Thailand has two very different island worlds: the dramatic limestone Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta) and the palm-fringed Gulf islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao). Ferries and short flights link them, so you can build a route around beaches, diving or full-moon nights. Here's how the pieces fit together.
Andaman vs Gulf: which to choose
Pick one side per trip to avoid long transfers. The Andaman (Nov–Apr) is best for scenery and diving; the Gulf (year-round, best Mar–Sep) is best for the Samui–Phangan–Tao triangle. Our trip planner maps the ferries and flight legs so your islands connect logically.
Best destinations
Top experiences
Koh Phi Phi
- Maya Bay — The legendary cliff-ringed beach from 'The Beach', now beautifully recovered.
- Bamboo Island snorkelling — Powder sand and shallow reefs full of fish.
- Phi Phi Viewpoint — Steep climb to the postcard shot of the twin bays.
- Pileh Lagoon — Swim in a glowing emerald cove enclosed by limestone walls.
- Dive with reef sharks — Blacktip reef sharks and turtles at Bida Nok and Shark Point.
- Sunset longtail tour — Monkey Beach, plankton snorkelling and a fire show to finish.
Koh Lanta
- Long Beach & Kantiang Bay — Laid-back west-coast sand with dreamy sunsets.
- Mu Ko Lanta National Park — Lighthouse headland, jungle trail and resident monkeys.
- Koh Rok & Koh Haa — Some of the Andaman's clearest snorkelling and diving water.
- Hin Daeng & Hin Muang diving — Deep pinnacle dives famous for manta rays and whale sharks.
- Beach-bar sunset hopping — Driftwood bars and fire shows along Long Beach and Klong Nin.
Koh Samui
- Chaweng & Lamai beaches — The island's liveliest sands with clear swimming water.
- Ang Thong Marine Park — 42 islands, a hidden lagoon and kayaking on a full-day boat trip.
- Na Muang waterfalls — Jungle falls you can swim beneath, plus a viewpoint zipline.
- Secret Buddha Garden — Mystical hilltop statues in the jungle interior.
- Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks — The cheeky 'grandfather & grandmother' rock formations at Lamai.
- Koh Tao & Nang Yuan day trip — Speedboat snorkelling at the gulf's clearest reefs.
Koh Phangan
- Full Moon Party (Haad Rin) — The world-famous beach party under the full moon.
- Than Sadet & Phaeng waterfalls — Royal-inscribed jungle cascades with swim pools.
- Koh Ma snorkelling — Swim the sandbar reef at Mae Haad on the northwest tip.
- Viewpoints & secret beaches — Domsila and Guanyin viewpoints over turquoise bays.
- Half Moon & Jungle parties — The island's famous forest and half-moon events between full moons.
- Thong Nai Pan beaches — Two dreamy northeast bays with calm, clear water.
Koh Tao
- PADI diving course — Koh Tao certifies more divers than almost anywhere on earth - warm, cheap, easy.
- Koh Nang Yuan — The iconic triple-island sandbar and its viewpoint.
- John-Suwan viewpoint sunset — Twin-bay panorama from the island's southern headland.
- Shark Bay — Snorkel with harmless blacktip reef sharks off the beach.
- Mango Bay & Aow Leuk — Sheltered coral coves ideal for easy snorkelling.
- Sairee Beach sunset — The island's long west-coast strip of bars and beach fire shows.
Railay
- Railay Viewpoint & Hidden Lagoon — Steep, muddy rope scramble to a panorama and an enclosed tidal lagoon.
- Four Islands tour — Longtail hop to Koh Poda, Chicken Island and the Tup Island sandbar.
- Hong Islands day trip — Emerald lagoon enclosed by cliffs, plus snorkelling around the surrounding islets.
Phang Nga Bay
- James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) — The famous needle-shaped rock of Koh Tapu, star of a 1974 Bond film.
- Samet Nangshe Viewpoint — Hilltop sunrise panorama over mist, mangroves and dozens of karst islands.
- Koh Hong (Phang Nga) — Island with a cliff-ringed lagoon, best explored by canoe at mid-tide.
Koh Yao Noi
- Pasai Beach — The island's main swimming beach, lined with small restaurants and karst views.
- Long Beach (Hat Yao) — Wide east-coast strand looking straight out at the bay's limestone islands.
- Island-hopping by longtail — Day trip to Koh Hong, Koh Lao Lading and sandbars in the bay.
Similan Islands
- Koh Miang (Island 4) — Park headquarters island with two pretty beaches and a short forest trail.
- Liveaboard dive trip — Three to five dives a day from a boat anchored among the islands.
- Koh Ba Ngu — Northernmost island, known for its skull-shaped rock and quiet anchorages.
Koh Jum
- Hike Koh Pu peak — Steep jungle climb up the island's mountain for views over the Andaman.
- Scooter loop of the island — Ride narrow concrete lanes through rubber plantations between the villages.
- East-coast mangroves — Kayak or longtail through mangrove channels and mudflats rich in birdlife.
Koh Lipe
- Pattaya Beach — The island's main crescent of soft sand, busy with longtails and beach restaurants.
- Longtail snorkelling trip — Hop between Koh Rawi, Koh Yang, Koh Hin Ngam and Koh Usen reefs.
- Kayak to Koh Kra — Paddle across the shallow channel to snorkel a tiny rocky islet.
Koh Ngai
- Four-island tour — Longtail day to Koh Chueak, Koh Waen, Emerald Cave and Koh Kradan.
- Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot) — Swim through a dark sea tunnel into a hidden lagoon on Koh Mook.
- Views of Koh Mook and the karsts — Dramatic limestone islands rising from the sea across the channel.
Koh Mook
- Kayak to the Emerald Cave — Paddle round the cliffs and arrive before or after the tour boats.
- Charlie Beach (Hat Farang) — The island's prettiest west-coast beach, framed by limestone headlands.
- Sivalai sandbar — A narrow spit of white sand near the pier, surrounded by water.
Koh Kradan
- Jungle trail across the island — Shady 10-20 minute walk through forest between the two coasts.
- Four-island tour — Longtail loop to Koh Chueak, Koh Waen, Emerald Cave and Koh Ngai.
- Emerald Cave on Koh Mook — Swim a dark sea tunnel into a hidden lagoon beach nearby.
Koh Samet
- Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach) — The island's busiest bay, with squeaky white sand and the mermaid statue.
- Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park — The whole island is protected, with forest trails linking the eastern bays.
- Southern sunset viewpoint — Rocky headland at the island's tip facing west for the evening light.
Koh Chang
- White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao) — The island's longest, liveliest beach with plenty of restaurants and bars.
- Klong Prao Beach — A wide, calm bay with a lagoon, popular with families and couples.
- Koh Wai & Koh Mak day trip — Island-hop to sleepy neighbours with white sand and turquoise shallows.
Koh Kood
- Klong Chao Waterfall — Tiered falls with a deep swimming pool, the island's best-known sight.
- Huang Nam Kheo Waterfall — A quieter forest waterfall inland on the east side of the island.
- Koh Rang snorkelling trip — Boat out to the marine park's reefs for the clearest water nearby.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best islands to hop in Thailand?
On the Andaman side: Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi and Koh Lanta. On the Gulf side: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Can you island-hop by ferry in Thailand?
Yes — frequent ferries link the islands within each region; between the Andaman and Gulf you'll usually take a short domestic flight.
How many islands can you visit in two weeks?
Comfortably two or three within one region, plus a mainland stop — chasing more means spending your holiday in transit.
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