Island Hopping in Thailand — Rebekah Troyer

When visiting Thailand, whether you're going for a short holiday or backpacking through the country, island hopping should be on your list. In my opinion, Thailand is home to some of the most beautiful islands in the world. The majority of these islands on this itinerary are located in the Andaman Sea, in the southernmost region of Thailand.

To begin our journey, my friend and I flew into Phuket International Airport. This was the cheapest and most convenient place to land. Upon arrival, we took the Phuket Smart Bus. These buses are parked out front of the terminal and cost only about 100 Thai Baht (or 2.83 USD). It takes about two hours to reach the main area of Patong Beach.

Phuket Island: Days 1-2

Upon arrival, we were immediately immersed in the colorful and vibrant scenes. Within central Patong lies the famous Bangla Road. Wandering up and down this street, you'll pass hundreds of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and various shopping options. One will not easily get bored. If you enjoy an exciting nightlife, this is the place to be.

Beyond the central area, there are many other activity options. The Giant Buddha is a major attraction for most travelers, as is the Wat Chaithararam (Wat Chalong) temple, the largest temple in Phuket.

As for the beaches, there are many, both large and small, scattered up and down the coast. We spent the afternoon on Patong Beach, which is near the central area of Patong. However, if you have more time, some recommend Freedom Beach.

Phuket Old Town

Our second day was spent in Phuket Old Town. Initially, this wasn't part of our itinerary, but due to my lack of planning, we missed the ferry to Koh Phi Phi and had to spend the day in the Old Town.

It's worth visiting if you have the time. The town has a vintage vibe, and there are many spots to explore along the main street, especially if you're looking for that perfect Instagram shot. If you're a Harry Potter fan, I would also recommend stopping at Hog’s Head Bar. Centrally located in downtown, it's the perfect spot for a wizard-themed drink!

Koh Phi Phi: Days 3-4

After our time in Phuket, we headed to Koh Phi Phi. We took the ferry from Rassada Pier to Koh Phi Phi, which takes about four hours. You can read more about how to do that [here].

Reflecting on my time there, I would say that this island felt the most touristy out of all of them. Stepping off the boat, I immediately felt as though I was in a resort. The paths through the island are designed specifically for tourists. Aside from the occasional moped, I didn't see a car the entire time.

Due to its popularity, everything on the island caters to westerners. Things felt inauthentic and quite overpriced. We also stayed at a party hostel on the beach with an attached bar. If you're into nightlife, this will be the perfect spot. However, I would recommend those who prefer a quiet night's sleep to stay elsewhere.

The highlight of our time on the island was the beaches. You can easily walk to various beaches, and along the way, you'll find numerous beach swings, perfect for Instagram shots.

Koh Phi Phi offers a plethora of activities. With tour companies at every turn, you can book just about anything, from snorkeling to day trips to secluded beaches. If you're on a budget, I'd suggest spending time on the beach and doing a sunset hike up to one of the two main viewpoints. There's a fee of 100 Thai Baht (2.85USD) for the hike, but the sunset views are truly breathtaking.

Nightlife on Koh Phi Phi is electrifying, with bars and clubs lining the beaches and fire dancers performing incredible tricks. For those seeking something a bit more unique, I'd recommend the Thai Boxing Bar [add Google link here]. This boxing bar was a standout experience for me on the island. Entry requires purchasing a drink, and depending on your choice, prices range from 100-200 Thai Baht (2.85-5.68 USD).

Once inside, find a seat and enjoy the show. While there are some professional fights throughout the evening, many bouts feature tourists. To participate, simply raise your hand, and once another guest volunteers, the match begins! It's a truly unique experience, especially for adrenaline junkies. If you're wondering whether I participated – I didn't. Let's just say I'm not the most athletic person, especially not in boxing…

Koh Lanta: Days 5-7

From Koh Phi Phi, we took the ferry to Koh Lanta, a journey of about two hours. The ferry port is quite distant from most other places on the island. However, you can easily hail a taxi or shared taxi from the ferry port to your hotel for approximately 100 Thai Baht per person (2.85 USD).

After settling into our hostel, we explored the coastline. Unfortunately, a red flag was hoisted on the beach near our hostel throughout our stay, signaling a no-swim advisory. Based on local news, a swarm of jellyfish was in the vicinity, leading the government to advise against entering the water. Nevertheless, this didn't entirely overshadow our time on Koh Lanta.

To truly explore the island, I'd suggest renting a moped for the day. This typically costs around 200 Thai Baht (5.68 USD). This mode of transportation is essentially the only alternative to joining a day tour. Renting a moped also gave us the freedom to travel at our own pace, allowing impromptu stops at various beaches and viewpoints to savor the scenery.

The island also has the Mu Ko Lanta National Park. An entrance fee of 200 Thai Baht (5.68 USD) grants you access, and it's a great place to visit if you want to get more into nature. Within, you'll encounter a multitude of wild monkeys. Word to the wise: maintain your distance. They may appear to be sweet, but they can be aggressive – I say this from experience.

The park also offers hiking trails, most of which can be completed in an hour, and they're worth it for the views they provide. Additionally, there's a quiet beach and a lighthouse. Your experience might vary based on when you visit. I was there during the off-season, and the beach was virtually deserted.

Speaking of timing, if your travels span between May and October, set your expectations accordingly. When locals refer to the off-season, they genuinely mean it, especially in Koh Lanta. Most establishments by the beaches were closed, and in Old Town, only a handful of shops were open. This gave an unusually quiet ambience to the place. For me, this was Koh Lanta's most endearing feature.

In conclusion, Koh Lanta is renowned for its sunsets, a reputation I can now vouch for, having witnessed the most magnificent sunset of my life on its beaches.

Koh Phangan: Days 8-10

Our last stop on our island hopping adventure was Koh Phangan. In order to get there, we booked travel through the hostel. It cost 1,300 Thai Baht (37USD). We were picked up at 7:30 am. From there, the bus took us to a ferry which went to the mainland. After our transfer, we had another two-hour bus ride to Surat Thani, and then another two and a half hour ferry ride to Koh Phangan. Booking travel with the company was more than worth it, as they ensured we'd arrive on the same day. Everything was fully booked and planned; all we needed to do was show up!

This last island ended up being my favorite. It was a good balance between Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. I grant the reason being that it was low season. Throughout Koh Phangan, you will find so many secluded beaches that are difficult to reach, meaning there's a chance you may have it to yourself if going early or late in the afternoon, or in our case, during low season.

This is also the island that hosts the famous full moon party. Unfortunately, we weren't there for the full moon party. However, since I'm not into the party scene, this wasn't a major disappointment.

If you aren't there during the big full moon party, there are many other options for festivals and events. Almost every night you can expect to find something to attend.

We ended up checking out a Sound Garden, which was in the back of a tattoo shop. If you are into smoking marijuana, then this is the place for you. The club only sells weed. The interior is decorated like a fairy tale world, with multiple floors and various seating areas. It ended up being the most relaxed and coolest place we explored while there.

Final Thoughts

After our stay on Koh Phangan, our island hopping adventure came to an end as we headed to the mainland. Looking back, I'm happy with the route we chose, although I personally would have traded out some islands for others. But it's really all up to personal preference and the length of your trip.

Some islands that have been recommended to me by other backpackers are Koh Muk, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao. I didn't make it there, but if you do, let me know how it goes!

-A fellow wanderer

A guide to Island Hopping: 10 Day Itinerary