Thailand Beach Paradise - 9 Days

Highlights

• Go island hopping to the best spots in the Andaman Sea
• Enjoy the best beaches in Thailand, from Phuket to Krabi
• Hike through jungles, soak in hot springs, and visit waterfalls

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Phuket, Optional Activities

Welcome to Thailand! You'll arrive in Phuket, one of the hottest beach resort areas in the country. The city is the capital of the southern island of the same name, which is famous for its postcard beaches, inland jungles, Buddhist temples, and raucous nightlife. Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Phuket proper. Feel free to kick back and enjoy the ocean views after your long flight.

If you like, head to one of the area's famous stretches of sand, like Patong, Kata, or Freedom Beach, to enjoy sunbathing and watersports like snorkeling and kayaking. However, the natural highlights of Phuket extend beyond the coast. The island has diverse landscapes, including mountains, limestone cliffs, lagoons, and tropical forests. Many offer great hiking, like the trail up to the Black Rock Viewpoint, which looks out over beautiful Cape Krathing.

Day 2: Day Trip to Phi Phi Islands

Wake up early and embark on a full-day snorkeling/swimming excursion at the famous Phi Phi Islands. You'll transfer to the pier in Phuket around 7:30 am to board a speedboat for an hour's trip to Phi Phi Lee ("Maya Beach"). One of the most stunning destinations in Thailand, Maya Beach is a secluded bay hemmed in by towering limestone cliffs on a romantic isle. If it looks familiar, that's because it was featured in the 2000 film "The Beach."

Once here, you'll take a dip in the water in designated swimming areas and snap photos at other nearby highlights like Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave. On the way north to the larger island of Phi Phi Don, you'll pass Monkey Beach, so named for the community of crab-eating macaques that live here. Upon arrival, you'll have time for snorkeling, followed by a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Later in the afternoon, visit Bamboo Island for more sunbathing, and from there, you'll transfer back to your hotel.

Day 3: Day Trip to Phang Nga Bay

In the morning, head north on a cruise of the famous Phang Nga Bay. From your hotel, transfer to Ao Por Pier, where you'll enjoy tea and coffee before boarding a luxury boat. Then you're off on a scenic cruise north amid the karst islets dotting the Andaman Sea. The first stop when you enter Phang Nga Bay is Panak Island, where you'll enjoy a canoe trip through sea caves and mangroves. Then continue to Hong Island for more canoeing/kayaking. As you paddle, you'll be accompanied by a local guide who will take you to hidden caves and lagoons. Return to the boat for a delicious buffet lunch.

In the afternoon, you'll visit Khao Phing Kan. This romantic island is most known for Ko Ta Pu, a towering limestone islet about 130 feet (40 m) offshore. Its famous nickname is "James Bond Island" because it was a shooting location in the film "The Man with the Golden Gun." On Khao Phing, you'll spend time at a secluded beach for swimming and sunbathing, then around 3:30 pm, return to the boat and transfer back to Phuket.

Day 4: Transfer to Railay, Optional Activities

Your personal driver will pick you up this morning for the 3.5-hour drive north from Phuket and east around the coast to Railay. Located on the Andaman Coast in Krabi Province, Railay is primarily known for its dramatic karst cliffs and mountains, as well as for being a rock-climbing hot spot. Upon arrival at Railay Beach, you'll check in to your hotel and can relax after the long drive.

When you feel up for it, head out for some optional activities. You can rent a kayak and paddle around the offshore islets, take a speedboat tour, and go swimming/snorkeling. Also, Railay is the perfect place for rock climbing, so why not give it a try? There are half-day rock-climbing courses for beginners; or, if you've got a bit more confidence, climb up the seaside karst cliffs with a personal guide. And when the sun goes down, head to the beach for a swim amid electric blue bioluminescence. 

Day 5: Full-Day Island Hopping Tour

Early in the morning, a driver will pick you up from your hotel for a short ride to the pier at Nopparat Thara Beach. Here, you'll begin your full-day island-hopping tour. At the pier, board a boat to Tup Island, which is really two small islets connected by sand bars. When you arrive at low tide, it will be possible to walk between the two. Then, continue to adjacent Ko Kai ("Chicken Island"), a rocky isle shaped like a chicken head fringed with white-sand beaches.

After doing some snorkeling and swimming, enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach at Poda Island, another star islet with turquoise waters, white sands, and towering limestone rock formations. Here, you can swim or just pass the time sunbathing. In the early afternoon, visit Phranang Beach, which features a gaping cave and is also a great place to relax. Around 2 pm, you'll return to Nopparat Thara and then transfer back to your hotel.

Day 6: Railay Beach Day

The day is yours to spend relaxing and swimming at the beautiful beaches around Railay. There are four primary areas around this regional peninsula, each with its own star beaches. For example, Phranang is located on the southern tip of the peninsula and is a dream of powdery white sands, complete with offshore limestone towers and even a beach cave. You can arrive via long-tail boat, and it's perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and even rock climbing.

Or stay close to your hotel and spend the day at Railay Beach West. It offers fine white sands and shallow waters, with the north end being the best area for swimming. The beach is especially beautiful during sunset when the fading light gilds the faces of the surrounding rock cliffs. A nearby option is Railay East, a narrow, mangrove-lined beach on the other side of the peninsula. It's a great place to come for a barefoot stroll in the sand, and after dark, there are parties galore at the many local bars here. 

Day 7: Transfer to Krabi, Optional Activities

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, after which your personal driver will pick you up for the quick drive east to nearby Krabi Town. Like many places in the region, this area is famous for its gorgeous coast, breathtaking beaches, and romantic offshore islands. After checking into your hotel, you can spend the day discovering these delights on your own.

If you like, spend the day relaxing on one of the many beaches, or rent a kayak and paddle down the coast. You can also stroll around Krabi Town and the waterfront of the Krabi River. For great views, hike up to the 19th-century temple of Wat Kaew, which overlooks the city. If traveling with kids, you can take them to the lagoons and hiking trails at Thung Teao Forest Park. When night falls, be sure to visit Krabi Town's bustling night market. 

Day 8: Full-Day Krabi Highlights Tour

In the morning, you'll head out on a tour to visit the highlights in and around Krabi. The adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel and a trip to the stunning emerald pool at the Khao Phra Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary. Walk along the rainforest trails at this nature reserve, then cool off with a refreshing dip in the water.

Continue into the jungles and the nearby Krabi Hot Springs, located about 25 miles (40 km) south of Krabi Town. Also here is Klong Thom, a small waterfall fed by the same water as the hot springs, which hover around 104°F (40°C). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Wat Tahm Suea ("Tiger Cave Temple"). Hike the 1,200 steps to the top for stunning views of Krabi and its surrounding limestone rock formations.

Day 9: Depart Krabi

At the appropriate time, your personal driver will pick you up for the transfer to the airport in Krabi, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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