What is the Andaman coast in Thailand?
The Andaman coast is the western shore of southern Thailand, where the land meets the Andaman Sea. It runs from Ranong in the north, past Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Trang, to Satun near the Malaysian border. Picture limestone walls over green water: that is this coast.
Six provinces share this coast: Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Each has its own character. Phuket is the busy hub with the main airport and the most luxury resorts. Phang Nga and Krabi bring the limestone cliffs. Trang and Satun are quieter and further from the crowds.
Many searchers mix this coast up with India's Andaman Islands. They are different places. India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands sit far out to the west in the same sea, under Indian rule and Indian visa rules. Here we stay on the Thai side, a short flight from Bangkok.
The coast also differs from Thailand's other beach region, the Gulf coast around Koh Samui. The two sides have opposite rainy seasons, so our advice is to choose your island by month rather than by name.
Our call: split an Andaman trip into two parts. First, a few nights in Phuket for the dining, the spa and an easy arrival. Then a slower island, such as Koh Yao Noi, Koh Lanta or a yacht week, where the days have no fixed plan. Below, we walk the coast from north to south.
Why is the Andaman coast so famous?
The Andaman coast is famous for three things. Tall limestone islands rise straight from green water. The Similan reefs are clear and rich. A long chain of resort beaches faces the sunset. Few coasts in Asia put karst cliffs, dive sites and five-star hotels within an hour of one airport.
The limestone is the signature. The Department of Mineral Resources describes the rock of Ko Tapu, the needle in Phang Nga Bay, as Permian limestone shaped by the sea. The same rock forms the cliffs at Railay and the walls of Phi Phi Leh around Maya Bay. You see it best from a boat in the early morning.
Under the water, the Similan Islands have some of the country's best diving, with granite boulders and coral gardens. The national park opens only in the dry season, so a visit takes planning.
The food is a reason to come too. The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2026 gives PRU in Phuket one star and a Green Star, and Aulis at Natai in Phang Nga one star. Both use produce from their own farms and local fishermen.
When is the best time to visit the Andaman coast?
The best time to visit the Andaman coast is December to March. Thai Meteorological Department records for the Phuket station show February is the driest month, with about 24 mm of rain. September is the wettest, with about 350 mm. The wet season runs from May to October.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand warns of large waves and rip currents on Andaman beaches from May to October. A red flag means do not swim. Phuket's governor has warned about visitors who ignore the red flags, so our drivers and hosts point them out on the first day.
Park calendars matter too. The Similan Islands open from 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027. Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September. In Trang, the Hat Chao Mai park closed Koh Muk and Koh Kradan from 1 August to 30 September 2026. For month-by-month detail, read our Thailand weather guide.
If your dates fall in the wet months, consider the Gulf coast instead. Koh Samui is wettest in November, so its dry stretch runs from February to April and its summer months are often fine.
Phuket and its beaches
Phuket is the Andaman coast's main base and Thailand's largest island. It has the region's busiest airport and the widest choice of luxury resorts and private villas. Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi are short boat rides away. Most first trips to this coast start here, then add a quieter island.
The west coast holds the best beaches, and each has its own mood. Here are the areas we suggest most often.
Bang Tao and Laguna. A long bay with a resort complex behind it, good for families and golf. Banyan Tree Phuket sits here. Read our Bang Tao guide.
Mai Khao. The quiet north, close to the airport, with long beaches and few crowds. JW Marriott Phuket and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas sit here.
Surin. A short, smart beach with deeper water and some of the island's most private hotels, including Amanpuri and The Surin Phuket. Trisara is on its own cove just north. See our Surin guide.
Kamala. A calmer bay between Surin and Patong, with Keemala in the hills and Hyatt Regency Phuket by the water. More in our Kamala guide.
Rawai and Nai Harn. The far south, with sea views, seafood by the pier and a local feel. It is our favourite corner for a villa stay. Read the Rawai and Nai Harn guide.
Kata and Cape Panwa. Kata Rocks sits above Kata Beach with sea-view villas. On the south-east tip, Sri Panwa looks out over the islands from its own cape.
Phuket Old Town. Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés and good Thai food, best on a late afternoon walk. See our Old Town guide.
Patong is the island's nightlife centre, and Rosewood Phuket has a quiet corner of its bay. For the full picture of the island, start with our Phuket guide. Rosewood says the airport is about 40 km away, a drive of 60 to 90 minutes. We plan arrivals outside the rush hours.
Phuket also has the coast's best choice of private villas. They range from three-bedroom homes on the hills to beachfront estates of about 10 bedrooms for about 20 guests. A villa gives a family or group their own pool, chef and staff. Villas are paid in full at booking, so Tanner checks every detail, with real photos and a written contract, before you pay.
What does Phang Nga offer beyond Phuket?
Phang Nga is the province just north of Phuket, and it holds the coast's most dramatic scenery. Phang Nga Bay is a shallow sea of limestone islands and sea caves. Khao Lak is a long, quiet beach coast. Koh Yao Noi is a calm island in the middle of the bay.
Phang Nga Bay. The bay is a national park, and the Department of National Parks places Ao Phang Nga in its ฿300 fee group for foreign adults. The famous sight is Ko Tapu, the rock from the 1974 James Bond film. Go by private boat at first light, ahead of most day tours. Our Phang Nga guide covers the bay in full.
Inside many of the islands are hongs: hidden lagoons open to the sky. You reach them by sea canoe through low caves at the right tide. A guide paddles while you rest and look up. Plan the canoe stop for mid-tide, and the light inside the hongs is soft and green.
Khao Lak. North of Phuket, Khao Lak has long empty beaches and is the base for the Similan Islands. The Sarojin says it is a one-hour drive from Phuket airport. The Sarojin, JW Marriott Khao Lak and Casa de La Flora are the names we use most. Read our Khao Lak guide.
Koh Yao Noi. A rural island of rice fields and fishing villages, with Six Senses Yao Noi on its hillside facing the karsts. It is the best place on the coast for a slow, private week. See our Koh Yao Noi guide.
Natai. A long beach on the mainland just north of Phuket, with large private villas and Aulis, the one-star MICHELIN restaurant. Choose it for space with a short drive to Phuket airport.
Krabi: Ao Nang, Railay, Klong Muang and Phi Phi
Krabi is the province east of Phuket across Phang Nga Bay. It is known for Railay's cliffs, the Phi Phi islands and many island day trips from Ao Nang. Krabi International Airport opened its new terminal on 23 September 2026, which makes arrival easier than before.
Ao Nang. Krabi's main beach town, with restaurants and boat piers for the islands. Avani Ao Nang Cliff says it is about 40 minutes from the airport. Read our Ao Nang guide.
Railay. A peninsula of cliffs and beaches with no road access, so you arrive by boat. Rayavadee fills much of the headland and is one of Thailand's classic resorts. See our Railay guide.
Klong Muang. A quiet beach north of Ao Nang with large resorts, good for families who want space. Dusit Thani Krabi says it is 15 minutes from Ao Nang. More in our Klong Muang guide.
Tubkaek. The next bay north, with views of the Hong Islands and small, calm resorts such as The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort and Banyan Tree Krabi.
Phi Phi. Two islands: Phi Phi Don, where people stay, and Phi Phi Leh, home of Maya Bay. Zeavola is now OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort. OUTRIGGER says it is in soft opening, with some villas, a restaurant and the spa still being finished. SAii Phi Phi Island Village is open on Loh Ba Gao Bay. See our Koh Phi Phi guide.
Maya Bay has strict rules. It closes every year from 1 August to 30 September, and swimming there is not allowed. The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists the park fee at ฿400 for a foreign adult. Start with our Krabi guide.
Krabi's best day out is the Hong Islands, where a narrow channel opens into a lagoon walled by cliffs. Go early by private long-tail or speedboat, ahead of most day tours. Read our Koh Hong guide.
Koh Lanta and the Trang islands
Koh Lanta and the Trang islands are the calm southern half of the Andaman coast. The beaches are long, the resorts are smaller and the evenings are quiet. This is the stretch we suggest for couples, families with young children and anyone who wants rest after Phuket.
Koh Lanta. A long island south of Krabi with west-facing beaches. Pimalai on Kantiang Bay, The Houben on the southern cliffs and Layana on Long Beach are the stays we use most. Layana takes guests aged 18 and over. Cars cross by ferry from Ban Hua Hin pier until a bridge opens, due in 2029. See our Koh Lanta guide.
Trang. The mainland province is the gateway to the southern islands, with an airport and a strong food culture. Nok Air suspended its Don Mueang to Trang flights from 27 October to 20 December 2026. Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air still fly the route. Read our Trang guide.
Koh Ngai. A small island with soft sand and clear shallow water, good for a few quiet nights. See our Koh Ngai guide.
Koh Kradan. A thin island with a long white beach and clear water, inside Hat Chao Mai National Park. The park closed it from 1 August to 30 September 2026, so check the dates for your year. More in our Koh Kradan guide.
Koh Muk. The island next to Koh Kradan, known for the Emerald Cave, a sea tunnel that opens into a hidden beach. The park closed the cave from 1 to 30 September 2026, as it does in the rough-sea months.
Koh Lipe and the far south
Koh Lipe is the last island on the Andaman coast, close to the Malaysian border in Satun province. It has white sand, clear water and coral close to shore. The trip is long, so Koh Lipe suits guests who already know Thailand and want the far end of the coast.
Boats leave from Pak Bara pier on the mainland. The Satun Provincial Office says the crossing takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. The 09:30 and 13:30 boats run only from October to May, while the 11:30, 11:45 and 15:00 boats run all year. Some stop at Ko Tarutao or Ko Kai on the way.
Go in the dry season, when the sea is calm. For a smoother trip, we arrange a private speedboat and a car to the pier. Read our Koh Lipe guide.
The Similan Islands and Khao Sok
The Similan Islands and Khao Sok are the Andaman coast's two great nature trips, one at sea and one in the rainforest. The Department of National Parks opens the Similans from 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027. Khao Sok is a rainforest park with a lake, inland from Khao Lak.
Similan Islands. The islands lie off Khao Lak and are known for granite boulders and clear water. The park charges foreign adults ฿500 and children ฿250, on an e-ticket with your passport number. Ko Tachai is closed indefinitely, and daily visitor numbers are limited. Boats leave from Thap Lamu pier, and the Department of National Parks gives about 1 hour 30 minutes by speedboat. Read our Similan Islands guide.
Khao Sok. A national park of limestone peaks and old rainforest, with floating rafts on a large lake. The park closed the Bua Phut and Tham Nam Thalu areas until 30 November 2026. A night or two here makes a strong contrast with a beach week. See our Khao Sok guide.
Park rules apply to both. The Department of National Parks bans sunscreen containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC or butylparaben in national parks, with fines of up to ฿100,000. Drones need the park officer's permission. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, and tell us before you pack a drone.
Sailing the Andaman by private yacht
A private yacht is the best way to see this coast. You wake in a new bay, swim before breakfast and eat lunch on deck under the cliffs. The islands sit close together, so crossings stay short. A five-day route from Phuket covers Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Noi, Krabi's islands and Phi Phi, with time to swim at each stop.
Example plan: five days by yacht from Phuket.
Day 1. Leave Phuket in the morning and cruise to Phang Nga Bay. Kayak into the sea caves ahead of most tour boats.
Day 2. Visit Ko Tapu at first light, then anchor off Koh Yao Noi for a slow lunch ashore.
Day 3. Cross to Krabi's islands and Railay for a sunset swim below the cliffs.
Day 4. Sail to Phi Phi. Land at Maya Bay early, then anchor in a quiet bay for the night.
Day 5. Return to Phuket by early afternoon, in time for an evening flight.
Every crewed yacht we book comes with a captain and crew. Soft drinks, water, ice and seasonal fruit are on board as standard, and snorkel gear depends on the boat and can be added. Tell us what you like to eat and drink, and the boat is stocked before you board.
Park rules shape every route. Boats moor only at buoys or piers, never on coral, and slow to 3 knots near reefs and beaches. Overnight stays on a boat are allowed only in designated areas. Under the Navigation in Thai Waters Act, a boat with more than 12 passengers counts as a passenger vessel. Large groups use two yachts or a bigger licensed boat. See our yacht charter in Phuket page for boats and booking.
Getting there: Phuket, Krabi and Trang airports
Phuket International Airport is the main gateway to the Andaman coast, with Krabi second and Trang for the southern islands. Phuket and Krabi handle international flights, and all three have flights from Bangkok. Choose the airport by where you stay.
Phuket (HKT). Airports of Thailand runs the airport, about 32 km from Phuket Town. Its immigration desks are open 24 hours, and it has a private jet terminal on its own apron.
Krabi (KBV). The Department of Airports runs Krabi, and its new terminal opened on 23 September 2026. Customs and immigration for private flights work set hours on demand, so we file early.
Trang. The closest airport for Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan and the southern islands, with domestic flights from Bangkok's Don Mueang.
Between the islands, public ferries run the main routes. The ferry from Rassada Pier in Phuket to Phi Phi takes about two hours, the ferry company says. A private speedboat is faster and leaves when you are ready.
Private jets can use any public airport with permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, a ground handler and a slot. We arrange all three, and the car to your hotel.
Plan the Andaman with Tanner
Tanner plans Andaman trips around your dates, your group and the season. One planner books the island, the villa or resort, the yacht days, the park tickets and every transfer. Our Thai staff live on this coast. If an island is wrong for your month, we move you to a better one. You get one plan, one contact on WhatsApp and one invoice from VIP Luxury Services.
A typical first trip is four nights in a Phuket villa and a private yacht day in Phang Nga Bay. Then spend three nights on Koh Yao Noi or in Railay. A second trip might add Khao Lak and the Similan Islands, or the quiet Trang islands.
Tell us the dates and the size of your party. We get back to you right away.
