Between November and April you can travel most of Thailand’s Andaman coast by sea. Large ferries shuttle between Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi and Koh Lanta; speedboats continue south through the Trang islands to Koh Lipe; and from Lipe a ferry crosses to Langkawi in Malaysia. In the monsoon the network shrinks to its core.
Timetables change every season, so treat the times below as a guide and confirm before you travel.
The main sea links at a glance
| Route | Typical time | Boat | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phuket (Rassada) ⇄ Phi Phi (Tonsai) | ≈1–2 h | Ferry, speedboat | All year |
| Krabi (Klong Jilad) ⇄ Phi Phi | ≈1.5–2 h | Ferry | All year |
| Ao Nang / Railay ⇄ Phi Phi | ≈1–2 h | Ferry, speedboat | Mainly Nov–Apr |
| Phuket ⇄ Ao Nang / Railay | ≈1–3 h | Speedboat, ferry | Mainly Nov–Apr |
| Phuket (Bang Rong) ⇄ Koh Yao | ≈30–60 min | Speedboat, longtail ferry | All year |
| Phi Phi ⇄ Koh Lanta (Saladan) | ≈1–1.5 h | Ferry, speedboat | Mainly Nov–Apr |
| Koh Lanta ⇄ Koh Ngai / Mook / Kradan | ≈30–90 min | Speedboat, ferry | Nov–Apr |
| Koh Lanta ⇄ Koh Lipe | ≈3–5 h | Speedboat | Nov–Apr |
| Pak Bara ⇄ Koh Lipe | ≈1.5 h | Speedboat | All year (reduced May–Oct) |
| Koh Lipe ⇄ Langkawi | ≈1.5 h | Ferry | About Oct/Nov–May |
| Thap Lamu (Khao Lak) → Similan Islands | ≈1.5 h | Tour speedboat | Mid-Oct to mid-May |
| Ranong ⇄ Koh Phayam | ≈40 min–2 h | Speedboat, slow boat | All year (reduced May–Oct) |
Airports
- Phuket (HKT) — the main gateway, with direct international flights from across Asia, the Middle East and Europe plus frequent domestic services. Best for Phuket, Khao Lak, Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao and Phi Phi.
- Krabi (KBV) — domestic flights from Bangkok and a number of international routes. Best for Ao Nang, Railay, Koh Lanta and Phi Phi.
- Trang (TST) — a small airport with flights from Bangkok. Best for Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai, and a workable route to Koh Lipe.
- Ranong (UNN) — limited flights from Bangkok. For Koh Phayam and the northern coast.
- Also useful: Hat Yai (HDY) for Koh Lipe via Pak Bara, and Langkawi (LGK) in Malaysia for arriving or leaving at the southern end.
Main piers
- Rassada Pier, Phuket Town — ferries to Phi Phi, Krabi and Koh Lanta.
- Bang Rong Pier, Phuket — boats to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.
- Klong Jilad Pier, Krabi Town — ferries to Phi Phi and, in season, Koh Lanta.
- Nopparat Thara Pier, Ao Nang — seasonal ferries and speedboats to Phi Phi, Phuket, Koh Lanta and Koh Yao.
- Tonsai Pier, Phi Phi Don — the hub in the middle.
- Saladan Pier, Koh Lanta — boats north to Phi Phi and south to the Trang islands and Lipe.
- Thap Lamu Pier, Khao Lak — Similan Islands tours.
- Pak Bara Pier, Satun — the mainland port for Koh Lipe and Tarutao.
Who runs the boats
The long island-hopping routes south of Lanta are run mainly by Tigerline (a high-speed ferry linking Phuket, Phi Phi, Lanta, the Trang islands, Lipe and Langkawi in season), Bundhaya Speed Boat and Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club. Several other companies operate the busy Phuket–Phi Phi–Krabi–Lanta triangle. Tickets are sold at piers, by hotels and travel desks, and online; a number of the most useful crossings can be booked on our tours page.
Three routes that work
1. The classic week: Phuket → Phi Phi → Krabi
Three nights in Phuket with a day in Phang Nga Bay; ferry to Phi Phi for one or two nights and an early longtail to Maya Bay; ferry on to Ao Nang or Railay for the 4 Islands. Fly out of Krabi. This works all year, weather permitting.
2. The full run: Phuket to Koh Lipe in two weeks
Phuket → Phi Phi → Koh Lanta (three or four nights, with Koh Rok) → Koh Ngai, Koh Mook or Koh Kradan in the Trang islands (two or three nights) → Koh Lipe (three or four nights). Leave via Pak Bara and Hat Yai, or continue by ferry to Langkawi. High season only.
3. The northern loop: Phuket → Khao Lak → Similan and Surin
Land at Phuket, transfer straight to Khao Lak, and use it as a base for the Similan and Surin Islands by day trip or liveaboard, with a side trip to Khao Sok. Continue north to Koh Phayam if you have time. Mid-October to mid-May only.
Practical tips for boat days
- Leave buffers. Never plan an international flight for the same day as a long boat crossing; a cancelled sailing can cost you a day.
- Luggage gets wet. On small islands you transfer to a longtail and wade ashore. A backpack or soft bag with a rain cover beats a wheeled suitcase.
- Keep stickers on. Operators put a coloured sticker on you for your destination and call it at each stop. Listen for it.
- Extra charges. Pier fees, longtail shuttle fees and national park fees are often collected in cash on arrival.
- Sit at the back of a speedboat, where the ride is smoothest, and take seasickness tablets before boarding.
- Crossing to Malaysia? Carry your passport on the boat; immigration is done at the beach on Koh Lipe and at the terminal in Langkawi. Malaysia is an hour ahead.
The islands beyond Thailand are not part of this ferry network: India’s Andaman Islands are reached by air via the Indian mainland, and the Mergui Archipelago only by licensed liveaboard, when access allows.
