Islands from Bangkok · Thai Islands
Island hopping from Bangkok
How it works
About Island hopping from Bangkok
Thailand’s islands lie on two seas. On the west, in the Andaman Sea, are Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi’s Railay, Koh Lanta and the Koh Yao islands of Phang Nga Bay; on the east, in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao; and closer to Bangkok, Koh Samet and Koh Chang on the eastern seaboard.
Two seas, two seasons
The Andaman coast is calmest from November to April; between May and October the south-west monsoon brings waves to the western shores, and some marine parks close. TAT notes the same pattern at Koh Chang, where the seas are calm from November to April. On the Gulf side, TAT describes January to May as the calm season on Koh Samui. Check the forecast and the park notices before you book boat trips.
Flying from Bangkok
Phuket, Krabi and Samui have airports with flights from Bangkok; Trat airport serves Koh Chang. Phuket International Airport is run by Airports of Thailand (airportthai.co.th).
Phuket, Krabi and Samui have airports with flights from Bangkok; Trat airport serves Koh Chang.
Boats between the islands
Fast boats link Samui, Phangan and Tao (Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery), and car ferries cross from Don Sak on the mainland (Raja Ferry). On the Andaman side, boats run between Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi and Lanta in the dry season; check with the operators.
Combining both coasts
A domestic flight links Samui and Phuket, so you can pair the quiet villas of the Gulf with the beaches and fine dining of the Andaman in one trip.
Our advice: pick your sea by the season, not the other way round.
Why it's on our list
- Two seas, two seasons
- Fly to Phuket, Krabi, Samui or Trat
- Fast boats between the islands
- Combine the Andaman and the Gulf
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Island hopping from Bangkok before you go.