On my last trip through the Andaman Sea, I became aware of an uncomfortable truth: Although I had previously visited almost all of Thailand's noteworthy islands, I had never done a traditional "island hopping" tour. (That has, of course, changed.)

On the one hand, I'm disappointed that I waited so long. You develop a certain rhythm when you travel from one idyllic spot to the next for a week or more – a rhythm I didn't find on any of my previous, individually planned trips to Thailand's beach paradises.

On the other hand, I'm also glad that I only planned my island-hopping itinerary in Thailand after I knew the country—er, the waters—so well as I do now. I'll explain this in more detail in the following paragraphs.

What "island hopping" is – and what it isn't.

I wasn't even aware that I'd never actually gone island hopping until I did it. What I mean is that while I've taken trips in the past where I visited several islands at once, like in 2015 in Trat (Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Koh Chang, and Koh Wai) or in 2022 in Chumphon (Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Pga Ngan), these islands are too close together (and frankly, too similar) to be considered island hopping.

Island hopping in Thailand essentially involves traveling by speedboat or ferry between Phuket and Koh Lipe (or one of the intermediate stops) and exploring the Andaman Sea over a week or more. Only on this route can the diversity of the islands and the impressions gained from the journey between them evoke a sense of transformation (let alone transcendence). Although some cruise lines cover parts of this route, the vast majority of trips are made by local speedboat.

How to plan your island hopping trip

Decide where you want to start.

The most sensible approach is to start in the north, near the airports of Phuket or Krabi. Some travelers are drawn to popular spots like Patong, Ao Nang, or Railay Beach; others begin on one of the Koh Yao islands or even Koh Phi Phi. I personally started in Railay Beach, simply because I felt comfortable there and knew it would help me settle in more easily.

(And how much time you have for it)

A key aspect of planning the perfect Thailand island-hopping itinerary is knowing your available time. With two weeks (like I had) and the willingness to change islands every two to three days, you can visit five to seven different islands. Even if you don't book everything in advance, knowing these parameters increases the likelihood of a successful and memorable trip.

Make Koh Lanta your center of gravity.

I finally decided on five islands, spending two days in Railay, then two days on Phi Phi, and finally reaching Koh Lanta. As it turns out, Lanta is right in the middle of the speedboat and ferry routes and is a key hub for trips both north (towards Krabi and Phuket) and south (towards Trang and Satun). Lanta is also the Thai island with the most relaxed atmosphere; an ideal place to recharge before heading off in a new direction.

Answer the Trang question

Since speedboats and ferries heading south from Koh Lanta all stop there, the Trang archipelago is a staple of almost every Thailand island-hopping tour. The only question is which island to choose as your base. While Koh Mook offers the most hotels, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai boast more beautiful beaches and a more relaxed, pleasant atmosphere. So choose wisely!

End in Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is the southernmost of the Thai islands and therefore an ideal endpoint for island hopping. It also boasts some of Thailand's most beautiful beaches, a wide selection of hotels, and a lively pedestrian zone with numerous restaurants – making it a fantastic island for many other reasons as well. The only downside: saying goodbye is hard!

Island hopping: planning vs. being spontaneous

At this stage of my travel life, I very rarely travel spontaneously anymore. This is mainly for practical reasons: since I'm usually abroad for weeks rather than months, I simply don't have much flexibility. Planning spontaneously is fine if it's not so important whether you're a day or two late, but for me, that almost always matters, which is why I tend to avoid this type of travel.

Even if you don't want to book ferries and speedboats in advance, it's advisable to get an overview of your planned island-hopping route in Thailand. This way, you can prepare for each island you intend to visit, even if you only decide a few days or hours beforehand. Because believe me: arriving on an island without accommodation and at the mercy of unpredictable tuk-tuk drivers almost never ends well!

More frequently asked questions about island hopping in Thailand

What's the best way to go island hopping in Thailand?

The best way to go island hopping in Thailand is to do your research beforehand! Whether you plan everything in advance or prefer a more spontaneous approach, researching the route and activities on each island will help you manage your time more effectively and enjoy every day of your trip more.

What is the best starting point for island hopping in Thailand?

That's the wrong question – island hopping is all about getting around. While I can say, for example, that Koh Lanta is better suited for longer stays than Koh Phi Phi or even Koh Lipe, my island hopping trip wouldn't have been a proper "island hopping trip" if I had only taken day trips from Koh Lanta.

How much does an island hopping tour in Thailand cost?

As is generally the case in Thailand since Covid-19, the cost of island hopping has risen significantly over the years. Between speedboats (approximately USD 20–30 every 2–3 days), hotels (at least USD 50 per night), and food (at least approximately USD 20 per day), you should expect to spend at least USD 500 per week on island hopping; you will likely spend more.

Conclusion

Even if you don't consider this the ultimate island-hopping tour in Thailand, the value of my tips is undeniable. A successful island-hopping trip rests on two pillars: 1) Understanding the arrangement of the islands in the Andaman Sea and the routes between them; and 2) allowing yourself enough time to adjust to the rhythm of island hopping. Once you've sorted these points out, all that's left is to enjoy the trip and savor it to the fullest. Want another way to make your Thailand island-hopping tour unforgettable? Book me for the planning!