Island Hopping in Thailand: The Complete Route Guide

Thailand's island hopping landscape divides into two distinct seas: the Andaman (west coast) and the Gulf of Thailand (east coast), which have different seasons, character, and logistics. Andaman island hop (Phuket to Koh Lipe): Phuket → Phi Phi Islands (speedboat, 1.5 hours) → Koh Lanta (ferry, 2 hours from Phi Phi) → Koh Ngai/Koh Mook (speedboat, 45 min) → Koh Libong (boat, 30 min) → Koh Lipe (speedboat, 2 hours from Koh Mook). This route covers Andaman island diversity from the most famous (Phi Phi) to the most remote (Lipe). Best season: November–April. Gulf island hop (Koh Samui loop): Koh Samui → Koh Phangan (ferry, 30 minutes) → Koh Tao (ferry, 2 hours from Phangan). This is the most popular island sequence in Thailand — each island has its distinct character (Samui: infrastructure and beaches; Phangan: yoga and Full Moon party; Tao: diving). Best season: December–September. Key logistics: slow ferries are cheapest and most comfortable; speedboats are faster but bumpy in swell; catamaran ferries (Lomprayah, Seatran) offer the best balance of speed and comfort. Booking platforms: 12Go Asia, Bookaway, and Seatran direct are all reliable. Avoid booking too far in advance as weather sometimes forces cancellations. The golden rule: build at least one unplanned day into island-hopping schedules — delayed ferries, extended stays, and spontaneous decisions are part of the pleasure.