plastic, litter and remains of other tours. 

You won’t find single use plastic or Styrofoam on any of our Andaman Camp & Cruise Tours. We ensure that no trace of our visit is left. We hope to encourage other agencies to do the same.

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Please feel free to contact us with any questions or queries. Please complete the enquiry form below and we’ll reply as soon as possible!

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Andaman Wonders: Phuket, Phi Phi, and Krabi Tour

Destinations, tour highlights.

• Explore Phangnga bay & James bond island by Private longtail boat
• Explore Phi Leh Lagoon & Maya bay with a private longtail boat
• Half day Elephant Sanctuary experience in Phuket
• Visit the Emerald Pool & Hotspring waterfall in Krabi
• Explore the most beautiful 4 islands around Krabi

Tour Overview

Discover the beauty of the Kingdom in a comprehensive Thailand 10 days itinerary that weaves through the enchanting landscapes of Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, and Krabi. This itinerary blends thrilling adventures with serene moments, offering an unparalleled exploration of Thailand’s natural wonders, and aquatic marvels. Start your adventure in the vibrant locale of Phuket, where the allure of James Bond Island and the tranquility of elephant sanctuaries await. Transition seamlessly to the idyllic Phi Phi Islands, where private longtail boat excursions reveal the hidden beauty of Maya Bay and the crystalline waters of Phi Leh Lagoon. Immerse yourself in leisure and discovery with free days sprinkled throughout, allowing for personal explorations of beachfront bliss and island serenity. The journey continues to Krabi, where the natural spectacle of the Emerald Pool, the soothing Hot Spring Waterfall, and the spiritual heights of the Tiger Cave Temple enrich your experience. Culminate your adventure with a thrilling speedboat tour of Krabi’s iconic islands, each day unfolding new dimensions of Thailand’s diverse landscape. This Thailand 10 days itinerary is not just a trip; it’s a comprehensive immersion into the heart of Thai beauty, designed for those eager to experience the full spectrum of excitement and relaxation that Thailand has to offer.

Tour Itinerary

Phuket arrival.

Arrive at Phuket International Airport and Pick up by our driver to proceed to your hotel in Phuket for Check in and free time for the rest of the day.

James bond island & Phangnga bay with a Private longtail boat

Begin your day with a hotel pickup, heading to the pier to embark on a private longtail boat adventure. Explore the scenic wonders of Panak Island, Bat Cave, Hoy Tib, I-Tim Cave, and Diamond Cave, followed by a serene 30-minute kayaking experience at Hong Island, renowned for its stunning bay resembling a private pool. Relish a delightful lunch at the Koh Panyee Sea Gypsy Village, then proceed to admire ancient drawings at Khao Khian and explore the iconic James Bond Island (Koh Tapu), famous from “The Man with the Golden Gun” film, perfect for photo ops and shopping. Conclude your journey with a comfortable transfer back to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket & Cabaret Show

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel in Phuket, you'll be picked up and taken to an elephant sanctuary camp, where you'll start with an enlightening introduction to the elephants, learning about their lives and the sanctuary's conservation efforts. The day takes a memorable turn as you join these gentle giants for a mud bath, followed by a refreshing dip in fresh waters. You'll also get hands-on, preparing food and feeding the elephants, creating a unique bond. After returning to your hotel to freshen up, the evening unfolds with a vibrant journey to Simon Cabaret, where you'll be dazzled by a spectacular cabaret show. The day concludes with a comfortable return to your Phuket hotel.

Travel from Phuket to Phi Phi islands

After breakfast at your hotel in Phuket, Pick up by our driver and proceed to the pier to board your boat heading to your resort in Phi Phi islands. Arrive Phi Phi island, Check in at your resort and enjoy free time for the rest of the day by the beach.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Private Longtail boat to Maya Bay and Phi Leh Lagoon

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel on Phi Phi Island, embark on an adventure aboard a private longtail boat to discover the island's stunning locales. Your exploration includes the iconic Maya Bay, the mesmerizing waters of Phi Leh Lagoon, and the playful Monkey Beach . After a day filled with breathtaking sights and experiences, return to your hotel for some well-deserved relaxation and free time to enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast

Free day in Phi Phi island

Enjoy a free day at your beachfront resort in Phi Phi island.

Travel from Phi Phi island to Krabi

After breakfast, Check out and take the boat from Phi Phi islands to Krabi. Arrive at the pier where our driver will be waiting for you to pick you up and send you to your hotel for Check in. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day.

Full Day Emerald pool & Hot Spring Waterfall & Tiger Cave Temple

Begin your day with a pickup from your hotel lobby, embarking on a journey to Krabi's Emerald Pool, nestled within the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. Wander along a lush rainforest trail before cooling off in the freshwater pool, famed for its striking green hue thanks to the mineral-rich limestone hills surrounding it. Next, explore the Hot Spring Waterfall, where you can swim in natural pools heated to 40°C by geothermal springs deep within the jungle, 40km south of Krabi Town. Following your refreshing dip, enjoy a local lunch before venturing to the Tiger Cave Temple, where you can ascend the mountain for a panoramic view of Krabi's iconic limestone landscapes. Conclude your enriching day with a comfortable transfer back to your hotel, filled with memories of natural wonders and cultural insights.

4 Islands tour by Speedboat

Begin your adventure with a morning pickup from your hotel in Krabi, setting off to the pier to embark on a thrilling speedboat tour of the 4 islands. The journey starts at Pranang Cave, a revered limestone cave among local fishermen for its spiritual significance. Next, navigate to Tap Island, famous for its unique sandbar, Talay Waek, allowing you to stroll between islands during low tide amidst crystal-clear waters. Continue to Poda Island for a picnic lunch in the embrace of nature, complemented by snorkeling around the island and its neighbor, Chicken Island, distinguished by its poultry-like silhouette. Enjoy the blend of relaxation, swimming, and sunbathing before your day concludes with a peaceful return to Thara pier and a transfer back to your hotel, marking the end of a memorable exploration.

Krabi departure

After breakfast, Check out and Pick up from the hotel lobby by our driver to proceed to Krabi International airport for final departure.

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Southern Thailand: the Andaman coast Travel Guide

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As Highway 4 switches from the east flank of the Thailand peninsula to the Andaman coast it enters a markedly different country: nourished by rain nearly all the year round, the vegetation down here is lushly tropical, with forests reaching up to 80m in height, and massive rubber, palm-oil and coconut plantations replacing the rice and sugar-cane fields of central Thailand. Sheer limestone crags spike every horizon and the translucent Andaman Sea laps the most dazzlingly beautiful islands in the country, not to mention its finest coral reefs. This is of course the same sea whose terrifyingly powerful tsunami waves battered the coastline in December 2004, killing thousands and changing countless lives and communities forever. The legacies of that horrific day are widespread (see Tsunami Museum), but all the affected holiday resorts have been rebuilt, with the tourist dollar now arguably more crucial to the region’s well-being than ever before.

The Kra Isthmus

Activities around krabi, ao nang and laem phra nang, ao phang nga, phang nga town, laem phra nang: railay and ton sai, ko lanta yai, the chao ley: moken and urak lawoy.

The cultural mix along the Andaman coast is also different from central Thailand. Many southern Thais are Muslim, with a heritage that connects them to Malaysia and beyond. This is also the traditional province of nomadic chao ley, or sea gypsies, many of whom have now settled but still work as boat captains and fishermen. The commercial fishing industry, on the other hand, is mostly staffed by immigrants – legal and not – from neighbouring Burma, just a few kilometres away along the northern Andaman coast.

The attractions of the northern Andaman coast are often ignored in the race down to the high-profile honeypots around Phuket and Krabi , but there are many quiet gems up here, beginning with the low-key little sister islands of Ko Chang (quite different from its larger, more famous East Coast namesake) and Ko Phayam, where the hammocks and paraffin lamps offer an old-style travellers’ vibe that’s harder to find further south. Snorkellers and divers are drawn in their hundreds to the reefs of the remote National Park island chains of Ko Surin and Ko Similan, with many choosing to base themselves at the mainland beach resort of Khao Lak , though homestay programmes around Khuraburi offer an interesting alternative. Inland, it’s all about the jungle – with twenty-first-century amenities – at the enjoyable Khao Sok National Park , where accommodation is on rafts on the lake and treehouses beneath the limestone crags.

Phuket , Thailand’s largest island, is the region’s major resort destination for families, package tourists and novice divers; its dining, shopping and entertainment facilities are second to none, but the high-rises and hectic consumerism dilute the Thai-ness of the experience. There’s Thai life in spades across on the quiet rural island of Ko Yao Noi, scenically located within the spectacular bay of Ao Phang Nga, whose scattered karst islets are one of the country’s top natural wonders, best appreciated from a sea-canoe. The Andaman coast’s second hub is Krabi province, rightly famous for its turquoise seas and dramatic islands. Flashiest of these is the flawed but still handsome Ko Phi Phi , with its great diving, gorgeous beaches and high-octane nightlife. Mainland and mainstream Ao Nang can’t really compete, but is at least close to the majestic cliffs and superb rock-climbing of the Railay peninsula at Laem Phra Nang. Offshore again, there’s horizon-gazing aplenty at mellow, barely developed Ko Jum and the choice of half a dozen luxuriously long beaches, and plentiful resort facilities, at Ko Lanta Yai.

Unlike the Gulf coast, the Andaman coast is hit by the southwest monsoon, which usually generally lasts from the end of May until at least the middle of October. During this period, heavy rain and high seas render some of the outer islands inaccessible, but conditions aren’t usually severe enough to ruin a holiday on the other islands, or on the mainland, and you’ll get tempting discounts on accommodation. Some bungalows at the smaller resorts shut down entirely during low season (highlighted in the text), but most beaches keep at least one place open, and some dive shops lead expeditions year-round.

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Thailand Discovery

A great way to discover Thailand, take in the Central Plain and Bangkok, the north with Chiang Mai and the south at the lively resort of Phuket.

Thailand’s Andaman coast begins at Kraburi, where, at kilometre-stone 545 (the distance from Bangkok), a signpost welcomes you to the Kra Isthmus, the narrowest part of peninsular Thailand. Just 44km separates the Gulf of Thailand from the Andaman Sea’s Chan River estuary, and Burmese border, here. Though a seemingly obvious short cut for shipping traffic between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, avoiding the 1500km detour via the Strait of Malacca, the much-discussed Kra Canal project has yet to be realized, despite being on the table for over three hundred years.

Any tour agent in Krabi town, Ao Nang , Klong Muang or Railay can set you up on these snorkelling day-trips and other activities; prices usually include transport from your accommodation. Diving and rock-climbing are also available.

Snorkelling day-trips

By far the most popular organized outings from Krabi , Ao Nang and Laem Phra Nang are the snorkelling trips to nearby islands. The main islands in question are Ko Poda, Ko Tub and Chicken Island, all of them less than half an hour’s longtail ride from Ao Nang or Railay. There are various permutations, offered by numerous companies, including the number of islands you visit (usually three, four or five) and whether you go in a longtail boat, a larger wooden boat or speedboat; prices start as low as B450 for a longtail trip to three islands, including packed lunch and snorkel set. In all cases you should be prepared to share the experience with dozens, even hundreds, of others, because pretty much everyone congregates at the same spots. It’s a lot more fun than it sounds though – so long as you’re not expecting a solitary experience.

It’s also possible to organize your own boat trip with the longtail boatmen on Ao Nang waterfront. Their prices are fixed, but don’t include snorkelling equipment or lunch: for the return trip to either Ko Poda, Ko Tub or Chicken Island (8am–4pm), they charge B300 per person, minimum six people; for Ko Hong it’s B2500 per boat per full day, for Bamboo Island, near Ko Phi Phi , B3800 per boat per full day. Krabi town is quite a bit further away so its boatmen charge B1800–2300 for the three main islands.

From some angles, one of the pinnacles on Chicken Island does indeed look like the scrawny neck and beaky head of a chicken. There’s decent snorkelling off its coast, with a fair range of reef fish and quite a lot of giant clams, though most of the reef is either bleached or dead. Its dazzlingly white-sand northeastern shore, which has a food stall, toilets and kayak rental, is connected to the islets of Ko Tup by a sandbank, which is walkable at low tide – quite a striking sight as you arrive to see other visitors seemingly walking on water. Nearby Ko Poda, which sits directly in front of the Ao Nang beachfront, is encircled by lovely white-sand beaches and clear turquoise water. There’s a restaurant here and plenty of shade under the casuarina trees, so this is the typical lunch stop; sandwich-selling boats dock here too. Though you might get three hundred people lunching on the shore here at any one time, it’s big enough to cope. Some itineraries also feature Ao Phra Nang and its cave, on the Laem Phra Nang (Railay) peninsula, and this is the one to avoid unless you enjoy scrambling for your metre of sand on this overrun little bay.

Cycle rides

Half- and full-day rides into the Krabi countryside, or to Ko Klang, Khao Phanom Bencha falls or Khlong Tom’s Emerald Pool, with Krabi Eco Cycle, based about 2km inland from the Hat Nopparat Thara National Park visitors’ centre on Route 4202.

Elephant trekking

Nosey Parker‘s Elephant Trekking, 7km north of Ao Nang , has a good reputation. From B800 for an hour’s trek along the river and elephant bathing.

Sea canoeing

Guided and self-paddle trips around the spectacular karst islands and secret lagoons of Ao Phang Nga, usually focusing on Ao Luk, Ao Thalen and Ko Hong in the eastern bay. Dozens of companies offer this, including Sea Kayak Krabi, Soi 2, Thanon Maharat, Krabi town , who offer a multitude of day and multi-day trips, charging B1500 for a full-day trip to Ao Thalen, for example.

Thai cookery lessons

Ya’s Thai Cookery School, about 4km inland of Ao Nang off Route 4203, runs morning and afternoon courses.

Despite being the soggiest town in the country, with over 5000mm of rain a year, RANONG has a pleasing buzz about it, fuelled by the mix of Burmese, Thai, Chinese and Malay inhabitants. It’s a prosperous town, the lucrative nineteenth-century tin-mining concessions now replaced by a thriving fishing industry centred around the port of Saphan Pla, 5km southwest of town, and its scores of fishing boats and fish-processing factories staffed mainly by notoriously poorly treated Burmese workers. As with most border areas, there’s also said to be a flourishing illegal trade in amphetamines, guns and labour, not to mention the inevitable tensions over international fishing rights, which sometimes end in shoot-outs, though the closest encounter you’re likely to have will be in the pages of the Bangkok Post. Thai tourists have been coming here for years, to savour the health-giving properties of the local spring water, but foreign travellers have only quite recently discovered it as a useful departure point for the alluring nearby little islands of Ko Chang and Ko Phayam. The other reason to stop off in Ranong is to make a visa run to the Burmese town of Kaw Thaung.

A stroll along the town centre’s main road, Thanon Ruangrat, brings its history and geography to mind. The handsome, if faded, shopfront architecture bears many of the hallmarks of nineteenth-century Sino-Portuguese design, with its arched “five-foot” walkways shading pedestrians, pastel paintwork and shuttered windows. Chinese goods fill many of the shops – this is a good place to stock up on cheap clothes too – and many signs are written in the town’s three main languages: Thai, Chinese and curly Burmese script.

Into Burma: visa runs and Kaw Thaung (Ko Song)

The southernmost tip of Burma – known as Kaw Thaung in Burmese, Ko Song in Thai, and Victoria Point when it was a British colony – lies just a few kilometres west of Ranong across the gaping Chan River estuary, and is easily reached by longtail boat from Saphan Pla fishing port just outside Ranong town centre. It’s quite straightforward for foreign tourists to hop across to Burma at this point, and hop back for a new fifteen-day stay in Thailand (the “tourist visa exemption”). You can either do it independently, as described below, or you can make use of one of the all-inclusive “visa run” services advertised all over town, including at Pon’s Place (B850 including visa). Most visa-run operators use the Saphan Pla route, but they can also book you on the faster, more luxurious Andaman Club boat (B1000 including visa), which departs from the Andaman Club pier 5km north of Ranong’s town centre and travels to and from the swanky Andaman Club hotel, casino and duty-free complex, located on a tiny island in Burmese waters just south of Kaw Thaung.

Boats to Kaw Thaung leave from the so-called Burmese Pier in the port of Saphan Pla, 5km southwest of town and served by songthaews from Ranong market. Thai exit formalities are done at the pier, after which longtail boats take you to Kaw Thaung and Burmese immigration. Here you pay US$10 (or B500) for a pass that should entitle you to stay in Kaw Thaung for a week but forbids travel further than 8km inland. Note that Burma time is thirty minutes behind Thailand time, and that to get back into Thailand you’ll have to be at the immigration office in Saphan Pla before it closes at 6pm. Thai money is perfectly acceptable in Kaw Thaung.

There’s nothing much to do in Kaw Thaung itself, but it has quite a different vibe to Thai towns. As you arrive at the quay, the market, immigration office and tiny town centre lie before you, while over to your right, about twenty minutes’ walk away, you can’t miss the hilltop Pyi Taw Aye Pagoda, surmounted by a huge reclining Buddha and a ring of smaller ones. Once you’ve explored the covered market behind the quay and picked your way through the piles of tin trunks and sacks of rice that crowd the surrounding streets, all that remains is to take a coffee break in one of the quayside pastry shops.

The diminutive kangaroo-shaped island of KO PHAYAM offers fine white-sand beaches and coral reefs and is home to around five hundred people, most of whom either make their living from prawn, squid and crab fishing, or from growing cashew nuts, sator beans, coconut palms and rubber trees. Many islanders live in Ko Phayam’s only village, behind the pier on the northeast coast, which connects to other corners of the island by a network of concrete roads and rutted tracks. The bays either side of the village have a couple of nice places to stay, but the main beaches and accommodation centres are on the west coast, at Ao Yai and Ao Kao Kwai. A motorbike taxi service covers all routes, but no journey is very great as the island measures just five by eight kilometres at its widest points.

Ko Phayam has a livelier, younger and slightly more developed feel than neighbouring Ko Chang , underlined by a low-key beach-bar scene – all hand-painted signs and driftwood sculptures – and the presence of a significant number of foreigners who choose to spend six or more months here every year. Some expats even take up the rainy-season challenge, staying on through the downpours and rough seas that lash the island from June to October, but a number of bungalows close down during this time and staff take refuge in Ranong. As the island gets more popular, residents and expats are beginning to try and forestall the inevitable negative impact on the island’s environment. In particular, they are urging visitors not to accept plastic bags from the few shops on the island, to take non-degradable rubbish such as batteries and plastic items back to the mainland, and to minimize plastic water-bottle usage by buying the biggest possible bottles and by asking to refill them from the water coolers that all bungalow resorts have.

Activities on Ko Phayam

Most bungalows can arrange fishing and snorkelling day-trips, while Oscar’s in the village takes people wakeboarding in the bay. The dive companies teach PADI courses and run liveaboards to Ko Surin, Richelieu Rock, Ko Tachai, Ko Bon and Ko Similan (from about B16,000 for three days, not including equipment).

The small town of KHURABURI, 110km south of Ranong on Highway 4, is the main departure point for the magnificent national park island chain of Ko Surin. Much closer to Khuraburi are the islands of Ko Ra and Ko Phra Thong, which offer empty beaches and decent snorkelling and bird-watching, or there’s the chance to participate in typical village life at homestays in mainland coastal communities.

Khuraburi’s commercial heart is a 500m strip of shops and businesses either side of Highway 4. Most travellers use the town just as a staging post en route to or from the Surin islands: the main pier for boats to the islands is just 7.5km away, and Khuraburi’s tour agents sell boat tickets and offer transport to the pier. Though lacking in famous attractions, the local area is nonetheless scenic, both offshore and inland: with an afternoon or more to spare, you could either rent a motorbike, mountain bike or kayak to explore it independently, or charter a motorbike taxi or longtail boat.

Hilly, forested Ko Ra (measuring about 10km north to south and 3km across) sits just off Khuraburi pier’s mangrove-lined estuary and is graced with intact rainforest full of towering trees, hornbills and wild, empty beaches. The island is home to some two dozen chao ley people, plus just one place to stay, the rather special American–Thai Ko Ra Ecolodge. On offer are half-day guided tours to the nearby Moken village on Ko Ra; kayak rental and guided day and multi-day sea-kayaking trips; guided and self-guided hiking and bird-watching; yoga classes and retreats; snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Surin (B2900 per person, all-inclusive), as well as to the little-visited islands of Laem Son National Park; and diving to the Surin islands (B6900 for two dives, not including national park entrance fee and equipment rental) and Reef Check courses to monitor the local coral.

Andaman Discoveries homestay programme

Khuraburi is the headquarters of the community-based tourism initiative Andaman Discoveries, which runs a recommended day-trip and homestay programme in several local villages, as well as interesting trips to Ko Surin. It was established after the tsunami to help the area’s many devastated fishing communities get back on their feet and has since developed a range of stimulating one- to five-day packages featuring all sort of village jobs and activities, from soap-making and batik design to cashew nut-farming and roof-thatching. The office is just east off the highway (south of the bus station), up the soi beside the police box, across from the post office.

Unusually shallow reefs, a palette of awesomely clear turquoise waters and dazzling white sands, and dense forests of lofty dipterocarps combine to make the islands of Ko Surin one of the most popular destinations in south Thailand. However, Ko Surin’s most famous feature, its spectacular and diverse coral lying in fields just below the surface at the perfect depth for snorkelling, was severely bleached by a sudden rise in sea temperature in early 2010. Four of the most popular reefs are now closed to visitors, though half a dozen other sites that were less severely affected by the bleaching remain open; the national park is still a good spot for snorkellers, with plenty of fish to see, but it will take many years for the reefs to recover.

Ko Surin is very much an outdoors experience, with the bulk of accommodation in national park tents, no commerce on the islands at all, and twice-daily snorkelling the main activity. Several tour operators run snorkelling day-trips from Khuraburi, and there are diving trips too, most of which also take in nearby Richelieu Rock, considered to be Thailand’s top dive site, but independent travel is also recommended. Because the islands are so far out at sea, Ko Surin is closed to visitors from roughly May to October, when monsoon weather renders the 60km trip a potentially suicidal undertaking.

Rated as one of the world’s best spots for both above-water and underwater beauty, the eleven islands at the heart of the Mu Ko Similan National Park are among the most exciting diving destinations in Thailand. Massive granite boulders set magnificently against turquoise waters give the islands their distinctive character, but it’s the 30m visibility that draws the divers. The 5000-year-old reefs are said to be the oldest in Thailand, so there’s an enormous diversity of species, and the underwater scenery is nothing short of overwhelming: the reefs teem with coral fish, and you’ll also see turtles, manta rays, moray eels, jacks, reef sharks, sea snakes, red grouper and quite possibly white-tip sharks, barracuda, giant lobster and enormous tuna.

The islands lie 64km off the mainland and include the eponymous Ko Similan chain of nine islands as well as two more northerly islands, Ko Bon and Ko Tachai, which are both favoured haunts of manta rays and whale sharks and are halfway between the Similan chain and the islands of Ko Surin. The Similans are numbered north–south from nine to one and are often referred to by number: Ko Ba Ngu (9), Ko Similan (8), Ko Payoo (7), Ko Hin Posar (aka Ko Hok; 6), Ko Ha (5), Ko Miang (4), Ko Pahyan (3), Ko Pahyang (2) and Ko Hu Yong (1). The national park headquarters and accommodation is on Ko Miang and there’s also a campsite and restaurant on Ko Similan. Ko Similan is the largest island in the chain, blessed with a beautiful, fine white-sand bay and impressive boulders and traversed by two nature trails; Ko Miang has two pretty beaches, twenty minutes’ walk apart, and three nature trails; Ko Hu Yong has an exceptionally long white-sand bay but access is restricted by the Thai navy as turtles lay their eggs there from November to February.

Such beauty has not gone unnoticed and the islands are extremely popular with day-trippers from Phuket and Khao Lak , as well as with divers and snorkellers on longer live-aboard trips. This has caused the inevitable congestion and environmental problems and the Similan reefs have been damaged in places by anchors and by the local practice of using dynamite in fishing. National parks authorities have responded by banning fishermen and enforcing strict regulations for tourist boats, including closing the islands during the monsoon season, from May to October.

Located in an idyllic spot in Phang Nga bay, almost equidistant from Phuket , Phang Nga and Krabi , the island of KO YAO NOI enjoys magnificent maritime views from almost every angle and makes a refreshingly tranquil getaway. Measuring about 12km at its longest point, it’s home to some four thousand islanders, the vast majority of them Muslim, who earn their living from rubber and coconut plantations, fishing and shrimp-farming. Tourism here is low-key, not least because the beaches lack the wow factor of more sparkling nearby sands, and visitors are drawn instead by the rural ambience and lack of commercial pressures. Nonetheless, there’s decent swimming off the east coast at high tide, and at low tide too in a few places, and plenty of potential for kayaking, rock-climbing and other activities.

Most tourists stay on the east side, which has the bulk of the accommodation, at Hat Tha Khao, Hat Khlong Jaak (Long Beach), Hat Pasai and Laem Sai. Exploring the interior is a particular pleasure, either via the barely trafficked round-island road as it runs through tiny villages and the island’s diminutive town, Ban Tha Khai, or via the trails that crisscross the forested interior, where you’ve a good chance of encountering monkeys as well as cobras and even pythons, not to mention plenty of birds, including majestic oriental pied hornbills.

Ko Yao Noi activities

Kayaking and snorkelling.

Kayaking around the coast is a very enjoyable pastime, and the dozens of tiny islands visible from eastern shorelines make enticing destinations for experienced paddlers; kayaks can be rented through Ko Yao Noi hotels for about B300 per day. Just about every hotel and travel agent sells kayaking and snorkelling trips to Ko Hong and other islands in Ao Phang Nga.

Diving trips and courses on the island are the speciality of Koh Yao Diver, where two local dives cost B3600, two dives at the reefs around Phi Phi in a longtail B5520, and the Openwater course is B16,680.

Rock-climbing

Ko Yao Noi is fast becoming a respected destination for rock-climbers, who appreciate the fresh sites and uncrowded routes compared to the hectic scene at nearby Ton Sai and Railay. There are over 150 bolted routes on the island, from beginner level to advanced (5 to 8A), established by the American and Thai climbers who run The Mountain Shop in Ban Tha Kao. Many routes are over water and accessible only by boat, or at the least via a hike off the dirt track to Paradise hotel.

Protected from the ravages of the Andaman Sea by Phuket , AO PHANG NGA has a seascape both bizarre and beautiful. Covering some four hundred square kilometres of coast between Phuket and Krabi , the mangrove-edged bay is spiked with limestone karst formations up to 300m in height, jungle-clad and craggily profiled. This is Thailand’s own version of Vietnam’s world-famous Ha Long Bay, reminiscent too of Guilin’s scenery in China, and much of it is now preserved as national park. The bay is thought to have been formed about twelve thousand years ago when a dramatic rise in sea level flooded the summits of mountain ranges, which over millions of years had been eroded by an acidic mixture of atmospheric carbon dioxide and rainwater. Some of these karst islands have been further eroded in such a way that they are now hollow, hiding secret lagoons or hongs that can only be accessed at certain tides and only by kayak. The main hong islands are in the western and eastern bay areas – to the west or east of Ko Yao Noi, which sits roughly midway between Phuket and Krabi . But the most famous scenery is in the central bay area, which boasts the biggest concentration of karst islands, and the weirdest rock formations.

Hongs are the pièce de résistance of Ao Phang Nga: invisible to any passing vessel, these secret tidal lagoons are enclosed within the core of seemingly impenetrable limestone outcrops, accessible via murky tunnels that can only be navigated at certain tides in kayaks small enough to slip beneath and between low-lying rocky overhangs. Like the karsts themselves, the hongs have taken millions of years to form, with the softer limestone hollowed out from above by the wind and the rain, and from the side by the pounding waves. Eventually, when the two hollows met, the heart of the karst was able to fill with water via the wave-eroded passageway at sea level, creating a lagoon. The world inside these roofless hollows is an extraordinary one, protected from the open bay by a ring of cliff faces hung with vertiginous prehistoric-looking gardens of upside-down cycads, twisted bonsai palms and tangled ferns. And as the tide withdraws, the hong’s resident creatures emerge to forage on the muddy floor, among them fiddler crabs, mudskippers, dusky langurs and crab-eating macaques, with white-bellied sea eagles often hovering overhead.

Friendly if unexciting little PHANG NGA TOWN, beautifully located under looming limestone cliffs edged with palm groves midway between Phuket and Krabi , serves mainly as a point from which to organize budget longtail trips around the spectacular karst islands of Ao Phang Nga. But there are also several caves and waterfalls nearby, accessible on cheap tours run by Phang Nga tour operators.

Tours from Phang Nga town

The most popular budget tours of Ao Phang Nga are the longtail-boat trips run by tour operators based inside Phang Nga bus station. Competition between these outfits is fierce and the itineraries they offer are almost identical, so it’s best to get recommendations from other tourists fresh from a bay trip, especially as reputations fluctuate with every change of staff. To date the one that’s remained most constant is Mr Kean Tour; next door but one is Sayan Tour. Both offer half-day tours of the bay costing B500 per person (including national park fee; minimum four people), as well as full-day trips, which cost B800, including lunch and national park fee; take the 8.30am tour to avoid seeing the bay at its most crowded. All tours include a chance to swim in the bay, and most offer the option of an hour’s canoeing around Ko Thalu as well, for an extra B350.

All tour operators also offer the chance to stay overnight at their own guesthouse on Ko Panyi. Mr Kean can also sometimes offer (dependent on the tides) an interesting alternative overnight programme on his home island of Ban Mai Phai, a much less commercial version of Ko Panyi, with the chance to trek, cycle and kayak.

Local sights around Phang Nga town

Mr Kean can arrange trips to Tham Phung Chang, or Elephant Belly Cave, a natural 1200m-long tunnel through the massive 800m-high wooded cliff that towers over the Provincial Hall, about 4km west of the town centre. With a bit of imagination, the cliff’s outline resembles a kneeling elephant, and the hollow interior is, of course, its belly. You can travel through the elephant’s belly to the other side of the cliff and back on a two-hour excursion that involves wading, rafting and canoeing along the freshwater stream, Khlong Tham, that has eroded the channel.

Mr Kean also offers tours that take in several other local caves, plus Sa Nang Manora Forest Park, which has hiking trails through thick, impressive rainforest and several waterfalls with swimmable pools, 9km north of the town centre.

Seen from the close quarters of a longtail boat, the combination of sheer limestone cliffs, pure white sand and emerald waters around the LAEM PHRA NANG peninsula is spectacular – and would be even more so without the hundreds of other admirers gathered on its four beaches. The peninsula (often known simply as Railay) is effectively a tiny island, embraced by impenetrable limestone massifs that make road access impossible – but do offer excellent, world-famous rock-climbing; transport is by boat only, from Krabi town or, most commonly, from nearby Ao Nang. It has four beaches within ten minutes’ walk of each other: Ao Phra Nang graces the southwestern edge, and is flanked by East and West Railay, just 500m apart; Ao Ton Sai is beyond West Railay, on the other side of a rocky promontory. Almost every patch of buildable land fronting East and West Railay has been taken over by bungalow resorts, and development is creeping up the cliffsides and into the forest behind. But at least high-rises don’t feature, and much of the construction is hidden among trees or set amid prettily landscaped gardens. Accommodation is at a premium and not cheap, so the scene on West and East Railay, and Ao Phra Nang, is predominantly holidaymakers on short breaks rather than backpackers. The opposite is true on adjacent Ao Ton Sai, Krabi’s main travellers’ hub and the heart of the rock-climbing scene.

West Railay

The loveliest and most popular beach on the cape is WEST RAILAY, with its gorgeous white sand, crystal-clear water and impressive karst scenery at every turn. The best of the peninsula’s bungalow hotels front this shoreline, and longtail boats from Ao Nang pull in here too, so it gets crowded.

East Railay

Follow any of the tracks inland, through the resort developments, and within a few minutes you reach EAST RAILAY on the other coast, lined with mangrove swamps and a muddy shore that make it unsuitable for swimming; boats from Krabi town dock here. Accommodation on this side is a bit cheaper, and there’s more variety in price too, though – aside from a couple of gems – it’s mostly an uncomfortable mix of uninspired, low-grade developments and unsubtle bars with names like Skunk and Stone. Depressingly, much of East Railay’s hinterland is despoiled by trash and building rubble, but inland it’s another story, with a majestic amphitheatre of forested karst turrets just ten minutes’ walk away, on the back route to Ao Ton Sai.

Rock-climbing and kayaking on Laem Phra Nang

Ton Sai and Railay are Thailand’s biggest rock-climbing centres, attracting thousands of experienced and novice climbers every year to the peninsula’s seven hundred bolted routes, which range in difficulty from 5a to 8c (see wrailay.com for a full rundown). Of the many climbing schools that rent out equipment and lead guided climbs, the most established include King Climbers at Ya Ya Resort on East Railay and Basecamp Tonsai on Ton Sai. A typical half-day introduction costs B1000, a full day B1800, while B6000 will get you a three-day course, learning all rope skills; equipment can be rented for about B1300 per day for two people. If you don’t need instruction, the locally published and regularly updated guidebooks, Basecamp Tonsai’s Rock Climbing in Thailand and Laos and King Climbers’ Thailand Route Guide Book, will give you all the route information you need. Unaided over-water climbing on cliffs and outcrops out at sea, known as deep-water soloing, with no ropes, bolts or partner, is also becoming a big thing around here and can be arranged through most climbing schools for about B1000.

Kayaking around this area is also very rewarding – you can get to Ao Nang in less than an hour; kayaks cost B200 per hour to rent, for example on the beach in front of Flame Tree restaurant on West Railay. There are plenty of other activities in the Krabi area that you could hook up with from Laem Phra Nang.

Situated halfway between Krabi and Ko Lanta Yai, KO JUM (whose northern half is known as Ko Pu) is the sort of laidback spot that people come to for a couple of days, then can’t bring themselves to leave. Though there’s plenty of accommodation on the island, there’s nothing more than a handful of beach bars for evening entertainment, and little to do during the day except try out the half-dozen west-coast beaches. The beaches may not be pristine, and are in some places unswimmably rocky at low tide, but they’re mostly long and wild, and all but empty of people. Nights are also low-key: it’s paraffin lamps and starlight after about 11pm (or earlier) at those places that are off the main grid, and many don’t even provide fans as island breezes are sufficiently cooling.

The island is home to around three thousand people, the majority of them Muslim, though there are also communities of chao ley sea gypsies on Ko Jum, as well as Buddhists. The main village is Ban Ko Jum, on the island’s southeastern tip, comprising a few local shops and small restaurants, one of the island’s three piers for boats to and from Laem Kruat on the mainland, and a beachfront school. It’s about 1km from the village to the southern end of the island’s most popular beach, the appropriately named Long Beach. Long Beach is connected to Golden Pearl Beach, which sits just south of Ban Ting Rai, the middle-island village that’s about halfway down the west coast. North of Ban Ting Rai, a trio of smaller, increasingly remote beaches at Ao Si, Ao Ting Rai, and Ao Luboa complete the picture. The island’s third village, Ban Ko Pu, occupies the northeastern tip, about 5km beyond Ban Ting Rai, and has another Laem Kruat ferry pier. Many islanders refer to the north of the island, from Ban Ting Rai upwards, as Ko Pu, and define only the south as Ko Jum. Much of the north is made inaccessible by the breastbone of forested hills, whose highest peak (422m) is Khao Ko Pu.

Very high winds and heavy seas mean that Ko Jum becomes an acquired taste from May through October, so nearly all accommodation and restaurants close for that period: the few exceptions are highlighted in the text.

Activities on Ko Jum

Most bungalows can organize day-trips, as will tour agencies in Ban Ko Jum, for example to Ko Phi Phi , Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island (about B3500–4000 per boat), or around Ko Jum (B2500 per boat). Many offer guided hikes up Khao Ko Pu (about B1000, including lunch). Ko Jum Divers, at Ko Jum Beach Villas at the north end of Long Beach, run daily dive trips to Ko Phi Phi (B4200), with snorkellers welcome (B2100), and diving courses on offer (Discover Scuba B4900; Openwater B14,900).

Although KO LANTA YAI can’t quite compete with Phi Phi’s stupendous scenery, the thickly forested 25km-long island has the longest beaches in the Krabi area – and plenty of them. There’s decent snorkelling and diving nearby, plus caves to explore, kayaking and other watersports, so many tourists base themselves here for their entire holiday fortnight. The island is especially popular with families, in part because of the local laws that have so far prevented jet-skis, beachfront parasols and girlie bars from turning it into another Phuket , though resort facilities are expanding fast. Lanta is also rapidly being colonized by Scandinavian expats, with villa homes and associated businesses popping up all over the place, at a pace that not all islanders are happy about. The majority of Ko Lanta Yai’s ten thousand indigenous residents are mixed-blood descendants of Muslim Chinese–Malay or animist chao ley (“sea gypsy”) peoples, most of whom supported themselves by fishing and cultivating the land before the tourist boom brought new jobs, and challenges.

One of those challenges is that the tourist season is quite short, with the weather and seas at their calmest and safest from November to April; the main ferries don’t run outside that period, and some hotels close, though most do stay open and offer huge discounts. The short money-making window, however, means that accommodation prices on Ko Lanta fluctuate more wildly than many other south Thailand destinations.

The local chao ley name for Ko Lanta Yai is Pulao Satak, “Island of Long Beaches”, an apt description of the string of beaches along the west coast, each separated by rocky points and strung out at quite wide intervals. Broadly speaking, the busiest and most mainstream beaches are in the north, within easy reach of the port at Ban Sala Dan: Hat Khlong Dao is the family beach and Ao Phra-Ae the longer and more beautiful. The middle section has variable sands but some interesting, artsy places to stay, at Hat Khlong Khong, Hat Khlong Nin and Hat Khlong Nam Jud. Southerly Ao Kantiang is reliable for swimming year-round and currently marks the end of the made road; beyond here Ao Khlong Jaak and Ao Mai Phai are a little harder to get to and so feel more remote. Lanta Yai’s mangrove-fringed east coast has no real tourist development but is both good for kayaking and culturally interesting because of the traditional homes in Lanta Old Town. North across the narrow channel from the port at Ban Sala Dan, Lanta Yai’s sister island of Ko Lanta Noi has Ko Lanta’s administrative offices and several small villages but no tourist accommodation. The rest of the Ko Lanta archipelago, which comprises over fifty little islands, is mostly uninhabited.

Lanta festivals

Every March, Ko Lanta Yai celebrates its rich ethnic heritage at the Laanta Lanta Festival (laanta meaning roughly “eye-dazzling”), which is held over five days in Lanta Old Town and features both traditional and modern music and entertainments, countless specialist foodstalls and crafts for sale. Traditional chao ley rituals are celebrated on Ko Lanta twice a year, on the full moons of the sixth and eleventh lunar months – usually June and Oct/Nov (see Koh Lanta Community Museum). Meanwhile, the Chinese shrine in Lanta Old Town is the focus of the island’s version of the Vegetarian Festival, which involves processions, cultural performances and walking on hot coals.

Yoga and cooking classes on Lanta

During high season there are yoga classes at Cha Ba bungalows on Khlong Dao, but the most famous teacher is at Relax Bay on Ao Phra-Ae.

Thai cooking classes

Five-hour cooking classes are offered by Time for Lime, at the south end of Hat Khlong Dao.

Snorkelling trips and watersports on Lanta

Snorkelling trips.

The best and most popular snorkelling is at the islands of Ko Rok Nai and Ko Rok Nok, 47km south of Ko Lanta; these forested twins are graced with stunning white-sand beaches and accessible waterfalls and separated by a narrow channel full of fabulous shallow reefs. Also hugely popular is the “four island” snorkelling trip that takes in the much nearer islands off Trang – the enclosed emerald lagoon on Ko Mook, plus nearby Ko Hai (Ko Ngai), Ko Ma and Ko Kradan – but these sites can get very crowded. Another option is the day-trip to Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh and Bamboo Island. The trips cost around B1500 in a speedboat or B900 in a big boat, including lunch, snorkelling equipment and national park entry fee. For a smaller, more personal experience, contact Sun Island Tours or Freedom Adventures.

The reefs around Ko Lanta are quieter and in some cases more pristine than those round Phi Phi and Phuket , and excellent for seeing whale sharks. The diving season runs from November to April, though a few dive shops continue to run successful trips from May to August. All dive boats depart from Ban Sala Dan, and nearly all dive courses are taught either in Sala Dan or on Hat Khlong Dao, though there are dive shops on every beach.

Some of Lanta’s best dive sites are located between Ko Lanta and Ko Phi Phi , including the soft coral at Ko Bidah, where you get lots of leopard sharks, barracuda and tuna. West and south of Lanta, the Ko Ha island group offers four different dives on each of its five islands, including steep drop-offs and an “underwater cathedral” and other caves; visibility is often very good. Much further south, about 56km from Ko Lanta, are Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.

The nearest recompression chambers are located on Phuket ; check to see that your dive operator is insured to use one of them (see Diving and snorkelling).

There are several rewarding kayaking destinations, rich in mangroves and caves, around Ko Lanta Yai’s east coast and around Ko Lanta Noi and its eastern islands, including Ko Talabeng and Ko Bubu; a few companies also offer kayak-snorkel trips to the four islands described above.

Sometimes called sea gypsies, the chao ley or chao nam (“people of the sea” or “water people”) have been living off the seas around the west coast of the Malay peninsula for hundreds of years. Some still pursue a traditional nomadic existence, living in self-contained houseboats known as kabang , but many have now made permanent homes in Andaman coast settlements in Thailand, Burma and Malaysia. Dark-skinned and sometimes with an auburn tinge to their hair, the chao ley of the Andaman Sea are thought to number around five thousand, divided into five groups, with distinct lifestyles and dialects.

Of the different groups, the Urak Lawoy , who have settled on the islands of Ko Lanta, Ko Jum, Ko Phi Phi, Phuket and Ko Lipe, are the most integrated into Thai society. They came north to Thailand from Malaysia around two hundred years ago (having possibly migrated from the Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean some two centuries prior) and are known as Thai Mai , or “New Thai”. Thailand’s Urak Lawoy have been recognized as Thai citizens since the 1960s, when the late Queen Mother granted them five family names, thereby enabling them to possess ID cards and go to school. Many work on coconut plantations or as fishermen, while others continue in the more traditional chao ley

occupations of hunting for pearls and seashells on the ocean floor, attaching stones to their waists to dive to depths of 60m with only an air-hose connecting them to the surface; sometimes they fish in this way too, taking down enormous nets into which they herd the fish as they walk along the sea bed. Their agility and courage make them good bird’s-nesters as well.

The Moken of Thailand’s Ko Surin islands and Burma’s Mergui archipelago probably came originally from Burma and are the most traditional of the chao ley communities. Some still lead remote, itinerant lives, and most are unregistered as Thai citizens, owning no land or property, but dependent on fresh water and beaches to collect shells and sea slugs to sell to Thai traders. They have extensive knowledge of the plants that grow in the remaining jungles on Thailand’s west-coast islands, using eighty different species for food alone, and thirty for medicinal purposes.

The chao ley are animists , with a strong connection both to the natural spirits of island and sea and to their own ancestral spirits. On some beaches they set up totem poles as a contact point between the spirits, their ancestors and their shaman. The sea gypsies have a rich musical heritage too. The Moken do not use any instruments as such, making do with found objects for percussion; the Urak Lawoy, on the other hand, due to their closer proximity to the Thai and Malay cultures, are excellent violin- and drum-players. During community entertainments, such as the Urak Lawoy’s twice-yearly full-moon festivals on Ko Lanta, the male musicians form a semicircle around the old women, who dance and sing about the sea, the jungle and their families.

Building a new boat is the ultimate expression of what it is to be a chao ley , and tradition holds that every newly married couple has a kabang built for them. But the complex art of constructing a seaworthy home from a single tree trunk, and the way of life it represents, is disappearing. In Thailand, where assimilation is actively promoted by the government, the truly nomadic flotillas have become increasingly marginalized, and the number of undeveloped islands they can visit unhindered gets smaller year by year. The 2004 tsunami further threatened their cultural integrity: when the waves destroyed the Moken’s boats and homes on Ko Surin, they were obliged to take refuge on the mainland, where some were encouraged by missionaries to convert from their animist religion. Though the Moken have since returned to the Surin islands, inappropriate donations and the merging of two villages have exacerbated family rivalries and caused divisions that may prove lethal to their traditional way of life.

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Phi Phi Island

Explore the beautiful phi phi islands: snorkeling, diving, and cultural immersion in thailand’s andaman sea.

Day trip program

Phi Phi Island – Maya Bay – Pileh Lagoon – Bamboo Island

06.00- 07.00

Pick up from your Phuket hotel lobby –  Arrive Safely at private pier “ VISIT PANWA “ with a smile.

Check-in – Arrive at the pier  for check-in, enjoy breakfast with sandwiches, fresh fruit juice including tea and coffee.

Introduce our loving – nature tour guide & get ready for hopping on the boat – Program briefing from our tour guide on coral-friendly tour including details and safety instructions on board, full with smiles and laugh.

Depart from pier heading to Phi Phi Leh –  Cruising and sightseeing beautiful scenery, astonishing beauty of steep stone cliff and curved bay created by nature, enjoy your trip with our service-minded team by fully-equipped safety speed boat with life jackets provided.

Maya Bay – the mysterious crescent moon-shaped clear white sand beach hidden in the huge limestone mountain, full of baby sharks. Its beauty is in the world’s rank and it is chosen to be the location for shooting the movie titled “The Beach” because of its beauty. 

*The National park will temporarily close Maya beach for conservation but we can sightseeing the beautiful of Maya Bay from the lagoon view. ( 1 July – 30 September )

Pileh Lagoon – Known as “Swimming Pool in the Sea”, enjoy swimming in the emerald green water surrounded by limestone mountains.

* Special with “Love Andaman”, booking the local long-tailed boat (long tailed boat with a small motor driving a propeller at the end of a long shaft ), please make a booking in advance.

Hop on the long-tailed boat, getting close to the real locals’ ways of life on Phi Phi Island, take photos on Pileh Bay, and indulge in the amazing Andaman Sea.

Viking Cave-  Cruising and taking photos of Viking Cave or known as Phraya Nakarat Cave with the swallows nests concession inside, enjoy snorkeling among various kinds of fish along the coral reef.

Monkey Bay – Sightseeing adorable monkeys on the forested cliff along the seaside.

Ton Sai Bay –  Lunch time at TonSai Seafood beach-side restaurant on Phi Phi Don, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, relax, take photos, and feel free to roam around the island.

Bamboo Island – Heading to Bamboo Island, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Andaman Sea, long curved beach with powdery white sand with astonishing beauty, enjoy swimming and relax on the beach.

Time to say goodbye to the island of beautiful nature  – Depart from Bamboo Island to our pier.

Back to the pier – van picks up and transfers to the hotel safely.

Departs daily except during 1 August – 30 September 2023 (Closed Maya Bay)

Free car pick-up and drop-off from hotels in the designated zone

1 Day Trip, go in the morning, return in the evening

Breakfast / Lunch / Snack break / Drinks

Tour guide and the service team is full of fun and friendly.

Snorkeling equipment, life jacket, breathing tube and mouthpiece.

Park fees (Foreigners charge an additional 500 baht per person/trip, children 300 baht/trip)

Accident insurance up to 500,000 baht

Life insurance due to accident only, up to 1,000,000 baht

ㆍ Toddler refers to children aged 1-3 years old (free of charge for diving trips).

ㆍ Children mean from 4 – 11 years old (not over 120 cm tall)

ㆍ Adult means from 12 years old and over.

ㆍ Pick up and drop off in Phuket, additional charge 300 baht / person.

ㆍ Meals are subject to change according to park policies.

The itinerary may change according to weather conditions. and number of passengers

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Only a few hours away from the touristy areas of Phuket, Koh Samui, and Khao Lak, a very different experience awaits you. Here, in the beauty of Thailand, friendly communities invite you to experience their traditional way of life and diverse eco-systems in an authentic and non-intrusive way.

Since 2009, Andaman Discoveries has been committed to creating meaningful, memorable experiences in Thailand for both the guest and host.   

A Trusted Leader in Sustainable Tourism

All of our activities and itineraries are designed in collaboration with the villagers themselves, based around the principles of community-based tourism.  Villagers decide a fair cost for tourism services, 20% of guests’ payments go to a fund that benefits community members, and every year 50% of Andaman Discoveries profits go directly to support our Foundation for local initiatives.

Andaman Discoveries also trains local guides, promotes local businesses, and provides translators and literature to ensure visitors respect cultural customs.

I couldn’t be happier with Andaman Discoveries and how they led and organized our community-focused school trip from the Netherlands. We spent around 8 days in Thailand mostly based around Khuraburi taking part in homestays, teaching English to Thai students, visiting Buddhist temples, improving schools, while also getting a chance to visit perfect, pristine and beautiful beaches. It was a memorable and meaningful experience. What I loved about the trip was how well our itinerary was planned for the trip, but also how our guides were helpful, patient and adaptable to whatever needs that our group had. I would definitely recommend using them for an eco-focused holiday and would hope to get a chance to go back sometime.

The Neatherlands, April 2018

USA, March 2018

Throughout the years we have demonstrated that when local people are stewards of their own culture and environment, tourism can be a powerful force for good.

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Andaman Discoveries is a different type of Tour Operator. We are a social enterprise enabling visitors and volunteers to support community education, village-led conservation, and cultural empowerment while exploring the beautiful nature of Thailand. We have custom programs available for both individuals and groups.

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Andaman Luxury Tour and Travel - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

THAILAND’S ANDAMAN COAST – THE ULTIMATE ITINERARY

20 February 2018

If you’re a first-timer to Thailand then having an Andaman coast itinerary is undoubtedly a great place to start. After all, the region combines the quintessential Thai mixture of island-hopping, karst islands, marine national parks and jungle escapism.

Oh, and I nearly forgot – crowds of people.

Although it’s a fact of life that, nowadays, Thailand is buckling under the strain of tourism in many parts, there are still places where you can escape some of the worst excesses.

That’s not to say that you should avoid the more popular spots altogether. They’re popular for a reason. But by applying a little bit of savvy you can still see some of the most beautiful coastal scenery on the planet with relative comfort.

So, what you won’t find on our itinerary are tourist hot spots such as Kho Phi Phi and Phuket’s beaches. Neither will you find yourself getting tired of being in one place for too long.

What you WILL find is an adventurous mixture of the quintessential elements I’ve already alluded to. Along with some great accommodation, fabulous food AND probably the best deserted beach you’re ever likely to witness.

It’s a busy three-week itinerary, which assumes you’ll be arriving by air into Krabi. And it includes some challenging local travel between destinations. But, for us, jumping on a songthaew (a cross between a small bus and a truck) with our backpacks and enjoying the bumpy ride in the company of locals and other travellers is just part of what makes Thailand so enticing.

You’ll find a day-by-day summary of our recommendations at the end of the post. But, of course, you can adjust the itinerary to suit your own requirements, budget and the amount of time you have to spend. And, if you need any help or advice, please feel free to contact us .

Phuket Town

Khao sok national park, koh phra thong, your andaman coast itinerary.

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Having arrived in Krabi, you’ll find yourself in the centre of a tourist hub that includes some of Southern Thailand’s most famous spots.

In addition to Koh Phi Phi and Phuket, there’s also the marine playground in and around Phang Nga Bay. It’s where the famous “James Bond Island” is located and it’s gorgeous. It also gets incredibly crowded.

Our choice would be to head from Krabi to Ao Nang and spend your first night there. And if you like fish and seafood take a songthaew to Nopparat Thara and enjoy fabulous seafood at the Krua Thara restaurant. The snapper in Thai red curry sauce is still one of my favourite plates of food of all time.

The following morning catch the first longtail boat (at 8 am) for the 20-minute journey to Railay.  You’ll disembark at the spectacular beach of Railay West, one of four beaches on the isthmus.

At the north end of the beach, a 20-minute clamber over rocks and through a bit of jungle will bring you to a second beach at Ton Sai. It’s quieter than Railay West and also attracts rock climbers.

But the best of them all is waiting for you behind exclusive Rayavadee Premier Resort. Phranang is described by Lonely Planet as “quite possibly one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. And I can see where they’re coming from. Gorgeous white sand and incredible jungle covered cliffs at either end, framed by limestone karst cliffs both just off the beach and in the distance.

Unfortunately, by the early afternoon parts of it get completely overrun as more and more boats arrive. So, if that bothers you, just be prepared to leave by mid-afternoon

From Ao Nang, either take a couple of songthaews to Krabi Town ferry terminal or get a taxi directly there and then catch the two-hour speedboat to Koh Lanta.

When you arrive at Lanta’s Saladan pier, be prepared to run the gauntlet of taxi operators offering their services. We recommend you stay at the Lanta Castaway Beach Resort in Haad Phra Ae, which is a 6km ride away.

The resort is at the quieter end of popular Long Beach and provides some of the best food and friendliest service we’ve experienced in Thailand. It also has an onsite diving school (the excellent  Dive And Relax ) with whom I took my PADI open water diving course. And if it’s something you’re planning to do you might want to stick around for an extra couple of days to complete the course and get certified.

Otherwise, you can spend your time here just relaxing on the beach or you can explore further afield by taking a taxi along the coast to gorgeous Kantiang Beach, generally regarded as the best on the island.

Suitably relaxed, it’s now time to include a spot of island hopping in your Andaman coast itinerary. So you’ll return to Saladin pier to catch another speedboat for the one-hour journey to Koh Kradan.

Justifiably renowned for its main beach, it’s a stunning strip of white powdery sand cascading into the most beautifully emerald/turquoise/electric blue sea we can ever remember setting our eyes upon. With a vista across to the islands of Koh Muk and Koh Libong to boot.

You can actually visit the island on a day trip from Lanta, but the trick to visiting Koh Kradan is to stay overnight. Between the hours of 7 and 11 am the beach is uncrowded. But then, on the horizon, longtails, speedboats and larger ferries carrying hordes of day-trippers start to appear. And between 12 noon and 3 pm, the central section of the beach is out of bounds for anyone who treasures their sanity. So that’s a good time to head for some lunch or wander through the jungle trail at the back of Paradise Lost resort to a smaller, secluded beach on the other side of the island.

The good news is that sanity returns to the main beach after 3 o’clock as you wave goodbye to the last of the boats disappearing back to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and elsewhere.

Your next point of call is the southernmost Thai island of Koh Lipe, which is a two-hour speedboat journey from Kradan.

Lipe is a small island and it too is blessed with wonderful beaches. Not to mention a reputation for gourmet food with its large selection of restaurants in the unique Walking Street , connecting the east-facing Sunrise Beach and the west-facing Pattaya Beach.

Our tip though would be to take a short walk out of town to the tiny Burmese-owned Forever Restaurant.   Sublime Burmese/Thai food served with a smile.

And, away from the island, there are plenty of longtail boats you can charter for a half or full day trip around some of the surrounding islands, such as Koh Adang and Koh Rawi.

Unfortunately, Lipe does suffer from over-crowding for most of the season (with the inevitable associated rubbish issues) and Walking Street can be heaving at night. But it’s still not on the scale of some of the bigger ticket Andaman hot spots so we reckon it still deserves a place on our itinerary.

Island-hopping duties completed, you’ll now be ready for a change of pace. So, having taken the five-hour speedboat from Koh Lipe to Phuket, instead of heading for its famous beaches catch a songthaew to Phuket Old Town. Better still, book a room at the 99 Old Town Boutique Guesthouse on Thalang Road.

It’s a somewhat gentrified area but it’s a lovely place to spend a day wandering around, taking in a Thai massage (try Kim’s ) and enjoying terrific non-touristy Thai food.

And if you happen to be there for the weekly Sunday night market you can feast like a king on fabulous Thai street food from dozens of stalls.

Pride of place for us went to the tray of “moneybags”, a collection of small crispy parcels of gorgeousness filled with vegetables and prawns.

From Phuket Town, it’s a five-hour bus journey to Khlong Sok, on the outskirts of Khao Sok National Park.

Book in at Our Jungle House , a beautifully designed resort where you can experience sleeping in a rustic wooden bungalow or treehouse in a jungle setting.   Being “rustic”, that does mean that your bungalow isn’t completely sealed so you’ll want to tuck your mosquito net under your mattress before you drop off!

And don’t miss the opportunity to eat at Pawn’s in the village, a restaurant run by three sisters who produce wonderfully fragrant and spicy Thai food.

But your stay in Khlong Sok is merely a precursor to a two-day guided tour to Cheow Lan Lake in nearby Khao Sok National Park. You can either pre-book before you arrive in Thailand or walk into one of several travel agencies in the village. And there are trips that range from one to several days, depending on how far you want to explore into the jungle.

Most people opt for the one night / two-day trip, which includes an overnight stay on the lake in a floating raft bungalow.

Take it from us, the scenery for the whole two days is nothing short of stupendous. It remains our favourite part of Thailand and we only scratched the surface in the time we had there. But you can expect your tour to at least include a couple of jungle treks, a nerve-shredding waltz through a spider and bat-infested cave and a couple of wildlife “boat safaris” – one early morning and another after dark. There are swimming and kayaking opportunities, too.

The bungalows themselves are little more than glorified kennels, connected by a rickety wooden boardwalk. Luxury it ain’t. But, waking up to the sounds of the jungle and the sight of monkeys playing beside the lake more than makes up for a slightly uncomfortable night.

After your jungle exertions it’s only right that you wind down your Andaman coast trip with some more island beach time.

And we’ve got a special one for you to finish with.

Koh Phra Thong is something of a headache to get to. It doesn’t have any mains electricity. And it’s not blessed with any of the iconic karst island scenery you’ll find further south. Which is perhaps why it also doesn’t get crowded.

But it has two of the best beaches we’ve ever seen and has such a laid back atmosphere that you might just find it difficult to leave.

To get there from Khlong Sok involves a bus to Takua Pa and then an onward bus to Khuraburi, from where you can get a ferry across to the island (book through your accommodation). But unless you get to Khuraburi early you might need to spend an overnight there as the ferries tend to stop running in the afternoon.

We stayed at the eco-friendly Phra Thong Nature Resort , but if you’d prefer to stay in more luxurious accommodation right on one of the two amazing beaches, we’d suggest Moken Eco Village on Phra Thong Bay.

The beach here is unusual in that at low tide it completely drains like a bathtub. But when the tide starts to roll back in, the water transforms into multicoloured hues of apricots, pinks, turquoise and blue. And when high tide arrives, the gully through the mangrove forest behind magically transforms into a temporary river to be explored by kayak.

Just a short walk over into the next bay is Golden Buddha Beach, an 11-kilometre long stretch of golden sand, which might be the best beach you’ve never heard of. In fact, it’s so big that it doesn’t get remotely busy. And it was here that the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami smashed into the island.

That shocking event is commemorated on Hornbill Hill, which separates the two bays and can easily be climbed. Not only does it provide an astonishing view of Golden Buddha Beach but it also serves as a place to reflect on an event that wreaked such devastation in South and Southeast Asia.

Arrive at KRABI AIRPORT Songthaew from KRABI to AO NANG Do Eat at Krua Thara Restaurant Accommodation San Bainai Resort

Do Boat trip to Railay Accommodation San Bainai Resort

Songthaew from AO NANG to KRABI FERRY  Speedboat  from KRABI to KOH LANTA Motorbike taxi from ferry dock to Long Beach Accommodation Lanta Castaway Resort (recommended)

Do Explore and relax in Koh Lanta – diving course (extra 2 days required), Kantiang Bay, Long Beach, eat at the resort Accommodation Lanta Castaway Resort

Motorbike taxi from Long Beach to ferry dock Speedboat  from KOH LANTA to KOH KRADAN Accommodation Paradise Lost (recommended)

Do Relax on the main beach; switch to a beach on the opposite side of the island after 11 am; return to the main beach after 3 pm Accommodation Paradise Lost

Speedboat from KOH KRADAN to KOH LIPE Accommodation Gipsy Resort

Do Boat trip to Koh Adang and/or other nearby islands; enjoy the beaches and wandering around Walking Street; eat at Forever Restaurant

Speedboat from KOH LIPE to PHUKET Songthaew from ferry pier to Phuket Town  Accommodation 99 Old Town Boutique Guesthouse (recommended)

Do Have a Thai massage; wander around the old town; visit the Sunday market if you can; eat well!

Bus  from PHUKET to KHLONG SOK  Accommodation Our Jungle House (recommended)

Do Explore Khlong Sok and the National Park; book your Khao Sok trip if you haven’t already done so; eat at Pawn’s restaurant Accommodation Our Jungle House

Do Guided 2-day trip to Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park Accommodation Floating raft bungalows

Do Complete the trip in Khao Sok National Park before returning to Khlong Sok  Accommodation Our Jungle House

Bus from KHLONG SOK to TAKUA PA   Bus from TAKUA PA to KHURABURI  Accommodation Khuraburi Resort

Motorbike taxi to Khuraburi pier   Boat from KHURABURI to KOH PHRA THONG Transfer from ferry pier to accommodation Accommodation Phra Thong Nature Resort

Do enjoy the beaches; kayak through the mangroves; climb Hornbill Hill Accommodation Phra Thong Nature Resort OR Moken Eco Resort (recommended)

DAY 22 Transfer from accommodation to ferry pier; Boat from KOH PHRA THONG to KHURABURI  Taxi from ferry pier to Khuraburi bus station Bus from KHURABURI to PHUKET  Taxi or minivan to PHUKET AIRPORT

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I really love intense itineraries like this one that allow you to see alot. I just can’t stand staying in one place when I travel. XDD Also, those beaches look SO beautiful. Almost unimaginable until you see the pictures.

Thank you! There’s definitely plenty of stunning beaches in this part of the world, it pays to be prepared to travel a bit further off the beaten track to see them ????

Great Itinerary! I did an itinerary through Thailand, too. Because I had just 2 weeks time and also visited Bangkok and the North of the country I´ve just been to Krabi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta in the South. Golden Buddha Beach and Koh Lipe look amazing as well. I would love to go there when!

Thanks, Maike. If you like beaches you won’t be disappointed by those two islands!

That’s a great list.last year we visited Phuket and krabi.we enjoyed island hopping but missed the ones that you have mentioned.saving this post for later.want to cover all of them ????

Thanks, Madhu – sounds like you’ve now got a good reason to return!

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Beyond Wild Places

Your guide to the wilder side of life

A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Island Hopping Thailand’s Andaman Coast

Thailand’s enticing and intoxicating islands have drawn travellers for decades. Hopping between pristine white beaches and clear warm waters is one of Southeast Asia’s must-do experiences. Thailand’s Andaman Coast, with its 550 islands has become one of the quintessential destinations in the country. 

However, the real challenge is for budget or solo travellers, as the islands are increasingly known for their exclusive resorts and romantic couple getaways. This guide will help any traveller go island hopping in Thailand’s Andaman Coast, especially those who are on a tight budget or plan on visiting the islands solo. Shoestring, solo travel in Thailand has been a long-standing trend and it’s still alive and well on the country’s west coast.

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Why go to the Andaman Coast?

When people think of Thailand’s beaches, the real debate lies between the Andaman Coast (west) and the  Gulf of Thailand  (east), with picturesque islands on both sides of the country.

There are a few differences between the east and west coast, which might sway you either way if you have limited time. The  Andaman Coast  on the west side is considered to have more fluorescent blue waters from its shallow sea, as compared to the deep blue of the Gulf side. The weather is also slightly different as the Andaman experiences a pretty strong tropical monsoon from the months June to November. 

Although the Andaman Coast also boasts some of Thailand’s most famous and popular islands, like Phuket and Phi Phi, the large expanse of the Andaman Sea means that there are still plenty of smaller islands where you can experience a true castaway feeling. This guide will look at the Andaman Coast specifically, with its popularity outweighing that of the Gulf of Thailand.

Island hopping as a solo traveller

Long ago Thailand’s Andaman Islands were hippy hangouts and budget traveller havens. However, now you’ll more likely find luxury accommodation and couples wandering the beaches hand in hand for sunset happy hour. As a result, many people have began to disregard the islands on the west coast as not ideal places for solo travel in Thailand. 

In saying that, some of the original infrastructure for solo travellers like quality hostels, beach parties and group day trips are still available pretty much everywhere, just perhaps less utilised as they once were.

So although the Andaman Coast is certainly not the solo traveller retreat it was back in the day, there’s certainly still some fun to be had if you choose the right island/s for island hopping Thailand.

When to go to Thailand’s islands?

On the Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand, the main tourist season is from November to April , when the weather is at its best. This is also the busiest time with the highest prices. December and January are the busiest months, with many tourists coming from all over Asia and Australia. The start and end of the tourist season is the best time to go if you’re looking for a more laidback vibe for your island hopping.

The off-season is from May until October, when the coast sees a pretty intense monsoon season. During these months you can technically still visit some of the islands but, the weather can be unpredictable.

Where to base yourself for island hopping Thailand

In southern Thailand, most people aim to spend as little time as possible on the mainland. However, you’ll have to utilise some of the major towns on the coast as jumping off points for your island hopping adventure. And which towns you need to head to in South Thailand depends largely on which islands you want to visit.

The main cities that tourists go to begin their island-hopping on the west coast are:  Krabi, Trang  and  Phuket  (an island itself). 

Krabi is the capital of Krabi province, which covers most of the Andaman coastline. Further south is Trang province which is in close proximity to some incredible islands and is much less crowded than Krabi. 

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and is certainly more of an extension of the mainland now. Still, it’s one of southern Thailand’s biggest tourist drawcards with plenty of things to do in Phuket . 

For the east coast,  Surat Thani  (for Ko Samui) and  Hat Yai  (further south, towards Malaysia) are popular cities for exploring the Gulf Of Thailand.

The best islands to visit on Thailand’s Andaman Coast

There are literally endless choices when it comes to islands to visit and it really depends on the amount of time you have, your budget and what you want to do. There are a few islands were it’s possible to stay overnight, with quality accommodation and services, plus other islands which can be seen on day tours.

A quick rundown on the best islands to visit on the Andaman Coast.

The most popular islands to visit:

• Phuket  – The largest island in Thailand and one of the country’s most popular destinations.
• Ko Phi Phi  – Actually a group of small islands, that have long been known for two things: upmarket resorts and an extraordinary nightlife.
• Ko Lanta  – This laidback island is where people get caught up in island life and seem to never leave. It has more of a hippy vibe but still has regular beach parties.
• Ko Lipe  – This slice of paradise is quite far away from Phuket and Phi Phi, yet it draws plenty of people for its dreamlike beaches and diving.

Lesser visited and quieter islands:

• Ko Muk  – It’s hard to understand why this heavenly island is not more popular, but this peaceful place is a must for anyone wanting to relax on beautiful beaches.
• Ko Ngai  – Small and pristine Ngai is known for its expensive resorts and as a honeymoon favourite, but it’s also blessed with incredible coral reefs off its coast.
• Ko Jum  – Not far off the mainland between Krabi and Ko Lanta, this island is an underrated laidback haven where people tend to return again and again.
• Ko Libong  – Trang province’s biggest island and yet somehow not that popular, Libong is a quiet island where you can explore local fishing villages and interesting flora and fauna.
• Ko Bulon Leh  – Further south and just above Malaysia, this island flies completely under the radar and yet it has pristine beaches and small villages. It’s also known to have a more sustainable approach to tourism as compared to the other, usually overcrowded islands in the Andaman Sea.

Best islands for solo travellers on Thailand’s Andaman Coast

As I said above, many of Thailand’s Andaman Islands have become more upmarket and crowded with resorts marketed to honeymooners and busy with day tours catering to families and large groups. However, there are, of course, still plenty of islands where solo travellers can avoid feeling lonely, left out or bored. 

If you’re into energetic parties, I would recommend  Phi Phi , which although overly popular, still has some of the best nightlife on the Andaman coast. 

For relaxation and ultimate suntanning locations, I recommend  Ko Muk ,  Ko Lipe  or  Ko Bulon Leh , with Lipe being the busier and more popular of the three. These are more laidback and smaller options, with a range of accommodation and plenty of beaches to explore without the crowds and endless parties.

However, the best all-round island for solo travellers, is definitely Ko   Lanta . It’s perfect for anyone wanting to party at night, relax during the day or join day tours to other islands. It also has a co-working space for digital nomads and plenty of good accommodation options for all budgets. It’s a place where you might book three days and end up staying a week.

How to travel between the islands

Island hopping in Thailand is incredibly easy, especially on the Andaman Coast. The main way to get between islands and the main land is by  ferry  or  long boat . Ferries vary between fast, express boats and slower, local ferries. Prices also vary depending on company and timing, but many tickets include a drop off and/or pick up from the pier, which avoids an otherwise expensive taxi ride. 

For less visited islands, long boats are often the best or only option and they seem to be either empty or completely overcrowded, depending on your luck.

It’s best to book boat and ferry tickets through your  accommodation or a travel agent . Surprisingly, the tickets are often cheaper this way than if you buy them directly at the pier and they often include drop-offs and pick-ups from/to your accommodation. Shop around though, because prices can vary quite a lot.

How to get around the islands

The best way of exploring the islands is with a hired scooter or moped . You’ll find plenty of shops and hostels renting them out to travellers on either a per day rate, or even weekly rate if you’re planning on staying a while.

They’re easy to ride and are the most convenient way to get from the beaches to the bars without walking too much or paying for expensive taxis.

Depending on the island, hiring a scooter can be anywhere from 150 baht to 350 baht per day.

Where to stay on Thailand’s islands

There are a range of accommodation on Thailand’s islands. While some are more exclusive islands with mostly up market resorts , you’ll usually find plenty of budget hostels and mid-range guesthouses as well.

If you’re travelling solo, then hostels will be the best place to meet other people and join some social activities and tours. However, some of the smaller islands don’t necessarily have standard hostels with dorms and you might have to look for budget guesthouses and bungalows instead.

On the other hand, I also managed to find some beautiful budget guesthouses when you want to relax and enjoy the quiet islands in peace.

I usually look on Booking.com for some ideas about places to stay, but it also pays to have a look on some of the quieter islands once you arrive because you can snag some good deals by just walking in.

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the place looks quite and nice, great for a long weekend!

Thank you for sharing your expertise and helping us make the most of our island hopping experience in Thailand!

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10 of the best things to do in Thailand

Dec 21, 2023 • 9 min read

Experience the best of Thailand with this guide to the top things to do © Jackyenjoyphotography / Getty Images

People may think of Thailand as a food-focused destination, or a place for great nightlife or even a wellness center and somewhere to go and be pampered.

The truth is, Thailand is all of those things and more. You could be snorkeling in bright blue waters near a glorious beach , hiking to Thailand’s highest temples, slurping down a roadside bowlful of spicy noodles , plying the city’s waterways in a long-tail boat or simply dozing off next to a pool with a book on your chest.

Create your own adventure to remember in the Land of Smiles with our guide to the best things to do in Thailand.

1. Make your way to a temple

Thailand is home to more than 40,000 temples, which makes the decision on exactly where to visit that much more difficult. Although most people will say that visits to Bangkok’s Grand Palace and Wat Pho are musts, some other temples scattered throughout the kingdom might end up being the ones to lodge themselves permanently in your memories.

In the far Northern town of Chiang Rai , Wat Rong Khun – otherwise known as the “White Temple” – features a “bridge of rebirth” that takes visitors over a “lake” of outstretched hands representing human suffering. Further south near Pattaya , the Sanctuary of Truth stands as Thailand’s largest wooden building, painstakingly carved using traditional techniques. And on the border between the North and Northeast regions in Phetchabun, Wat Phra Thad Son Kaew  displays a series of giant Buddha images sitting in each other’s laps inspired by Russian nesting dolls, surrounded by Gaudi-like mosaics and a vast tapestry of stunning mountains.

If you do decide to stay in Bangkok, Wat Arun (aka “Temple of the Dawn”) is a beautiful and less-touristy temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya, while Wat Po also houses a massage school said to have been the birthplace of Thai massage.

2. Island hop in the Andaman Sea

This is what the kingdom is likely most known for: its dramatic, green-speckled islands and celadon waters. The best place from which to experience this is Phuket , Thailand’s largest and most-visited island. From its two marinas, you can hire a boat to survey the Andaman Sea and its many blessings, including the iconic  Ko Khao Phing Kan (also known as James Bond Island) featured in the movie  The Man With a Golden Gun (1974), which resembles a tree-furred exclamation point (one of many striking limestone karsts) in Phang Nga Bay .

Planning tip: Boat rentals can range from US$60 a day on a fishing boat to US$140 a day on a “luxury” cruiser with lunch and dinner included. You can also head to Rassada Pier to take a ferry to tour Phang Nga Bay as a day trip. Book a ticket online in advance in case they sell out.

3. Shop at one of Thailand's best markets

Thais love to shop, so it’s little surprise that Thailand is liberally peppered with markets of all types, from morning fruit markets to weekend craft markets to raucous night markets and even all-hours markets. The most famous of these is probably Bangkok’s 24/7 Flower Market , where a panoply of gorgeous blooms makes ideal Instagram fodder against the background of the Chao Phraya River. Also in Bangkok,  Or Tor Kor is widely considered – even among persnickety Thai aunties – to be the best food market in the country, especially revered for its traditional sweets and pristine produce. 

Up North, Chiang Mai’s Saturday Walking Street  and  Sunday Walking Street are predictably famous, but the Walking Street in Chiang Khan on the banks of the Mekong is just as extensive and far more picturesque. If it’s crafts you’re looking for, Cicada Market in the beach resort town of Hua Hin offers art, clothing and knick-knacks and is only a short walk from the beach. And if it’s a floating market that floats your boat, tree-lined Khlong Lat Mayom is only 1.5 hours from Bangkok and is far less touristy than Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market  and the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa . All are worth visiting, but beware of crowds.

4. Splash around in a waterfall

If you loved to splash around in fountains as a kid, then Thailand’s many, many waterfalls will surely delight your inner child – or even your actual child. From close to Bangkok (in Khao Yai National Park , a 2.5-hour drive from Bangkok) to its farthest reaches (in Ubon Ratchathani , on the edge of Thailand’s northeast), Thailand has a waterfall to suit any type of swimmer or nature lover, from little paddlers to experienced hikers.

Made famous by the movie The Beach  (2000), Khao Yai’s Haew Suwat is not necessarily Thailand’s most towering waterfall (it’s 20m/66ft high), but it does host an emerald-green pool perfect for midday dips. Located in Erawan National Park in western Kanchanaburi , the eponymous Erawan Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the country, thanks to its seven mighty tiers and the tiny fish that nibble at your toes at the bottom. Meanwhile in the far northeast lies the isolated Soi Sawan waterfall in Ubon Ratchathani , near where wildflowers bloom in the cool season and numerous hiking trails lead to amazing viewpoints.

Planning tip: If you do plan to beat the heat with a quick plunge, bring a towel and a swimsuit, but remember that changing rooms are few and far between. 

5. Learn more about Thailand at its top museums

Thailand is chock-a-block with museums, but some are far less stultifying than others. Belying the image of a fusty old building harboring ancient relics from a far-off land, Museum Siam in Bangkok tells the story of how the “Land of Smiles” came to be through a series of creative, interactive exhibits geared mainly at children. Also in Bangkok, the Jim Thompson House Museum keeps the spirit of the Thai silk tycoon (and rumored CIA agent who disappeared in 1967) alive by making his former home and collection of art and antiques accessible to the public. And only 40km (25 miles) southeast of Bangkok, Muang Boran (the Ancient City) is a faithful reconstruction of Ayutthaya-era Siam, set over 200 acres and labeled the world’s biggest open-air museum.

Detour: If you can make it out of the Bangkok area, the lengthily titled Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail , situated 100km (62 miles) from Kanchanaburi, was created in memory of the WWII POWs who helped build the Burma-Thailand railway, also known as the “Death Railway” immortalized in the 1957-film Bridge Over the River Kwai .

6. Take a hike along trails and through forests

In spite of its reputation as a classic fly-and-flop destination, Thailand also manages to be generously laden with hiking trails tailored to all levels of experience. Only 25km (15.5 miles) south of the resort town of Hua Hin, Pranburi Forest Park features a 1km-long (0.6 mile) boardwalk along mangrove forests and pine trees, allowing even toddlers the chance to stretch their legs while surrounded by greenery.

Up north, close to Chiang Mai, the 13km (8-mile)  Buddha’s Footprint Trail  is a simple out-and-back walk popular among birdwatchers for the diversity of both wildlife and foliage on display (a guide is required and can be hired among the Hmong villagers). 

Meanwhile, adrenaline junkies – and devout Buddhists or meditation enthusiasts – will love Wat Phu Thok , also known as the “Lonely Mountain” and located in Northeastern Bueng Kan. Visitors are encouraged to ascend a 359m-high (1,200ft) peak by way of steps, carved paths and eventually rickety-looking wooden slats. The experience, meant to mirror the seven levels to nirvana, is supposed to encourage meditation and focus on the “now” as walkers negotiate every strenuous (and occasionally daunting) step.

Local tip: Walkers who are afraid of heights should steer clear of the Lonely Mountain or ascend only the first few levels. The seventh level is said to be riddled with snakes, so no need to go further than the sixth.

7. Cruise Bangkok's Chao Phraya River

Before it became known as a mecca for traffic jams, Bangkok was once described as the “Venice of the East,” crisscrossed with canals branching from the Chao Phraya River , which once served as the kingdom's main artery of commerce and diplomacy. Although far fewer Thais use the Chao Phraya as part of their daily lives today, it remains a potent reminder of the city’s waterborne past. 

Many boats – from small long-tailed boats to water buses to larger dinner cruise-type ships – ply the waters for visitors in search of a glimpse of Bangkok’s past, or who simply want to avoid the traffic. The most famous of these boats is likely the Chao Phraya Express Boat . From downtown Sathorn, the boat goes as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi, and prices range from 16 to 33 baht.

Local tip: You can also rent your own long-tail boat for a cruise of the city’s many canals for 2,000–5,000 baht, depending on the size of the boat. Reserve online to secure a spot.

8. Taste Bangkok's best street food in Chinatown

Rejuvenated after a COVID-era economic slump, Bangkok’s street food scene is newly vibrant, especially in areas like the Old Town , along Charoen Krung Road, on Bantadthong Road, and by the Victory Monument . The birthplace of Thai street food (and restaurants) is Chinatown – also known as Yaowarat. Chinese–Thai dishes like oyster omelets, soup noodles, rice porridge and black sesame-stuffed dumplings tempt passersby along Yaowarat Rd, which becomes a neon-lit roadside buffet at night. Just remember: many street food stalls are closed on Monday, so be sure to check your chosen vendors beforehand.

Planning tip: While in Chinatown, check out one of Bangkok’s hippest nightlife spots, Nana Road (in Chinatown, not on Sukhumvit). Here, famous watering holes like Tep Bar , Teens of Thailand and the taxes-themed TAX rub shoulders with picturesque shophouses and noodle joints.

9. Cycle around some incredible ruins

Before Bangkok was even a gleam in King Rama I’s eye, the country’s capitals lived further up from the Chao Phraya River, first in Sukhothai and then in Ayuthaya . Now both UNESCO World Heritage sites, their ruins testify to the power and beauty of what was formerly known as Siam. Ranging over 70 sq km (27 sq miles), Sukhothai Historical Park showcases Wat Mahathat at its center, arranged like a lotus among 193 ruins. Visitors can explore the grounds by rented bicycle before heading to Ramkhamhaeng National Museum . 

At the larger Ayutthaya Historical Park, active from the 14th to 18th centuries, 425 unearthed archaeological sites include Vihara Phra Mongkol Bophit, home to one of Thailand’s largest bronze Buddha statues. You can also hire a bicycle to survey the park or head on out with a guide, and even rent traditional Thai costumes for a photo shoot.

10. See marine life on a snorkeling or diving trip

Marine life lovers or even avowed “water babies” will find all that they desire under the Andaman Sea or Gulf of Thailand. With its warm water, striking coral reefs and many manta rays and whale sharks , Thailand is thick with top-tier diving sites for all experience levels off of Phuket , Ko Phi-Phi , Ko Tao and Ko Pha-Ngan . If it’s snorkeling you’re after, the waters of Ko Chang and Ko Tarutao Marine National Park host bountiful marine life in clear blue water. 

Local tip: For the most part, October to April is considered prime diving season, while May to September is deemed best for snorkeling.

This article was first published Aug 24, 2021 and updated Dec 21, 2023.

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Skip Phuket! This Lesser-Known Thai Island May Be One of Thailand's Last Best Kept Secrets

If you’re here, congrats! You’re thinking of going to one of the chillest Thai islands left in existence.

Ah, Koh Phayam! A travel gem that has strangely stayed away from the over-tourism epidemic that has happened to most other Thai islands. If you’re looking for a quieter beach paradise that’s as far away from sunbeds and resorts as possible, look no further – this kangaroo-shaped island off Thailand’s Andaman coast is just what you’re searching for.

Be enchanted by the tranquil white-sand beaches and relaxed atmosphere of Koh Phayam island. Not convinced? Take it from me: I spent nearly a week here and wasn’t ready to leave. I fell straight into beach potato mode. 

Below is a comprehensive guide to all the information needed to visit Koh Phayam, Thailand. We’ll cover how to get there, the best times to visit, things to do, where to stay, and any tips along the way!

Island Overview

Koh Phayam is a Thai island getaway that’s off the beaten track yet still provides all the modern comforts you need.

Nicknamed “hippie island,” this small 13.4 square mile piece of paradise offers a balance between tranquillity and escape without being too crowded. When I visited during peak season, a local estimated the area was filled with ~3000-5000 tourists. Despite this, it didn’t feel overcrowded or busy at all! 

You can always explore the beautiful beaches and lush jungles here without needing to stay too long – although with its laid-back vibes, it’s likely that you’ll want to!

Some Facts About the Island:

• Electricity started slowly coming to the island around 2017!
• There are only two main roads on the whole island, and the big one to Long Beach was made just before the pandemic.
• Everyone on the island during the tsunami in 2004 has a story to tell. And some are bone-chilling.

Where Is Koh Phayam?

Koh Phayam is an island off the west coast of Thailand, right by the southernmost Myanmar border in the Ranong Province. (In fact, Ranong is a Thai-Myanmar border town.)

It is situated roughly ~580 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. Then a ferry ride away.

People may also come from popular tourist destinations such as Phuket and Krabi, as it would be a shorter ride 4-5 hour ride to Ranong city.

Click here to go to the exact Google Maps location.

How do you get to Koh Phayam Islands?

How you get there can be split into these steps:

• Get to Ranong Pier
• Take a Ferry to the island

The closest mainland city is Ranong, which is well-connected via bus, minibus, and air travel. Then there is the option for a once-a-day slow ferry or speed boats that run almost every hour during daytime hours.

Make sure you actually get a seat! You can pre-book your ticket from 12Go Asia , Thailand’s aggregate transportation reservation website.

1. Get to Ranong Bus Terminal/Airport

How to get to koh phayam from bangkok, by bus (most direct method).

You can expect to travel around 9 hours from Bangkok’s southern bus terminal to Ranong by bus. The last bus is at 8 pm, and if you show up too late like I did, all seats can be sold out. Which leaves you with the more expensive, indirect minibus option.

Unconfirmed, but on 12Go Asia , a few options leave from Mo Chit Bus Terminal. These all leave earlier, making for a very awkward 3 am arrival time to Ranong.

From the bus terminal to the pier , it’s about 6.5 km – 7.5 km away, depending on which pier you’re heading to. You can take a taxi directly or a songthaew that will take you within 1 kilometer of the pier.

Related Post: Figure out the different methods to get around in Thailand with this guide

By Minibus (One Connection in Chumphon)

Minibusses run from the southern bus terminal south to Phuket and Krabi . Unfortunately, these minibusses hug the east coast of Thailand, so you’ll have to get off at Chumphon Bus Station. 

There is no direct minibus to Ranong that I was able to find. I paid 700 baht to get from Bangkok to Chumphon.

If you have taken a night minibus, you’ll have to wait until 7:30 am for the first minibus to Ranong. This ride can take up to 2.5 hours and costs 170 baht , so you won’t make it in time for the slow boat ferry. However, speedboats run all day. (Personally, I hitchhiked this last part once the sun rose and made the slow boat at 10am!)

By Flight (Most Expensive, but Fastest)

Ranong does have an airport, and there are flights connecting from Bangkok that cost about 50$ USD. From there, you can take a songthaew or taxi that will take you to the ferry pier, which is 28 kilometers away from the airport.

From South Thailand to Ranong

Some buses and minibusses start from Phuket and come to Ranong but only run occasionally. Actually, this stretch of road is pretty quiet.

2. Ferry from Ranong to Koh Phayam

By slow public ferry.

Only one ferry per day leaves at 10 am and returns from the island at 3 pm .  Slow boats start at Tai Kak Pier , not at the speed boat Koh Phayam Pier.

Slow ferries cost 200 baht one way and take 2 – 2.5 hours, depending on how much cargo they load. When I went, they departed from the pier at 10:30 am.

You can also pre-book the ferry and the speedboat on 12Go here

By Speedboats

There is a dedicated pier that goes to Koh Phayam, but the water levels were so low in the dry season that many boats couldn’t actually start from there.

Speedboats run almost every hour , so if you miss the slow one and are willing to pay, you can level at practically any time.

Speedboats cost 350 baht one way and take about 45 minutes.

Where to Stay in Koh Phayam

Not as plentiful as most of the other developed islands, Koh Phayam has a few accommodations available for all types of travelers but mainly caters to the rent a private bungalow on the beach-type travelers. There are a few quality resorts and a few backpacker hostels.

Here is a list of places to stay for each budget.

WOW MODERN-STYLE LUXURY – Cede Boutique Beach Resort

  RATING: 8.8 out of 10 Stars (44+ reviews) | $$$

Check out Hotel Cede Boutique Beach Resort if you want some super nice bungalows. Located right on Ao Yai beach, you’ll have access to free beach chairs and sun beds in the shade. The bungalows are modern and spacious, with comfortable porch seating for the epic sunsets here. And be sure to start your day off right with a plentiful breakfast facing the sea.

CHEAP BUFFALO BAY PRIVATE BUNGALOWS – Rabbit Bungalows

  RATING: 8.7 out of 10 Stars (128+ reviews) | $

Located on Buffalo Bay (the prettiest beach), a stay at Rabbit Bungalows may be the perfect match. Guests often extend their stay thanks to the serene atmosphere and helpful staff. The bungalows are simple but comfortable with very cozy beds. But perhaps best of all is how quiet it is at night – no noise from neighbors or backpacker venues, just pure peace and tranquility.

BEST BACKPACKER DORM – Tropical Hostel

  RATING: 9.5 out of 10 Stars (46+ reviews) | $

There may not be many backpacker hostel options, but if you’re looking for a dorm with good vibes and energy, book a stay at Tropical Hostel . The owners, Om and Ing, interact with all the guests, making everyone feel like part of the Koh Payam family from the moment you walk in. It’s in a great location near restaurants and bars, and nightly events keep everyone entertained. The hostel is also conveniently located near Longbeach and is the best place to meet fellow backpackers.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Koh Phayam?

Koh Phayam has a tropical climate and is hot year-round. But it experiences two distinct seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. 

Generally speaking, the best time to visit is during the dry season, which falls between November and April. The weather is sunny and bright during this time, and there isn’t much rain. This may be high season for southern Thailand, but it is still chill AF here, even at capacity.

The wet season begins in May and ends in October. During this time of year, temperatures are hotter, it rains more often, and the humidity levels increase quite a bit.

11 Best Things to Do in Koh Phayam

1. chill at the best beaches.

This is really your main activity. Koh Phayam is known for its beautiful powdery, white sand beaches with blue waters. No beach is ever too crowded, so you’ll always be able to find a spot to relax and watch the sunset. Don’t expect super clear water visibility, except for Buffalo Bay Beach.

One morning I even spotted a rogue sea otter sticking his head out of the sea before the resident dogs scared him away.

Some of the best beaches in Koh Phayam include:

• Ao Khao Kwai Beach (Buffalo Bay for clear waters)
• Ao Kwang Peeb (Monkey Beach for it’s remoteness)
• Ao Yai Beach (Long Beach for the sunset)
• A few secret ones that I’ll keep a mystery  

2. Visit the only Temple on the Island, Wat Koh Phayam

North of the pier lies Wat Koh Phayam – the one and only temple on the island. Monks are often found in the Buddhist center just before this biggish Buddha statue.

Across the way, Bot Klang Thale, which translates to “temple in the middle of the sea,” is a white circular structure that can easily be reached by walking down the pier. Even more captivating is watching its golden lighting during the sunset.

3. Surf at Ao Yai Beach (Long Beach)

Head to Ao Yai Beach (also known as Long Beach) for some surfing. This is one of the most popular beaches on Koh Phayam and is the only place on the island possible to surf.

Beginner surfers can take advantage of the gentle waves at this beach, found only in the middle area at the end of the main road. There are rental shops and instructions right on the beach.

4. Photograph Hin Talu, a Unique rock arch formation

Hin Talu is a magnificent rock arch formation that juts out over the crystal-clear waters of southern Buffalo Bay. The stunning natural wonder provides a perfect setting for some awesome photography shots and picturesque lounging.

4. Get Groovy with Some Partying

Unlike many Thai islands known for its nightlife , Koh Phayam is a relatively quiet island. But when night falls, sometimes it comes alive with lights and music if you’re in the mood for some dancing.

Note:  Alcohol is a bit expensive on the island since everything is imported.

What’s Happening?

• Sabai Sabai every Thursday Night
• Musika every Saturday Night
• The occasional special event where they will post a sign all over the island

5. Get Lost at Hippy Bar

Gather at Buffalo Bay to experience the awe-inspiring, giant wooden boat structure taking the form of an intricate maze – Hippy Bar. Enjoy a delightful time in this spectacular open-air bar accompanied by wonderful music and warm vibes. It’s your perfect spot for relaxation and to get lost in!

6. Scooter Around the Island

This small island only has two main roads! But take a random dirt path and see where it leads you. You can ride a motorbike through the jungle roads or hike into the nearby hills to uncover secret beaches.

Find hilltop restaurants and ocean-view cafes. They even have Thai massages here too!

7. Witness the Near Daily Incredible Sunsets

Every day Long Beach sees amazing sunsets. Take a sip of your coconut smoothie or watch the surfers catch some waves while you watch mother earth’s daily show. Somehow incredible sunsets never get old.

8. Snorkel & Dive in the National Park

After exploring Koh Phaya’s beaches for snorkeling, I was deeply disappointed to find that the coral had been wiped out by years of ocean warming. Although tiny pieces have sprouted up again recently, visibility remains tragically low.

But, a few stores on the island provide snorkeling and diving trips to the nearby national park and islands for travelers to explore its coral reefs and marine life.

9. Boat Around Some Uninhabited Islands

You can also take a boat trip around Koh Phayam and its surrounding islands, such as Koh Khang Khao or the ones in the national park.

There is no entrance fee to tour Laem Son National Park by boat, but if you disembark on one of those islands, expect to pay an admission fee for entering the park.

10. Eat Delicious Food

My days revolved around meals, and the  Myanmar cuisine at Rainbow  was simply divine! I ate there every. single. meal for three days there. Every dish I tried – from their Rice + Tea Leaf Salad, Myanmar Todu Salad, Tomatoes Salad, and Pineapple Fritters- was absolutely delicious. (I ate all of these more than once.)

I then stumbled upon another favorite, undoubtedly one of the best coconut ice creams I have ever had!  Koh Co Icecream , situated at the crossroads between the pier and Long Beach, has incredible mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream that will blow your mind.

Getting Around the Island

Scooter rental.

Due to the limited availability of scooter rentals , securing one from the many motorbike rental shops can be tricky unless you reserve it in advance. However, a high turnover rate keeps scooters readily available, but you may have to wait a day.

Scooters are priced at 250 baht per day. If you intend to rent for longer periods, you may get a discount of 200 baht per day.

Tip! If you are scootering around Asia, consider getting some travel insurance . Sporting knee bandages may not be a good look, but at least you got that money in your pocket. I use Safety Wings , which covers medical for scooter accidents and only charges $10 per week.

Bike Rental

You can likewise rent a bicycle for 80 baht per day, though they may sometimes be in short supply. Some backroads are also a bit steep, making it harder to get around the whole island by bike.

I mostly managed to get around by hitching rides. Most people don’t mind taking you with them, and it usually took me no more than twenty minutes to travel from the pier to Long Beach -the farthest distance on the island.

Taxi/Songthaew

If you’re uncomfortable with scootering or hitchhiking, tuk-tuks or motorbike taxis are your best bet. You’ll usually find drivers awaiting passengers at the dock, particularly after disembarking from the ferry. Remember to negotiate the price before hopping in.

Bucket List Worthy: Is Koh Phayam Worth Visiting?

Yes, Koh Phayam, Thailand, is perfect for beach lovers looking for some peace and quiet after too much partying on other Thai islands. This Andaman Sea oasis is one of the lesser-known gems in Thailand’s tourism scene, attracting a steady flow of repeat visitors without becoming too crowded. Plus, with its recent 24-hour electricity and WiFi, you can still have all the comforts you need for a modern getaway.

On top of that, it’s a gorgeous island to explore. Its small size lets you experience everything the destination offers in just a few days. But if you’re up for something longer-term, this place has genuinely laidback vibes worthy of being called “hippie island”.

Where Next in South Thailand?

I’ve been to Thailand 10+ times in my life and now spend my winters there. Check out these other posts to see if any of these destinations pique your interest. 

• Phuket To Krabi: 7 Ways To Get There Via Land & Sea
• 7 Best Phi Phi Island Tours from Phuket
• Koh Phayam, Thailand: A No FOMO Guide To One Of The Best Thai Islands
• To Phi Phi Island From Phuket: How To Get There Via Ferry & Speedboat
• Bangkok To Ayutthaya: How To Get There Via Train, Minibus, & Tour

Have Travel Questions About Thailand? Maybe I’ve Answered Them

• Languages Spoken In Thailand: Do They Speak English In Thailand?
• Motorbike Rental In Phuket: 9 Quick Tips Before You Sign
• Is There Uber In Thailand? (Uber In Bangkok And Beyond)
• 30 Day Tourist Visa Extension Thailand: Step-By-Step Guide
• Price Of Massages In Thailand: Honest Rates For All Types Of Massages
• Chiang Khong To Huay Xai: How To Cross The Thailand-Laos Border
• Bangkok vs Chiang Mai: Thai-Ing To Decide Which City Is Better?

The post Skip Phuket! This Lesser-Known Thai Island May Be One of Thailand’s Last Best Kept Secrets appeared first on Nomadicated .

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• World's Best

Travel + Leisure Readers' 25 Favorite Islands in the World of 2023

Looking for an unforgettable island getaway? Here, the top 25 islands in the world, as part of our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Laura La Monaca/Travel+Leisure

Island vacations can be a blissful combination of thrilling adventures, sun-kissed beaches, and vibrant cultures. Some islands offer adventure and water activities, others offer a tranquil escape. But the best islands are a marriage of the two.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Islands were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Natural attractions/beaches
• Activities/sights
• Restaurants/food
• People/friendliness

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

The top three favorites are iconic island getaways: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Islands, The Maldives, and Indonesia’s Bali. Greece, which has more than 6,000 islands and islets, has three winners on the list: Paros (No. 11); Rhodes and the Dodecanese (No. 19); and Santorini (No. 25). Portugal had two (Madeira at No. 4 and the Azores at No. 17) and Thailand had two in the top 10 (No. 5 Phuket and No. 7 Koh Samui.)

Read on to discover why Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Islands claimed the No. 1 spot and which other islands were crowned the world’s best.

1. Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel+Leisure

The Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches for 1,400 miles off Australia’s northeastern coast, is home to the world’s largest collection of coral reefs – almost 3,000 in all. It’s also home to a group of roughly 900 islands that T+L readers have voted their favorite in the world. A T+L reader who has more than once stayed on Hamilton Island said, “The physical beauty of the area is without equal. Just love the island and the people of Australia.

Reader Score: 96.11

The physical beauty of the area is without equal.

2. Maldives

Lauren Breedlove/Travel+Leisure

The Maldives is made up of 1,192 islands — and only 200 of those are currently inhabited. Home to about 3 percent of the planet’s reefs, the Maldives is also known for its clear emerald waters, luxurious overwater bungalows, and providing travelers with an isolated retreat. According to a T+L reader, it’s “heaven on Earth.” The best time to visit is the dry season , which typically runs from November through April.

Reader Score: 95.68

3. Bali, Indonesia

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From the bustling streets of Ubud and the trendy beach clubs of Seminyak to the serene retreats of the north shore, there’s something for everyone on Bali . Also called the "Island of the Gods,” Bali is renowned for its world-class resorts, luxury spas, and wellness retreats. The island is deeply rooted in spirituality and tradition, so visitors can also immerse themselves in the island's culture, whether it be exploring ancient Hindu temples, participating in a melukat ceremony, or witnessing a traditional dance performance. 

Reader Score: 94.40

4. Madeira, Portugal

Travelers are treated to idyllic scenery at every turn on the Portuguese island of Madeira , whether they’re hiking alongside the famous levadas (irrigation channels), exploring the enchanting Laurissilva Forest , or simply taking in the panoramic vistas from Pico do Areeiro . One T+L reader said, “The diversity of the island, from rocky beaches to fogged-in mountains, has something for everyone.” And no visit would be complete without indulging in the fortified wine and the fresh seafood for which the island is famous. 

Reader Score: 94.33

5. Phuket, Thailand

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Known as the “Pearl of the Andaman Sea,” this tropical paradise offers stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and boundless adventures. Travelers can relax and soak up the sun on its world-famous beaches or do more outdoorsy things like snorkeling around vibrant coral reefs and exploring the hidden coves. Phuket , known for its nightlife, is a two-hour boat ride from the nearby Phi Phi Islands. Among the many hotels, an honorable mention goes to Amanpuri , which readers voted their third favorite resort in Southeast Asia this year.

Reader Score: 94.21

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6. Skye and the Hebrides, Scotland

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The archipelago, off the western coast of Scotland, offers white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and ancient ruins. Skye, known as the "Misty Isle," boasts dramatic cliffs, majestic mountains, and picturesque lochs. One T+L reader said the islands are “nature at its best.” Whisky enthusiasts can embark on a distillery tour to savor the renowned Scottish spirits, while music lovers can sit in on a cèilidh — a sort of Gaelic jam session – at one of the local pubs

Reader Score: 94.13

7. Koh Samui, Thailand

Tucked away in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui has it all: idyllic beaches, culture, and luxurious retreats. You can unwind on popular beaches like Chaweng and Lamai, or explore the island’s spiritual traditions at Wat Plai Laem or the Big Buddha Temple. And for a glimpse into the local lifestyle, there’s no better place than the bustling night markets. According to one T+L reader, Koh Samui is “the most beautiful and paradisiacal island on the planet.” As for where to stay, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort readers favorite resorts in Southeast Asia. 

Reader Score: 93.89

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8. Dominica

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When it comes to untouched landscapes in the Caribbean, Dominica — nicknamed the “Nature Island” — stands apart from other islands. Its lush landscape includes volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. Where to stay? Secret Bay in Portsmouth secured the No. 1 spot for Best Hotel in the Caribbean this year, too.

ReaderScore: 93.66

9. Langkawi, Malaysia

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One of Malaysia’s most popular islands, Langkawi has something for everyone: beaches, a great food scene, diving spots, and vibey nightlife. Visitors can take the SkyCab to the top of Gunung Machinchang, where they’ll be rewarded with dramatic 360-degree views; visit Pantai Pasir Hitam, the island’s black sand beach; or experience the impressive Seven Wells Waterfall.

Reader Score: 93.65

10. Boracay, Philippines

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More than 7,000 islands make up the Philippines, and Boracay still manages to stand apart from the rest. The tiny island — just 4.5 miles long — is known as “the island that never sleeps” for its parties and nightlife. One T+L reader called the island “the best leisure vacation destination.”

Reader Score: 92.94

11. Paros, Greece

Nestled in the heart of the Cyclades , Paros offers a perfect blend of picturesque landscapes, idyllic beaches, enchanting whitewashed villages, and rich cultural heritage. It’s also a hit with history buffs, as it has ancient ruins like the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Venetian Castle. Mix in pristine sandy shores, delicious Greek cuisine, and vibrant nightlife, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best islands to visit.

Reader Score: 92.47

12. Fiji Islands, Fiji

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Tucked away in the crystal-clear waters of the South Pacific, these islands boast lush tropical landscapes and vibrant coral reefs. Fiji is a slice of paradise for all, but especially so for those who enjoy cliff jumping, zip lining, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Beyond its beaches, travelers can immerse themselves in the local culture by visiting crafts markets and participating in traditional kava ceremonies.

Reader Score: 92.29

13. Golden Isles, Georgia

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The Golden Isles in Georgia — encompassing Jekyll Island , St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Sea Island — is a captivating destination with pristine beaches, natural beauty, and rich history. Jekyll Island, once a private retreat for America's wealthiest families, offers a glimpse into the opulent Gilded Age with its historic mansions. Little St. Simons Island is a secluded paradise, providing an exclusive escape for nature enthusiasts, with its diverse ecosystems and unspoiled beaches. Meanwhile, Sea Island is known for its luxurious resorts and offers world-class amenities, including golf courses, spas, and fine dining experiences. St. Simons Island is home to a charming coastal village with a stunning lighthouse and a vibrant arts scene.

Reader Score: 92.15

14. Moorea, French Polynesia

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Known as the “Magical Island,” Moorea is an unforgettable tropical getaway. It has hiking trails through its tropical forests with panoramic viewpoints, like Mount Rotui, and secluded waterfalls. The island's rich Polynesian culture can be experienced through traditional dance performances and visits to local markets. One T+L reader raved that it’s one of their favorite islands of all time. 

15. Zanzibar, Tanzania

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Pristine beaches and picturesque sunsets are a guarantee in Zanzibar . Travelers can also visit one of the many local spice farms to learn about the role that cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon played in the island's history. Whether you’re walking through the historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site , or trying to spot the Zanzibar red colobus monkeys at the Jozani Forest Reserve, Zanzibar offers travelers an experience that merges relaxation, adventure, and history.

Reader Score: 91.53

16. The Seychelles

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The Seychelles , an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is known for its powdery white-sand beaches. The islands also boast lush tropical forests and nature reserves, such as Vallée de Mai , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rare Coco de Mer palms can be found. Hikers can follow trails to breathtaking viewpoints, cascading waterfalls, and hidden coves. Seychelles is also home to unique flora and fauna, including giant tortoises, rare birds, and exotic plant species. 

Reader Score: 91.47

17. The Azores, Portugal

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The Azores are a hidden gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that some call the “Hawaii of Europe.” The archipelago comprises nine lush volcanic islands, each offering a unique experience. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy São Miguel's picturesque lakes, waterfalls, and forests. Hiking trails lead to breathtaking viewpoints, such as the Sete Cidades crater, where visitors can marvel at the contrasting colors of the twin lakes. The local cuisine is also a highlight, with fresh seafood like rockfish and barracuda, São Jorge cheese, and sweet pastries like filhóses to tantalize the taste buds. 

Reader Score: 90.92

18. Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

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Known as the "Pearl of the Pacific," Bora Bora is a dreamy destination with turquoise lagoons and iconic overwater bungalows. It comes as no surprise that the island's crystal-clear waters offer world-class snorkeling and diving experiences, but there’s a variety of other thrilling activities, like Jet Skiing, parasailing, and helicopter tours. Local guides can arrange workshops that teach visitors about Polynesian traditions, dance, and cuisine. A T+L reader called the island "otherworldly," while another said it's an "amazing location for anyone."

Reader Score: 90.80

19. Rhodes and the Dodecanese, Greece

Rhodes, known as the "Island of the Knights," is steeped in history, with its medieval city , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing ancient ruins, fortified walls, and grandiose architecture. Beyond history, Rhodes offers stunning beaches, like those in Faliraki and Lindos. Travelers can also venture to the other Dodecanese islands, each with its own unique charm. 

Reader Score: 90.67

19. Mackinac Island, Michigan

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Mackinac Island is unique in that cars and trucks are banned, so residents and visitors rely on horse-drawn carriages and bicycles for transportation. Its historic downtown has cozy cafes, quaint shops, and plenty of well-preserved Colonial, Georgian, and Greek Revival architecture. One T+L reader sums up the destination perfectly: “there’s no place like it.” (Mackinac is home to three of T+L readers' 10 favorite midwest resorts: Hotel Iroquois , Island House Hotel , and Grand Hotel .)

20. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands , in the Pacific Ocean, are famed for their extraordinary biodiversity. Exploring the islands offers up-close encounters with remarkable creatures (think giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies ) in their natural habitats. Visiting the Galápagos also gives travelers a chance to gain a deeper understanding of evolution and the fragility of ecosystems through educational programs and guided tours. 

Reader Score. 90.60

22. Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia

Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands in Croatia offer travelers a unique Mediterranean experience. Hvar, known as the "Queen of the Dalmatian Islands," has lavender fields, vineyards, and magnificently clear waters. Visitors can explore the charming old town of Hvar, which has picturesque squares, historic buildings, and a medieval fortress offering panoramic views of the harbor and the Adriatic Sea. Hvar's vibrant nightlife scene is also a draw, with trendy beach clubs and bars energizing the evenings. 

Reader Score: 90.20

23. Sicily, Italy

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Steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty, Sicily is a must-visit destination. Not only is it home to rich historical sites (like the Greek Theatre of Syracuse , the Villa Romana del Casale , and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento ), but it also has stunning nature, between Mount Etna and the beaches overlooking the crystal-clear Mediterranean. The island’s culinary scene is equally exciting: visitors can sample delicious street food like panelle and crocchè, and indulge in local dishes like pasta alla Norma . 

Reader Score: 90.13

24. Anguilla

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Anguilla, a British territory in the Caribbean, is a secluded getaway with 33 beaches. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla and Frangipani Beach Resort both ranked as two of the best resorts in the region. Hike to the top of Crocus Hill for views, go on a self-guided walking tour of the Anguilla Heritage Trail, and don’t forget to try a Johnny Cake — a staple in Anguilla's local cuisine.

Reader Score: 90.10

25. Santorini, Greece

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Often touted as one of the most romantic islands in the world , Santorini is known for its whitewashed buildings with blue domes. Overlooking the Aegean Sea, the volcanic island is home to several picturesque villages like Oia , Fira, and Imerovigli. One T+L reader raved that the island has “beautiful sunsets” and “wonderful views,” plus excellent food and friendly locals.

Reader Score: 89.51

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