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Still water and limestone cliffs at Phra Nang beach, seen from the islet of Koh Rang Nok on the Krabi coast

Sample journey · 10–13 days

The Andaman, island by island: from Krabi to Koh Lipe

Railay, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Lanta, Koh Mook & Koh Kradan, Koh Lipe

Photo: David Gardiner / Unsplash

Illustrative journey ideas — not bookable packages. No prices, dates or accommodation are implied.

The Andaman coast holds hundreds of islands, each with its own mood. This route links them by boat, north to south with no backtracking: from the limestone towers above Railay to the Muslim fishing villages of Koh Yao Noi, from the beaches of Koh Lanta to the small Trang islands and finally to Koh Lipe, almost within sight of Malaysia.

It's a journey for two: a honeymoon, an anniversary or simply a longer rest together. The days here are simple: snorkelling, a kayak through the mangroves, lunch on the sand, a sunset from a hilltop. Transfers are short and every island gets at least two nights. Stays range from simple bungalows under the palms to villas looking out to sea; we'd choose them around how you'd like to spend your time.

The route

The journey

  1. Krabi & Railay
  2. Koh Yao Noi
  3. Koh Lanta
  4. Koh Mook & Koh Kradan
  5. Koh Lipe
  6. Langkawi or Hat Yai
  1. The Railay and Tonsai coast from above: limestone cliffs, forest and calm water, Krabi

    01Days 1–3 · Krabi & Railay

    A peninsula reached only by boat

    From Krabi airport it's a short drive to the coast, then a longtail boat to Railay: there are no roads, so arriving slows you down at once. In the morning, before the day visitors land, Phra Nang beach beneath the cliffs is almost empty. You could try rock climbing with an instructor, since there are fine walls for beginners here, or paddle a kayak around the headlands. Evenings are for a drink on the sand and the sun going down behind the limestone towers.

  2. A tree standing in shallow water and fishing boats on a stormy evening off Koh Yao Noi

    02Days 4–5 · Koh Yao Noi

    A fishing island in Phang Nga Bay

    By boat across the bay to Koh Yao Noi, an island with more rubber plantations and fishing villages than resorts. By bike you can follow quiet lanes between rice fields, and at low tide walk out across the sand flats. One day is for Phang Nga Bay: by traditional boat or kayak among limestone islands and into hidden lagoons reached only at certain tides. The island is largely Muslim, so modest dress away from the beach is appreciated.

  3. A forested headland and turquoise water in Koh Lanta's national park

    03Days 6–8 · Koh Lanta

    Long beaches and an old port town

    Koh Lanta is a larger, more varied island, good for a few slow days. The west coast has long beaches and sunsets; the east has Lanta Old Town, with wooden houses on stilts and seafood kitchens. At the southern tip, in the national park, a trail leads to a lighthouse above the rocks. For more time in the water, there's snorkelling, or learning to dive, for which Lanta is well set up.

  4. Clear turquoise water between the two forested islands of Koh Rok in the Andaman Sea

    04Days 9–10 · Koh Mook & Koh Kradan

    An emerald cave and almost empty sand

    In season, by the island-hopping speedboat to the small Trang islands. Koh Mook is known for the Emerald Cave: with a guide and the right tide, you swim through a dark tunnel until it opens onto a beach enclosed by cliffs. Neighbouring Koh Kradan has a long white beach with coral close to the shore. On a calm day, a longer boat trip can reach Koh Rok: two uninhabited islands with a clear lagoon between them.

  5. Longtail boats in turquoise water off a Koh Lipe beach, with Koh Adang across the channel

    05Days 11–13 · Koh Lipe

    The last island before Malaysia

    A few more hours south by speedboat and you reach Koh Lipe, a small island on the edge of Tarutao National Park. You can walk across it, and take a longtail to neighbouring islands to snorkel, or climb to Chado Cliff on Koh Adang for a view over the whole archipelago. It's a fine place to end slowly. Home is via a ferry to Langkawi in Malaysia (in season), or by boat and road to Hat Yai airport.

Experience highlights

  1. 01

    Railay before the crowds

    An early morning beneath the limestone cliffs, with only a few people on the beach and the boats not yet in.

  2. 02

    The lagoons of Phang Nga Bay

    By kayak into the hearts of limestone islands, where hidden lagoons open up, reachable only at the right tide.

  3. 03

    The Emerald Cave

    A swim through a dark tunnel to a cliff-ringed beach, with a guide and only in calm conditions.

  4. 04

    Chado Cliff

    A short but steep climb on Koh Adang, with a view over Koh Lipe and the surrounding islands.

First, we listen. Then, we explore what's possible.

Make it your own

  • Slower still

    Four islands instead of five, with more nights on each: a lovely shape for a honeymoon.

  • More active

    A few mornings of climbing at Railay, a diving course on Lanta and longer kayak routes.

  • On into Malaysia

    From Koh Lipe, a ferry to Langkawi and a few days there, or on to Penang and the Malay Peninsula.

  • Begin in Bangkok

    Two or three nights by the river in Bangkok before flying to Krabi: city flavours before island quiet.

Practical considerations

  • Inter-island boats mostly run from about November to April. In the monsoon season (roughly May to October) many routes are suspended and some island stays close, so this journey suits the dry season best.
  • Speedboat timetables shift a little each year, and sailings can be cancelled in rough seas; we leave some slack in the route.
  • Marine national parks charge entry fees, and some sites close seasonally to let nature recover.
  • The crossing between Koh Lipe and Langkawi is an international border, so it's worth checking document requirements with official sources before you travel.

General guidance only. Seasons, weather and wildlife are never guaranteed, and travel requirements are always worth checking before you go.

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