Andaman Sea Island Hopping: Phuket to Langkawi
Island-hopping south from Phuket through Phi Phi, Railay, Lanta, Koh Mook and Koh Lipe, then crossing the sea to Langkawi in Malaysia.
The most complete one-way island-hopping route in the Andaman Sea, linked entirely by passenger boat with no backtracking. From Phuket you'll go to Phi Phi and Railay, then to Lanta and the Tung Li Islands, and finish at Koh Lipe, where you clear Thai exit immigration before crossing to Langkawi. Most fast boats on the southern stretch run only in high season, so leave buffer time on transfer days. Suited to travelers with plenty of time who love islands and snorkeling.
The southern fast boats generally run from mid-October to May. Koh Lipe to Langkawi service is reduced from about mid-April.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Phuket and Stay in the Old Town
A taxi from Phuket International Airport to the Old Town takes about 1 hour. In the evening, stroll the Sino-Portuguese shophouse district on foot.
Stay: Phuket Old Town
Day 2 · Southern Phuket Loop
Phuket（Wat Chalong、Big Buddha (Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri)、Karon Viewpoint、Promthep Cape）
Hire a driver or rent a car from the Old Town to Wat Chalong, the Big Buddha and Promthep Cape. The full loop is about 60 km.
Stay: Phuket Old Town
Day 3 · Ferry to Phi Phi Island
From the Old Town to Rassada Pier takes about 20 minutes. The passenger ferry to Tonsai on Phi Phi takes about 2 hours.
Stay: Tonsai Village, Phi Phi Island
Day 4 · Longtail Boat Tour of Phi Phi
Krabi Ao Nang（Phi Phi Islands）
Charter a longtail boat at the pier, or join a tour of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, about 5–6 hours.
Maya Bay is closed each year from August to September, and swimming is not allowed in the bay.
Stay: Tonsai Village, Phi Phi Island
Day 5 · Crossing to Railay
Krabi Ao Nang（Railay Beach、Phra Nang Cave Beach）
From Phi Phi, take a passenger boat or speedboat toward Ao Nang, about 1–2 hours. Then transfer to Railay by longtail boat.
Stay: Railay
Day 6 · Koh Hong Island-Hopping Day
Take a speedboat from Railay or Ao Nang for a day of island-hopping, about 6–7 hours round trip.
Stay: Railay
Day 7 · Onward to Long Beach, Lanta
Ko Lanta（Long Beach (Phra Ae)）
From Ao Nang, take a high-season passenger boat, about 2 hours, or a minibus plus ferry, about 2.5 hours, to Lanta.
Stay: Long Beach (Phra Ae)
Day 8 · Koh Rok Snorkeling Day
A speedboat from the pier to Koh Rok takes about 1 hour. Snorkel all day and return in the evening.
Stay: Long Beach (Phra Ae)
Day 9 · Lanta Old Town and Lighthouse Point
Ko Lanta（Mu Ko Lanta National Park、Lanta Old Town）
Rent a motorbike or hire a driver to ride the west coast to Lighthouse Point, about 1 hour, then loop around the east coast to the Old Town.
Stay: Long Beach (Phra Ae)
Day 10 · Koh Mook and the Emerald Cave
Trang & Islands（Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot)）
Take a speedboat south from Lanta to Koh Mook in the morning, about 1 hour. In the afternoon, take a longtail boat into the cave.
To enter Emerald Cave you must swim through the passage at low tide. Your boatman will choose the timing.
Stay: Koh Mook
Day 11 · Snorkeling at Koh Kradan
Trang & Islands（Koh Kradan、Koh Chueak & Koh Waen）
Charter a longtail boat from Koh Mook to Koh Kradan and Koh Chueak, about 30 minutes one way.
Stay: Koh Mook
Day 12 · South to Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe（Sunset Beach、Walking Street, Koh Lipe）
Take a speedboat south from Koh Mook to Koh Lipe, about 2 hours. Transfer to a longtail boat at the floating pier to go ashore.
Entry fees to Tarutao National Park are paid in cash on arrival, so bring enough Thai baht.
Stay: Sunrise Beach
Day 13 · Koh Adang and Koh Rawi
Koh Lipe（Ko Adang、Chado Cliff Viewpoint、Ko Rawi、Ko Hin Ngam）
Charter a longtail boat from Sunrise Beach to Koh Adang, Koh Rawi and Koh Hin Ngam. Round trip takes about 6 hours.
Stay: Sunrise Beach
Day 14 · Cross the Sea to Langkawi
Koh Lipe（Pattaya Beach, Koh Lipe） → Langkawi（Pantai Cenang）
Get your Thai exit stamp at Pattaya Beach, then take the morning boat to Langkawi's Telok Jetty, about 1.5 hours.
Malaysia is one hour ahead of Thailand. Confirm ferry schedules in advance.
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