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Here’s How to Actually Explore Thailand’s Andaman Coast

Here’s How to Actually Explore Thailand’s Andaman Coast [+ Insider Tips!]

| Last Updated: May 2024

Sure, Thailand’s famous for its beautiful beaches, but if you’re planning a dream tropical getaway, we think there’s nothing better than the Andaman Coast! 

This stunning coastline is basically paradise, plus the vibe is hard to beat. Friends we take there always need to pick up their jaws from the floor upon seeing turquoise waters, actually.

So, to help you plan your trip, we crafted this essential guide that’s packed with insider info so you won’t get major FOMO on your vacation. Let’s get started!

Things to Know

Time Zone: Indochina Time (UTC/GMT+7)

Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)

Language: Thai (Central Thai)

Calling Code: (+66)

Location: Andaman Sea

Nearest Major Islands: Phuket, Krabi

Operating Hours: 24/7

Best Time to Visit Andaman Coast in Thailand

It’s best to visit the Andaman Coast in Thailand from December to February because the weather is cool and dry during these months. That also means you won’t have to worry about rainfall ruining your beach and island activities.

Since these months offer optimal weather conditions, you can enjoy your time at the Andaman Coast the entire day. You can enjoy numerous water sports during the day, the beautiful sunset in the afternoon, and lively beach parties at night.

Then again, it’s all a matter of choice. As is usually the case with most of Thailand, the busier months for tourists coincide with fairer weather.

How to Get to Andaman Coast in Thailand

Plane: The Andaman Coast is along Phuket and Krabi, so it’s also accessible from their international airports. That means you can easily get here from anywhere in Thailand in one flight and one taxi ride.

Ferry: The ferries in Phuket and Krabi are your best options to reach off-coast locations on the Andaman Coast like Similan Islands, Phi Phi Islands, and Koh Lipe. You can board the daily ferries at Phuket’s Rassada Pier Terminal or Krabi’s Klong Jilad Pier.

Island or Boat Tour: This method is more convenient since you get a private service to your selected destination on the Andaman Coast. Most tours have pick-up services, so you only need to wait at your hotel or the airport.

From your pick-up location, a shuttle will take you to the beaches on the Andaman Coast or to a marina where you can board a speedboat to your chosen island.

What to See and Do in Andaman Coast, Thailand

Enjoy hopping between the gorgeous beaches in Phuket

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Directions

The best thing about the Andaman Coast is that it gives you the best chance to enjoy the gorgeous beaches in Phuket. There are at least 20 must-visit beaches on the island, so you have plenty of options for your beach-hopping bucket list.

This includes busy and party-filled beaches like Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, and Paradise Beach. If you like to vacation in peace, by the way, there are also some tranquil paradise beaches in Phuket worth considering.

Think Surin Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Nui Beach, Freedom Beach, and Ao Yon Beach. Between these beaches, you can enjoy numerous water activities like swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, paddleboarding, and more.

Book a day tour of Ao Phang Nga National Park

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Address: 80 หมู่ที่ 1 ถนน บ้านท่าด่าน Ko Panyi, Mueang Phang-nga District, Phang-nga 82000, Thailand

Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +6676 481 188

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Aophangnga

Admission Costs: 300 baht (Adults), 150 baht (Kids)

A visit to the Andaman Coast in Thailand isn’t complete without booking a day tour of Ao Phang Nga National Park. This park is perfect if you like canoeing, swimming, snorkeling, and cave exploration.

Some must-visit attractions within the park include James Bond Island, Ice Cream Cave, Koh Panak, and Koh Panyi. These are inside a 400-square-kilometer border, so expect to go on numerous boat rides while hopping between the islands and islets.

James Bond Island, in particular, is Ao Phang Nga National Park’s most popular and most photographed attraction. Its highlight is a unique and precarious-looking limestone pillar with a slim shaft that was featured in a James Bond movie, hence the name.

Arrange a boat trip to the Phi Phi Islands

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Address: Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand

Operating Hours: 24/7

Admission Costs: 20 baht

If your ideal Andaman Coast vacation includes a trip to a paradise island, there’s the Phi Phi Islands. This island group is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations, so expect to see mixed crowds of visitors from all over the world.

Phi Phi Islands has everything you’ll ever want from a paradise island: pristine beaches, warm ocean water, excellent diving spots, and buzzing nightlife. We recommend spending several days to enjoy the experience on these islands to the fullest.

There are beach resorts and hotels on the main Phi Phi Don Island, so there are plenty of options for accommodation. Moreover, you’ll find travel agencies offering boat tours to nearby islands within the Andaman Sea.

Explore Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi

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Address: Ko Yao District, Phang-nga, Thailand

Operating Hours: 24/7

Admission Costs: Free

For avid travelers, Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi are two neighboring islands within the Andaman Coast in Thailand that are a must-visit. These huge islands have numerous attractions: beaches, dive sites, nature trails, mangrove forests, and more.

Our team was particularly delighted to explore the island’s dense mangrove forest on a kayak. Aside from that, you can also explore its rich nature by booking an on-site ATV tour.

This tour will take you through the lush jungles and hillside trails in Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi. More often than not, it’s bound to leave you wishing you had more time to explore such a breathtaking dream destination. 

Admire the Andaman Sea through the Similan Islands Marine National Park

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Address: Lam Kaen, Thai Mueang District, Phang-nga 82210, Thailand

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 7645 3275

Website: http://similan-islands.com/

Admission Costs: 500 baht (Adults), 300 baht (Kids)

The marine lovers on our team say this place offers the best look at the rich underwater resources on the Andaman Coast. It’s a marine park, so expect to see numerous wildlife within its coastlines, dive sites, and snorkeling spots.

Think birds, monitor lizards, coral reefs, schools of fish, and turtles. Scuba diving, in particular, is a must-try when visiting the park since it’s the best way to spot rare marine animals. 

From January to March, the marine park’s dive spots even attract whale sharks. This park is home to over 50 marine species, from sharks to rays, eels, filefishes, mail-cheeked fishes, pufferfishes, perch-like fishes, tunas, seahorses, and pipefishes.

Go on a peaceful retreat at Koh Lipe

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Address: Mueang Satun, Satun, Thailand

Operating Hours: 24/7

Admission Costs: Free

Koh Lipe is one of the most beautiful hideaways along the Andaman Coast in Thailand, so we think it’s worth visiting while you’re here. It’s within Tarutao National Marine Park, so expect to see scores of coral reefs in its surrounding waters.

That makes it ideal for snorkeling and diving activities. Besides that, the island is also great for party-goers because of its lively nightlife, beach bars, and fire dance shows.

It’s not as chaotic as popular places like the Phi Phi Islands, so this charming island is still excellent for relaxation and peaceful vacations. That only means you have a solid party option here when you feel like it.

Spend your days lazing around Batok Beach in Koh Racha Yai

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Address: Rawai Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Operating Hours: 24/7

Admission Costs: Free

Batok Beach, also known as Patok Beach, is one of the most stunning white sand beaches on the Andaman Coast in Thailand. In fact, this beach ticks a lot of boxes: fine white sands, crystalline waters, lush jungle coastlines, luxury resorts, and more.

That makes it a solid and well-rounded vacation destination. Some of the activities here include swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

You can even enjoy them for free if you’re booked at the luxurious Racha Resort. Rental gear and equipment for these activities are complimentary for the first hour at the resort’s watersports center.

Join a canoeing or kayaking tour from Krabi

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Directions

If you’re in Krabi, you can enjoy the best canoeing and kayaking spots on the Andaman Coast like Hong Island and Daeng Island. Hong Island is particularly popular for its impressive sea caves and limestone cliffs.

Its sea caves are packed with stalactites that offer a unique sight which we think is worth a look. The island is also well-known for its turquoise lagoon perfect for swimming activities.

Aside from that, the island’s fine white sands are also great for seaside picnics. We recommend staying here until the afternoon to witness its glorious sunset view.

Check out the beautiful beaches in Khao Lak

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Directions

Though Phuket is the go-to place for beaches on the Andaman Coast, you can’t discount the beaches in Khao Lak as well. There are 11 beaches here to watch out for like Poseidon Beach, Khuk Khak Beach, Bang Niang Beach, Nang Thong Beach, etc.

We particularly liked Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park’s Small Sandy Beach. This hidden gem has a lot to offer: rock formations, golden sands, crystal-clear waters, toilet facilities, and a lush jungle. 

It’s also never crowded, so a peaceful stay here is all but guaranteed. And that goes for all year through. 

Where to Eat in Andaman Coast, Thailand

Basil Bistro Bar & Restaurant

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Address: 125/68, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand

Operating Hours: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 80 915 4265

Website: https://www.facebook.com/basilbistrobarandrestaurant/

Prices: ฿

This top-rated Thai restaurant in Phi Phi Islands is perfect for tourists who want to enjoy excellent food at a great value. Basil Bistro Bar & Restaurant’s specialty is classic curry dishes.

Think massaman curry, green curry, yellow curry, red curry, and panang curry. These cost 99 baht per serving which is cheap considering the restaurant is on an island.

Khao Tom Thanon Di Buk

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Address: 185 11 Phangnga Road, Taladyai Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 81 535 9302

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057607984101

Prices: ฿

Khao Tom Thanon Di Buk is one of the best traditional restaurants in Phuket Town, so it’s worth checking out since it’s close to the Rassada Pier Terminal. That means you can make a quick stop here before heading to your Andaman Coast adventures.

It has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, so expect high-quality food at affordable prices. Take note that this restaurant specializes in khao tom (aromatic porridge cooked in a secret Chinese-style broth) which is a fan favorite.

Bussaba Thai Restaurant

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Address: 4/54 Moo 7 Phetkasem Road (Opposite McDonalds), Khuekkhak, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga 82190, Thailand

Operating Hours: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 76 673 127

Prices: ฿฿

If you enjoy classic Thai dishes, Bussaba Thai Restaurant won’t disappoint. They serve excellent chicken satay, massaman curry, pad Thai, tom yum goong, tom kha gai, spicy Thai salads, and more.

It’s close to the night market in Khao Lak’s Nang Thong Beach, so it’s easy to access if you’re looking for a decent meal (at a cost, of course).

Where to Stay in Andaman Coast, Thailand

Siray Le View

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Address: Soi Chobdee, Ratsada, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 88 030 2299

Website: https://www.facebook.com/SoViewPhuket?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Prices: ฿

Siray Le View in Phuket is a great base of operations for your journey along the Andaman Coast. Two things stand out in this palace: first, it’s cheap, and second it’s close to Rassada Pier Terminal.

That makes it ideal for several days or weeks of vacation. It also means a great advantage for you as you have quick access to ferries going to the numerous attractions in the Andaman Sea

The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa

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Address: 21, Ratsada, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 335 600

Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hktwi-the-westin-siray-bay-resort-and-spa-phuket/overview/

Prices: ฿฿

This luxury resort’s facilities are top-notch! Of course, that means staying here is more costly, but we think the upgraded services and comfort are definitely worth the extra penny.

Since it’s close to the Rassada Pier Terminal, you can better plan your tour of the Andaman Coast from this hotel. That should be a great advantage on your part, plus, you get to enjoy a 5-star treatment during your stay. 

The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani

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Address: 10, 18 Phet Kasem Road, Tambon Khuekkhak, Takua Pa District, Phang-nga 82220, Thailand

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 428 800

Website: https://www.thesandskhaolak.com/

Prices: ฿฿

This luxury resort is the ideal gateway to the Similan Islands and the Khao Lak beaches. It’s a 5-star hotel, so expect to get the best facilities here during your Andaman Coast adventures.

Think massive water slides, huge outdoor pools, poolside bars, restaurants, wellness centers, and more. Plus, The Sands Khao Lak doesn’t charge premium prices, so staying here won’t badly hurt your wallet.

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