Are you planning a trip to Thailand and want to cover as many islands as you possibly can? Well, if you’ve not planned your trip properly, exploring several islands on a single trip might feel like solving a giant puzzle. After all, there are hundreds of islands scattered across two different seas, and you wouldn’t want your entire holiday to be spent waiting in airport lounges or sitting on a long-distance bus. Luckily for you, it is possible to cover a few of the islands in one trip. You just have to pick the right cluster, and island hopping in Thailand will be as easy as ABC.
Continue reading because we have picked a cluster for you. We are focusing on the Andaman Sea side (the West Coast), and here are seven iconic islands that you can explore using speedboats and high-speed ferries. Don’t forget to share these with your travel partner(s). Let’s go!
1.Phuket: The Perfect Starting Point
Phuket is the largest island in all of Thailand and, without a doubt, the most suitable location to start your journey. This is because of its large international airport, where you can arrive straight from any destination around the world.
Even though many tourists believe that Phuket is just a busy city, there are over 30 wonderful beaches on the island, including Nai Harn Beach and Kata Noi Beach. It is perfect for experiencing some culture in the old-fashioned town of Phuket as well as enjoying exciting nightlife.
2.Koh Phi Phi Don: The Social Hub
Just two hours away from Phuket by boat is the Phi Phi archipelago. Koh Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island in the group, and it has a shape that is very similar to that of a butterfly with two big hills connected by a narrow sandy beach.
Why is it easy to get around? There aren’t any cars on the island. All you have to do is walk.
3.Koh Phi Phi Leh: The Natural Wonder
You can’t stay overnight on Phi Phi Leh, but it is incredibly easy to visit via a 20-minute long-tail boat ride from its bigger sister island. This is where you will find Maya Bay, made famous by Hollywood movies.
While you can’t swim in the bay itself anymore (to protect the local reef and blacktip reef sharks), the sight of the limestone cliffs towering over the water is breathtaking.
4.Koh Lanta: The Chill Escape
Following the excitement of Phi Phi Island, a ferry ride of an hour southwards takes you to Koh Lanta. The island is considerably bigger and more tranquil. It is the sort of place where you hire a scooter at only $6 a day and simply cruise around.
Its terrain is fairly flat and runs parallel to the seafront, thus offering one of the easiest islands to tour around on your own. You could pay a visit to Lanta Old Town, located on the eastern shores, to marvel at its old wooden stilt houses or make your way to its southernmost end to admire the famous lighthouse situated within Mu Ko Lanta National Park.
5.Koh Ngai: The Tiny Paradise
A 45-minute ride by speedboat will take you from Koh Lanta to the Trang Islands. Koh Ngai is a small rocky island with no roads or shops on it, only some resort hotels around its beautiful sandy beach.
Despite being isolated, it is quite easy to access this place during the peak season between November and April. The waters around this island are very clean, allowing you to see the underwater reefs several meters away from the shoreline.
6.Koh Mook: The Home of the Emerald Cave
Adjacent to Koh Ngai is the island of Koh Mook. Although it is a quaint fishing village at its core, Koh Mook boasts a secret that is unique to Thailand: the Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot).
The Emerald Cave can be accessed via a pitch-black tunnel that measures around 80 meters long. Once inside, you will be greeted with a beautiful lagoon encircled by tall cliffs and sandy beaches.
As Koh Mook is located near Koh Lanta and Koh Ngai, it is included in ferry boat routes.
7.Koh Lipe: The Maldives of Thailand
Koh Lipe serves as the last destination point on this easy-to-trace route. Even though it lies farther south, taking a fast ferry ride from either Koh Lanta or Trang Island is an easy task.
Known for having some of the brightest blue waters and white powder sand, Koh Lipe is another popular tourist destination, just like Phi Phi. This is also an island that can be explored by simply walking around. All major beaches in this destination, such as Pattaya, Sunrise, and Sunset Beaches, are all connected by what is called a Walking Street, so there is no need to take a taxi.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! Follow the Andaman Loop on your upcoming Thailand holiday and experience seven completely different vibes, separated by just a few hours of ferry route.
Do you have a different cluster in mind? Share your research in the comments below and help fellow travelers plan the best itinerary.
