Travel Guide
Thailand
An island tour: from Koh Samui to Koh Lipe, from Koh Tao’s clear waters to Phi Phi’s cliffs. Rain, ferries, cheap hostels and the cleanest seas I have ever seen.
In short
Thailand’s southern islands: Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Koh Lipe, Phi Phi, Ao Nang / Railay and Koh Mook. I came for sea, sand and sun; although it was outside the rainy season, I caught frequent rain. Even so, on Koh Tao and especially Koh Lipe I found the clearest water of my life. Hostels are in the 4.5–11 $ range, ferries 13–16 $, island tours 16–33 $. Food 2–3.5 $. Island supermarkets are 2–2.5 times pricier than the city.
Route
Main stops and practical notes from the videos.
Arrival, rain, ferry
The first island. Even though it was not rainy season, it rained for days; the beach and sea plan fell apart. I had to change hotels. Ferry from Koh Samui towards Koh Phangan / Koh Tao ~16 $ (~3 hours). A big island; it feels more like a city than the smaller islands.
Cleanest sea, diving, tours
The best of these islands. The sea is extremely clear; swing, rocky viewpoints, beaches. Hostel / hotel around ~11 $ (4-person air-con room). Island tour with 5 stops ~16 $ (Nang Yuan entry extra ~7.5 $, total ~24 $). Food: stir-fry + rice ~3–3.5 $. Koh Tao → Koh Phangan ferry ~13 $. If you can’t swim, some diving courses may not accept you.
Hostel with a pool, 4.5 $
A hostel with a pool for 4.5 $ is possible. The sea in front of the hotel is sometimes murky (rainwater runoff). You can rent a motorbike and tour the beaches. When booking on Agoda, read the reviews carefully — I ran into a fake / non-existent hotel (7 $ lost). Supermarket prices on the island are high.
Cleanest sea of my life
The clearest water I’ve ever seen. Fine sand, crab tracks, little islets. Hostel ~11 $ (8-person room). 7-Eleven prices are 2–2.5 times the city: water 0.8 $ (0.35 $ in the city). Food ~2.5–3.5 $. The Walking Street is lively. Malaysia’s Langkawi is visible across the water. The national park fee is added on the ferry.
Krabi area
I found Ao Nang beach dirty; boat to Railay ~3 $ each way. A rocky peninsula reachable only by sea. Hong Island tour ~33 $ (after bargaining, normally 40–55 $). Eating in Ao Nang for around 1.8 $ is possible.
Overrated?
I stayed 4 days. Touristy and developed (there’s even a McDonald’s). Long Beach and the others are okay but it feels like an overhyped bubble. A day trip from Phuket may make more sense. Hostel ~6 $ (with water slide + pool). A small landing fee of ~0.6 $ on arrival.
Island of peace
The island where I found the most peace. Quiet, calm, nature preserved, not urbanised. People are smiling. The restaurant opposite the hotel gives a free breakfast. Chicken noodle ~3 $ (normal on the island). A long beach; at high tide the shoreline moves 100 m inland. Tour ~15 $.
Transport, stay and food
Real amounts from the videos (dollars, approximate).
🚌 Transport
| Koh Samui → Koh Tao ferry | ~16 $ |
| Koh Tao → Koh Phangan | ~13 $ |
| Koh Tao island tour (5 stops) | ~16 $ |
| Nang Yuan entry (not in tour) | ~7.5 $ |
| Ao Nang → Railay boat (round trip) | ~6 $ |
| Hong Island tour | ~33 $ |
| Koh Mook tour | ~15 $ |
| Pak Bara boat (bargained) | ~15 $ |
🛏️ Stay & food
| Koh Phangan hostel with pool | ~4.5 $ |
| Koh Tao / Lipe hostel | ~11 $ |
| Phi Phi hostel (with pool) | ~6 $ |
| Stir-fry + rice | ~3–3.5 $ |
| Chicken noodle / main dish | ~1.8–3 $ |
| Island 7-Eleven water | ~0.8 $ (city 0.35 $) |
Island supermarkets and 7-Elevens cost 2–2.5 times city prices. Ferry / boat tickets can be bargained. Rain can come at any time; keep your plans flexible. Prices are converted from baht at about 33.5 ฿ per dollar.
Places to see
Highlights from the videos.
Koh Tao
Clearest sea. Nang Yuan, rocky viewpoints, swing, 5-stop island tour.
Koh Lipe
The cleanest water I’ve ever seen. Fine sand, crabs, little islets.
Koh Mook
Peace. Quiet, nature preserved, friendly people, a long beach.
Railay
Rocky peninsula. Reachable only by boat. Cleaner than Ao Nang.
Hong Island
Lagoon, emerald-green water. Four islands are covered on the tour.
Phi Phi
Touristy and developed. Long Beach, viewpoints. A day tour may be enough.
Photos
Islands, beaches, lagoons.
Videos
Cuts from the Thailand island series.
Islands, sea, clear water
Thailand’s southern islands are worth it despite the surprise rain. Koh Tao and Koh Lipe stand out for their water clarity; Koh Mook is ideal for those seeking peace. Phi Phi can feel touristy and overhyped. Hostels 4.5–11 $, ferries 13–16 $, main dishes 2–3.5 $. Bargain, read the reviews, keep your plans flexible.
Even when it rains, there are islands with crystal-clear sea. Go, see, swim.
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