Thailand island hopping from Koh Rawi to Krabi


Volumes have been published about palm-peppered islands and sugar-coated beaches of tropical Thailand, their writers waxing lyrical about pillow-soft sand and crystalline waters. But with so many coastal choices, it can be a challenge to pick the perfect stretch of sand.

Seasonal weather definitely has a bearing on destination decisions.


The best bet for sunshine on the west coast (Andaman Sea) is November to April; while on the east coast (Gulf of Thailand), it's January to September.

Veteran Thai travelers always check ahead before heading to lesser-visited destinations -- many hotels, resorts and restaurants in non-A-list places close for the low season.

Choosing a full-service beachside base camp to begin a journey is a smart approach.
You can strike out from any number of such bases by using the network of ferries that connect Thailand's islands:

Base camp: Trang or Satun

Beautiful but isolated Koh Rawi is located about 40 kilometers west of Tarutao.

Closest airports: Hat Yai International Airport (HDY), Trang Airport (TST)
Radial islands: Tarutao National Marine Park, Petra National Marine Park, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan

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Koh Mook's Tham Morakot (Morakot Cave) can be accessed only through an 80-meter-long tunnel during low tide, which leads to an open-air chamber surrounded by overgrown cliffs.

To fully appreciate the white sand inside the sea cave and for the emerald green of the pool to really dazzle, visit on a sunny day.

Activities include dugong sighting trips off Koh Libong; island-hopping and stopping off to see the iconic stone arch at Koh Kai; visiting Koh Hin Ngam, a tiny island covered with polished black stones, where a sign warns that a curse will fall on those who remove any pebbles.

There are waterfalls on Koh Adang and Koh Tarutao, the latter with two prison ruins.
Trekkers can hit the trails through the interiors of Koh Ngai (aka Koh Hai) and Koh Sukorn.

For rock climbing and bouldering -- previously only associated with Krabi -- Koh Lao Liang is starting to attract enthusiasts with operators such as Andaman Adventures offering personalized itineraries.

Chill

Tarutao National Marine Park consists of the Tarutao and Adang-Rawi archipelagos, the latter of which is home to the increasingly popular Koh Lipe.

The islands of the Petra archipelago are split between Trang and Satun provinces, and include Koh Libong, Koh Bulon Lae and the twin islands of Koh Lao Liang.

Between them, the two marine national parks include more than 80 islands with countless beaches to discover.

With most of the islands protected under national marine park status, visitors have their pick for scuba diving, snorkeling or just plain lazing on the sand.

It should be noted that the overall lack of tourist development means most of the islands don't have electricity around the clock, nor ATMs, but they do come with bucket-loads of tropical idyll.

Party

There really isn't a nightlife scene to speak of on the offshore islands of the coastal provinces of Satun and north-bordering Trang, with the exception of perhaps Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe.


Stay

International hotel brands don't have a presence here, but there are plenty of lovely independent hotels, from the hip Idyllic Concept Resort on Koh Lipe and Koh Mook Sivalai to the rustic luxury of the Seven Seas Resort on Koh Kradan.

Basic national park accommodation on Koh Tarutao, Koh Adang and Koh Petra, starting from $15 (500 baht) per night, can be booked 60 days in advance through the Department of National Parks website.

Base camp: Phuket or Krabi

It's too bad they don't give out awards for bad travel puns. 'Cause we've got a winner, folks: "Feeling crabby? Go to Krabi."

Closest airports: Phuket International Airport (HKT), Krabi International Airport (KBV)
Radial islands: Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Yai/Noi, Koh Racha, Koh Hae (Coral Island). Regular ferries and speedboats run from Phuket and Krabi to these outlying islands and can be booked through most hotels.

Base camp: Koh Samui

Ang Thong Marine National Park, about 30 kilometers northwest of Koh Samui, is made up of more than 40 small islands.

Closest airport: Samui International Airport (USM)

Radial islands: Koh Phan Ngan, Koh Tao, Koh Nangyuan, Angthong Archipelago

Base camp: Koh Chang

Koh Mak is so small you can walk around the entire island in a few hours.

Closest airport: Trat Airport (TDX), owned and operated by Bangkok Airways. The Soneva Kiri resort on Koh Kood also has a private airstrip with direct flights from Bangkok.

Radial islands: Koh Mak, Koh Kood, Koh Wai, Koh Rang, Koh Chang archipelago

Stay

Bhumiyama and Siam Hut, both on Lonely Beach, showcase the diversity of hotels on Koh Chang.

Over on Koh Mak, Coco Cape offers a range of accommodation within the same resort, including the stilted Baan Chom Klurn, with its large wooden sundeck that cantilevers over the water.

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