Island hopping in Thailand has always been a dream of mine. It wasn’t long after arriving in Bangkok that I booked my flights to Phuket. Then I planned my week to hit my top picks for islands: Phuket, Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Be sure to also see our post on how to see Bangkok on a budget.
Phuket
There are a variety of airport options for flying into Thailand from international destinations. And one of those is Phuket. This is the best start point in terms of quick access to start your trip island hopping in Thailand. But you can make any of the other airports work, and I recommend that if you find a good deal to another start point. I actually started my trip in Bangkok. Then I flew into Phuket for cheap once there. And Phuket a great destination in it’s own right. You don’t need to consider it just a start and end point.
That being said, my trip took a turn for the worst when Bangla Road in Phuket swallowed my belongings whole and left me without money or a way to get home. Side note, Bangla Road is the craziest nightlife I have come across even in comparison to Bangkok. That being said, I was ready to tackle round two of my island hopping in Thailand venture during my break. Having planned this trip twice now, I am here to offer you some insight on Thailand’s most popular beaches.
Krabi
Krabi was the least impressionable place I visited. I stayed in Ao Nong, where the majority of people were western couples sporting colorful elephant pants exploring the ever so similar plethora of souvenir gift shops. Note: this is a surefire way to standout as a tourist. There’s nothing wrong with buying something for someone back home. But I did find the sheer number of tourists to be distracting to how beautiful Krabi could be.
That being said, if you can ignore the selfie stick experts snapping photos Krabi has a lot to offer. While you’re in Krabi, I suggest island hopping the four surrounding islands that have made Krabi a popular destination for Thailand visitors.
Poda Island
Monkeys and steep prices for coconut water will welcome you to Poda Island. The island itself is beautiful. But the bikini and speedo-clad tourists somewhat distracted me from what I was there to really see: limestone cliffs and spectacular views. Regardless, making the boat ride out to Poda Island is well worth the trip!
Railey Beach
There is a shrine dedicated to fertility on Railey Beach. While it may seem like a strange reason to visit, it is definitely worth seeing and snapping a pic. That is not all the beach has to offer, either. The limestone cliffs are great for rock climbing. That is, if you can make it up the first couple of feet without having a panic attack. I thought it was the most beautiful beach! Do not miss out visiting its white sand and interesting spectacles before heading to Ko Phi Phi.
The nightlife
I stayed in Au Nong Beach when I visited Krabi. While the traveling cocktails were definitely a bonus, I found that the area itself was rather dead and only a handful of bars lined the water. For those looking for more than a cocktail on-the-go, I think staying in Krabi Town would be a better option. It is a drive from the beach as opposed to right on it. But it is worth it to stay a short distance from the beach if nightlife is what you are looking for.
Ko Phi Phi
Ko Phi Phi has thus far received a bad reputation from many of its former visitors. Known for its party mentality, I was nervous to say the least to venture to the island alone, tackling its party scene with a lone bucket in my hand and no one to look after me. I was pleasantly surprised, however! I was so enthralled with the island itself, I didn’t need to engage with the drunken islanders. Viewpoints so breathtaking I forgave myself for getting lost along the way and taking an extra 45 minute detour to get there. Sand so soft I wanted to take a nap in it, forgetting about the sand flies that take refuge there. It’s these things that make me say, without hesitation, I will be going back to Ko Phi Phi as soon as I have the baht to do so!
Here are just a few highlights of the island that you definitely need to take advantage of before taking a ferry to our next island, Koh Lanta:
Fire shows
You won’t be hard pressed to find a fire show on Ko Phi Phi. Just meander down to almost any of the beaches and you will be greeted with flaming jump ropes and flying sticks on fire. It sounds dangerous, and, quite frankly, it probably is. If you do decide to take on the flaming jump rope, be warned that the performers at the bar Slinky will move the rope faster as soon as you display any sort of cockiness whatsoever. This left one especially confident drunken tourist with burnt leg hair.
Stunning viewpoints
If you can manage a short trek to any one of three viewpoints on Ko Phi Phi, you will soon forget how ungodly sweaty you are and be happy you did so. I was lucky to have one rather ambitious, friendly traveler invite me with her to see Ko Phi Phi differently than you do on the beaches or by boat and we hiked to all three viewpoints. Two of the three viewpoints do charge you an entrance fee, so don’t forget your wallet!
Snorkeling trip
I snorkeled in both Krabi and Phuket, and neither can compare with the snorkeling trip I went on in Ko Phi Phi. Krabi’s water had much less fish and the water was so murky. The waves in Phuket left me unable to float properly on top of the water as I tumbled in my lifejacket, awkwardly grasping my mask. This was not the case in Ko Phi Phi.
The snorkeling trip I went on in Ko Phi Phi visited Monkey Beach, Shark Point, Mosquito Island, Maya Bay, and many other awe-inspiring surrounding islands and lagoons. We were constantly surrounded by hundreds of fish as our guide and captain threw fried rice into the water. I highly recommend taking an entire day to explore the surrounding islands and snorkel. Be careful of the monkeys, however. One unlucky tourist decided to fight with a baby monkey as it went to take his bag, and as they were playing tug-a-war, a larger monkey barreled through the crowd and bit him multiple times. Needless to say, he refused to go to the hospital. I waited anxiously for him to turn rabid and start foaming at the mouth, but luckily, that didn’t happen.
Koh Lanta
After one-too-many hangovers in Ko Phi Phi, I was happy to reach Koh Lanta for the last stint of my trip. I was ready to relax and explore the island. While there is a nightlife in Koh Lanta, I found the parties they advertised on almost every street post and 7/11 to be lackluster, at best. While I would avoid these parties to save money and bulk up on sleep for the long, sunny days, I don’t think this detracts from the island. My tip: head to the local restaurants instead. There’s plenty with friendly bartenders and cheaper drinks than what’s at the parties.
Take on the potholes
While renting a motorbike or scooter is always one of the highlights of most of the trips I take in Thailand, Koh Lanta’s streets were by far the most nerve-racking I’ve driven on. Forever winding and consistently covered in potholes, unsuspecting and new drivers should be cautious when taking to the streets. I even saw a guy topple over the side of the hill, limbs flailing like that of a rag doll as both he and his bike tumbled down the side! Don’t worry! He was fine and laughing as his friends pulled him from the brush. That being said, renting a motorbike is a great way to see the island without spending a lot of money. The bikes were only 200 baht for the whole day, which is about $6.
Walking street
A lot of online travel blogs will talk about Walking Street. The street is really more like a drivewa and there aren’t a ton of options to choose from for food. The usual Thai pancake and noodle soup vendors line the stunted street. However, this food was some of the cheapest I came across on the entire island. This was a nice break on my wallet, especially since food can be pricer on these islands than elsewhere in Thailand.
Do nothing
You’ll be exhausted from Ko Phi Phi and Krabi’s nightlife, and Phuket’s Bangla Road if it’s on your itinerary. Koh Lanta has beautiful beaches perfect for parking for the day. From there you can enjoy the surrounding islands around Koh Lanta and work on your tan. Don’t forget sunscreen, or else you’ll leave with a sunburn unsuitable for carrying your luggage on your back. Trust me, I know.
So there you have it. My top picks for where to go when island hopping in Thailand are: Phuket, Krabi, Ko Phi Phi, and Ko Lanta. If you’re ready to book your own trip island hopping in Thailand, check out StudentUniverse for great deals on flights. For more info on seeing Thailand on a budget, see our blog on free things to do in Bangkok.
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