Island Hopping the Southwestern Islands of Thailand – A Complete Guide
- Flo MBT
- May 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 6
We spent 4 unforgettable weeks island-hopping through the stunning southwestern coast of Thailand, including popular spots like Ao Nang, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta. If you're dreaming of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and some of the best marine parks in Southeast Asia, this region will steal your heart.
In this complete travel guide, we’re sharing:
The best things to do on each island
Our favorite local restaurants and food spots
Our personal ratings based on travel style, vibe, and activities
Whether you’re planning a two-week adventure or a longer backpacking trip, this post will help you choose the best islands in Thailand for your travel goals.
And at the end of the article, we’ll reveal:
👉 The 3 islands we’d visit again in a heartbeat
👉 The one island we wouldn’t return to—and why
Let’s dive in!
**This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support the upkeep of this blog.
How to Travel Between Islands in Thailand
Nothing could be easier—there are plenty of operators offering speedboat and ferry services between the islands. We visited in April and didn’t need to book anything in advance; we simply booked as we went.
Booking Tips:
Good to Know
A few useful tips we picked up during our travels.
An International Driver's License is mandatory.
ATMs charge a 220 THB fee per withdrawal.
Cash is king, always carry some with you.
Tap water isn't drinkable.
Respect sacred places - Cover your shoulders and knees.
Ferry travel between islands is easy.
Don't always trust google maps.
Our Itinerary
We’ve listed our itinerary in order, including the number of nights we stayed, things to do, our favorite places to eat, and our overall rating for each island.
Koh Lipe
Stay: 3 nights.
Do
Wander Around the Different Beaches
Get the Best View from Koh Adang
Go on a Snorkeling/Scuba Diving Trip
Kayak to Small Islands
Take a Stroll Down Walking Street
Watch the Sunset at North Point Beach
Eat
Diner at Noy wangha-aon & thaifood
Diner at Restaurant Serene
Breakfast at Thai Lady Pancake
Our Rating: 9/10
Scuba Diving & View from Koh Adang
Koh Lanta
Stay: 3 nights.
Do
Explore Mu Ko Lanta National Park
Wander the streets of Koh Lanta Old Town
Island hopping to Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, and The Emerald Cave on Koh Mook
Eat
Diner at Yellow Bistro
Diner at Fusion Beach Bar
Diner at Pinto Restaurant
Our Rating: 7/10
Emerald Cave & Mu Ko Lanta National Park
Koh Phi Phi
Stay: 2 nights.
Do
Book a private longtail to explore Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Monkey Beach
Visit the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoints
Hike or kayak to Nui Beach
Hike to the north end of Phi Phi Island
Relax at Lo Ba Khao Beach
Explore the little streets of Koh Phi Phi
Eat
Diner at Garlic 1992 Restaurant
Our Rating: 8/10
Pileh Lagoon & Maya Bay
Phuket
Stay: 2 nights.
Do
Explore Phuket Old Town
Visit the Phuket Old Town Sunday Market
Explore Phang Nga Bay
Relax at Patong Beach
Visit the iconic Big Buddha
Eat
Have dinner at Number 6 Restaurant
Our Rating: 5/10
Phang Nga Bay
Koh Yao Yai
Stay: 2 nights.
Do
Explore Laem Haad Beach
Wander Around the Different Beaches
Enjoy a Thai Massage by the Sea
Go Island Hopping
Eat
Have dinner at Mantra
Have dinner at Bilaan Restaurant
Our Rating: 8/10
Laem Haad Beach
Koh Yao Noi
Stay: 3 nights.
Do
Wander Around the Different Beaches
Spend a day with Captain Anh Pao
Hike to Mankei Bay and the Big Tree
Drive or Cycle around the Island
Eat
Breakfast at Coffee Time
Diner at Extra Time
Diner at Sabai Corner
Our Rating: 10/10
Life in Koh Yao Noi
Ao Nang
Stay: 4 nights.
Do
Take a longtail boat to Railay Beach
Island hopping - Visit the famous 4 Islands
Go on a 7 islands sunset trip
Visit the Emerald Pool and Hot Springs
Hike up to Wat Tham Suea
Hike the Monkey Trail
Snorkel with fluorescent plankton
Eat
Diner at Family Restaurant
Our Rating: 9/10
Pakbia Island
If We Could Go Back: Our Top 3 Islands and Ones We’d Skip
If you want a mix of iconic experiences and off-the-beaten-path discoveries, these are the islands (and one coastal town!) we’d gladly return to—and exactly why:
Our Top 3
Koh Lipe
Why: As one of Thailand’s southernmost islands, Koh Lipe feels like a true dream destination. It's tiny—just 2 km²—so you can walk everywhere. The snorkeling here was absolutely incredible, with vibrant coral reefs and clear turquoise waters. While it’s popular with tourists, it still retains that laid-back, postcard-perfect vibe.
How long: 4 nights — just enough time to soak it all in, unwind, and explore the island at a relaxed pace.
Koh Yao Noi
Why: This island is the perfect contrast to busier spots like Koh Lipe. It's peaceful, untouched, and much less touristy. You’ll find local culture, quiet roads perfect for biking, and a sense of authenticity.
How long: 4 nights — again, enough time to slow down, take it all in, and really feel the vibe of the island.
Ao Nang
Why: While it’s on the mainland, Ao Nang is a fantastic base for island-hopping day trips—including to famous spots like Koh Phi Phi. Beyond the islands, there’s also rock climbing, night markets, and amazing views from the mainland itself.
How long: 5 nights — gives you time to do multiple day trips and still enjoy Ao Nang’s local activities and restaurants.
The Ones We’d Skip Next Time
Not every place makes the “must return” list—and for us, that includes Phuket and Koh Yao Yai.
Koh Yao Yai
It’s not that Koh Yao Yai isn’t worth seeing—it’s just that it’s so close to Koh Yao Noi, and we felt that staying on Koh Yao Noi was a much better experience overall. You can easily do a day trip to explore Koh Yao Yai from Koh Yao Noi.
Phuket
Phuket just wasn’t our vibe. It’s a good fit for travelers who love nightlife, entertainment, and a big resort scene, but we found the atmosphere too busy and less authentic. The beaches there also didn’t compare to the stunning ones we saw elsewhere.
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