Which Thai island? Matching the coast to the trip you want
Destinations · · 2 min read
Thailand's two coasts have opposite weather, which is the single most useful fact when planning.
The seasons
- Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta): best November to April. Wet from May to October.
- Gulf coast (Samui, Phangan, Tao): best February to September, with the heaviest rain in November.
So there is almost always somewhere dry; it just may not be the island you had in mind.
Matching island to mood
- Phuket - everything, including an airport and traffic. Good base, not a hideaway.
- Krabi and Railay - limestone cliffs, climbing, long-tail boats. Railay has no road access, which is most of its charm.
- Phi Phi - beautiful and busy. Best as one night or a day trip from Krabi.
- Koh Lanta - long quiet beaches, families, sunsets. Little nightlife.
- Koh Samui - resorts and comfort, direct flights.
- Koh Tao - diving courses, cheaper than anywhere else to learn.
Getting between them
Ferries run frequently in season and stop when the sea is rough. Crossing from the Andaman to the Gulf in one day is possible but long; fly via Bangkok if the plan depends on it.
Practical notes
Book the first and last nights near the airport rather than on the far island - ferries are the part of the plan most likely to move. Bring reef-safe sunscreen; several marine parks now check.
A workable two weeks
Four nights Krabi or Railay, three nights Lanta, then fly to Samui for four, with a night in Bangkok at each end.