Andaman Coast — Thailand's Western Beaches

The Andaman in Brief

Thailand has two coasts and two distinct beach worlds. The Andaman Coast — Thailand's western shore — is the more dramatic of the two, with limestone karst formations rising vertically from turquoise water, deeper coral reefs, and the country's most iconic beach scenery (Phi Phi's Maya Bay, Krabi's Railay, the Phang Nga Bay seascapes). It is also Thailand's most-developed beach destination, anchored by Phuket — the country's largest island and a major international gateway with direct flights from most of Asia, Europe, and Australia.

The trade-off for the dramatic landscape is a single hard monsoon. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain, rough seas, and dangerous undertows. Many islands and dive sites close entirely. November to April is the peak: calm seas, clear water, hot but breezy days, and the country's best beach weather.

Major Andaman Destinations

• Phuket
  Largest island in Thailand. International airport. All-inclusive resorts and party Patong, plus quieter Surin/Bang Tao/Mai Khao for families. Old Town for culture.
• Phi Phi Islands
  Iconic limestone karsts. Phi Phi Don is inhabited and popular; Phi Phi Leh has Maya Bay. Day-trippable from Phuket and Krabi; overnighting requires accommodation booking.
• Krabi (Ao Nang & Railay)
  Mainland gateway with limestone cliffs, longtail boat connections to Railay (rock climbing capital), Pranang Beach, and the Phi Phi/Lanta islands.
• Koh Lanta
  Long sandy beaches, road network around the island, mid-range crowds. Family-friendly. Klong Dao and Long Beach are popular bases.
• Khao Lak
  Mainland coastal town north of Phuket. Gateway to Similan/Surin diving (Nov–May only). Quieter than Phuket; family resorts and dive operators.
• Koh Yao Noi & Koh Yao Yai
  Quiet islands between Phuket and Krabi. Authentic Muslim fishing village atmosphere. Higher-end resorts; not party islands.
• Similan Islands
  World-class diving and snorkelling national park. Accessible only Nov–mid May from Khao Lak. No accommodation; day trips and liveaboards.
• Surin Islands
  Even more remote than Similan. Moken sea gypsy village. Pristine snorkelling. Camping or simple bungalows. Nov–May only.
• Trang Islands (Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai)
  Far south Andaman, off the main tourist circuit. Quiet, white-sand, accessible reefs. Limited infrastructure.
• Koh Lipe
  Far south near Malaysian border. White sand, turquoise water, snorkelling steps from beach. Accessible Nov–April; closed May–Oct.
• Phang Nga Bay
  Limestone karst seascape. Day trip from Phuket or overnight kayaking. Famous for James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan).
• Khao Sok National Park
  Inland from the Andaman coast. Ancient rainforest, Cheow Lan Lake (floating bungalows), wildlife, jungle treks. Combine with a beach stay.

Picking Your Andaman Island

With dozens of viable destinations, choosing where to base can be paralysing. Some shorthand:

• First Thailand visit, full infrastructure: Phuket
  International airport, every type of accommodation, beaches for any preference, family-friendly, plenty of day-trip options.
• Iconic limestone scenery: Krabi (Ao Nang or Railay)
  The Thailand postcard. Less developed than Phuket but easy to reach. Railay is car-free, accessible only by longtail boat.
• Quiet long beaches, mid-range vibe: Koh Lanta
  Not party-heavy, walkable beach roads, road network around the island, easy day trips. Sunsets without the Patong crowds.
• Party scene: Phi Phi Don
  Full Moon Party energy on Tonsai's beach bars. Crowded; book accommodation well in advance.
• Diving headquarters: Khao Lak (for Similan/Surin)
  Thailand's best diving and snorkelling at the Similan Islands. Khao Lak hotels are calmer than Phuket. Liveaboard departures.
• Off the trail: Koh Lipe or Trang Islands
  Far south Andaman. Less-visited, smaller scale, requires more travel time. Excellent for travellers tired of crowds.

Island-Hopping the Andaman

The Andaman archipelago is a natural island-hopping destination. Common multi-island routes:

• Classic loop: Phuket (3 nights) → Phi Phi (2 nights) → Krabi/Railay (3 nights) → fly out from Krabi.
• Island chain south: Phuket → Koh Lanta → Trang Islands → Koh Lipe → exit to Malaysia (Langkawi).
• Diving focus: Khao Lak (Similan day trips) → Phuket → Phi Phi (snorkelling) → Koh Lanta (Hin Daeng/Hin Muang).
• Quiet escape: Phuket → Koh Yao Noi → Krabi (Railay) → Koh Lanta — skips Phi Phi entirely.

Ferries run multiple times daily on major routes during dry season. Combination tickets (sold by travel agents and on 12go.asia) bundle ferry + transfer for convenience but cost slightly more than booking legs separately. Build in buffer days during monsoon season — sea conditions can cancel services with little notice.

Andaman Weather and Seasons

• November–February (Peak season)
  Cool by Thai standards (24–32°C), low rainfall, calm seas, clear water. Highest prices, busiest beaches. Christmas-New Year is the absolute peak.
• March–April (Hot dry)
  Hot (30–35°C), still dry, calm water. Songkran (April 13–15) brings city water fights but beaches remain peaceful. Excellent value.
• May–October (Monsoon)
  Heavy afternoon rain, rough seas, dangerous swimming. Similan and Surin closed. Many islands accessible but services reduced. Lowest prices; some hotels offer 50% discounts.