
Find your stretch of coast.
Thailand Islands and Beaches
Compare island and beach regions by weather, transport, accommodation style and the type of trip you want.
Trailblazing Travels
Original editorial illustration from Taylor's Trailblazing Travels; not a photograph of a specific location.
The guide collection
Island and beach guides
Showing 1–9 of 108 guides
Page 1 of 12 · island and beach guides
Island and beach guides
Thailand Ferry Guide: Islands, Piers, Tickets and Weather
A practical guide to Thailand ferry networks, exact piers, vessel types, combined tickets, baggage, weather disruption and island-hopping plans with room to change.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Bangkok to Koh Tao: Flight, Train, Bus and Ferry
Choose a workable Bangkok-to-Koh Tao route by comparing complete flight, train, bus and ferry journeys, exact departure points, dated fare examples and sensible buffers.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Koh Chang Travel Guide: Beaches, Ferries and a 4-Night Plan
This Koh Chang travel guide covers Trat's island, beach bases, ferries, current advice, snorkelling and a flexible four-night plan with practical costs.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Bangkok to Koh Samet: Bus, Taxi and Ferry Explained
Plan Bangkok to Koh Samet with bus, taxi and ferry options, exact pier checks, dated schedules, resort transfers and a sensible return-flight buffer.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Best Areas to Stay in Koh Samet: Beaches and Room Choices
Compare the best areas to stay in Koh Samet, from Sai Kaew and Wong Duean to Ao Prao, with room-location, noise, family and transfer checks.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Koh Samet Travel Guide: Beaches, Boats and Where to Stay
This Koh Samet travel guide covers beaches, Ban Phe boats, dated park fees, where to stay and a realistic three-day plan with practical budget checks.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Koh Samui Airport to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao
Plan the complete Samui airport-to-island chain, including pier selection, ferry check-in, baggage, boat changes, late-flight fallbacks and the return before an important flight.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Krabi Airport to Ao Nang and Railay
Understand the difference between an Ao Nang road transfer and a Railay road-and-boat connection, with dated resort examples, pier checks, luggage advice and mainland fallback plans.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Phuket Airport to Patong, Kata and Karon
Choose a complete Phuket airport transfer for Patong, Karon or Kata, comparing the Smart Bus, shared minivans and direct vehicles with realistic road allowances and precise hotel-drop-off checks.
Read the guidePage 1 of 12 · island and beach guides
A little context before you go
Planning notes for this collection
Thailand’s island and beach destinations are not interchangeable. The right choice depends on travel month, arrival airport, ferry or road connections, nightlife, family needs, trip length and how much flexibility you want around sea conditions.
Phuket
Phuket has the broadest selection of flights, hotels, restaurants and organised activities. It suits travellers who value convenience and choice, but the island is large and road journeys can take longer than expected.
Use the Phuket Itinerary for a realistic five-day plan. The site also includes guides to beaches, accommodation areas, restaurants and day trips in the latest articles below.
Krabi
Krabi combines mainland bases, limestone scenery, Railay and island excursions. Ao Nang is the easiest base for many first visits, while Railay, Krabi Town, Klong Muang and Tubkaak suit different priorities.
The Krabi Itinerary balances one base, Railay, one major island day, inland scenery and a weather buffer. Use Things to Do in Krabi when comparing activities by time, effort and location.
Island routes and transfer days
A transfer to an island can involve several stages. Before booking separate tickets, check:
- The arrival airport or station.
- Road time to the pier.
- Ferry check-in and baggage arrangements.
- The final transfer from the island pier.
- Seasonal timetable changes.
- A backup plan when sea conditions affect departures.
Avoid scheduling a fragile separate-ticket ferry connection immediately before an international flight.
Weather and marine conditions
The Andaman coast and Gulf islands can have different seasonal patterns. A monthly climate chart is only the starting point. Short-range wind, rain and marine forecasts decide whether a particular boat day operates comfortably.
Keep at least one weather-sensitive activity movable and understand the cancellation terms before paying.
Choose the base by travel style
Consider:
- Convenience versus seclusion.
- Evening restaurants within walking distance.
- Family facilities and beach conditions.
- Nightlife and noise.
- Airport or pier access.
- The pickup area for organised trips.
- Whether the beach is the main purpose or only one part of the route.
Planning with Taylor's Trailblazing Travels
Research-led guides by Karen Taylor. Read the full articles for sources, image credits and the checks that matter before you book.
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