The short answer
The Andaman Sea is Thailand's southwest coast, the one with limestone cliffs, turquoise water and strings of islands: Phuket, Krabi (Ao Nang, Railay), Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Yao, the Trang islands, Koh Lipe and the Similan and Surin marine parks.
Koh Phi Phi is right in the middle: about 1 hour by speedboat from Phuket, Krabi or Koh Lanta. It is where our team lives, and the best base to explore from.
Best season: November to April. For a first 7 to 10 day trip: Phuket or Krabi, 3 nights on Phi Phi, then Krabi, Railay or Koh Lanta.
The islands at a glance
| Island or area | Best for | How to get there | Nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Phi Phi | Postcard scenery, snorkeling, buzz | Ferry or speedboat from Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta | 3 |
| Phuket | Gateway, day trips | International airport | 2 |
| Krabi, Ao Nang | Cliffs, 4 Islands, Hong Islands | Krabi airport | 2 to 3 |
| Railay | Rock climbing, beaches between cliffs | Longtail from Ao Nang | 2 |
| Koh Lanta | Calm, families, long beaches | Speedboat from Phi Phi, road from Krabi airport | 3 to 4 |
| Koh Yao | Local life, Phang Nga Bay | Boat from Phuket or Krabi | 2 to 3 |
| Koh Muk, Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan | Wild Trang islands, Emerald Cave | Speedboat via Koh Lanta or Trang | 2 to 4 |
| Similan Islands | The clearest water in the region | Day trip from Phuket or Khao Lak, 15 October to 15 May | 0 (day trip) |
When to go
- November to April: dry season, calm sea, every link running. It is high season, book early for Christmas and New Year.
- May to October: southwest monsoon. Short, heavy showers, choppier sea, lower prices. Boats go out most days; if we cancel for weather you get a refund or a new date. See do Phi Phi tours get cancelled in the monsoon?.
- Closures to know: Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September; the Similan Islands only open from 15 October to 15 May; Koh Lanta and the Trang islands slow right down out of season.
Getting around between the islands
The two gateways are Phuket and Krabi, each with an airport. After that, it is all boats:
| Route | Mode | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket to Koh Phi Phi | Ferry / speedboat | about 2h20 / about 1h |
| Krabi to Koh Phi Phi | Ferry / speedboat | about 2h20 / about 1h |
| Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta | Speedboat | about 1h |
| Koh Lanta to Krabi airport | Road (minivan and car ferries) | about 2h |
| Ao Nang to Railay | Longtail | a few minutes |
All real timetables and prices are on our transfers page and in how to get to Koh Phi Phi. Team tip: avoid taking a boat on the day of your flight, or leave a wide margin.
Sample itineraries
- 7 days: Phuket (2 nights) → Koh Phi Phi (3 nights) → Krabi, Ao Nang or Railay (2 nights), fly home from Krabi.
- 10 days: Krabi or Railay (3 nights) → Koh Phi Phi (3 nights) → Koh Lanta (4 nights), back by road to Krabi airport. Details in Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta: in what order?.
- 14 days: add Koh Yao (2 to 3 nights) at the start from Phuket, or the Trang islands and Koh Lipe at the end, in high season.
The best boat trips, by base
- From Koh Phi Phi: Maya Bay at sunrise before the crowds, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, snorkeling and diving. See our Koh Phi Phi tours and Maya Bay.
- From Phuket: a day on Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island, the Similan Islands in season. See our tours from Phuket.
- From Krabi and Ao Nang: the 4 Islands tour, the Hong Islands, Railay. See our tours from Krabi.
Why book with a team on the island
We live on Koh Phi Phi, in the middle of the Andaman Sea. We run the tours, the private boats and the transfers between Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Yao, with replies on WhatsApp and prices shown in baht. Tell us your dates and what you like, and we will plan the whole route.
