Epic Andaman Sea Island Hopping - 8 Breathtaking Islands in Thailand

In this Flip Flop Navigator adventure I am island hopping to 8 breathtaking islands with Dad in Thailand’s Andaman Sea.

The rough plan is to visit 8 islands, staying 2 to 3 nights on each island but we have agreed to go with the flow and keep the itinerary extremely flexible so we can adjust as we see fit. We made it to Koh Lipe, Koh Muk, Koh Ngai (Hai), Koh Lanta, Koh Jum (Pu), Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Yai, and Koh Yao Noi. Countless sunsets, tons of fresh seafood, one unforgettable journey. From quiet beaches to crystal lagoons, this is my ultimate island-hopping adventure in Thailand’s Andaman Sea.

00:00 Intro
00:39 Koh Lipe
20:32 Koh Muk
35:10 Koh Ngai (Hai)
45:20 Koh Lanta
53:54 Koh Jum (Pu)
1:03:41 Koh Phi Phi
1:16:19 Koh Yao Yai
1:28:15 Koh Yao Noi
1:38:58 **** Island Ratings ****

The Backpackers’ Paradise Islands are Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, and Koh Lanta

They all attract a younger crowd, they’ve got lively nights, and they match that cinematic image people imagine when they think of a Thai island getaway.

Koh Phi Phi is the busiest of the three, packed with energy from morning to late night.

Koh Lipe is smaller and a little more laid-back, with the same postcard beauty but less chaos.

And Koh Lanta stretches out across a long coastline with small villages scattered along the island, each with its own vibe, from Muay Thai gyms and yoga retreats to chill beach bars and local nightlife.

The Local Fishing Village Islands are Koh Muk and Koh Jum.

Koh Muk was quieter and small enough to walk except for when we went to Charlie Beach for the gorgeous sunsets and took the side car motorbike taxis. You can also take a tour to the emerald cove if it’s not July or August when it is closed for natural revitalization.

Koh Jum also know as Koh Pu in the north, is much larger, and best toured by motorbike. This is one of our two favorite islands for seafood.

The Beach and Nature Lover’s
Paradise is Koh Ngai.

Koh Hai spelled Ngai and sometimes pronounced Koh Ngai is different from the other islands because there are no local villages here—just beachfront resorts and a handful of tiki-style huts along a gorgeous stretch of sand.

There’s a hiking trail that leads to a quiet beach on the far side of the island, where a ranger station and a small resort sit closed during the low season.

If your goal is to relax on a stunning beach, this place is perfect. Hornbills are everywhere, the snorkeling right off the shore is incredible, and you can even join boat trips to Emerald Cove on nearby Koh Jum.

We weren’t able to reach Koh Kradan during the low season because of limited transport and accommodation, but everyone told us it’s similar to Koh Ngai.

Some of the other islands also have private beach resorts where you can create your own beach getaway, but Koh Ngai truly earns the title of Beach Lovers’ Paradise.

The Hidden Gems of the Andaman Sea islands are Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi.

Both islands are spread out so best explored by motorbike, and they’ve got just the right mix of cafés, small hotels, quiet beaches, fishing villages, and niche coffee spots to give them that undiscovered feel. If you’re looking for adventure, each island has a northern side with jungle trails and remote beaches you can reach by hiking or mountain bike.

The hotels here are a bit pricier than on the other islands, probably because they’re only about a 30-minute ferry ride from the resort town of Krabi which makes me think they won’t stay “hidden” much longer, and that Koh Jum and Koh Muk might eventually take over as the next hidden gems of Thailands Andaman Islands.

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