Andaman Sea Islands: A Guide to Thailand’s Andaman Coast

This article explores the best islands in the Andaman Sea in Thailand. If you’re looking to island hopping in the Andaman Coast and are unsure where to go, you’re in the right place!

There’s a bit of everything when it comes to islands in Southern Thailand and plenty of great choices to finish off your itinerary in Thailand in style.

I’ve written a full blog post about island hopping in Thailand, and now I’ll be focusing on the west side of Thailand: the Andaman Coast.

The Andaman Sea Islands

The Andaman Coast

The Andaman Sea coast is the southwest side of Thailand. It includes most of the country’s most popular destinations for travelers, like Krabi, Phuket, or the Phi Phi Islands. Nevertheless, its 450km of extension means the coast has plenty of other more secluded islands for you to explore.

If you’re still confused about the Southern Islands in Thailand, particularly whether to visit islands on the Gulf of Thailand vs Andaman Coast, give this island hopping guide a read.

The islands of Andaman Sea on a map

To make things more visual, I’ve put all the islands and places of the Andaman Sea on a map, divided into two groups:

• Main islands in yellow: to stay over at least for a few nights
• Other more off the beate track islands in red: if you seek more remote and less crowded places or to visit as a daytrip

Koh Mai Phai (Bamboo island)

Koh Mai Phai is better known as Bamboo island and technically belongs to the Phi Phi archipelago, albeit it has little in common with its sisters. We visited it while doing a hyped Phi Phi tour so our stop time was very limited.

The island seems like a Survivor island. An amazingly small island with an even smaller beach of pearl-white sand and clear sea waters. There’s hardly anything else than a small bar serving drinks and snacks.

We got to explore a bit of the east coast of the island, where I was surprised to find out some debris of the 2004 tsunami are still (!) visible.

Keep in mind Bamboo Island is one of the stops of the Phi Phi tour and MANY boats are arriving and leaving in short intervals. At certain times, the speedboat traffic started to get really crazy and the beach suddenly became even smaller.

If you are visiting Bamboo Island by yourself, I’d suggest to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to escape the crowds.

Booking.com

Koh Lanta

Hard to believe Koh Lanta only obtained reliable electricity in 1996 (!). Since then, the island has risen slowly but steadily in popularity and today you find can decent restaurants, fast WiFi and top-notch resorts.

Koh Lanta is actually made up of several islands, the most well known of which is Koh Lanta Yai. Even the main island can be considered developed so it makes a great tropical getaway.

Although there are many world-class diving and snorkeling spots nearby, there’s not a much to do in Koh Lanta. The largest beach on the island – appropriately called Long Beach – is the perfect place to catch some rays, read a book, or just chill.

Check my guide of Koh Lanta for more tips and advice.

Phi Phi Lee

Once a hidden tropical paradise, Phi Phi Lee has jumped to the bucket list of travellers all around the world after the movie The Beach was filmed there in 1999.

The featured Maya Bay has been widely tourist spot since then. An awe-inspiring bay sheltered by 100-meter high cliffs on three sides, looking like a giant reef. While there are several tiny beaches inside – most of them don’t exist at high tide – the main one has silky soft sand and exceptionally clear water.

Now the bad news. You will probably now what’s coming. SO. MANY. PEOPLE. On peak hours, even the harmless act of taking a picture proves to be a hard task given the number of people in the background.

Phi Phi Don

For me, the Phi Phi Islands represents everything that has gone bad in tourism worldwide lately. And just arriving to Tonsai Bay, the main transport hub of Phi Phi Don is… intense.

There were so many speedboats we couldn’t even see the beach. There was no physical space to park the boat so we had to force our way between two other boats. A strong smell of diesel everywhere. Not a promising start.

After a tasteless lunch buffet next to the beach with 500 thousand other people, we got to explore the surroundings a bit and try to take in the scenery past the touristy stuff. Failed miserably.

Amongst overpriced hotels and resorts, Phi Phi Don attract a young and energetic crowd ready to party, offering a lot to do, from snorkeling boat trips to booze parties. It’s a great place to make new friends – if you know what I mean.

Maybe my experience could have been better if I wasn’t on a tour. Maybe I should have hiked to the Phi Phi viewpoint. Or maybe it’s not just my kind of place.

In any case, this was my least favorite place in Thailand and unless you have a party spirit, this place can be skipped entirely.

Booking.com

Railay

Railay is not technically an island, but it sure feels like one. It’s actually a small peninsula between Ao Nang and Krabi Town.

Accommodation is also quite more expensive here compared to other places in the Andaman coast. The hotel we stayed in – Railay Princess – was located on East Railay tucked away from the popular spots but was great value.

Railay peninsula has two main points of interest. First, West Railay beach. This is where the longtails from Ao Nang all drop off their passengers, so I was expecting a lot of traffic. Water can get diesel-dirty on low tide. But I was shocked by how noisy the beach can be. During peak hours, it’s even hard to maintain a conversation while sitting on the sand. That’s ridiculous!

The southern tip of the peninsula, where Phra Nang beach is located, is MUCH better. Don’t get me wrong – it can get really busy too – but it’s quieter, the water much clearer and the surrounding scenery of limestone cliffs is stunning.

Also, some boats sell street (or beach?) food which added to a more convincing tropical vibe. This spot is by far the best Railay has to offer. Skip everything else in the peninsula and spend as much of your time as you can around Phra Nang.

There are many activities you can do in Railay, the most popular being kayaking and especially rock climbing – did you know it is one of the top spots in the world for this sport?

Koh Poda

Do you know those places you love so much you almost feel tempted not to share with anyone else? Well, this is it.

Koh Poda is part of the so-called 4 island tour but you can skip it and dedicate a full-day trip on our own.

Not that it’s a remote island – in fact is completely the opposite, it’s one of the first ones off the coast of Ao Nang – but it feels a lot more secluded. It’s possible to spend a night in a bungalow in the interior.

While the northern area of the island can be very busy with many longtails and speedboats, the east coast to find out an almost deserted pearly white sand beach. An amazing sight.

The only thing that went slightly off was our return journey. Upon arrival, we had to agree on a time to our driver to pick us up. 3 pm. He didn’t show up and we had to wait for 40+ minutes on the beach for another longtail boat that would take us back.

Getting stuck on a beautiful tropical island, what a first-world problem.

Koh Lipe

The best way to describe Koh Lipe was that I felt I was in a dream the whole time. I had high expectations and I still got amazed. The white soft sand beaches, the turquoise waters, the smile of the people and the amazing food. Not to mention the super cheap massage places!

It’s the perfect place to unwind and live tropical life for a few days.

There are many things to keep you busy here. Top-notch diving, snorkeling day trips within the Tarutao Marine Park or even sea kayaking. But overall, life is slow-paced here, everyone is friendly and everything is within walking distance.

Have a read at my Koh Lipe travel guide, with everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Koh Lipe review

Still authentic and secluded, Koh Lipe is simply put, my favorite Thai island of them all.

• Accessibility: ★★☆☆☆
• Activities/Things to do: ★★★★☆
• Beach quality: ★★★★★
• Facilities/Services: ★★★★☆
• Scenery: ★★★★★
• Value-for-money: ★★★★☆

How to get to Koh Lipe

Located about 60km from mainland, Koh Lipe is the southern-most island in the Adang archipelago and in the whole Thailand.

In low season, the only way to get there is by ferry from Pak Bara pier. During the high season, there are connections from other places in Thailand and from Langkawi in Malaysia.

How long to stay in Koh Lipe

A lifetime? No, seriously, this island will quickly win you over to its laid-back lifestyle, so you can stay here for weeks. Since it’s not easy to get to, I’d say to stay a minimum of 3 full days to make your journey worth it.

Where to stay in Koh Lipe

Make sure you stay along Sunrise Beach. Close to bars, the main street, and with a chance of witnessing gorgeous sunrises every day.

Booking.com

Phuket

Yes, the infamous Phuket! As the largest and busiest island in Thailand and the main tourist hub, it is infected with a collection of the best hotels and resorts in the country. There’s a lot of activities, a lot of restaurants and a lot of people everywhere. A lot of a lot, exactly what I usually don’t look for.

Apart from the pretty cool giant Buddha statue in Chalong, personally the biggest appeal I see in Phuket is its accessibility. There are tours and boat connections to virtually everywhere in Thailand. The proximity to other more laid-back islands like the Similan and the Hong Islands is also a big plus!

How to get to Phuket from Bangkok?

Koh Hong

Despite being a popular day trip from Phuket, I have never heard of Hong Islands until a tour flyer grabbed my attention. An inception picture of a gorgeous island with an enclosed lagoon INSIDE. Turns out it’s Koh Hong, the main island of the archipelago. I was immediately sold.

Except for the birds, gibbons, and lizards, Koh Hong is completely uninhabited and best accessible by kayak.

The other islands are as exciting. Koh Lahding is another beautiful island with a sheltered cove. And both Koh Rai and Koh Kakbiahave top-notch beaches in low-tide. This place looks paradise on earth and I can’t wait to visit!

Similan Islands

Similan is a group of islands considered a true slice of paradise off the coast of the Phang Nga province.

The rich underwater life attracts snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts seeking encounters with tropical fishes, whale sharks, and even manta rays. This small archipelago also boasts pristine beaches, reefs, and coves.

The fastest way to get there is by boat from Khao Lak (2-hour trip). Many choose to do Similan on a day trip, but diving enthusiasts might want to spend more time there.

Koh Muk

This is a more off-the-radar island destination in southern Thailand but definitely worth to look into. No big tourism infrastructure, just a couple of restaurants and hotels. Who needs more anyway?

Apart from chilling on the beach and top-notch snorkeling, the main highlight is Morakot Cave (Emerald Cave). It’s just a short boat ride from the main section of the island, and cannot be missed!

Koh Muk is close enough to do on a day trip from Koh Lanta, but I imagine the best experience to spend a few days in this remote paradise.

Where to stay in the Andaman Coast

I usually use Booking.com to find accommodations.

I’ve used Agoda before in Asia, but my experience was not the best so can’t recommend it.

Always make sure you check for a room with A/C or fan. It can get crazy hot and humid in Thailand. Also in the most remote tropical islands, a mosquito net is gold!

Booking.com

Best time to go to the islands in the Andaman Coast

Usually, the best time to hit the west coast beaches is between December and March. High temperatures hit about 28C in December and rise to 30C in March. Naturally, this is also peak season so expect more crowds and higher prices. That said, the Andaman coast has had many more rainstorms through the high season months than the normal in the past few years.

The rainy or monsoon season is between July and November. Prices are the lowest of the year – up to 50% less! – and crowds are minimal, but the weather can be rough and transportation choices (speedboats, longtails, and ferries) are more limited.

Read more about the weather and seasons in Thai islands.

Island Hopping in Andaman Sea Islands

I understand it’s easy to fall in the mental trap of trying to justify a rather expensive flight with as many places as possible. I know people who visited the Thailand islands and didn’t stay for more than 1 night in the same place.

Don’t make that mistake of trying to squeeze in everything, that’s absolutely crazy. Plus, you’ll end up seeing just bits and bobs and spending most of the time going around on buses, planes, and longtail boats with your backpack or luggage.

Just like any other country – Thailand is NOT suited to be explored on a rally course and 2 weeks is the bare minimum.

Adjust this route to the time you are staying. If you have two weeks available, pick two hub-islands or two “relax-islands” and/or add in some more juicy day trips.

How to get to the Andaman Sea Islands

Flights

The most direct way to get to the islands in Thailand’s Andaman Coast is by plane. Phuket and Krabi airports have several direct national and international flights.

There are also several low-cost companies operating in Thailand with flights at laughable prices. Note some of them are NOT listed in flight search engines like Skyscanner, so always take a look at their own websites.

Low-cost airlines operating in Thailand islands

• Air Asia
• Jetstar
• Nok Air
• Thai Airways
• Thai Lion Air

An interesting feature some of these companies offer are combined tickets.

For instance, you can buy a Fly’n’Ferry ticket with Nok Air from Bangkok to Koh Lipe. Even though the island has no airport, the ticket includes flying to a nearby Trang airport, bus to the near pier and then a passenger ferry to Koh Lipe.

Buses and ferries

You can also get to the main islands in the Andaman Sea from Bangkok by a combination or bus or train + ferry.
The tickets are much cheaper, but journey times can be a total bitch. Getting from Bangkok to the islands can take 12 hours or more.

Booking.com

Andaman Sea Islands: A review

Prior to my trip, I was already expecting to come back with mixed feelings.

The beauty of the islands is undeniable. The clear turquoise waters. The backdrop with limestone cliffs. All tied in nicely with delicious food, the amazing value in shopping items and extremely nice local people. A true piece of tropical paradise.

The negative side is obvious and can’t be overlooked. Crowds, boats, noise, pollution. Hard to say what to do as regards to the future of the islands.

It breaks my heart to say some of the places I’ve seen are lost forever to tourism. Especially Phi Phi Islands. What will be of Maya Bay?

While I think the Thailand government did well in taking the first steps in regulating/forbidding visitors in some places, it’s still a bit depressing to think about. In the end, it’s a small price to pay to maintain their long-term integrity and sustainability.

Have you been to the Andaman Sea islands in Thailand? Which islands have you visited? Let me know your favorite spots below!