11. Mai 2023
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Visiting Chiang Mai in Thailand is an experience that should not be missed. Known as the „Rose of the North“, Chiang Mai is a mystical
2 weeks Thailand: Tropical Island Hopping in the South
South Thailand has a lot to offer and with our comprehensive island-hopping guide you can enjoy its full beauty. From the bustling streets of Phuket to the secluded tranquility of Koh Yao Noi or Yai, each destination promises a unique experience. Join us on this journey through Phuket, Krabi, Railay Beach, Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang, as we explore the best of what these tropical gems have to offer.
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2 weeks Thailand Island Hopping
When it comes to South Thailand, Phuket International Airport stands as a primary gateway. Serving as the region’s busiest airport, it connects with major international hubs, ensuring convenient access for travelers worldwide. Alternatively, Krabi also has an international airport. If the flights from your home country are too expensive, fly directly into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and take a bus or domestic flight down to South Thailand.
Once in Thailand, you can use Bolt, Grab or InDrive, which work like Uber to get to your final destination. While Grab is the most expensive, Bolt is cheaper but may take longer until a driver accepts your request. Better download the apps in advance. You don’t need a Thai mobile number for them.
1. Phuket (2 nights)
If you want to party, Patong is the right place for you on Phuket. We can recommend the Lub d Patong which has clean rooms, a big pool and many community events like pub crawls or pool parties. It’s only 3 minutes away from Patong Beach, where you’ll have tons of activities, from water sports to partying at lively beach bars. Also, the Neon Patong Hotel or Buasri Boutique Patong (very nice bright design), Rak Elegant Hotel Patong or The Marina Phuket Hotel seem good options. Another 5 minute walk away, you’ll find the buzzing Bangla Road, which can be considered as Patong’s Khaosan Road.
Alternatively, we can recommend staying in Phuket Old Town. we liked the antique houses and there is a Walking Street every Sunday afternoon/evening. We stayed at the Na Siam Guesthouse and liked the location but can’t recommend it as our room didn’t have a window and it was very loud. Alternatively, The Malika Hotel, the Seabed Grand Hotel Phuket or Chameleon Bed & Cafe should be better than Na Siam.
For those seeking serenity, Freedom Beach offers a relaxed vibe with its pristine sands and crystal-clear waters. But they charge 100 Baht entrance fee, so we decided to skip it and go to Haad Laem Sing. You have to go to Surin Beach first and then walk around the cliffs for 10-15 minutes to reach this remote beach. But it will be worth it, we promise!
Also, don’t miss the iconic Big Buddha, a spiritual landmark that provides panoramic views of the island. It’s 45 meters tall (148 feet) and is covered with Burmese white marble. Go there early in the morning to avoid the crowds and escape the heat. It’s only 35 minutes from Phuket Old Town by scooter and admission is free.
2. Koh Yao Noi / Yai (3 nights)
Escape the crowds and embrace tranquility in Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai. It’s only 30 minutes away from Phuket by speedboat and it couldn’t be more different. Keep in mind that you have to go to the Bang Rong Pier which is around 30 minutes north of Phuket Town. From there simply go to the counter and buy your ticket or buy it in advance here!
Here you can treat yourself with beachfront bungalows offering panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. One of these options is the luxurious Cape Kudu. It’s an award winning hotel and we had the most amazing breakfast buffet in one year of traveling there. Alternatives would be Jaiden Seaview Domes (unique wooden domes), TreeHouse Villas (high-end luxury). 9 Hornbills (luxury tents) or Koyao Island Resort (big beachfront villas). A cheaper option is the Hillhouse.
Koh Yao Noi and Yai are still more hidden gems than other islands in South Thailand and it somehow gave us Philippines vibes. If you’re interested in the Philippines, check out all our articles here! These islands don’t have many sights, so it’s more to relax in a nice hotel and enjoy the beautiful scenery. But you also have the opportunity to join a boat trip around the surrounding islands. You can book it directly at Cape Kudu (if you stay there) or here.
3. Koh Phi Phi (3 nights)
From Koh Yao Noi, simply take a speedboat to Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi definitely is overpriced when it comes to accommodations. It’s one of the most touristy destinations in South Thailand. We stayed at the Uphill Cottage and it was alright but nothing special. They’ll pick you up at the pier and carry your luggage to the hotel, what was a nice treat.
As said, it’s hard to find a fair-priced accommodation here: Phi Phi Ton Sai Place (medium budget with pool) or Saii Phi Phi Island Village (luxury option) seem to be pretty decent options. When it comes to food, we can recommend Only Noodles for Pad Thai, Basil Bistro for Massaman Curry and the Reggae Bar for a fun evening out.
Take the stairs to the Phi Phi Viewpoint for breathtaking panoramas of the Andaman Sea and the Phi Phi archipelago. Admission is 50 Baht. It will be a short (around 15 min) but sweaty hike up some very steep stairs. We definitely recommend walking to the second view point as the views are way better. During sunset it will get very crowded.
When traveling to Koh Phi Phi and the South of Thailand, you must go to the famous Maya Bay from the movie „The Beach“ with Leonardo di Caprio. We know that it’s very touristy and probably the most famous beach in entire Thailand but we may have never felt so soft sand before and don’t want to keep that experience from you. They updated the regulations after Covid and now the admission is 400 Baht. Only 375 tourists are allowed per hour and your visiting time is limited to one hour.
Better be there when it opens at 7 am (closed at 6 pm). Swimming is prohibited and it’s a no-drone zone. Also now the bay is closed once a year for 3 months (August-October). So keep that in mind, when you plan your visit. But the new rules already helped nature to heal from mass tourism. The little black-tip reef sharks returned to the bay and now you can watch them from the beach.
To be honest, we think the hype is too crazy, as there are many other beautiful bays and beaches around, but we have already been there twice, so it’s easy to say for us. One of these other beaches is the Monkey Beach where you can encounter the monkeys among crystal-clear blue waters. The best beaches on Koh Phi Phi island itself are Tonsai Beach and Long Beach. To the second one, you’ll have to walk 30 minutes from the main town, but it will be worth it. Also, there is Shark Point so you have good chances to snorkel with some black-tip reef sharks.
4. Railay Beach (2 nights)
From Koh Phi Phi, you can take a speed boat to Railay Beach. It will take around 45 minutes and costs 800 Baht. Railey is only accessible by boat, that’s why the prices for accommodation are way higher here. We stayed at the Rapala Rock Wood Resort and can definitely recommend it. A more expensive but very good option is the Avatar Railay, where friends of us stayed. The ultimate luxury option is the Rayavadee but that was above our budget. Regarding restaurants, we liked Local Thai and Mangrove for Thai food and Railay Bar & Bistro for more Western dishes.
Railey has some kind of hippy and sleepy vibe and is still more relaxed than other beach towns in Thailand but there are many day tourists from Ao Nang. Especially the west beach gets crowded so go early or late when the tourists aren’t there yet/anymore. Most long tail boats are arriving and departing from this one, so it’s won’t be quiet. Our favorite beach was the Phra Nang Beach which is accessible via a small path from Southern tip of the East Beach. The water was amazing and there are no boats around.
Railay is also a rock climber’s paradise surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. We haven’t done it but saw many backpackers trying it and think it’s appropriate for everybody. If you’re adventures you can also hire a kayak and explore all around the peninsula.
5. Ao Nang (3 nights)
To go to Ao Nang, simply walk to the West Beach of Railay and take one of the local long tail boats for 100 Baht. They depart whenever there are enough people who want to take it. In Ao Nang, we stayed at the Kokotel Krabi Oasis. It’s 10 minutes away from the beach road and the rooms are clean, it has a pool and it was quiet. The Infinity Ao Nang, Apple A Day Resort, or @Aonang Guesthouse seem good choices as well.
We can recommend going to the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market. It has many food stalls where they serve everything from local Thai food to burgers and burritos. If you’re not sure what to eat, check out our Thai Food Guide! Also, we really enjoyed the pizzas from Umberto and the curries from Kodam Kitchen.
When in Ao Nang, be sure to go on a boat trip to the famous Hong Island! We went with Boat and Beyond and can totally recommend it. It’s a bit more pricey but it’s a private tour, so you’ll have one of the iconic long tail boats all for yourself. Additionally, you have to pay 300 Baht admission for the national park.
The first stop will take you to Koh Lao Lading, a small remote island with a beautiful beach. After that, you’ll have around 1,5 hours on Hong Island itself, where we recommend climbing to the view point to get the best views. It will get sweaty as it’s hot and humid and the stairs are steep, but it’s doable within 15 minutes. You can relax and cool down at the beautiful beach afterwards. The last stop will be the Hong Lagoon, where you’ll have delicious (included) lunch before heading back to Ao Nang.
Alternatively, go on the 4 or 7 (half or full day) Islands tour. We did that back in 2018 when we did a tour around Thailand and loved it! Especially Bamboo Island is one of our favorite spots ever.
What we missed but you shouldn't
Tiger Cave Temple, situated in Krabi, Thailand, is renowned for its stunning natural limestone formations and a challenging climb leading to a panoramic viewpoint. This spiritual site also houses a golden Buddha statue and offers visitors a unique blend of cultural and natural experiences.
The Emerald Pools in Krabi, located 1 hour 15min away from Ao Nang, are a series of freshwater pools surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. The pools are renowned for their vibrant green hues and offer a serene environment for visitors to relax and swim, providing a refreshing escape in the heart of nature.
Phang Nga National Park in southern Thailand is known for its striking limestone karst formations rising from the Andaman Sea. The park features diverse ecosystems, including mangrove forests and coral reefs.
James Bond Island, officially known as Koh Tapu, is part of Phang Nga National Park. It is a famous landmark in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand. It gained global recognition as the filming location for the James Bond movie „The Man with the Golden Gun.“ The island is characterized by its dramatic limestone karst formation rising from the emerald waters, making it a must-visit destination for fans of both natural beauty and cinematic history.
Conclusion
Going on an island-hopping adventure through the South of Thailand, is definitely a good choice! From the vibrant scenes of Patong Beach in Phuket to the secluded tranquility of Koh Yao Noi or Yai, and the hippy vibe of Railey, let this journey be your passport to paradise. We did this trip in two weeks, which seemed like a good amount of time.
November til February will be the best time to visit the South of Thailand. What we really liked is that you can reach everything with the speedboats or ferries and will see a lot only by flying in and out of Phuket/Krabi. There’s a lot to discover in this area – so have fun on your island hopping adventure!
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