Thailand Island Hopping: 10 Days in the South

Overview

This itinerary covers Thailand’s best southern islands across two coasts. It starts on the Andaman side (Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Krabi) where limestone karsts, clear water and coral reefs define the scenery, then crosses to the Gulf side (Koh Samui) for a different pace and landscape before flying home.

Route: Phuket (2 nights) → ferry to Phi Phi Islands (2 nights) → ferry to Koh Lanta (2 nights) → ferry to Krabi/Railay (2 nights) → fly to Koh Samui (2 nights) → fly home.

Season note: This route works best from November through April when Andaman coast ferries run full schedules and seas are calm.

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Days 1–2: Phuket

Day 1 — Arrival and Beaches

Fly into Phuket International Airport. Transfer to your hotel — airport taxis run fixed-price metered fares: approximately THB 600–1,000 to beach areas. Grab is also available.

Choose your beach base:

• Kata Beach — good swimming, moderate nightlife, family-friendly.
• Karon Beach — long sandy stretch, quieter than Patong.
• Patong Beach — liveliest area, most restaurants and bars. Bangla Road nightlife is here.
• Kamala Beach — relaxed, residential feel. Close to the luxury end of Phuket.

Afternoon: Beach time. If arriving early, visit Promthep Cape (southern tip, free) for sunset views — arrive by 17:30 to secure a spot.

Dinner: Baan Rim Pa (Patong cliffside) — royal Thai cuisine with ocean views, mains from approximately THB 300–600. For budget eats, Raya Restaurant in Phuket Town serves authentic Phuket-style food (mains from THB 100–200).

Day 2 — Phang Nga Bay

Full-day Phang Nga Bay tour — the highlight of Phuket beyond its beaches. Visit James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan), Koh Panyee floating village, sea caves and mangroves. Kayaking through limestone caves is included in most tours.

Tours from approximately THB 1,500–3,000 per person including hotel pickup, lunch, kayak and longtail boat. John Gray’s Sea Canoe is a well-regarded operator running smaller group tours from approximately THB 3,950.

Alternative: If you have visited Phang Nga Bay before, spend Day 2 exploring Phuket itself. Phuket Old Town has Sino-Portuguese architecture, street art on Soi Romanee, and the local market on Ranong Road. Big Buddha (Nakkerd Hill, free entry) offers panoramic views. Wat Chalong (free) is Phuket’s most important temple.

Evening: Seafood dinner at Kan Eang@Pier (Chalong Bay) — fresh catch priced by weight, approximately THB 300–500 per person. Or the more casual Laem Hin Seafood on the east coast.

Phuket Hotels

Tier	Hotel	From (per night, as of 2026)
Budget	Lub d Phuket Patong	THB 600 / USD 17
Mid-range	Deevana Plaza (Patong)	THB 3,000 / USD 87
Upscale	Trisara (north Phuket)	THB 20,000 / USD 580

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Days 3–4: Phi Phi Islands

Getting there: Ferry from Phuket (Rassada Pier) to Phi Phi Don — approximately 2 hours. Standard ferry from THB 400, speedboat from THB 800. Multiple daily departures between 08:30 and 15:00. Rassada Pier is 5km east of Phuket Town.

Day 3 — Arrival and Viewpoint

Arrive at Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don. The island has no cars — walk or take a longtail boat to your accommodation.

Afternoon: Hike to Viewpoint 1 (30 minutes uphill from Tonsai, entry THB 30) for the classic two-bay panorama. Continue to Viewpoint 2 (10 more minutes) for a higher angle. Bring water — the climb is steep in the heat.

Swim at Long Beach — take a longtail from Tonsai (THB 150 per person) or walk 25 minutes along the coastal path. Clearer water and fewer crowds than Tonsai Bay.

Evening: Dinner at Pum Thai Restaurant — authentic Thai food away from the tourist strip, mains from approximately THB 150–300. After dinner, the beachfront bars on Tonsai Bay have fire shows starting around 21:00.

Day 4 — Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay

Morning: Half-day boat tour to Phi Phi Leh — the uninhabited island south of Phi Phi Don. Visit Maya Bay (entry THB 400 as of 2026, limited daily visitors — book your time slot in advance), Pileh Lagoon (swim in crystal-clear enclosed lagoon), and see Viking Cave from the boat.

Tours from approximately THB 800–1,500 per person by longtail or THB 1,500–2,500 by speedboat. Morning departures (08:00) catch Maya Bay before it reaches capacity.

Afternoon: Snorkelling at Shark Point (Phi Phi Don’s south coast) — blacktip reef sharks and tropical fish. Snorkel gear rental from THB 100 per day. Or book a kayak (from THB 300 per hour) and explore Monkey Beach and the east coast bays.

Evening: Sunset from Relax Beach (eastern side, 15-minute walk from Tonsai). Dinner at Unni’s Restaurant — seafood and Thai dishes from approximately THB 200–350.

Phi Phi Hotels

Tier	Hotel	From (per night, as of 2026)
Budget	Blanco Beach Bar & Hostel	THB 500 / USD 14
Mid-range	Phi Phi The Beach Resort (Long Beach)	THB 3,500 / USD 100
Upscale	Zeavola Resort (Laem Tong, north end)	THB 8,000 / USD 230

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Days 5–6: Koh Lanta

Getting there: Ferry from Phi Phi to Koh Lanta — approximately 1–1.5 hours. Tigerline Travel operates daily services from approximately THB 400–600 one way. Ferries arrive at Saladan Pier on the northern tip of Koh Lanta.

Day 5 — Beaches

Koh Lanta has a slower, more relaxed pace than Phuket or Phi Phi. The island runs 27km north to south with beaches along the entire west coast.

Beach guide (north to south):

• Klong Dao Beach — longest beach, gentle waves, most accommodation options.
• Long Beach (Phra Ae) — backpacker-friendly, beach bars, good swimming.
• Klong Khong Beach — rocky at low tide but excellent sunset bars.
• Kantiang Bay — southern end, quieter, dramatic cliffs framing the bay.

Rent a scooter (from THB 250 per day) and ride the length of the west coast. Stop at each beach to find your preferred spot.

Lunch: Drunken Sailors (Long Beach) — burgers, Thai food and cocktails, mains from approximately THB 150–300.

Evening: Old Town Lanta on the east coast — a stilted village over the water with Chinese-Thai shophouses. Walk the main street and eat at Beautiful Restaurant — seafood on the waterfront, mains from approximately THB 150–350. The sunset from the west coast beaches is better though — head back to Same Same But Different bar on Klong Khong for drinks from THB 100.

Day 6 — Snorkelling and National Park

Morning: Snorkelling tour to Koh Rok or the Four Islands (Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Chueak). Full-day tours from approximately THB 1,200–1,800 per person including lunch and snorkel gear. Koh Rok has some of Thailand’s best coral and clearest water — visibility reaches 20+ metres.

Alternatively: Visit Mu Koh Lanta National Park at the southern tip (entry THB 200 for foreign visitors). A lighthouse marks the headland with views across to Koh Ngai. The adjacent beaches are less developed than the west coast. Short hiking trails wind through the forest.

Afternoon: Return to your beach. Kantiang Bay has the best swimming on the southern end.

Evening: Dinner at Red Snapper (Klong Dao) — European-Thai fusion, mains from approximately THB 200–400. Or the night food market in Saladan for street-price Thai dishes (THB 50–100).

Koh Lanta Hotels

Tier	Hotel	From (per night, as of 2026)
Budget	Lanta Manda (Long Beach)	THB 500 / USD 14
Mid-range	Twin Lotus Resort (Klong Dao)	THB 3,000 / USD 87
Upscale	Pimalai Resort & Spa (Kantiang Bay)	THB 8,000 / USD 230

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Days 7–8: Krabi and Railay Beach

Getting there: Ferry from Koh Lanta to Krabi — approximately 2 hours. Tigerline Travel and direct speedboats operate daily. Fares from approximately THB 400–700. Ferries dock at Nopparat Thara Pier or Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi.

Day 7 — Ao Nang and Railay

Transfer from Krabi pier to Ao Nang (approximately 20 minutes by taxi or songthaew, THB 100–200).

Afternoon: Longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay Beach — THB 100 per person, 15 minutes. Railay is a peninsula cut off from the mainland by cliffs, accessible only by boat. Two main beaches: Railay West (swimming, sunset views) and Phra Nang Beach (dramatic limestone cave, often cited as one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches).

Rock climbing: Railay is Southeast Asia’s top climbing destination. Half-day introduction courses from approximately THB 1,500 per person including equipment, instructor and 4–5 routes on the Muay Thai Wall or One-Two-Three Wall. Basecamp Tonsai and King Climbers are established operators.

Walk to the Railay Lagoon viewpoint — a steep 30-minute scramble through jungle with a rope-assisted final section. The lagoon view from the top is worth the effort. Wear closed-toe shoes.

Evening: Dinner at Flame Tree Restaurant (Railay East) — Thai and international dishes from approximately THB 200–400. Or the cheaper food stalls at Railay East Walking Street (from THB 60).

Day 8 — Four Islands Tour

Full-day Four Islands Tour from Ao Nang — visit Koh Poda (white sand beach), Koh Tup and Koh Mor (connected by a sandbar at low tide), and Phra Nang Cave Beach (if you have not visited from Railay). Longtail boat tours from approximately THB 800 per person, speedboat tours from approximately THB 1,500. Both include lunch and snorkelling gear.

Alternative: Hong Island tour (Koh Hong) — a more remote island with an enclosed lagoon and excellent snorkelling. National park entry fee: THB 300. Tours from approximately THB 1,200–2,000 per person.

Afternoon: If returning early, visit Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) — 8km from Krabi Town. Climb 1,260 steps to the summit for panoramic views. Free entry. Allow 1–1.5 hours for the climb. Bring water and start early to avoid the midday heat.

Evening: Dinner at Lae Lay Grill (Ao Nang) — seafood with cliff views, mains from approximately THB 200–400. The sunset from the restaurant terrace is one of the best in Krabi.

Krabi/Railay Hotels

Tier	Hotel	From (per night, as of 2026)
Budget	Pak-Up Hostel (Krabi Town)	THB 400 / USD 12
Mid-range	Ao Nang Cliff Beach Resort	THB 2,800 / USD 81
Upscale	Rayavadee (Railay, between beaches)	THB 15,000 / USD 435

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Days 9–10: Koh Samui

Getting there: Fly from Krabi to Koh Samui — Bangkok Airways operates via Bangkok (total 3–4 hours, from approximately THB 3,000–5,000). There are no direct ferries between the Andaman and Gulf coasts. The flight is the only practical same-day connection.

Day 9 — Arrival and Island Exploration

Morning/afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Rent a scooter (from THB 200 per day) and explore:

• Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) — northeast tip, free entry. A 12-metre golden Buddha visible from the approaching flight path.
• Fisherman’s Village (Bophut) — old Chinese-Thai shophouses along the waterfront, boutiques, cafes. Friday Night Market (17:00–22:00) has live music and street food.
• Na Muang Waterfall — southwest coast, free. Two tiers; the lower fall is a 10-minute walk from the car park.

Evening: Dinner at The Dining Room at Fisherman’s Village — Thai and seafood, mains from approximately THB 200–400. Or street food at the Lamai Night Market (Sunday) from THB 40–80.

Day 10 — Beach Day and Departure

Morning: Final beach time. Chaweng Beach (7km, the main beach) or Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) between Chaweng and Lamai — smaller, sheltered, excellent swimming and snorkelling directly from shore.

Afternoon: Thai massage at a beach spa — from approximately THB 400 for a 1-hour traditional massage. Pack and transfer to Koh Samui Airport (USM) for your departure flight.

Splurge option: If time allows, book a half-day spa package at Tamarind Springs — forest spa with steam caves and plunge pools. Packages from approximately THB 3,500 per person.

Koh Samui Hotels

Tier	Hotel	From (per night, as of 2026)
Budget	Ark Bar Beach Resort (Chaweng)	THB 1,200 / USD 35
Mid-range	Baan Haad Ngam (Chaweng Noi)	THB 3,500 / USD 100
Upscale	Four Seasons Koh Samui	THB 18,000 / USD 522

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Ferry Route Summary (as of 2026)

Route	Duration	Approx. Cost	Operator
Phuket → Phi Phi	2 hours	THB 400–800	Andaman Wave Master, Phi Phi Cruiser
Phi Phi → Koh Lanta	1–1.5 hours	THB 400–600	Tigerline Travel
Koh Lanta → Krabi	2 hours	THB 400–700	Tigerline, Ao Nang Princess
Krabi → Koh Samui	No direct ferry — fly via Bangkok	THB 3,000–5,000	Bangkok Airways

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Budget Summary (Per Person, 10 Days, as of 2026)

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Upscale
Accommodation (10 nights)	THB 6,000–10,000	THB 30,000–45,000	THB 100,000+
Ferries (4 legs)	THB 1,600–2,500	THB 2,000–3,500	THB 3,500+
Flight (Krabi–Koh Samui)	THB 3,000–5,000	THB 3,000–5,000	THB 5,000–8,000
Food (10 days)	THB 5,000–7,000	THB 10,000–17,000	THB 20,000+
Activities & entry fees	THB 4,000–7,000	THB 8,000–14,000	THB 15,000+
Scooter rental (6 days)	THB 1,500–2,000	THB 1,500–2,000	THB 2,000+
Total	THB 21,100–33,500	THB 54,500–86,500	THB 145,500+
Approx. USD	USD 610–970	USD 1,580–2,510	USD 4,220+

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Practical Tips

• Ferry season: Andaman coast ferries (Phuket–Phi Phi–Koh Lanta–Krabi) operate full schedules from November through April only. Reduced services or cancellations are common from May through October.
• Luggage on ferries: Keep bags waterproof — they are stacked on the lower deck and may get splashed. A dry bag for electronics is worth the investment.
• Phi Phi water: Tap water is not safe on Phi Phi. Buy bottled water (THB 20) or bring a filter bottle. Waste management on the island is limited — minimise single-use plastic where possible.
• Koh Lanta scooter roads: The main west coast road is paved and easy to ride. Roads to the south and east coast are rougher — ride slowly, especially after rain.
• Coast crossover: No ferry connects the Andaman and Gulf coasts. The only practical options are flying (Krabi to Koh Samui via Bangkok) or a long overland journey through Surat Thani (8+ hours by bus and ferry). We recommend flying.
• Travel insurance: Essential for island hopping. Ensure your policy covers ferry cancellations, scooter use and water activities (diving, snorkelling).

See also: Koh Tao diving guide if you want to extend the Gulf leg with a diving stop between Koh Samui and the mainland.