THAILAND / ANDAMAN ISLANDS Andaman ExpeditionTHE ISLAND FIELD GUIDE
Islands & gateways

Ten islands. More than one way to travel.

Find your Andaman.

An island stay, a day on the water, or a national park journey. Start with the route that makes sense for you.

Choose your starting point ↓
Coastal landscape on Ko Phi Phi Don
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0
Phi Phi Don / Krabi
Shoreline on Ko Kradan
Marcin Konsek · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ko Kradan / Trang
Beach on North Surin Island
The Cosmonaut · CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Surin / Phang Nga
Beyond the island photograph

Two islands may share a sea and need completely different plans. Compare the mainland gateway, the kind of visit, and where the night will be spent.

Plan from the mainland out

Which gateway fits your trip?

These are planning regions, not a live sailing schedule. Read each guide for the actual departure choices.

10 island guides

Coastal landscape on Ko Phi Phi Don

Island stay / Krabi & Phuket

Koh Phi Phi Don

Plan a stay on Phi Phi Don by comparing Tonsai, the northern resort beaches and boat connections, while keeping Phi Phi Le excursions separate.

Plan this island ↗
Klong Khong Beach on Ko Lanta Yai

Island stay / Krabi & Phuket

Koh Lanta Yai

Compare Lanta Yai’s west-coast beaches, east-coast communities and arrival options, then build an island stay with realistic road and boat plans.

Plan this island ↗
Beach on Koh Lipe

Island stay / Satun

Koh Lipe

Plan Koh Lipe around Pattaya, Sunrise and Sunset beaches, with Pak Bara connections and a clear distinction between the island and national park outings.

Plan this island ↗
Shoreline on Ko Kradan

Island stay / Trang gateways

Ko Kradan

Plan Ko Kradan from Trang: compare a day trip with an overnight stay, choose the right mainland pier, and check national park access before booking.

Plan this island ↗
Coastline on Ko Ngai

Island stay / Trang gateways

Ko Ngai

Plan Ko Ngai through Trang or an island connection: understand Pak Meng access, the resort landing, luggage arrangements and a beach-focused stay.

Plan this island ↗
Beach on Ko Rok Yai

Day excursion / Krabi & Phuket

Ko Rok

Plan Ko Rok from a practical mainland or Lanta base, distinguish its two protected islands, and check seasonal access before booking snorkelling.

Plan this island ↗
Rocky beach on Ko Tarutao

Park planning / Satun

Ko Tarutao

Plan the main island of Ko Tarutao, its park accommodation, historical sites and boat connections without confusing it with Ko Lipe or Ko Adang.

Plan this island ↗
Coastline on Ko Phayam

Island stay / Ranong

Ko Phayam

Choose a Ko Phayam base on Ao Yai or Buffalo Bay, plan the boat from Ranong and understand why the island arrival and beach transfer are separate.

Plan this island ↗

Three decisions, in order

Pier. Island. Base.

01 / THE CONNECTION

Know where the boat begins.

A Krabi hotel, a Khao Lak departure base and a Ranong island connection do different jobs. Choose the right coast before comparing rooms.

02 / THE KIND OF VISIT

Separate the day trip from the stay.

Protected islands can have their own admission, access and accommodation arrangements. A resort booking elsewhere does not confirm a national park visit.

03 / THE NIGHT

Read the room and the setting.

Bay location, hills, boat arrivals and room categories can matter as much as the island name. The hotel reviews explain the trade-offs.

Compare the places to stay ↗