Updated: June 2024
This post was written by Eli — a local tour agency manager, who has lived in Koh Phi Phi since 2012
I am a beach lover, palm tree admirer, sun worshiper, seaside regular, thalassophile, sunset stalker and coconut collector. I LOVE the beach and the SEA and everything which comes with it.
So it is no surprise that my ideal vacation would be spent somewhere in the tropics, island hopping…and south Thailand is the perfect place to do just that.
There are so many beautiful islands in Thailand, it can be difficult to choose which ones to visit on your island-hopping adventure. I suggest staying on each island minimum 3-4 days so you can explore the beaches, viewpoints and get a good feel for the place.
Don’t go crazy and visit 15 islands in 20 days, you will end up spending most of your trip traveling, checking in and out of hotel rooms and not actually soaking up any of the island’s atmosphere.
South Thailand is well known for its tropical archipelagos, pristine beaches and some of the most stunning islands in the whole of Asia. It’s a true paradise for anyone who loves snorkeling, diving, and a general beach-bumming.
So how do you choose the right island for you?
I picked a few of my favorite islands in the Andaman sea, based on the natural beauty, clarity of the sea and overall tropical feel.
I strongly suggest doing any island hopping during the high season from November to May. Most of the boat services between the islands cease to operate off-season, due to the rough sea and strong wind.
TRAVEL PLAN:
Phuket Airport ARRIVAL
Koh Yao 4 nights
Koh Phi Phi 5 nights
Koh Mook 4 nights
Koh Lipe 5 nights
Hat Yai Airport DEPARTURE
DAY 1
Getting from Phuket Airport to Koh Yao
Arriving at Phuket Airport, you will find it very easy finding a taxi to take you to Bang Rong Pier.
The journey takes around 30 minutes and the taxi should cost around 500THB (15 USD). From the pier, you can hop on one of the speedboats or long tail boats to Koh Yao, which leaves almost every hour.
Day 1-5
Koh Yai Yao/ Noi
Koh Yao Island is one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets. And I love it there. The island consists of two islands, Koh Yao Yai (big long island) and Koh Yai Noi (small long island).
Both islands are beautiful and it is easy to get from one to another. The best way to get around is renting a motorbike. You can drive around and explore some hidden beaches, secret viewpoints and admire rural fields with water buffaloes. If you want to cross to the other island, they will load your bike on a small boat and drop you off to the other side.
We stayed on Koh Yao Noi as I love the views of the Phang Nga Bay. There are many limestone rock formations coming out of the sea, creating almost prehistorically looking views.
Koh Yao is extremely quiet with few tourists, couple of 7/11 and ATM. I always find this surprising, as it’s located so close to buzzing Phuket and famous Krabi, yet the time stopped here.
The beaches are deserted even in high season and the only concern you will have is what cocktail you are going to drink next.
If you are after a tranquil atmosphere, relaxing massages, yoga, reading and watching sunsets then Koh Yao will be your perfect place.
Koh Yao might be one of the last few unspoiled islands in Thailand.
Where to stay in Koh Yao?
Koh Yao Noi has plenty of accommodation to offer, from budget-friendly bungalows to some of the best hotels in Thailand. We stayed in Sabai Corner Bungalows.
The owner lets us stay there with our small dog and we just loved it there. The manager is wonderful and extremely helpful. She will tell you all you need to know about the island. She helped us organizing a boat trip and recommended places to visit. They also have an amazing little restaurant with some of the tastiest food I’ve ever had.
If it’s a luxury you are after, then you are in the right place. There are some of the most luxurious hotels in Thailand on Koh Yao, which brings here many celebrities and honeymooners. Look at Six Senses Yao Noi, The Island Hide Out- Koh Yao Noi, Coastal Escape Villas and Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa.
KOH YAO NOI HOTELS
Luxury $$:
Cape Kudu Hotel
Tree House Villas- Adults Only
Coastal Escape Koh Yao Noi
Mid-range $:
Purana Resort Koh Yao Noi
Awana Villa Resort YaoNoi
Hill House Koh Yao Noi
Budget $:
The Khao Bay View
Antonio’s Ko Yao Noi BED & BBQ
Sabai Corner Bungalow
KOH YAO YAI HOTELS
Luxury $$$:
Anantara Koh Yao Yai
Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
Elixir Koh Yao Yai
Mid- range $$:
Esmeralda View Resort
Yao Yai Beach Resort
Resting Place Koh Yao Yai
Budget $:
Koh Yao Modern Inn
Koh Yao Yai Sea Breeze House
Green Mountain Resort Koh Yao
The highlight of Koh Yao island: the beach peninsula Lam Haad Beach in Koh Yao Yao, some of the best seafood in Thailand, rubber fields and boat trip to Koh Hong.
DAY 5
Boat from Koh Yao to Phi Phi Island
The easiest and fastest way from Yao to Phi Phi is the speedboat transfer. It costs around 1200-1300THB (depending on the company) per person and leaves daily.
Koh Phi Phi Don is a small island 8 x 3.5 km across. The main village is even smaller part of it, you can walk from one side to the other in 20 minutes.
There is plenty to do during the day, from snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving and fishing to hiking, sunbathing and enjoying the pool party.
READ HERE: HOW TO SPEND 3 DAYS IN KOH PHI PHI
The highlight of Koh Phi Phi: fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling with small sharks, trip to Bamboo Island, azure water lagoons and bays, sunrise at Phi Phi Don Viewpoint, beach party & fire show.
DAY 10
Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Mook
To get from Phi Phi to Koh Mook you can take a speedboat for around 1,400THB per person, which gets you there in 2,5 hours.
If you decide to visit Koh Mook off-season, you will have to travel via land from Krabi to Trang (Kuan Tung Ku Pier). It is around 30 minutes by a boat to reach the island from the mainland.
Day 10-14
Koh Mook
Koh Mook is another small gem in the Andaman sea. It is a little bit bigger than its neighbors which offer more accommodation options.
The island has a relaxed atmosphere, chilled vibes, and friendly locals. Koh Mook is still very much underdeveloped, comparing to the other islands, you can really get the feeling here of what some of the islands used to be like 20 years ago.
There are two main benches, Had Farang Beach on the west coast and Sivalai Beach on the east. Sivalai beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of white sand you will ever see.
Koh Mook is 11 km from Koh Ngai and only 8 km from Koh Kradan, which makes it a perfect base for making a day trips and stop off for some awesome snorkeling.
Where to stay in Koh Mook?
If you can afford it, then treat yourself and stay in Koh Mook Sivalai Resort, waking up on that heavenly stretch of sand is priceless. We stayed at Inhale @ hill which is fabulous and pet friendly.
However there are some very good low budget options such as SeaSide Home, Mook Montra Resort Seafront, or Cashewnut Bungalow
The highlight of Koh Mook:Emerald Cave, island trekking to the viewpoint and Secret Beach, boat trip to Koh Kradan and having a dinner at Ko Yao Viewpoint Restaurant and of course dugong spotting
YOU CAN FIND THE FULL DETAILED GUIDE HER: KOH MOOK ULTIMATE GUIDE
DAY 14
Boat from Koh Mook to Koh Lipe
Speedboats run daily from Mook to Koh Lipe, it takes around 2 hours.
Day 14-19
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is one of my most favorite islands in Thailand. I come here a couple of times a year to escape and visit my friends.
There’re again no cars here but you can pay for motorbike taxi if you are a lazy bum. The island has developed some sort of infrastructure here so coming from Koh Mook it will feel like arriving in civilization.
There are two main beaches, Pattaya Beach and Sunrise Beach. Both are stunning, however, Pattaya Beach gets very shallow water during low tide. If you want to have all day swimming conditions and off beach snorkeling, it is best to stay on Sunrise Beach. There is also smaller Sunset Beach which is more secluded.
All the restaurants and shops are located in Walking Street, which connects all beaches.
Lipe is so beautiful, you will be happy just enjoying the island and not do much else. Swimming in turquoise water and rolling around in soft flour sand will keep you satisfied…occasionally sneaking off for a massage, sipping on cool coconut and people watching.
There is some nightlife here if you feel like having a couple of mojitos, mostly chill out bars on the beach and couple of cool reggae bars with beanbags on Pattaya Beach.
Where to stay in Koh Lipe?
There are some fantastic resorts on Lipe’s Sunrise Beach, Mali Resort Sunrise Beach, Ten Moons Lipe Resort or the luxurious Serendipity Beach Resort.
If you are on a low budget I’d recommend Forra Dive Resort, also on the Sunrise Beach, a very basic bamboo huts but great beach location.
Luxury $$$:
Serendipity Beach Resort Koh Lipe
AKIRA Lipe Resort
Mid-Range $$:
Castaway Resort Koh Lipe
Wapi Resort
Mali Resort Pattaya Beach
Lipe Banyan Apartment
Budget Hotels $:
The Chic Lipe
The Sunflower Lipe
Forra Dive Resort Sunrise Beach
Bloom Cafe & Hostel
READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE:
⇒ WHERE TO STAY IN KOH LIPE
The highlight of Lipe: sandy bank at the end of the Sunrise Beach, kayaking& snorkeling, breakfast at Cafe Tropical, happy hour at Zodiac Bar.
Day 20
From Koh Lipe to Hat Yai airport
To get back to the mainland I suggest organizing a join ticket for boat and airport shuttle, that way you can save a little bit of money.
The closest airports to Lipe are Hat Yai and Trang. Some airline companies like Nok Air can also let you organize the whole trip from Lipe to Bangkok (and other way around).
So….this would be my ideal plan on how to spend 20 days island hopping in the south of Thailand.
You can also throw in couple of days in Lanta, Koh Kradan or Koh Ngai. Great thing about Thailand is that you don’t need to plan so much and just go with the flow.
Feeling inspired and want to visit Thailand?
Read How to find a cheap flight to Thailand.
