A beginner's guide to island hopping in Thailand

Author: Mags Longstaff, Programme Director

Thailand has over 3,000km of coastline and hundreds of islands, which is exactly why so many people struggle to plan a trip here. There's simply too much good choice. Stepping off a longtail boat onto a quiet Gulf Coast beach for the first time is a memory that tends to stick with you – and it's one reason our team keeps going back, year after year, to make sure our recommendations still hold up.

Some travellers want the diving hotspots of Koh Tao, others crave the barefoot luxury of Koh Yao, and plenty just want to know where the Full Moon Party actually happens (Haad Rin beach, for the record). This guide draws on our team's firsthand experience of these islands, to help you plan a trip that's genuinely right for you.

Gulf Coast combinations for island hopping in Thailand

The Gulf Coast sits on the eastern side of the Thai peninsula, tucked in behind Cambodia and the tip of Vietnam – which means calmer seas for most of the year than you'll find on the Andaman side. Koh Chang is the destination we recommend to clients short on time, as it's roughly six hours from Bangkok by road and boat. But the Gulf's headline act is the southern trio of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, which sit close enough together, never more than a three-hour boat ride apart, that hopping between all three in a single trip is easy.

From the mainland ferry port, it's about a 90-minute crossing to Koh Samui (roughly 30km), while Koh Phangan is 55km out and Koh Tao 80km.

One thing I would recommend for your Gulf Coast trip: build in a day for Angthong National Marine Park. This is a cluster of 42 limestone islands about 35km from both Samui and Phangan, and kayaking through its hidden lagoon at Koh Mae Ko is one of those experiences that stays with you.

Koh Samui

Known for: Upscale resorts.

Recommended resort: Melati Beach Resort & Spa, set on the northern tip of Choeng Mon along the sheltered curve of Thongson Bay, has the kind of tropical, pool-dotted gardens and spa that make it hard to leave the grounds.

Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island and, understandably, one of its most-loved – the resorts here really are extravagant, the spas restorative, and the restaurant scene world-class. Beyond the beaches, you can snorkel coral-rich shallows or trek inland through dense rainforest to hidden waterfalls. For a slower evening, wander the Fisherman's Village night market in Bophut, or pay a visit to the island's 12-metre Big Buddha.

Top tip: If you're travelling with young children, Bophut and Choeng Mon are calmer, shallower bases than Chaweng, which gets lively after dark.

Koh Phangan

Known for: The Full Moon Party.

Recommended resorts: On the west coast Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa is a slice of eco-conscious luxury overlooking the sea – a restful choice if the Full Moon crowds aren't your thing.

Every full moon, up to 30,000 revellers in neon body paint descend on Haad Rin beach for the island's famous party – but that's only one side of Koh Phangan. There are over 30 white-sand beaches here and a jungle interior laced with waterfalls that most day-trippers never see. We always point clients towards the fishing village at Chaloklum for a taste of local life, and a longtail boat ride out to secluded Bottle Beach for a proper escape.

Worth knowing: If partying isn't your scene, stay on the opposite side of the island from Haad Rin.

Koh Chang

Known as: A relaxed Bangkok beach getaway.

Recommended resorts: The five-star Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort sits on Klong Prao, a private stretch of beach on the west coast, with a pool, spa and enough beach activities on site that you may never need to leave.

Despite being just six hours from Bangkok, Koh Chang remains one of Thailand's lesser-visited islands – which, frankly, is part of its appeal. Its long, unspoilt beaches are the main draw, particularly White Sand Beach. Inland, Koh Chang National Park offers jungle, hiking trails and waterfalls, and Koh Chang Marine Park nearby is well worth a day trip for diving and snorkelling.

Andaman island hopping combinations in Thailand

Running along the Andaman Sea from Myanmar down to Malaysia, Thailand's west coast has a completely different character to the Gulf – dramatic limestone karsts, denser jungle, and generally bigger swells outside the November–April dry season, which is worth bearing in mind. Phuket is the country's largest island and connected to the mainland by bridge, making it the natural gateway for the region. From there, the Similan Islands lie less than 100km north – about three hours by bus and boat – and reward the effort with some of the best diving in Southeast Asia. Further south, Koh Lipe is a quieter gem around 60km (90 minutes) from Pak Bara and can be paired neatly with a hop across to Langkawi in Malaysia, just 40km further on.

Krabi is the launching point for most Andaman itineraries. A typical route takes you 40km and about 90 minutes by boat to the Phi Phi Islands, then on to Koh Lanta roughly an hour further, with the option to add a 75-minute hop to Koh Kradan. From Krabi, a one-hour longtail boat ride also gets you into Phang Nga Bay, where towering limestone karsts rise out of a huge mangrove forest across 42 islands, including Koh Hong.

Phuket

Known for: Luxury and lively nightlife.

Recommended resorts:The five-star Pavilions Phuket is perched on a hillside above Bang Tao Beach on the island's west coast, with private pool villas, a spa and ocean views that make it easy to spend the whole stay without leaving the grounds.

Phuket is Thailand's best-known island destination, and Patong, on the west coast, is famous for its buzzing nightlife and busiest beaches. Head to the island's southern tip for a calmer pace, or explore inland through rainforest, mountains and coconut groves. We'd also always recommend a day trip to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai — a pair of low-key islands just across the water from Phuket, loved for powdery beaches and some of the best sunsets in the Andaman.

Our thoughts: Phuket is Thailand's most complete island destination – brilliant if you want variety, energy and choice, from buzzing nightlife to endless dining and activities. If you're after something quieter, islands like Koh Yao or Koh Lanta make a lovely, peaceful contrast, and both are easy to combine with Phuket as part of a wider trip or a relaxed day visit.

Koh Hong

Known for: Its topaz lagoon.

Part of the Phang Nga Bay archipelago, Koh Hong is made up of 12 islets and is only visitable on a day trip. Most boats moor at Hong Island itself, where fine sand meets forested karst cliffs sheltering a hidden internal lagoon — genuinely one of the most striking sights in the region, best explored by kayak at low tide. Snorkelling or diving here reveals a different side of the bay again, with plenty of reef life tucked among the limestone.

Phi Phi Island

Known as: The setting for movie The Beach.

Recommended resorts:SAii Phi Phi Island Village sits directly on the beach at Laem Tong, in a secluded corner of Phi Phi Don backed by national park, with two pools, a spa and easy on-site access to snorkelling, kayaking and diving — genuinely enough here to fill a whole stay.

Six islands make up the Phi Phi archipelago, which is famed for its dramatic limestone cliffs, wild jungles, phosphorescent plankton and long, white-sand beaches. Of the two main islands, Phi Phi Don is the largest and a party hotspot, however its peaceful eastern coast is filled with top-end resorts. One of the area’s main draws is Maya Beach on uninhabited Phi Phi Le, which was the setting for the Leonardo DiCaprio film, The Beach. You can visit the cove on a boat trip via Monkey Beach which is home to dozens of macaques, and sail past Vikings Cave where locals collect swiftlets’ nests to make bird’s nest soup.

Koh Lanta

Known for: Spectacular sunsets and a chilled vibe.

Koh Lanta is a firm favourite with couples and families for its calm, unhurried feel and clean, quiet beaches looking out over a karst-studded sea. Inland, thick rainforest and mangroves give way to Mu Koh Lanta National Park, which also encompasses the twin islands Koh Rok Nai and Koh Rok Nok around 30km south – connected by a coral channel and home to a reef system rich with turtles and blacktip reef sharks. Saladan is the liveliest base, while further south, sleepy Klong Khong has a wide sandy beach that stretches to the horizon, one of the best sunset spots we've found anywhere in Thailand.

Similan Islands

Known for: Diverse marine life.

Protected as a national park in Phang Nga province, the Similan Islands are consistently ranked among the top ten dive destinations in the world. Despite the name (Similan means "nine" in Malay), there are now eleven islands in the group, characterised by huge granite boulders tumbling into the sea. That terrain creates a genuinely unique underwater landscape. Coral walls, caves, canyons and sea fans draw serious divers from across the globe. On land, the islands support rare birds, reptiles and pockets of rainforest above brilliant white-coral beaches. Note that the Similans are officially closed to visitors from mid-May to mid-October each year to let the ecosystem recover, so this is very much a dry-season trip.

Koh Kradan

Known for: Remote relaxation.

One of Thailand's more remote islands, Koh Kradan sits within the Hat Chao Mai National Marine Park south of Koh Lanta. Most visitors come on a day trip from Lanta or Trang. It's about as close as you'll get to untouched paradise: golden beaches fringed with coconut palms, limestone islands visible offshore, and well-preserved coral just 50 metres from shore on the southern beaches. If you're feeling energetic, you can kayak the entire island in around three hours.

Another way to experience Thailand's islands, if you'd rather not plan the logistics yourself, is by small-ship cruise. A Star Clippers voyage typically departs from Phuket and calls at Phang Nga Bay, the Similan Islands, Koh Kradan, Koh Rok Nok and even Langkawi across the Malaysian border. On the Gulf Coast, our Koh Samui and Koh Phangan tour takes the guesswork out of island hopping entirely, with transfers and hotel stays already arranged. For a city-and-beach combination, our Bangkok and Phuket tour is one of our most popular routes for first-timers wanting a taste of both worlds.

However you'd like to piece your trip together, our team knows these islands well and can tell you honestly which combination actually suits you, rather than which one simply looks good on paper. Get in touch to start planning, and we'll build an itinerary around how you actually want to spend your days, not a generic template.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go island hopping in Thailand?

It depends which coast you're on. The Gulf Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) is driest from December to August but sees more rain around October and November – the opposite pattern to the rest of the country. The Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Similans) has its best weather from November to April, with the Similan Islands actually closing to visitors from mid-May to mid-October. If your trip spans both coasts, November to April is generally the safest bet.

Can you island hop between the Gulf Coast and Andaman Coast in one trip?

Technically yes, but we'd rarely recommend it unless you have at least two to three weeks. The two coasts are separated by the width of the Thai peninsula, so getting between them usually means a flight via Bangkok or a very long overland transfer. Most of our clients choose one coast per trip and save the other for next time.

Is Koh Phangan only for Full Moon Party-goers?

Not at all — that's one of the biggest misconceptions we hear. The party happens on Haad Rin beach once a month; the rest of the island, particularly the north-east coast around Thong Nai Pan Noi, is genuinely peaceful, with some of Thailand's most romantic resorts.

Which Thai island is best for a family holiday?

Koh Samui and Phuket both have excellent family infrastructure, shallow calm bays and resorts with kids' clubs. Koh Lanta is also a wonderful, more low-key option for families who prefer a quieter base.