Thailand has 2 island coasts. The Andaman Sea on the west has the dramatic limestone islands around Phuket and Krabi, and the Gulf of Thailand on the east has Koh Samui and its neighbours. These 5 islands cover both.
1. Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi, in Krabi province, is under 2 hours by ferry from Phuket. Its limestone cliffs and clear water are the classic image of Thailand’s islands. Maya Bay, on the smaller island of Phi Phi Leh, closed in 2018 to let the reef recover and reopened in 2022 with visitor limits and no swimming, so boats now stop at a jetty and you walk in.
2. Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta, also in Krabi, has a string of long, quiet beaches down its west coast and an easy pace that suits families. It is reached by car ferry from the mainland or by boat from Phi Phi, and the old town on the east coast still has stilt houses over the water.
3. Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe sits in the far south near the Malaysian border, inside Tarutao National Marine Park. It is small enough to walk across, with clear water, coral reefs close to shore and a short walking street of cafes. Speedboats run from Pak Bara on the mainland and from Langkawi in Malaysia in the high season.
4. Koh Tao
Koh Tao, in the Gulf of Thailand, is one of the world’s most popular places to learn to dive, with calm, warm water and many dive schools. The viewpoint over Koh Nang Yuan, 3 small islands joined by a sandbar, is just off its north-west coast.
5. Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan, between Koh Samui and Koh Tao, is home to the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin beach. Away from the party, the north and west coasts have calm, quiet beaches, yoga retreats and some of the best sunsets in the Gulf.
When to go
On the Andaman coast, around Phi Phi, Lanta and Lipe, the best months are November to April. In the Gulf, around Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, the driest months run from about January to September, with heavier rain from October to December.
A simple route
For the Andaman side, start in Phuket, take the ferry to Koh Phi Phi, continue to Koh Lanta and finish on Koh Lipe. For the Gulf, fly to Koh Samui and take short ferries to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
