The best of the Thai islands in two unforgettable weeks
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Island hopping through the Thai islands is surely one of life’s best bucket list adventures. From the heady nightlife of Phuket to the romantic shores of Koh Lipe, each island has its own personality and its own rhythm for you to discover. Thanks to the region’s excellent ferry network, cruising between the islands has never been easier, or more enjoyable. This curated two week Thai island hopping itinerary takes you from the glittering Andaman Sea to jungled coves in the Gulf of Thailand, soaking in some of Thailand’s best, and lesser known, gems.
Day 1–3: Phuket
Day 1
Arriving in Phuket feels less like landing on an island and more like stepping into a small, tropical city. Spend your first morning getting comfortable, walking along the beach near your hotel, sipping coconuts beneath the palm trees and adjusting yourself to island life. Take a trip to Phuket Old Town in the late afternoon which brings an authentic, more local side of the island into view, where pastel coloured shophouses and Chinese shrines stand testament to the powerful trading port Phuket once was. Our Guide to Visiting Phuket Old Town will give you some ideas on what to do here, from discovering boutique shops and night markets to atmospheric traditional Chinese medicine stores.
Day 2
One of Phuket’s greatest gifts is how easily it opens the door to the Andaman Sea, with most of the Thai islands a ferry ride away. Leave behind the glitz of Phuket for the day and head out on a boat trip to Phang Nga Bay, arguably Thailand’s most iconic sight. Hire a private tour to travel at your own pace, stopping off to snorkel at deserted beaches, kayak past the limestone cliffs and step foot onto Maya Bay, made famous from the film ‘The Beach’. Crowds here are a certainty, so skip this if you prefer a more Robinson Crusoe, desert island escape. In the evening, head to one of Phuket’s famous beach clubs as DJs spin chill beats and nature puts on one of its finest shows – there are few things that catch your breath quite like a sunset over the Andaman Sea.
Day 3
After a busy start to your island hopping trip, spend your final full day in Phuket by choosing your own rhythm. Maybe you’ll spend it on one of the best beaches in Phuket, drifting between the sea and shade, enjoying lunch with your toes in the sand. Or perhaps you’ll head inland to some of the famous viewpoints or a temple, reminding you that Phuket is more than just a resort island. For some more ideas on how to spend your last day here, read our 10 Best Things to do in Phuket here.
Day 4–6: Koh Lanta
Day 4: Phuket to Koh Lanta
Leaving Phuket behind, travel via the fast ferry to Koh Lanta, a journey that takes 1.5 – 2 hours, and feels like a gradual shedding of the outside world. The turquoise sea surrounds you in all directions, peppered by forested islands and deserted beaches. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day adjusting to real island time. The bright lights and busy roads of Phuket are far behind you, replaced by dusty lanes, boutique hotels and long stretches of deserted beach. One of our favourite things to do is head straight to Long Beach, with its golden sands and boho bars and cafes.
Day 5
Koh Lanta is made for unstructured days – this is laid back life at its best. Today might start with a lazy breakfast overlooking the water before wandering to Lanta Old Town, with its wooden stilted houses and a waterfront that feels just as connected to fishing and trade as much as tourism. Stretch out the afternoon at YOGA in Koh Lanta, with meditation and yoga classes overlooking the sparkling ocean. For the evening, head to Yang Garden, one of the prettiest and most romantic restaurants on the island. Dine on grilled duck breast, rotisserie pork belly and whipped lemongrass panna cotta.
Day 6
With another full day, take a boat trip to nearby islands and local snorkelling spots. Clear water and colourful reefs lie just off shore, including famous dive sites like Hin Daeng, where you can spot manta rays and whale sharks. Or you can head inland instead, exploring the Mu Ko Lanta National Park at the southern end of the island with its walking trails and pretty lighthouse. For more ideas, read our Travel Guide to Koh Lanta here.
Day 7–8: Koh Lipe
Day 7: Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe
The speedboat journey from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe is one of the most memorable of the trip, weaving through a scattering of small islands and open sea before finally arriving at a tiny, reef ringed outpost in the far south of Thailand. It takes around 2.5 – 3 hours. Stepping off the boat into the shallow, clear water feels almost unreal after days of larger islands. Koh Lipe is small enough to walk across in less than an hour, and its beaches are plucked straight from a postcard. Spend the rest of the day settling into your accommodation and getting your bearings in a place that feels both remote and intimate. Read our Travel Guide to Koh Lipe to get some ideas on how to spend your time here. Head to Pattaya Beach for the evening, where the gentle rumble of boho beach bars and restaurants makes this the liveliest place on the island.
Day 8
Koh Lipe’s days revolve around the water. Wake up early and head to Sunrise Beach for, you guessed it, the sunrise. There aren’t many better ways to spend a morning than soaking it all in here, your toes nestled in powdery white sand and the rising sun casting a glow over the glass-like waters. Don’t forget to grab a fresh coffee from Benny’s on the Beach afterward! Whether you join a snorkelling trip to nearby islets or simply drift between the island’s three main beaches, everything here seems to happen at sea level. The coral gardens just offshore are some of the most accessible in Thailand, and it is easy to lose track of time as you rotate between snorkelling and sunbathing. Come evening, head to beloved La Luna restaurant for authentic wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta.
Day 9–10: Krabi
Day 9: Koh Lipe to Krabi
The journey back north is a longer one, taking around 5-6 hours on a speedboat. It’s a day to settle in with a good book as you whisk across the Andaman Sea and make your way to Krabi. You’ll pass expanses of turquoise water peppered with green islands, before finally landing in the cinematic landscape of Krabi, famous for its towering limestone cliffs that seem to erupt out of nowhere. It definitely feels like a dramatic re-entry into the world after such isolation on Koh Lipe. Make the most of the action and head to Krabi town for the evening; nothing says Thailand quite like the red tents and sizzling charcoal grills of a night market.
Day 10
It’s time to pick up the pace again a little – Krabi has so much to do that sitting around and letting time pass by is something strictly reserved for the Koh Lipe’s and the Koh Lanta’s. Choose your adventure should be the slogan of this region. Perhaps you want to view Krabi from a different perspective, climbing some of those enormous karsts that rise above the beaches here. It’s some of the best rock climbing in the world, with routes for both advanced climbers and absolute beginners. Or you can hire a long-tail boat – Krabi has some of the country’s best island hopping day trips you can find. Kayak on hidden emerald lagoons or take the famous Four Islands tour to get the best of the best in just one trip. Read our 6 Best Island Day Trips from Krabi here for more inspiration. Come evening, head to Ao Nang beach where the party doesn’t stop until the sun rises the following morning.
Day 11–12: Koh Samui
Day 11: Krabi to Koh Samui
Today you’ll finally cross from the Andaman Sea into the Gulf of Thailand, where a new host of islands await you. Fly direct from Krabi to Koh Samui on a short 50 minute flight. While Phuket and Krabi are busy hubs, and Koh Lipe is a quiet idyllic paradise, Koh Samui lands somewhere in between. The island’s wide beaches stretch out and you’ll find everything from secluded yoga retreats and jungle hikes to secret Buddha gardens and gilded temples. Check into your accommodation and take a trip out to Na Muang Waterfalls. Soak away a day of travel in the cool waters of these two cascades hidden in the lush jungle. For the evening, make your way over to Lipa Noi Beach, which has front row seats to the best sunset on the island.
Day 12
Begin your day with a trip out to the Buddha Garden, hidden in the interior of the island and started by a local farmer. The winding roads that twist through the jungle are just as magical as the garden itself, which houses hundreds of mystical statues dotted throughout the trees. For the afternoon, wile away a few hours on the paradise shores of Lamai beach, and see if you can find the famous Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks with their interesting folklore! Close the day in the bohemian streets of Fishermans Village, where you can grab some local street food and gorgeous crafts in the bustling streets.
Day 13–14: Koh Phangan and Koh Samui
Day 13: Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
A short 30 minute ferry ride brings you to the hippie paradise of Koh Phangan, where the raves of full moon parties are just as popular as green juices and meditation retreats. In fact, this is the island where the full moon parties originated, and they are still going in full swing! If you’re here for the full moon, consider it a rite of passage to at least drop by for an hour of dancing and drinking on the sand. If it’s not your scene, head to the north of the island where you’ll find a different Phangan: small coves and jungle backed beaches with not a glow stick to be found.
Day 14: Koh Phangan to Koh Samui
Return to Koh Samui for your final night, enjoying this barefoot luxe island at your own pace. There are still temples to be explored and natural wonders to discover. Wat Plai Laem is home to a magnificent 18 armed statue of the Goddess Guanyin, while a hike to the famous Overlap Stone gives you incredible views over Lamai beach and the surrounding jungle. There’s only one way to end your final evening in Thailand, and that’s eating fresh seafood with your toes in the sand, perhaps sipping on a cold Chang beer, probably already planning your return.
