ThailandVoyager
Regional guide

Andaman Sea: Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta & Koh Lipe

Limestone cliffs rising out of emerald water, the country's best-known islands and a rainforest inland: Thailand's postcard coast.

Kylian DevBy Kylian Dev

  • Best from November to April
  • Island hopping by speedboat
  • Two international airports
destinations covered
9
per day (mid-range)
€30–110
best months
Nov–Apr
recommended time
10–16 days

Overview

Andaman Sea at a glance

Thailand's west coast is the one on the posters. Phuket, the country's largest island, is the easiest gateway, with its international airport and every kind of beach. Across Phang Nga Bay, Krabi and the cliff-backed peninsula of Railay are a paradise for climbers and kayakers.

Offshore, Koh Phi Phi packs dramatic bays into a car-free island, Koh Lanta offers long quiet beaches and golden sunsets, and tiny Koh Lipe, near the Malaysian border, has some of the clearest water in the country. Inland, Khao Sok's rainforest and lake make a great change from the beach.

Best for

  • Limestone scenery and turquoise water
  • Island hopping, snorkelling and diving
  • Sunsets over the sea
  • Rainforest and lake stays in Khao Sok

Less ideal for: trips from May to October, when the south-west monsoon brings rain and rough seas, and travellers avoiding Christmas crowds and prices.

Weather

Andaman Sea: weather month by month

The Andaman coast is at its best from November to April, with calm seas and lots of sunshine. The south-west monsoon runs from roughly May to October: more rain, rougher seas, fewer boats, and many resorts on Koh Lipe close for the season.

Jan

100%

Feb

100%

Mar

100%

Apr

100%

May

11%

Jun

0%

Jul

0%

Aug

0%

Sep

0%

Oct

0%

Nov

89%

Dec

100%

The percentage shows the share of the region's destinations in their ideal season that month.

Season by destination (Jan → Dec)
Khao Sok
Phuket
Krabi & Railay
Koh Phi Phi
Koh Lanta
Koh Lipe
Khao Lak
Koh Yao Noi
Trang Islands
  • Ideal
  • Mixed
  • Rainy

Where to go

The 9 destinations to know

  • Khao SokNature

    Khao Sok

    Ancient jungle, karst peaks and floating bungalows

    Best season
    December to April
    € / day
    €40–75
    • Jungle & hiking
    • Beaches
    Khao Sok guide
  • PhuketIsland

    Phuket

    Sino-Portuguese heritage, renowned cuisine and grand bays

    Best season
    November to April
    € / day
    €45–110
    • Beaches
    • Temples & culture
    • Nightlife
    • Diving
    Phuket guide
  • Krabi & RailayNature

    Krabi & Railay

    Dizzying karst cliffs and secret lagoons

    Best season
    November to April
    € / day
    €35–70
    • Beaches
    • Jungle & hiking
    • Diving
    Krabi & Railay guide
  • Koh Phi PhiIsland

    Koh Phi Phi

    The legendary Maya Bay and cliffs rising from the ocean

    Best season
    November to April
    € / day
    €40–80
    • Beaches
    • Diving
    • Nightlife
    Koh Phi Phi guide
  • Koh LantaIsland

    Koh Lanta

    Easy living, wild beaches and golden sunsets

    Best season
    November to April
    € / day
    €30–55
    • Beaches
    • Wellness
    • Diving
    Koh Lanta guide
  • Koh LipeIsland

    Koh Lipe

    The Maldives of Thailand: powdery sand and coral reefs

    Best season
    November to May
    € / day
    €40–85
    • Beaches
    • Diving
    Koh Lipe guide
  • Khao LakNature

    Khao Lak

    Peaceful beaches and the gateway to the Similan Islands

    Best season
    November to April
    € / day
    €40–85
    • Diving
    • Beaches
    • Jungle & hiking
    Khao Lak guide
  • Koh Yao NoiIsland

    Koh Yao Noi

    Rice paddies, buffalo and limestone peaks in the heart of Phang Nga Bay

    Best season
    November to April
    € / day
    €40–85
    • Beaches
    • Wellness
    • Jungle & hiking
    Koh Yao Noi guide
  • Trang IslandsIsland

    Trang Islands

    Koh Ngai, Kradan and Muk: turquoise lagoons and the Emerald Cave

    Best season
    November to April
    € / day
    €40–80
    • Beaches
    • Diving
    Trang Islands guide

Suggested route

A 16-night route through the region

Land in Phuket, head inland to Khao Sok, then down to Krabi and Railay before hopping by boat to Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and finally Koh Lipe. With less time, stop at Koh Lanta and fly home from Krabi.

  1. 1
    Phuket3 nights

    Phuket Town's old quarter

    About 116 km as the crow flies · roughly 2 h by road
  2. 2
    Khao Sok2 nights

    Cheow Lan lake safari

    About 106 km as the crow flies · roughly 2 h by road
  3. 3
    Krabi & Railay3 nights

    Climbing the cliffs of Tonsai & Railay

    Boat · about 45 min–1h15
  4. 4
    Koh Phi Phi2 nights

    Maya Bay at sunrise

    Boat · about 30–45 min
  5. 5
    Koh Lanta3 nights

    Mu Ko Lanta National Park & its lighthouse

    Boat · about 2h30–3h
  6. 6
    Koh Lipe3 nights

    Sunrise Beach & Sunset Beach

Map of the suggested route through Andaman Sea213456Khao SokKrabi & RailayPhuketKoh Phi PhiKoh LantaKoh LipeKhao LakKoh Yao NoiTrang Islands
By roadBy boat

The route at a glance

16 days
  1. 1Phuket3 d
  2. 2Khao Sok2 d
  3. 3Krabi & Railay3 d
  4. 4Koh Phi Phi2 d
  5. 5Koh Lanta3 d
  6. 6Koh Lipe3 d
Open in the itinerary plannerEstimate the budget

You can then change the stops, dates and pace.

Distances are straight-line; road times are rough estimates and depend on the bus or minivan. Ferry times are typical crossings in the dry season.

Transport

Getting to and around Andaman Sea

Getting around

Speedboats and ferries link Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta and Lipe in the dry season (see Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by boat); long-tail boats serve beaches like Railay. Minivans connect Phuket and Krabi with Khao Sok. In Phuket, ride-hailing apps are easier than haggling with taxis.

  • Khao SokDirect minibus from Surat Thani, Krabi or Phuket (roughly 2 to 3 hours' drive).
  • PhuketWell-served international airport, or bus via the Sarasin Bridge from the mainland.
  • Krabi & RailayTraditional longtail boat from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao (15-minute crossing, 100 baht).
  • Koh Phi PhiRegular 2-hour ferry from Phuket (Rassada Pier) or Krabi (Klong Jilad Pier).
  • Koh LantaMinibus with a short car-ferry crossing from Krabi, or a direct speedboat from Koh Phi Phi.
  • Koh LipeSpeedboat from Pak Bara pier (Satun), or a seasonal connection from Langkawi (Malaysia).
  • Khao LakAbout 1 h 15 by road from Phuket airport (taxi or minivan). Similan trips leave from Thap Lamu pier (1–1.5 h by speedboat), with daily visitor quotas.
  • Koh Yao NoiSpeedboat or longtail (30–45 min) from Bang Rong pier on Phuket, or boat from Tha Len near Ao Nang (Krabi).
  • Trang IslandsMinivan from Trang to Pak Meng or Hat Yao pier (40 min), then boat; in the dry season, direct speedboats from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai and Koh Muk.

Budget

Andaman Sea: daily budget by destination

Expect roughly €30 to €110 per person per day for a mid-range trip, depending on where you stay.

Koh Lanta
€30–55
Krabi & Railay
€35–70
Khao Sok
€40–75
Koh Phi Phi
€40–80
Trang Islands
€40–80
Koh Lipe
€40–85
Khao Lak
€40–85
Koh Yao Noi
€40–85
Phuket
€45–110

Indicative ranges for one mid-range traveller: accommodation, meals, local transport and one activity. Peak season (around Christmas and New Year) is noticeably pricier.

FAQ

Andaman Sea: frequently asked questions

Phuket or Krabi as a base?

Phuket for more hotels, beaches and flights, and for families wanting easy logistics. Krabi (Ao Nang and Railay) for karst scenery, climbing, kayaking and a less built-up feel. Both are good starting points for Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Full comparison: Krabi vs Phuket.

When is the best time to visit the Andaman coast?

November to April. December to February is the most reliable, but also the busiest and most expensive, especially around Christmas and New Year. March and April are hotter but still dry and a little quieter.

Can you visit the Andaman Sea in the rainy season?

Yes, but plan for it: from roughly May to October there is more rain and the sea can be rough, some speedboat routes run less often or stop, and many Koh Lipe resorts close. Phuket and Krabi stay open all year and prices drop. See our guide to the rainy season in Thailand.

Is Khao Sok worth adding to a beach trip?

Yes: it's one of the most beautiful rainforests in Thailand, with a lake surrounded by limestone peaks where you can sleep in floating bungalows. It sits between Phuket, Krabi and Surat Thani, so 2 nights fit easily into an Andaman route.

Keep exploring

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