Andaman Coast | Travel Guide | Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga and Island Hopping

The Andaman Coast is Thailand at its most photogenic. Limestone towers rise straight out of jade water, white beaches curve beneath jungle covered cliffs and hundreds of islands scatter toward the horizon.

For many visitors, this coast is the reason they come to Thailand. Phuket, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi are known worldwide, and the Similan Islands are on every diver's list.

Yet the coast is far more varied than its most famous names. North of Phuket lie the quiet beaches of Khao Lak and the jungle islands of Ranong. South of Krabi, the islands of Trang and Satun offer clear water and village life with a fraction of the crowds.

The best Andaman Coast trips mix the famous with the quiet. Spend a few days among the cliffs of Krabi or the beaches of Phuket, then move to an island where the loudest sound is the sea.

This guide covers the six Andaman provinces. Under Thailand's official six region system, they belong to the Southern region. On kfmi.pk we give them their own article, because their monsoon season is the opposite of the Gulf coast's and because travellers plan the two coasts differently.

It explains the seasons, transport and island hopping, gives an overview of each province and suggests routes for one to three weeks.

Why the Andaman Coast Stands Apart

The Andaman Sea is part of the Indian Ocean. Its water is clear and warm, and its coral reefs, seamounts and island chains support some of the richest marine life in Southeast Asia.

The coast stretches roughly five hundred kilometres from the Myanmar border to Malaysia. Along the way, the landscape changes from mangrove estuaries and rainforest in Ranong to the karst towers of Phang Nga and Krabi and the granite islands of the far south.

The scenery is the coast's signature. Limestone karst formations, created over millions of years, rise from the sea in Phang Nga Bay, around Krabi and on Koh Phi Phi, forming cliffs, caves and hidden lagoons.

Many of the most famous islands are protected within national parks, including Mu Ko Phi Phi, Ao Phang Nga, Mu Ko Similan, Mu Ko Surin, Mu Ko Lanta and Tarutao.

The coast suits every kind of traveller. For the wider region, consult our Asia travel guide. Phuket has big resorts and nightlife, Krabi has climbing and kayaking, Khao Lak suits families and divers, and the southern islands suit those who want peace.

Distances are short enough to combine several of these styles in one trip. Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta are all within a few hours of each other by road and boat.

Culture adds another layer. The coast has large Muslim communities, a Chinese heritage that shaped Phuket and Trang, and Moken, Moklen and Urak Lawoi sea peoples whose lives have long been tied to the water.

Rubber and palm oil plantations cover much of the inland area, and fishing remains important in coastal villages. Tourism is the main industry on the islands and in Phuket.

Seasons on the Andaman Coast

The southwest monsoon governs life on this coast. Getting the season right matters more here than almost anywhere else in Thailand.

November to April is the best time to visit the Andaman Coast. December to March is usually the most reliable stretch, with calm water and clear skies.

Prices peak from mid December to mid January. Late November and March often combine good weather with lower prices and fewer crowds.

From May to October, the southwest monsoon brings strong winds and big waves. Many beaches fly red flags for weeks, and rip currents cause drownings every year.

Rain usually comes in bursts rather than all day, and sunny spells are common, especially in May and June. September is often the wettest month.

The Similan and Surin islands usually close from mid May to mid October. Many smaller islands, especially in the south, see resorts close and ferries stop.

Maya Bay and some other popular sites have also introduced visitor limits and seasonal closures to let reefs and beaches recover.

Phuket, Krabi Town, Ao Nang and Koh Lanta stay open year round. The monsoon brings sunny spells as well as storms, and prices drop sharply.

Getting There and Island Hopping

Phuket International Airport is the coast's main gateway, with flights from Bangkok and many international cities. Krabi International Airport also has domestic and regional flights.

The airport lies in the north of the island, about an hour from Patong and the southern beaches in normal traffic. Allow extra time in the late afternoon.

Trang and Ranong have smaller airports with flights from Bangkok. Phang Nga and Satun have no airports; they are reached through Phuket, Krabi or Trang.

Buses from Bangkok's Southern terminal reach every Andaman province, though the journey takes twelve hours or more.

For a canal-side stop near Bangkok, consider our Amphawa guide. Many travellers combine a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani with a bus or minivan to Krabi, Phang Nga or Phuket, a slower but scenic overland route.

Ferries and speedboats link Phuket and Krabi with Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai. In the dry season, speedboats continue south to the Trang islands and Koh Lipe.

Phuket's main piers for island trips are Rassada, near Phuket Town, and Chalong in the south. Krabi's main piers are Klong Jilad near Krabi Town and Nopparat Thara near Ao Nang.

Island hopping is easiest from November to April. In the monsoon, many southern routes stop, and boats that run may be cancelled in rough weather.

Combined tickets cover ferries, speedboats and minivan transfers between islands and mainland towns. Buy them from operators, approved platforms or well reviewed agencies.

Leave a buffer day before international flights. Weather can delay or cancel boats even in the shoulder months.

Choosing Your Base

The Andaman Coast is long, and where you stay shapes your whole trip. Think about what you want most: nightlife, quiet beaches, diving, scenery or family facilities.

Phuket suits travellers who want choice, convenience and a lively atmosphere. It has the most hotels, restaurants and activities, and the busiest airport.

Krabi, especially Ao Nang and Railay, suits travellers who want dramatic scenery, rock climbing and easy island trips at a slightly calmer pace.

Khao Lak suits families, couples and divers who want long quiet beaches and access to the Similans.

Koh Lanta suits longer stays, families and budget travellers, with a relaxed atmosphere and many beaches.

The Trang islands, Koh Lipe and Koh Yao Noi suit travellers seeking peace, clear water and a simpler island life.

Day Trips and Boat Tours

Boat tours are central to the Andaman experience. Most leave in the morning and return by late afternoon, with lunch and snorkelling included.

From Phuket and Krabi, popular tours visit Phang Nga Bay, Koh Phi Phi, the Hong islands and the four islands off Ao Nang. Speedboats are faster; big boats are more comfortable in waves.

Longtail boat charters give flexibility for small groups, letting you choose stops and avoid crowds. Agree the route, time and price before you set off.

Sea kayaking tours in Phang Nga Bay and around Koh Yao Noi explore caves and lagoons that larger boats cannot reach.

Choose licensed operators with good safety records. Ask about life jackets, the boat's capacity and what happens if the weather turns.

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and its most visited beach destination. It is connected to the mainland by bridge and has an international airport in the north.

The island has a large population of its own, and life away from the beaches carries on much as in any Thai province, with markets, temples and schools.

Its west coast is lined with beaches. Patong is busy and full of nightlife. Kata and Karon are popular with families. Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao are calmer and more upmarket, and Nai Harn in the south is a local favourite.

Rawai and Chalong, in the south, have a more residential feel, with seafood markets, piers for island trips and many long stay visitors.

Old Phuket Town, the island's historic centre, has Sino Portuguese shophouses, Chinese shrines, cafes and galleries. Phuket was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and its food culture blends Thai, Chinese Peranakan and Muslim influences.

The town grew rich from tin mining in the nineteenth century, when Chinese miners and traders settled here. Their mansions and shophouses remain, many restored as cafes and boutique hotels.

A Sunday walking street on Thalang Road brings food stalls, crafts and music to the old town.

The Big Buddha, on a hill above Chalong, and Promthep Cape, a headland famous for sunsets, are the island's best known viewpoints.

Wat Chalong, the island's most important temple, honours two monks who helped local people during a rebellion of tin miners in the nineteenth century.

Phuket is a base for day trips to Phang Nga Bay, Koh Phi Phi, the Similans and Racha islands. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, held in the ninth lunar month, is one of Thailand's most spectacular events.

Mai Khao, in the north, has a long beach within Sirinat National Park, where sea turtles nest in some years.

Sirinat National Park also protects mangroves and the quiet beaches of Nai Yang and Nai Thon, close to the airport and popular with families.

Krabi

Krabi province combines mainland beaches, dramatic limestone scenery and famous islands.

Ao Nang is the main mainland resort, with a long beach, restaurants and boats to nearby islands. Railay, a peninsula reached only by boat, has towering cliffs, beautiful beaches and some of the world's best known sport climbing.

Railay has four main areas: West Railay with its sandy beach, East Railay facing the mangroves, Phra Nang beach with its cave shrine, and Tonsai, the climbers' bay.

Longtail boats leave Ao Nang beach for Railay, the Hong islands and the four island tour, with tickets sold at booths along the beachfront.

Koh Phi Phi is one of Thailand's most famous islands. Its twin bays, viewpoint hike and boat trips to Maya Bay draw crowds. Maya Bay closes each year for a period in the monsoon, usually August and September, and swimming there is not allowed.

Koh Phi Phi Don, the main island, has the village, hotels and the viewpoint. Koh Phi Phi Leh, its smaller neighbour, is uninhabited and protected, home to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon.

Koh Lanta, a long island in the south of the province, is calmer, with long beaches, family resorts and an old town on stilts on its east coast.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park, at the island's southern tip, has a lighthouse, forest trails and quiet coves.

Inland, Krabi has the Tiger Cave Temple, with more than a thousand steps to a hilltop shrine, the Emerald Pool and the hot springs at Khlong Thom.

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, north of Krabi Town, has waterfalls and forest trails, and Than Bok Khorani has emerald pools among limestone hills.

Krabi Town, the provincial capital, sits on a river estuary with mangroves and limestone peaks. It is a good budget base and a transport hub.

The town's riverside night market, its crab statues and the limestone peaks of Khao Khanab Nam across the river give it a character of its own.

Phang Nga

Phang Nga province wraps around the bay that bears its name, between Phuket and Krabi. It holds some of the coast's most celebrated natural sights.

Phang Nga Bay is a national park of limestone islands, sea caves and mangroves. Khao Phing Kan, known as James Bond Island after the film, and Koh Panyee, a Muslim fishing village on stilts, are the classic stops.

The bay has more than forty islands, many with cave systems hollowed out by the sea. Mangroves fringe its shores and protect nurseries for fish and crabs.

Sea kayaking through caves into hidden lagoons, called hongs, is the best way to see the bay's interior. Trips run from Phuket and Krabi.

Phang Nga Town, the provincial capital, sits inland among limestone hills and is a quiet base for exploring the bay from the mainland side.

Khao Lak, on the west coast north of Phuket, has long quiet beaches, big resorts and easy access to the Similan and Surin islands. It suits families, couples and divers.

Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park, on the coast, has forest trails and a waterfall. Takua Pa old town, inland, has Sino Portuguese shophouses and a Sunday walking street.

Khao Lak was badly affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Memorials, including a police boat left far inland by the wave and a memorial park at Ban Nam Khem, honour those who lost their lives.

The International Tsunami Museum and the Ban Nam Khem memorial explain what happened and how warning systems now work. Visit with respect and allow time to reflect.

The Similan Islands, a national park off Khao Lak, have granite boulders, white beaches and world class diving. The Surin Islands, further north, are home to Moken sea people and coral reefs.

Visitor numbers to the Similans are capped each day, and overnight stays on the islands have been restricted in recent seasons. Check current rules when booking.

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, in Phang Nga Bay, are rural Muslim islands with rubber plantations, fishing villages and views of the karst.

Cycling around Koh Yao Noi's quiet roads, past rice fields, rubber trees and fishing piers, is one of the best ways to spend a day.

Trang

Trang is a quieter province south of Krabi, with an island group that rivals better known destinations.

Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Libong are the main Trang islands. Koh Mook's Emerald Cave, reached by swimming through a dark tunnel at low tide, opens into a hidden beach surrounded by cliffs.

Speedboats and longtails from Pak Meng and Hat Yao piers serve the islands, and island hopping tours visit several in a day.

Koh Kradan has clear water and coral close to shore. Koh Libong is known for its seagrass beds and dugongs, a rare marine mammal.

Koh Ngai, also called Koh Hai, has a few resorts along a single beach with soft sand and clear, shallow water ideal for children.

Trang town, the provincial capital, is famous for food. Locals start the day with dim sum and coffee, and Trang roast pork is celebrated across Thailand.

The town's tuk tuks have a distinctive frog shape, and its old shophouses and cafes make it a pleasant stop on the way to the islands.

Trang's mainland coast has quiet beaches and caves, such as Hat Chao Mai National Park, with few foreign visitors.

Satun

Satun is Thailand's southernmost province on the Andaman, bordering Malaysia. It is mostly Muslim and has a relaxed, rural feel.

Koh Lipe, a small island at the edge of Tarutao National Park, is the province's main draw. Its white beaches, clear water and walking street make it one of the most popular islands in the far south.

Lipe has three main beaches. Pattaya Beach in the south is the busiest, Sunrise Beach has views across to Koh Adang and Sunset Beach is quieter.

Tarutao National Park covers dozens of islands. Koh Tarutao, the largest, has forest, beaches and the remains of a former penal colony. Koh Adang and Koh Rawi offer snorkelling and hiking.

The park usually closes most of its islands to visitors from mid May to mid October. Koh Lipe itself sits just outside the park boundary and stays open, though boat links shrink.

Satun is also a UNESCO Global Geopark, recognised for its fossils, caves and rock formations, some of the oldest in Thailand.

The geopark includes caves you can kayak through, fossil sites and the Phu Pha Phet cave, one of the largest in southern Thailand.

Ferries from Satun and Koh Lipe link with Langkawi in Malaysia in season, making the province a gateway between the two countries.

Pak Bara, a small port in Satun, is the main mainland pier for boats to Koh Lipe and Tarutao. Minivans connect it with Hat Yai airport and Trang.

Ranong

Ranong is Thailand's wettest province and its northernmost on the Andaman Coast, facing Myanmar across the Kraburi River estuary.

Ranong town is known for its natural hot springs, which feed public baths and spa resorts.

Ranong is also a working port, with fishing boats and a large community from Myanmar. Its markets sell Burmese snacks and goods.

Koh Phayam and Koh Chang, not to be confused with the larger Koh Chang in Trat, are laid back islands with simple bungalows and few roads.

Koh Phayam has long beaches, cashew plantations and a laid back scene popular with long stay travellers. It has no cars, and visitors use scooters or walk.

Laem Son National Park protects mangroves, beaches and islands along the coast.

Boats cross from Ranong to Kawthaung in Myanmar. Conditions in Myanmar change; check current advice before planning any crossing.

The Islands Compared

The Andaman Coast has dozens of inhabited islands. For a contrasting island destination, see our Maldives guide. A few comparisons help narrow the choice.

Koh Phi Phi suits short, social stays. Koh Lanta and Koh Yao Noi suit longer, quieter stays. Koh Lipe and the Trang islands suit travellers willing to travel further for better water.

Many travellers combine one busy island with one quiet one. A few nights on Phi Phi followed by a week on Lanta or Yao Noi is a classic pairing.

Diving and Snorkelling

The Andaman Coast is one of the world's great diving regions. The Similan and Surin islands offer granite boulders, coral gardens and encounters with manta rays and, occasionally, whale sharks.

The coast also suits beginners. Dive schools in Khao Lak, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta run open water courses, with calm sites for training in the dry season.

Richelieu Rock, near the Surin Islands, is a famous site where whale sharks are sometimes seen, especially from around February to April.

Liveaboard trips from Khao Lak and Phuket visit the Similans, Surin and Richelieu Rock for several days. Day trips also run from Khao Lak.

Liveaboards range from simple boats with shared cabins to comfortable yachts. Book well ahead for the peak months, when the best boats fill quickly.

Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, the Trang islands and Koh Lipe have good diving and snorkelling closer to shore.

Snorkellers can see turtles, reef sharks and colourful fish close to shore around Koh Lipe, Koh Kradan and parts of Koh Phi Phi.

Visibility is best from around December to April. Marine parks close in the monsoon to protect reefs and visitors.

Sea Peoples and Coastal Culture

The Andaman Coast is home to three sea peoples: the Moken, Moklen and Urak Lawoi. For centuries, they lived much of the year on boats, moving between islands to fish and gather.

Today, most live in settled communities on the Surin Islands, Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and elsewhere. Many face pressure from development, land disputes and changes to traditional fishing.

Some Urak Lawoi communities hold a boat floating ceremony, Loy Ruea, twice a year on Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta, releasing small boats to carry away bad luck.

Visitors can learn about their culture through community projects and respectful visits. Avoid treating communities as photo stops, and buy crafts directly from makers.

Muslim fishing communities, Chinese Peranakan families in Phuket and Trang and Thai Buddhist villages give the coast a rich mix of traditions, festivals and food.

Climbing, Kayaking and Adventure

Railay and Tonsai, in Krabi, are among the world's best known sport climbing destinations. Hundreds of bolted routes cover the limestone cliffs, and climbing schools offer courses for beginners.

Deep water soloing, climbing above the sea without ropes and dropping into the water, is offered on guided trips around Railay and Koh Phi Phi.

Sea kayaking is excellent throughout the coast, from Phang Nga Bay to the mangroves of Krabi and the islands of Trang.

Hiking ranges from the Koh Phi Phi viewpoint to jungle trails in Sri Phang Nga, Khao Phanom Bencha and Tarutao national parks.

Surfing is possible in the monsoon months on Phuket's Kata and Kalim beaches and on Khao Lak's coast, when swells arrive.

Monsoon Travel on the Andaman Coast

Travelling in the monsoon is possible and can be rewarding. Prices fall sharply, crowds disappear and the landscape turns lush.

The key is choosing the right bases. Phuket, Krabi Town, Ao Nang and Koh Lanta have hotels, restaurants and activities that work in any weather.

Plan land based activities: cooking classes, temples, spas, Old Phuket Town, waterfalls and the Tiger Cave Temple. Take boat trips only on calm days, with licensed operators.

Avoid planning tight connections between islands. Many routes stop, and those that run can be cancelled at short notice.

Never swim when red flags fly. Most drownings on the coast happen in the monsoon, often on beaches without lifeguards.

Families on the Andaman Coast

The coast is a favourite with families. Khao Lak's long beaches, Kata and Karon in Phuket, and Koh Lanta's calm bays suit young children in the dry season.

Many resorts have kids clubs, shallow pools and family rooms. Phuket has aquariums, water parks and an elephant sanctuary that works on an observation model.

Choose shorter boat trips with young children, and prefer larger ferries over speedboats on choppy days.

Keep children in the shade at midday, use reef safe sunscreen and swim shirts, and watch them closely in the water.

Muslim Travellers

Much of the Andaman Coast has large Muslim communities, especially in Krabi, Satun, Trang, Phang Nga and parts of Phuket. Halal food is easy to find, and mosques are common.

Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Panyee and much of Koh Lanta are predominantly Muslim, with many family run halal restaurants and guesthouses.

Some resorts describe themselves as Muslim friendly, with prayer facilities and halal kitchens. Ask when booking if this matters to you.

Festivals

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, usually in September or October, is the coast's most famous festival. Devotees parade through Phuket Town, firecrackers explode and vegetarian food fills the streets.

Loy Krathong is celebrated on beaches and rivers along the coast in November, with candlelit baskets floated on the water.

Krabi and Phuket hold events at the start of the high season in November.

The Lanta Lanta Festival on Koh Lanta, usually in March, celebrates the island's mix of Thai, Chinese, Muslim and Urak Lawoi cultures. Check current dates with local organizers.

Food on the Andaman Coast

Seafood is the coast's great pleasure. Grilled fish, crab, prawns and squid are sold in beach restaurants, markets and night bazaars.

Fresh seafood is often sold by weight at beach restaurants. Choose your fish or crab from the ice display, agree the price and cooking style, then wait for it to arrive.

Southern Thai curries are hotter and more intense than central dishes. Kaeng som, a sour curry, and kaeng tai pla, made with fermented fish innards, are local favourites.

Khanom jeen, fresh rice noodles served with a choice of curries and a tray of fresh vegetables, is a popular southern breakfast and lunch.

Phuket's Peranakan dishes, such as mee hokkien noodles and moo hong braised pork, reflect its Chinese heritage. Breakfast of dim sum is common in Phuket Town and Trang.

Muslim dishes, such as roti, khao mok and massaman curry, are widely available, and many restaurants in Krabi, Satun and on Koh Yao Noi are halal.

Fresh fruit, from mangosteen and rambutan to pineapple and coconut, is sold everywhere. Phuket pineapples are known across Thailand for their sweetness.

Nightlife

Patong, on Phuket, has the coast's busiest nightlife, centred on Bangla Road, with bars, clubs and shows that run until late. It is loud and crowded, and not for everyone.

Koh Phi Phi's main village has beach bars with fire shows and parties most nights in season. Noise carries, so choose accommodation away from the bars if you want sleep.

Ao Nang, Kata, Karon and Koh Lanta have relaxed bars, live music and beach clubs. Koh Lipe's walking street has small bars and reggae spots.

The quieter islands, such as Koh Yao Noi, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai, have little nightlife beyond resort bars and starry skies.

Getting Around Locally

In Phuket, ride apps, taxis and private drivers are the main ways to move between beaches. Local songthaew buses run from Phuket Town to the main beaches during the day.

In Krabi, songthaews link Krabi Town with Ao Nang, and longtail boats connect Ao Nang with Railay.

On Koh Lanta, tuk tuks, motorbike taxis and rented cars or scooters cover the main road along the west coast.

Small islands such as Koh Lipe, Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan have few or no roads. You walk or take longtail boats between beaches.

Hiring a driver for a day is a good way to explore the mainland of Phang Nga, Krabi or Trang, including waterfalls, temples and viewpoints.

Where to Stay

Phuket has the widest range, from luxury villas to budget guesthouses. Choose your beach by style: Patong for nightlife, Kata and Karon for families, Kamala and Bang Tao for calm.

Long stay visitors often rent apartments in Rawai, Chalong or Kathu, away from the busiest beaches.

In Krabi, Ao Nang has many mid range hotels, Railay has resorts and bungalows between the cliffs, and Krabi Town has the cheapest rooms.

Khao Lak has large beach resorts and family hotels along a quiet stretch of coast.

On the islands, Koh Phi Phi has crowded but convenient options, Koh Lanta has good value bungalows and resorts, and the Trang islands and Koh Lipe have a mix of simple and stylish stays.

Book well ahead for December to February, when prices peak and the best rooms sell out.

Outside peak season, walk in rates and discounts are common, especially on Koh Lanta, in Krabi and in Khao Lak.

The 2004 Tsunami and Safety Today

On 26 December 2004, an earthquake off Sumatra sent a tsunami across the Indian Ocean. Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and other Andaman provinces were struck, with heavy loss of life.

Thailand has since built a tsunami warning system on the Andaman Coast, with sirens, signs and marked evacuation routes. Note the route from your hotel when you arrive.

Tsunamis are rare events, and visitors should not let the risk stop them visiting. Knowing the warning signs and the nearest high ground is simple, sensible preparation.

Memorials at Khao Lak, Phuket and Koh Phi Phi honour those who lost their lives. Visit them with respect.

Responsible Travel and Marine Conservation

The Andaman Sea's reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves are under pressure from tourism, warming seas and development. Visitors can help protect them.

Choose operators who follow park rules, limit group sizes and avoid anchoring on coral. Never touch, stand on or collect coral or shells.

Do not feed fish or other marine life. Feeding changes behaviour and harms reef health.

Reduce plastic. Carry a refillable bottle, refuse plastic straws and bags, and take your rubbish back to the mainland from small islands.

Respect seasonal closures. Parks close to let reefs recover, and the rules protect both nature and visitors.

Dugongs, turtles and other rare animals live along the coast. Keep your distance, especially on boat trips near Koh Libong.

Health and Safety

Water safety is the coast's main risk. Swim near lifeguards, respect red flags and avoid swimming after drinking.

Road safety matters too. Phuket's roads are busy and hilly, and many visitors are injured on rented scooters. Only experienced, licensed riders should ride.

Jellyfish, including dangerous box jellyfish, occur at times along the coast. Some beaches have vinegar stations; ask locally about current risks.

Private hospitals in Phuket and Krabi offer good care. Small islands have basic clinics, and serious cases are transferred by boat.

Suggested Andaman Coast Routes

One week: three nights in Krabi or Ao Nang with a day on Railay, then four nights on Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta.

Five days from Phuket: two nights in Old Phuket Town or Kata, a day trip to Phang Nga Bay and two nights on Koh Yao Noi.

Ten days: Phuket for three nights, Khao Lak for three with a Similans day trip, and four nights on Koh Yao Noi.

Two weeks south: Krabi, Koh Lanta, the Trang islands and Koh Lipe, finishing with a ferry to Langkawi or a speedboat back to Pak Bara.

Couples: Railay for three nights, Koh Yao Noi for four, then a final few days in a quiet Phuket resort before flying home.

Divers: Khao Lak as a base with a liveaboard to the Similans, Surin and Richelieu Rock, then a few days on Koh Lanta.

Practical Tips

Book boats a day or two ahead in peak season, and confirm pick up times the evening before.

Pack reef safe sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket and water shoes for rocky beaches and coral areas.

Carry cash for small islands. Koh Lipe, the Trang islands and Koh Phayam have few ATMs.

Pay national park fees for marine parks, and keep your tickets.

Choose licensed tour and boat operators, and ask for life jackets on longtail boats.

Respect wildlife on land too. Monkeys at viewpoints and beaches can bite and grab food, so keep snacks and bags closed.

For a contrasting inland Thai destination, read our Amnat Charoen guide. Respect local customs in Muslim communities: dress modestly away from the beach and avoid alcohol in villages that do not serve it.

The Andaman Coast deserves time. Choose two or three bases rather than racing between islands, and leave room for the weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Sources and Further Planning

Check the Tourism Authority of Thailand seasonal closure guidance, marine tourism safety guidance, and Thai Meteorological Department marine forecasts before booking. Park access, ferry schedules and sea conditions can change; do not swim when red flags fly.

For wider planning, explore the Asia travel guide and compare island environments with the Maldives guide. If you are combining coastal and inland Thailand, explore Amphawa and Amnat Charoen.