Thailand Islands Itinerary: Gulf vs Andaman — Complete Guide

Thailand has two island coasts, and choosing between them is your biggest vacation decision.

The Gulf of Thailand (east coast) is easier to reach, more connected by ferry, cheaper, and perfect for island-hopping. The Andaman Sea (west coast) is more dramatic, has stunning limestone cliffs, offers rock climbing, and feels slightly more isolated.

They're geographically separate (6+ hours apart), so you need to pick one for a week-long island trip. This guide breaks down both options, gives you proven itineraries for each, and explains when to visit, how to book ferries, and what to expect.

Gulf Islands vs Andaman: The Comparison

Gulf of Thailand (East Coast)

Main Islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan

| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Vibe | Backpackery, party-optional, relaxed | | Water | Warm year-round, can be murky | | Crowds | High (very popular) | | Ferry Connected | Yes—tight triangle (Samui ↔ Phangan ↔ Tao) | | Best For | Budget travelers, divers, island-hoppers | | Accommodation | Super cheap ($3-8 dorms, $15-40 private) | | Diving | Best in SE Asia (Koh Tao = cheapest certs) | | Nightlife | Full Moon Party, bar crawls, beach clubs | | Food | Backpacker-friendly, international options | | Best Time | Nov-Feb (cool), avoid monsoon May-Oct |

Typical Budget (per day):

Hostel: 250-400 baht
Food: 150-250 baht
Activities: 500-1,500 baht
Total: 900-2,150 baht (~$25-60/day)

Andaman Sea (West Coast)

Main Islands: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Railay Beach, Koh Lanta

| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Vibe | More developed, adventure-oriented, upscale | | Water | Stunning turquoise, limestone cliffs, clearer | | Crowds | Medium-high (touristy but not overcrowded) | | Ferry Connected | Loosely—each destination is 1-3 hours apart | | Best For | Rock climbing, snorkeling, kayaking, higher comfort | | Accommodation | More expensive ($10-20 dorms, $40-80 private) | | Diving | Good, but more expensive than Koh Tao | | Nightlife | Less party-focused, more sunset bars | | Food | Mix of Thai and upscale international | | Best Time | Dec-Feb (dry), avoid monsoon May-Oct |

Typical Budget (per day):

Hostel: 400-600 baht
Food: 200-350 baht
Activities: 800-2,000 baht
Total: 1,400-2,950 baht (~$40-80/day)

Quick Decision Tree

Choose GULF if you:

Want cheapest possible island experience
Want to island-hop easily (tight ferry network)
Want diving (Koh Tao is #1)
Don't mind party atmosphere
Have 1-2 weeks to island-hop slowly

Choose ANDAMAN if you:

Want dramatic scenery (limestone cliffs)
Want rock climbing or kayaking
Don't care about nightlife
Willing to pay more for comfort
Like fewer crowds, more upscale

Choose BOTH if you:

Have 3+ weeks
Can handle transport between coasts
Want maximum variety

Gulf Islands: 1-Week Itinerary

The Perfect Loop: Koh Samui → Koh Phangan → Koh Tao → Return

Why This Order?

Koh Samui is easiest to reach from Bangkok (airport, ferry)
Ferry network is tight (all connected)
Koh Tao is most isolated—put it last for deepest immersion
Return ferry from Tao back to Samui or mainland

Day 1: Arrival at Koh Samui

Getting there from Bangkok:

Fly + Ferry (Fastest): Bangkok → Phuket flight (2 hours, 1,000 baht) → Ferry Phuket to Samui (1.5 hours, 300 baht) = 5-6 hours total, 1,300 baht
Bus + Ferry (Budget): Bangkok → Surat Thani bus (8 hours, 300 baht) → Ferry to Samui (2 hours, 150 baht) = 10-12 hours total, 450 baht
Recommendation: Fly + ferry if you value time; bus + ferry if you're budget-focused and have patience

Arrival Day Activities:

Check into Chaweng Beach hostel or Lamai bungalow (300-400 baht)
Grab food at night market
Swim/wade in water (warm!)
Meet other travelers at hostel
Early night (transport tired)

Budget: 1,500-2,000 baht

Day 2: Snorkeling or Relax (Koh Samui)

Option A: Angthong Marine National Park Day Trip (Recommended)

7:00am pickup from hostel
Ferry to limestone island park
Activities: Kayaking through lagoons, snorkeling, swimming
Lunch on beach included
4:00pm return
Cost: 900-1,200 baht
Reality: Stunning limestone islands, fish, sea turtles if lucky, crowded with day-trippers but worth it

Option B: Relax in Samui

Swim in Chaweng Beach
Massage (200 baht/hour)
Explore different beaches (Lamai is quieter)
Eat seafood
Free

Recommendation: Do Option A (snorkeling is peak first-island experience)

Budget: 900-1,500 baht (activity + food)

Day 3: Ferry to Koh Phangan

Ferry: Koh Samui → Koh Phangan (30-45 min, 100-150 baht, multiple daily departures)

Arrival Afternoon:

Check into hostel near Thong Sala port or Hat Rin beach (250-350 baht)
Explore main streets
Dinner: Night market food

Evening Activity:

Option A: If It's Full Moon Week

Prepare for legendary Full Moon Party (happening tonight or soon)
Get souvenirs: glow sticks, body paint
Sleep during day, charge up for night party

Option B: If Not Full Moon Week

Explore Koh Phangan's quieter beaches
Jungle waterfall hike (Phaeng Waterfall, 2km, free)
Swim, relax, dinner

Budget: 700-1,000 baht

Day 4: Full Moon Party (If Timing Works) OR Explore

If Full Moon Party:

Sleep/rest during day
6:00pm: Travel to Hat Rin Beach
9:00pm-5:00am: Full Moon Party
- Music, dancing, body paint, glow sticks
- 300-500 baht entry fee
- Drinks expensive (150-250 baht per beer)
- Crowds: 10,000-30,000 people
- Vibe: Chaotic, sweaty, loud, iconic, unforgettable
Return hostel 5:00am, sleep all day

If Not Full Moon Party:

Motorbike day (200 baht rental)
Explore east coast: Bottle Beach (secluded, beautiful)
Kayaking in quieter coves
Snorkeling off beaches (Koh Phangan is dive site itself)
Sunset dinner

Budget: 500-2,000 baht (depending on activity + party drinks)

Days 5-6: Koh Tao (2 Days for Diving OR Snorkeling)

Ferry: Koh Phangan → Koh Tao (2 hours, 200-250 baht)

Why Koh Tao for Island Days 5-6:

Cheapest diving in Thailand (PADI cert: 10,000-12,000 baht)
Best beginner dive sites
Most social backpacker scene
Snorkeling also excellent (free reefs)

Accommodation: Sairee Beach hostel or bungalow (250-400 baht)

Day 5 Option A: PADI Certification Begins (If Doing 3-Day Course)

Timeline: Day 5-6-7 (3 days for Open Water Cert)

Day 5: 1-2 pool dives or confined water training
Day 6: 2 open water dives
Day 7: Final 2 dives, certification complete
Cost: 10,000-12,000 baht
By Day 7 you're a certified diver

If only 2 days (Days 5-6): Do 2-3 intro dives without certification (3,500 baht per dive)

Day 5 Option B: Snorkeling (No Diving)

Half-day snorkel tour: Hin Wong & Hin Sam reef (free if you find it, 200 baht if tour)
Full-day Nang Yuan Island snorkel (400 baht)
Or just swim off Sairee Beach (free)

Day 5 Budget: 3,500-4,000 baht (if diving), or 400-800 baht (if snorkeling)

Day 6: Continuing Diving/Snorkeling or Second Day

If doing cert: Continue Day 2 of 3-day cert

If snorkeling:

Second snorkel location (Hin Wong, Japanese Gardens, Shark Island)
OR: Just relax, swim, massage
Koh Tao is small—you've seen main beaches by now

Evening: Hostel social scene (everyone at bar by 8pm)

Budget: 3,500 baht (if diving day 2), or free/200 baht (if snorkeling second site)

Day 7: Return from Koh Tao

Options:

Option A: Return to Koh Samui, Then Bangkok

Ferry Koh Tao → Koh Samui (1.5 hours, 150 baht)
Same-day ferry Samui → Chumphon (4 hours, 400 baht)
Bus/train Chumphon → Bangkok (6-8 hours, 300-500 baht)
Overnight arrival in Bangkok

Option B: Overnight Ferry Koh Tao → Chumphon

Ferry arrives 6:00am in Chumphon (port city)
Bus/train Chumphon → Bangkok (6-8 hours)
Afternoon arrival Bangkok

Option C: Fly Out from Samui

Ferry Koh Tao → Samui (1.5 hours, 150 baht)
Same-day flight Samui → Bangkok (20 min, 1,500 baht)
Evening international flight home

Budget: 600-2,000 baht (ferries + transport home)

Gulf Islands 1-Week Budget Summary

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Accommodation | 2,000-2,800 baht (~6 nights × 300-450) | | Food | 1,200-1,800 baht (~$1,500-2,000/week) | | Main Activities | 3,500-4,500 baht (snorkeling/diving) | | Ferries | 800-1,200 baht | | Transport to/from Bangkok | 1,500-3,000 baht | | Total | ~9,000-14,300 baht ($255-410) |

Per-day average: $36-58/day

Andaman Islands: 1-Week Itinerary

The Loop: Phuket → Krabi → Koh Phi Phi/Railay → Koh Lanta → Return

Day 1: Arrive Phuket

Transport from Bangkok:

Fly Bangkok → Phuket (2 hours, 1,200-2,000 baht) — fastest
Bus Bangkok → Phuket (12 hours, 500-800 baht) — budget option

Arrival Day:

Check into Patong hostel (300-400 baht, skip if possible)
Walk Patong Beach (understand it: touristy, party vibe, busy)
Dinner, early night

Reality: Phuket is a gateway, not a destination. Plan to leave Day 2.

Budget: 1,500-2,000 baht

Day 2: Phuket → Krabi (Ferry or Minivan)

Transport: Ferry Phuket → Krabi (2-3 hours, 350 baht) OR minivan (3-4 hours, 150-200 baht)

Krabi Arrival:

Check into Ao Nang Beach hostel (400-500 baht)
Explore main beach strip
Dinner at waterfront restaurant

Budget: 800-1,200 baht

Days 3-4: Railay Beach & Rock Climbing (From Krabi)

Transport: Ferry or minivan from Ao Nang → Railay Beach (30 min boat, 100 baht)

Why Railay:

Limestone cliffs (stunning scenery)
Thailand's rock climbing capital
More upscale vibe than Koh islands
Day-trip friendly from Krabi, or stay overnight

Day 3: Rock Climbing or Snorkeling

Option A: Full-Day Rock Climbing (Recommended)

Beginner climbing course (1,200-1,500 baht)
Instructor teaches top-rope safety
4-5 hours climbing actual rock faces
Lunch at cliff-side restaurant
Return Ao Nang by evening

Option B: Four Islands Snorkel Tour (From Ao Nang)

8:00am-5:00pm day tour (900-1,200 baht)
Phra Nang Cave, Chicken Island, snorkeling
Lunch included
Less active than climbing, more relaxed

Day 4: Second Activity or Relax

Second climbing day (improve skills) OR
Snorkeling + swimming OR
Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay (1,500 baht half-day)
Relax, massage, beach time

Budget: 2,500-3,500 baht (activities, accommodation if staying Railay)

Days 5-6: Koh Lanta (Quiet Island)

Transport: Krabi → Koh Lanta (2 hours boat, 200-300 baht) OR minivan + ferry (3-4 hours, 300-400 baht)

Why Koh Lanta:

Quieter than Koh Samui or party islands
Good for diving, snorkeling
Less development, more authentic
Perfect for winding down after adventure

Accommodation: Long Beach or Khlong Dao area (400-600 baht)

Days 5-6 Activities:

Option A: Diving

Koh Lanta is excellent dive site
Book at accommodation (2-3 dives, 2,500-4,000 baht)
See rock formations, tropical fish, quieter than Koh Tao

Option B: Snorkeling + Beach

Snorkel off beach (free)
Motorcycle tour island (200 baht rental)
Kayaking in coves
Massage, relaxation

Option C: Just Chill

Sleep, eat, swim
Koh Lanta vibe is slow and peaceful
This is rest-week mode

Budget: 1,500-3,000 baht/day (accommodation, food, activities)

Day 7: Return from Koh Lanta

Options:

Option A: Fly Out

Ferry Lanta → Phuket (2 hours, 300 baht)
Minivan to Phuket Airport (1 hour, 200 baht)
Fly Phuket → Bangkok (2 hours, 1,500 baht)
Evening flight home

Option B: Bus Back

Ferry Lanta → Phuket (2 hours, 300 baht)
Bus Phuket → Bangkok (12 hours, 500-800 baht)
Overnight arrival Bangkok

Budget: 600-2,000 baht

Andaman Islands 1-Week Budget Summary

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Accommodation | 2,800-4,200 baht (~7 nights × 400-600) | | Food | 1,500-2,500 baht (~$200-300/week, nicer meals) | | Main Activities | 3,500-5,000 baht (climbing, snorkeling, diving) | | Ferries | 1,000-1,500 baht | | Transport to/from Bangkok | 2,000-3,500 baht | | Total | ~11,300-17,700 baht ($320-505) |

Per-day average: $46-72/day

Ferry Booking Guide

Gulf Islands Ferry Routes

| Route | Duration | Cost | Company | |-------|----------|------|---------| | Koh Samui ↔ Koh Phangan | 30-45 min | 100-150 baht | Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry | | Koh Phangan ↔ Koh Tao | 1.5-2 hours | 200-300 baht | Lomprayah, High Speed Ferries | | Koh Samui ↔ Koh Tao | 2 hours | 250-350 baht | Lomprayah, High Speed | | Koh Samui ↔ Chumphon (Mainland) | 3-4 hours | 300-400 baht | Raja Ferry, Haadrin Center |

How to Book:

Online: 12Go Asia app (shows all operators, live schedules)
In-person: Booking offices on each island
Timing: Book day-before if not peak season; same-day works usually
Pro tip: Arrive port 30 min early; ferries sometimes consolidate/change

Andaman Islands Ferry Routes

| Route | Duration | Cost | Company | |-------|----------|------|---------| | Phuket → Krabi | 2-3 hours | 350 baht | Ao Nang Princess, various operators | | Krabi → Railay | 30-45 min | 100 baht | Local long-tail boats (negotiate) | | Phuket → Koh Phi Phi | 1.5 hours | 300-450 baht | Speed boats | | Krabi → Koh Lanta | 2 hours | 200-300 baht | Speed boats | | Phuket → Koh Lanta | 3-4 hours | 400-500 baht | Slow ferry |

How to Book:

Online: 12Go Asia
In-person: Booking offices at piers
Note: Andaman ferries less reliable than Gulf (weather dependent)

Best Time to Visit Islands

Gulf Islands

| Month | Vibe | Weather | Crowds | Cost | |-------|------|---------|--------|------| | Nov-Feb | Perfect | Sunny, 25-30°C | Very HIGH | HIGH | | Mar-May | Hot | 35-40°C, no rain | HIGH | MEDIUM-HIGH | | Jun-Oct | Budget | Monsoon, rainy, 28-32°C | LOW | LOW |

Best time: November-February (cool, dry, sunny) Avoid: September-October (heavy monsoon, some closures)

Andaman Islands

| Month | Vibe | Weather | Crowds | Cost | |-------|------|---------|--------|------| | Dec-Feb | Perfect | Dry, 26-31°C | HIGH | HIGH | | Mar-May | Hot | 32-38°C, some rain | HIGH | MEDIUM | | Jun-Oct | Risky | Monsoon, ferries unreliable, 27-30°C | LOW | LOW |

Best time: December-February Avoid: May-October (monsoon, rough seas, ferry cancellations)

Can You Do Both (Gulf + Andaman)?

Technically yes. Practically: Plan 3+ weeks minimum.

Route: Gulf First, Then Andaman

Days 1-7: Gulf loop (Samui → Phangan → Tao)
Days 8: Return ferry Day 7, overnight train/bus to Bangkok
Days 9: Rest in Bangkok, arrange next transport
Days 10-14: Fly Bangkok → Phuket, Andaman loop
Days 15: Return flight home

Challenges:

2 transport days eating into vacation (Days 8-9)
You're split between two regions (less time each)
Expensive (2 island loops + multiple flights)

Better approach: Pick one, master it, return next trip for the other.

Pro Tips for Island Trips

Ferry Tips:

Avoid afternoon ferries (they get cancelled for weather)
Morning ferries more likely to depart
Seasick? Take ginger tablets 30 min before
Book return ferry as soon as arriving (fills up)

Island Activity Tips:

Book day tours at hostel day-before (cheaper, social)
Snorkeling = grab fins + snorkel at beach (free)
Water is saltwater (stings eyes less than pool)

Accommodation Tips:

Book first 2 nights before arriving
Later nights book on island (cheaper rates, you'll know preferences)
Beachfront = nice but expensive; 5-min walk inland = 50% cheaper

Safety Tips:

Don't rent jet skis (famous scams)
If renting motorbike: Take VIDEO of bike before riding
Don't accept drinks from strangers (party islands especially)
Watch valuables at beach (not waterproof bag)

Money Tips:

Island ATMs exist but charge 220 baht fee
Withdraw in Bangkok before island
Prices higher on islands (captive market)

FAQ: Gulf vs Andaman

Which is better for beginners? Gulf Islands (Koh Samui path). Easier to navigate, tighter ferry network, more budget-friendly.

Which has best snorkeling? Gulf Islands, especially Koh Tao.

Which has best diving? Koh Tao (cheapest certs in Thailand).

Which is most party-oriented? Gulf Islands (Koh Phangan Full Moon Party is infamous).

Which has most natural beauty? Andaman (dramatic limestone cliffs, clearer water).

Which is cheapest? Gulf Islands (hostels, food, activities all cheaper).

Which is least crowded? Koh Lanta or Pai (both less touristy).

Can I do both in 2 weeks? Technically yes, but rushed. Better as separate trips.

What if I have only 3-4 days for islands? Pick one region, one island (Koh Samui or Koh Lanta), just relax.

Final Recommendation

If you're first-time island hopping: Gulf Islands (Koh Samui → Phangan → Tao loop) If you want most scenic beauty: Andaman (Krabi + Koh Lanta) If you want to learn diving: Koh Tao (Gulf) If you want rock climbing: Railay (Andaman) If you want to party: Koh Phangan Full Moon (Gulf) If you want to relax: Koh Lanta (Andaman)

Both are incredible. You really can't go wrong.

Island-hopping this season? Which coast are you choosing—Gulf or Andaman? Share your island plans in the comments or our Facebook group!

Thailand Islands Itinerary: Gulf vs Andaman Complete Guide