Asia · Thailand · Itinerary
Phuket → Koh Lanta → Koh Mook → Koh Ngai → Koh Kradan → Trang → Bangkok → Taipei
We didn't plan to island-hop five different islands in a week. But once the speedboats started, we couldn't stop. Each island has a completely different character — Koh Lanta's long beaches and easy energy; Koh Mook's tiny village and the extraordinary Emerald Cave; Koh Ngai as a day trip sanctuary; Koh Kradan's impossible turquoise coral snorkeling.
Then the speedboat back to Trang, a flight to Bangkok, and a night of gold-lit temples and Chinatown chaos before connecting to Taiwan. A trip of two very different halves — and one of the most beautiful weeks we've ever spent.
Phuket · Arrival
Fly into Phuket International. Check in at the beachfront hotel and spend the afternoon recovering and watching the Andaman Sea. Phuket town for dinner if you have the energy — the Sino-Portuguese shophouse district is photogenic and the night food scene is excellent.
Koh Lanta
Morning speedboat south from Satun Pakbara to Koh Lanta — long, relatively undeveloped compared to Phuket, and with a completely different pace. Spend the afternoon on one of the west-coast beaches watching the sunset. Lanta Old Town's wooden boardwalk village is worth a wander. Perfect for renting a scooter and exploring.
Koh Lanta
A full day to explore Koh Lanta at your own pace. Klong Dao Beach for swimming in the morning. Kantiang Bay in the south for the most dramatic beach scenery. The island has a thriving café culture — find a clifftop spot and stay for hours. Koh Lanta Marine National Park at the southern tip has good snorkeling off the rocks.
Koh Mook
Hop to Koh Mook — best known for Morakot (Emerald Cave), a sea cave you swim through in darkness to reach a hidden lagoon with a white sand beach open to sky. Time the visit for low tide. Charlie Beach has the best sunset on the island. Evening village walk through the Muslim fishing community — Koh Mook has a very different character to the more touristy islands.
Koh Mook · Day Trip to Koh Ngai
Day trip by long-tail boat to Koh Ngai — a small, mostly car-free island of extraordinary beauty. Crystal-clear water, coral reefs directly off the beach, and almost no infrastructure beyond a few eco-resorts. Spend the day snorkeling and swimming, then return to Koh Mook for the night.
Koh Kradan
Short hop to Koh Kradan — considered one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand and consistently rated among the finest beaches in the world. The water is impossibly clear, the reef accessible directly from the beach. Limited development means it stays genuinely quiet. Spend the day between the water and the shade of the casuarina trees.
Koh Kradan → Trang → Bangkok
Morning speedboat back to Trang pier, then transfer to Trang Airport for the flight to Bangkok. Arrive late afternoon with the evening free. Night sightseeing: Wat Arun illuminated from across the river, Wat Pho from outside, ICONSIAM riverside mall, and then into Chinatown (Yaowarat) for Bangkok's famous late-night street food.
Speedboat Timing
Satun Pakbara Speedboat Club runs one or two services daily — always book the night before. Services cancel in rough weather. Have a backup day built into your schedule.
Emerald Cave
Morakot is only accessible at low tide — check tide tables carefully. You swim 80m through a dark tunnel; a small torch helps. Tours run daily from Koh Lanta or Koh Mook.
Marine Parks
Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai are in protected marine park areas. Respect the coral — never stand on it. Koh Ngai has almost no mobile signal. Bring enough cash from Trang.
Cash & SIM
The islands are largely cash-only. Stock up in Trang or Phuket. Buy a DTAC or AIS SIM at Phuket Airport — coverage is surprisingly good even on small islands.
Best Months
November to February is dry season on the Andaman coast. Avoid May–October: the southwest monsoon means rough seas, cancelled speedboats, and closed resorts.
Bangkok Connection
Trang Airport is small but reliable. Bangkok Don Muang (DMK) is better than Suvarnabhumi for budget onward connections. The Amari hotel connects directly to the terminal.
