The Andaman coast has a way of making everything else feel far away. Get on a longtail with limestone cliffs rising on every side and water that’s genuinely that blue, and the rest of the world stops mattering. This 7-day itinerary is built for travelers who want the best the Andaman Sea has to offer — swimmable turquoise water, iconic island stops, and a pace that gets progressively slower as the week moves on. You’ll fly into Phuket, hop over to Phi Phi, take a longtail to Railay Beach near Krabi, then wind down on Koh Lanta, one of the coast’s most relaxed islands. Every leg connects by ferry or speedboat — no rental car needed, no complicated overland logistics. If you’re still deciding between Thailand’s two coastlines, our 7-day island hopping guide covers both the Andaman and Gulf routes side by side. This one is for the beach-first crowd.
Why This Route Works
One of the most common mistakes on a first Thailand beach trip is trying to cover too much ground. This itinerary moves south in a logical, low-stress progression. Phuket is your arrival hub — well-connected, easy to navigate, and loaded with tour operators for day trips. Phi Phi is your classic island adventure fix. Krabi and Railay give you the most dramatic coastal scenery in the region. Koh Lanta is where the tempo drops and stays dropped.
Each stop flows naturally into the next by boat, and the stops are different enough from each other — busy versus quiet, dramatic versus mellow — that seven days feels substantive rather than rushed. You’re not just ticking islands off a list. You’re actually experiencing the Andaman’s range.
Before You Book — Seasons, Ferries & the Similan Islands Option
The Andaman Sea’s high season runs November through April. This is when the water is calm, snorkeling visibility is at its best, and every ferry runs predictably. From May through October, the southwest monsoon hits and some routes reduce service or stop entirely. If you’re traveling outside the high season, confirm ferry schedules before committing to hotel bookings.
If you’re traveling between October 15 and May 15, you have the option to add a Similan Islands day trip on Day 2. Mu Ko Similan National Park — about 70 km northwest of Phuket, with day tours departing from Khao Lak — is one of the finest snorkeling destinations in Southeast Asia. Underwater visibility runs up to 30 meters on clear days, and the islands see zero overnight visitors. Tours typically depart at 6 a.m. and return around 6 p.m. Book this in advance; slots fill fast in peak months. The park opens October 15 and closes May 15 each year.
For ferry transport between your main stops, Lomprayah and Andaman Wave Master are the primary operators on these routes. Tickets are bookable online or at any hotel front desk. For longer legs (Phuket to Phi Phi, or Krabi to Koh Lanta), booking a day ahead is smart during busy months.
Days 1–2 in Phuket — Arrive, Beach, and Optional Similans
Most travelers on this route fly Bangkok → Phuket International Airport (HKT), a 1.5-hour budget flight on AirAsia or Thai VietJet. Our guide on how to get to Phuket from Bangkok covers transport options if you’re arriving overland or connecting from somewhere else. And if you’re not sure which part of the island to base yourself in, our Phuket neighborhood guide breaks down every area — Kata, Karon, Patong, Bang Tao, and beyond — with current hotel picks at every price point.
Day 1 is simple: land, check in, find a proper Thai meal (not airport food — you’re in Thailand now), and keep the night light. Day 2 is your first real decision. If you’ve pre-booked a Similan Islands day tour, that’s a very early departure — typically 5:30–6 a.m. from Khao Lak — and a full, rewarding day at sea. The trip back is long but worth it. If the Similans aren’t in the plan, pick a beach. Kata and Karon are both solid all-rounders with good swim conditions and plenty of beach bars. Patong has more energy if that’s what you’re after. Save one evening for the local night markets; Phuket’s street food scene is better than most people give it credit for.
Day 3 — The Andaman Sea Itinerary Begins: Ferry to Phi Phi
Morning ferries from Rassada Pier in Phuket run daily to Phi Phi Don, with the crossing taking about 1.5 hours by ferry or 45 minutes by speedboat. Book in advance during December and January when boats fill up well before departure.
Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island — Phi Phi Leh next door is the uninhabited one where Maya Bay sits. After checking in and dropping your bags, get in the water. The snorkeling directly off Ton Sai Bay is better than you’d expect for the main arrival pier. In the late afternoon, do the Phi Phi Viewpoint climb: 20–30 minutes up a steep trail, around 30 THB entry, and you’re rewarded with a panoramic shot of both islands and the full arc of the bay below. It earns every step. Phi Phi’s nightlife is real and lively if you want it; two minutes off the main strip and things get considerably quieter. Our complete Phi Phi Island guide covers diving, day-trip options to the outer islands, and where to stay.
Day 4 — Phi Phi to Krabi: Maya Bay and Railay Beach
Start the morning at Maya Bay if the timing works. In 2026, the bay is open year-round with a simultaneous visitor cap of 380 people and a 400 THB national park entry fee (most organized tours bundle this in). Note that Maya Bay closes annually from August through September for conservation; in that window, skip it and move on without regret. Boats no longer anchor in the bay itself — you arrive via Loh Samah Bay on the back side of Phi Phi Leh and walk through. You get about an hour on-site. To experience it without the midday crowds, the best move is to stay overnight on Phi Phi and hire an early longtail at 7 a.m. — you’ll have the bay largely to yourself before the Phuket speedboat tours roll in.
Afternoon ferries from Phi Phi to Krabi take around 1.5 hours and dock at either Krabi Town pier or Ao Nang. From Ao Nang, Railay Beach is accessible only by longtail boat — a 15-minute ride for 100–150 THB per person on a shared boat. There are no roads to Railay. That’s exactly the point. Check in, walk to the beach, and watch the sunset against the limestone karst cliffs. It’s one of the most striking coastal scenes in Southeast Asia — the kind that makes you rethink every beach you’ve been to before. If you want to extend your time in the Krabi area, our 3-day Krabi itinerary covers the full region, including the Ao Nang vs. Krabi Town base debate.
Days 5–6 — Koh Lanta: When the Trip Gets Slow
This is where the itinerary stops being an itinerary and starts being a vacation. Koh Lanta sits about 70 km south of Krabi, connected by ferry in 1.5 to 2 hours daily. Long Beach (Klong Dao) in the north is wide, calm, and lined with easygoing beach bars and guesthouses. Kantiang Bay in the south has the most beautiful scenery on the island with a fraction of the traffic. Check into your accommodation, figure out dinner slowly, and enjoy the fact that nobody is rushing you to a pier departure.
Day 6 has two solid options. The first is a Koh Rok and Koh Haa day tour — these island groups to the south of Koh Lanta are managed by the national park and deliver some of the clearest water and healthiest coral you’ll see all week. Koh Rok in particular is genuinely remote-feeling, with white sand and excellent snorkeling. Tours depart early morning and return by late afternoon. The second option: rent a scooter (250–300 THB/day, widely available) and work your way down the west coast — Klong Dao → Klong Khong → Kantiang Bay — timing the return north for sunset. Both are right answers. Choose based on how much energy you have at this point in the week.
Day 7 — Getting Home
Build 2–3 hours of buffer. Morning ferries from Koh Lanta to Krabi run multiple times; from Krabi, minivans and taxis connect to Krabi Airport (KBV) for flights to Bangkok and several international routes. If your outbound flight is from Phuket, direct buses run from Krabi to Phuket (3–4 hours), or your hotel can arrange a shared minivan transfer.
Don’t cut the timing too close on ferry days. Thailand’s boat transport is generally reliable but weather delays happen, and missing a long-haul flight over a late longtail is a painful way to end an otherwise excellent week. If you’re heading back through Bangkok, the best beaches in Thailand guide is a good read for planning your next trip south.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Andaman Sea 7-Day Itinerary
What is the best time of year for this Andaman itinerary?
November through April is peak season — calm water, reliable ferries, and the Similan Islands open for day trips. December through February is the sweet spot: ideal conditions without the chaos of the Songkran or Chinese New Year peaks. Avoid May through September for this route; the southwest monsoon makes the Andaman rough and some ferry services reduce or stop entirely.
How much does this 7-day route cost?
On a mid-range budget, expect around 1,500–2,500 THB per day covering accommodation, food, and local transport — excluding international flights. Ferries between stops typically run 400–800 THB per leg. Budget travelers can do the full route for less; resorts and private speedboats push costs significantly higher. The Similans day trip adds around 2,500–3,500 THB depending on the operator.
Do I need to book ferries in advance?
In peak season (December–January), yes — popular morning departures from Phuket and Phi Phi sell out regularly. Book at least a week ahead, and more than that around Christmas and New Year. In shoulder months like November, March, or April, booking the day before is usually fine, but don’t risk it on travel days when you have connections to make.
Can I do this itinerary in reverse, starting in Koh Lanta?
You can, but it’s logistically awkward. Most international arrivals connect through Bangkok to Phuket, making that the natural entry point. Starting in Koh Lanta means flying into Krabi or taking a long overland connection, which adds time without much advantage. North-to-south (as written) is the more practical direction for almost everyone flying in from abroad.
Is Maya Bay worth visiting in 2026?
Yes — but calibrate your expectations. The bay is still genuinely beautiful: turquoise water, dramatic limestone cliffs, and juvenile sharks visible in the shallows. Access is now via Loh Samah Bay on the back side of Phi Phi Leh; 380 visitors maximum at any given time, and you’re capped at roughly one hour on-site. To see it before the day-trip crowds from Phuket arrive, stay overnight on Phi Phi and hire an early longtail at 7 a.m. You’ll have the bay largely to yourself for the first 20–30 minutes. Worth every bit of the early alarm.
This route earns its reputation as Thailand’s best beach run because every ferry hop reveals something better than the last stop — the Andaman gets more spectacular the further south you go. Lock in your Similan day trip and Phi Phi accommodation before December; both fill fast and neither forgives leaving it until last minute.