Southern Thailand
What Does the South Offer?
Paradise for beach, diving and relaxation lovers
Beaches & Islands
- ποΈ Hundreds of paradise islands to choose from
- π€ White sandy beaches
- π Turquoise, warm water
- β΅ Longtail boats everywhere
- π Incredible sunsets
Activities
- π€Ώ Snorkeling and diving
- πΆ Kayaking in lagoons
- π§ Rock climbing (Railay Beach)
- π€ Island hopping
- π Surfing (seasonal)
Relaxation
- π Thai massage on the beach
- π§ Yoga retreats
- π Bungalows over water
- π Doing nothing + a book
- πΉ Cocktails at sunset
Ready to plan your adventure?
Stop wasting time researching. Get a ready-made guide or order a personalized travel plan created by someone who lived in Thailand for years.
Ready-Made 2-Week Plans
Complete guides combining Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the South
Bangkok + Chiang Mai
+ Koh Tao & Koh Phangan
Complete plan: city + culture + diving and Full Moon Party!
$5.98
Buy Now β
Bangkok + Chiang Mai
+ Krabi
Perfect combination: city + culture + the most beautiful beaches of the Andaman!
$5.98
Buy Now β
Bangkok + Chiang Mai
+ Phuket
Classic route: city + culture + the largest island with full infrastructure!
$5.98
Buy Now βπ All guides updated for 2025
What Travelers Say
Join hundreds of people who discovered Thailand with my guides
βYour e-book is great! Easy and clear without unnecessary information. I will definitely recommend it to anyone who would like to go to Thailand.β
βJoannaβs travel plan helped us a lot. Thanks to it, we saved stress and enjoyed the trip. I recommend it to people traveling even for the second time!β
βThe travel plan helped me especially with deciding how long to stay in each place and what to see. It was easier to organize my travel plan. For someone traveling for the first time, the information is very helpful and saves time and stress!β
Choose your island
Every island is unique and has its own vibe
Koh Phangan
Full Moon Party + quiet beaches. Perfect for young people and those who want both to party and relax.
Read article βKoh Tao
Paradise for divers! Small, relaxing, best diving spots in Thailand. Perfect for PADI certification.
Read article βRailay Beach
Limestone cliffs and no roads! Accessible only by boat. Rock climbing, kayaking in lagoons, paradise beaches.
Read article βKoh Lanta
Relaxation for couples and families. Long beaches, peaceful, fewer tourists. Perfect for honeymoon or disconnecting.
Read article βKhanom
Hidden gem! Almost zero tourists, authentic Thailand, pink dolphins. For adventure seekers.
Read article βNakhon Si Thammarat
Cultural capital of the South. Temples, history, local food. Not a beach, but fascinating culture.
Read article βPractical Information
Everything you need to know before heading to the South
How Many Days Do I Need?
- 5-7 days β one island comfortably
- 10-14 days β 2-3 islands (perfect!)
- 2-3 weeks β several islands + relaxation
- Check out our ready-made 2-week routes!
How to Get Around?
- Ferry β between islands (2-4h)
- Speedboat β faster but pricier
- Flight + Ferry combos β convenient packages
- On the island: scooter, longtail boat, taxi
- Book in advance during high season!
Season (CRITICAL!)
- Andaman: November-April β
- Gulf: February-September β
- β οΈ Check BEFORE booking!
- In rainy season: rain, rough seas, closed hotels
- Donβt mix coasts in the wrong season!
Budget
- Budget: $20-30/day (hostels, street food)
- Mid-range: $30-50/day (bungalows, restaurants)
- Luxury: $60+/day (resort, spa)
- Cheaper than Bangkok by 20-30%
- Ferry: 300-600 baht ($8-16)
Not sure how to combine cities and islands?
Check out our ready-made 2-week plans β everything planned step by step!
View Ready-Made Routes βReady to plan your adventure?
Stop wasting time researching. Get a ready-made guide or order a personalized travel plan created by someone who lived in Thailand for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Southern Thailand
Which island is the best?
It depends on what youβre looking for:
β’ Party & nightlife: Koh Phangan (Full Moon), Phi Phi
β’ Diving: Koh Tao (best dive sites in Thailand)
β’ Relaxation & romance: Koh Lanta, Railay Beach
β’ Family vacation: Koh Samui, Phuket (north)
β’ Hidden gem: Khanom (almost zero tourists!)
Thereβs no βbestβ β each has a different vibe!
Andaman or Gulf of Thailand?
It depends WHEN youβre going! This is the most important decision.
Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Lanta):
β Best season: November-April
β More dramatic landscapes (limestone cliffs!)
β Slightly more expensive
Gulf of Thailand (Samui, Phangan, Tao, Khanom):
β Best season: February-September
β Calmer waters, shallower beaches
β Cheaper
β οΈ Check the season BEFORE booking β this is CRITICAL!
When is the best season?
ATTENTION: Two coasts = two different seasons!
Andaman:
β
Dry season: November-April (BEST)
β Monsoon: May-October (avoid!)
Gulf of Thailand:
β
Dry season: February-September (BEST)
β Monsoon: November-January (avoid!)
Monsoon = daily rain, rough seas, some hotels closed, ferries cancelled. Donβt risk it!
Can I visit multiple islands?
Yes! This is very popular. Best combinations:
Gulf of Thailand: Koh Tao β Koh Phangan (close, 1h ferry)
Andaman: Phuket β Phi Phi β Krabi/Railay
For relaxation: Koh Lanta + Railay Beach
β οΈ Donβt mix Andaman + Gulf in one trip if one region has monsoon! Stay on one coast.
Minimum 3-4 days per island. For 2-3 islands you need 10-14 days.
How do I travel between islands?
Ferry:
β’ Cheapest option (300-600 baht / $8-16)
β’ 2-4 hours between islands
β’ Book online in advance during high season
Speedboat:
β’ Faster (1-2h) but more expensive (1000-1500 baht)
β’ More rocking β take motion sickness pills!
Flight + Ferry combos:
β’ Convenient packages (flight + transfer + ferry)
β’ Good for Koh Samui, Phuket
Websites: 12go.asia, ferrysamui.com
Are the southern islands expensive?
No! The southern islands are cheaper than Bangkok by 20-30%.
Sample prices:
β’ Bungalow: 800-1500 baht/night ($22-40)
β’ Meal: 60-150 baht ($1.60-4)
β’ Beach massage: 200-300 baht ($5.50-8)
β’ Scooter rental: 200-300 baht/day ($5.50-8)
β’ Ferry between islands: 300-600 baht ($8-16)
Total: $25-50/day for comfortable travel. Budget backpackers: $20-30/day.