
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 10–18 of 108 guides
Page 2 of 12 · island and beach guides
Island and beach guides
Thailand 10-Day Itinerary: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi
A practical ten-day Thailand itinerary covering Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi, with a nine-night calendar, seasonal changes, transport checks and a slower alternative.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Thailand 7-Day Itinerary: Bangkok and Krabi
A realistic seven-day Thailand route with three nights in Bangkok and three in Krabi, plus the changes to make for a Bangkok return flight, rain or a slower pace.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Thailand Beaches Itinerary: 10 Days
Spend ten days on one coast: four Ao Nang nights, four on Koh Lanta and a final mainland night. Railay stays a flexible day trip, while safe sea conditions always take...
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui 2-Week Itinerary
A thirteen-night Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Samui plan explaining airport choices, Gulf weather, beach bases and a flexible island finish.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket 2-Week Itinerary
A thirteen-night route through Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, with clear flight decisions, distinct city days and a flexible Andaman beach finish.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Bangkok and Phuket 10-Day Itinerary
A city-and-beach itinerary that combines Bangkok with five nights on Phuket, including beach-base choices, a flexible boat day and a clear return plan.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Best Day Trips from Koh Samui
Choose a Koh Samui day trip that suits your pace: Ang Thong scenery, shorter southern-island outings, independent Koh Phangan and dedicated Koh Tao snorkelling, with practical booking checks.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Best Hotels in Koh Tao
Eight practical Koh Tao hotel comparisons covering Sairee, Mae Haad, quieter bays and hillside resorts, with dive-course, room-category and transfer checks.
Read the guideIsland and beach guides
Best Hotels in Koh Phangan
Compare eight Koh Phangan hotels by bay, access, room category and travel style, including northeast resorts, west-coast stays and the two sides of Haad Rin.
Read the guidePage 2 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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