Photo: Mr Binaire via Google
The shape of the week
- The planBase on Phuket's quieter west coast for the first half, take a day out to Phang Nga Bay, then cross to Krabi for Railay, Phra Nang and the islands, saving Phi Phi for near the end and doing the boats early when the sea is calm
- Best baseKata, Karon or Surin on Phuket's west coast first, then Ao Nang or, for the full effect, Railay in Krabi, which is reached only by longtail boat
- The honest noteMaya Bay is every bit as lovely as the photos and just as crowded, so the first boats and the calmer months are when the islands shine; Patong is worth a look but not a base
- Getting aroundTaxi or grab on Phuket, a two hour transfer to Ao Nang, and longtail or speedboat for everything in Krabi; the Andaman sea is calmest and clearest from roughly November to April
Published 31 January 2026. Last reviewed 9 April 2026
Phuket and Krabi sit on the same warm Andaman coast, about a two hour drive apart, and they are far better seen together than apart. Phuket gives you the range, a long west coast of beaches from busy to barely touched, easy food and comfort, and the launch point for Phang Nga Bay. Krabi gives you the drama, the towering limestone of Railay and Phra Nang where the cliffs rise straight out of the sea, and the calmer island hopping that the region is famous for. A week lets you have both without rushing, provided you base on each side in turn rather than crossing back and forth.
This itinerary keeps you on Phuket's quieter west coast for the first half, takes a day out to the sea caves and hidden lagoons of Phang Nga Bay, then moves you to Ao Nang or Railay for the limestone coast and the islands, with Phi Phi saved for near the end. The single most useful habit here is to be on the early boats. The Andaman mornings are calm and clear, the famous beaches are briefly quiet, and the afternoon brings both the day trippers and, in the green season, the chance of a squall. Treat the days as flexible, keep one in hand for the islands in case the sea turns, and let the tides set the pace.
Seven days on the Andaman
Settle in and an easy first swim
Arrive, find your feet and let the first day be gentle. Phuket's long west coast is where the good sand is, and a base around Kata or Karon puts you on a wide, easy beach with calm swimming in the dry months and plenty to eat nearby. Keep day one simple, shake off the flight with a first dip in the warm Andaman, watch the sunset, which the west coast does very well, and have an early dinner. The island rewards a slow start more than a dash to tick things off.
Surin, Kamala, Freedom and Nai Harn
Spend the day finding Phuket's better beaches away from the crowds. Surin and Kamala in the northwest are handsome and more relaxed, Nai Harn at the southern tip is a local favourite with a calm bay, and Freedom Beach, reached by a steep path or a short boat, is the postcard one. Patong is worth a quick look for the buzz, but it is the loud, built up end of the island and makes a better day glance than a base. Move between two or three beaches and let the day be unhurried.
Sea caves, hidden lagoons and the famous islands
Give a day to Phang Nga Bay, the bay of sheer limestone islands north of Phuket. The best of it is by sea kayak, paddling into the hongs, the hidden lagoons inside the islands reached through low sea caves at the right tide. The much photographed James Bond Island is on most tours and is striking, if busy. Go with an early departure to beat the convoy of boats. As an alternative, the snorkelling islands of Coral and Racha to the south make a fine swimming day in clear water.
Transfer to Ao Nang and on to Railay
Move across to the Krabi side, a road transfer of about two hours around the head of the bay to Ao Nang. From Ao Nang a short longtail boat takes you to Railay, the peninsula with no road, where the limestone cliffs rise straight from the sand. Settle in, take an easy first swim, and walk between Railay West, where the sunsets are, and the quieter East. If the climbing scene is your thing, Railay is one of the world's great spots; if not, the beaches alone are reason enough to stay.
The headline beaches of the limestone coast
Give a full day to Railay and its jewel, Phra Nang Beach, a short walk through the cliffs and one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, with soft sand, clear water and a cave shrine at one end. Swim, watch the climbers on the overhanging walls, and take a longtail out to the offshore stacks. This is the day the limestone scenery earns its reputation, so go early to Phra Nang before the day boats arrive, find shade, and let the afternoon drift on the sand.
The Four Islands or the Hong Islands
Take to the water for the islands off Ao Nang. The classic Four Islands run links Poda, Chicken Island with its rock spit, Tup and the Phra Nang area, with snorkelling stops and a sandbar that appears at low tide. The Hong Islands, a little further out, are quieter, with a sheltered lagoon and fine snorkelling. Either makes a lovely day. Go with an early boat, pick a longtail over a crowded speedboat for the slower pleasure of it, and keep an eye on the tide times, which shape the trip.
Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and the finale
End with Phi Phi, the islands that made this coast famous. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh is open again under tighter rules and is as stunning as ever, with Pileh Lagoon's emerald water and Bamboo Island's white sand close by. It is also busy, so take the earliest boat you can. Note that Maya Bay closes to beach landings each year during the monsoon, typically from 1 August to 30 September, when you still cruise past it. Save Phi Phi for a calm day and let the islands be the high note of the week.
The practical notes
| What | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Best base | Kata, Karon or Surin on Phuket's west coast first; then Ao Nang or Railay in Krabi |
| Headline beaches | Surin, Nai Harn and Freedom on Phuket; Railay and Phra Nang in Krabi; Maya Bay and Bamboo Island on Phi Phi |
| Getting around | Taxi or grab on Phuket, a two hour transfer to Ao Nang, longtail and speedboat for the islands; Railay has no road |
| Best hours | The early boats, before the day trippers arrive and while the sea is calmest and clearest |
| When to go | November to April for the calm, clear dry season; the green season is cheaper and quieter but wetter |
| Good to know | Maya Bay closes to landings each year, typically 1 August to 30 September; keep a flexible day for the islands |
Plan your day on the sand
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The Andaman week, answered
Is 7 days enough for Phuket and Krabi?
Seven days pairs the two well. It lets you give the first half to Phuket's quieter west coast beaches, take a day out to Phang Nga Bay, then cross to Krabi for Railay, Phra Nang and an island hopping day or two, with Phi Phi as the finale. Splitting the week between a Phuket base and an Ao Nang or Railay base keeps the boat rides short and the pace easy.
Do you have to choose between Phuket and Krabi?
Not in a week. They sit on the same Andaman coast about a two hour drive apart, and they play to different strengths. Phuket has the range of beaches, food and easy comfort, while Krabi has the dramatic limestone scenery of Railay and Phra Nang and the calmer island hopping. Doing both, with a base on each side, is the more rewarding trip than picking one.
How do you get from Phuket to Krabi and Railay?
Phuket to Ao Nang in Krabi is roughly a two hour road transfer by taxi or minivan around the head of Phang Nga Bay. Railay itself has no road, so from Ao Nang or Krabi town you take a short longtail boat, which is part of its charm. Ferries also run between Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi in the calmer months. Exact times and schedules are best confirmed locally.
Can you visit Maya Bay, and is it worth it?
Yes, Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh is open to visitors again under tighter rules, and it is as beautiful as the photographs. It is also very busy, so the early boats and the calmer months reward you most. Note that the bay closes to beach landings each year during the monsoon, typically from 1 August to 30 September, when you can still see it from the water. Conditions and rules are set locally and can change.
When is the best time for a Phuket and Krabi beach trip?
The dry northeast monsoon, roughly November to April, brings the calmest, clearest Andaman sea and the easiest island hopping, with the turn of the year busiest and priciest. May to October is the green season, cheaper and quieter but wetter, with rougher seas that can cancel boat trips. Conditions are typical and never guaranteed, so build in a flexible day for the islands.