The Andaman Coast.

ASIA-PACIFIC/THAILAND/8.0863° N, 98.7500° E

Morning begins with the thrum of two-stroke longtail engines cutting across Phang Nga Bay, where sheer karst towers erupt straight out of green water. Running five hundred kilometres from the Myanmar border down to Malaysia, this western shoreline trades Bangkok's rush for tide tables, charcoal-grilled mackerel, and pungent turmeric curries. Dense rainforest clings to the cliffs above, while coastal highway 4 connects fishing docks, rubber plantations, and quiet island piers.

Last updated 4 Sept 2026

Field notes

Photographs · Wikimedia Commons
Asia-Pacific / Thailand8.09°N 98.75°E
The Andaman Coast — Andaman Islands, Full moon night, Forest by the sea
Andaman Islands, Full moon night, Forest by the sea · Wikimedia Commons
The Andaman Coast — Andaman Islands, Neil, Indian family on the coast during sunset
Andaman Islands, Neil, Indian family on the coast during sunset · Wikimedia Commons
The Andaman Coast — Khao Lak, Andaman Sea, Thailand
Khao Lak, Andaman Sea, Thailand · Wikimedia Commons

What The Andaman Coast is about

Twelve ways to read the region. Pick a town below and you can turn any of these into a timed 1, 2 or 3 day plan.

SOUTHERN SEAFOOD

Fresh blue crab steamed at dawn docks, grilled squid dipped in lime and bird's eye chili nam jim, and dry-fried prawns with crunchy petai beans.

ISLAND HOPPING

Public passenger ferries and private longtails link Phuket Rassada Pier with Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and the quiet limestone coves of Railay.

FIERY CURRIES

Fiery gaeng tai pla fish kidney curry and yellow crab gaeng som simmered with fresh turmeric, green papaya, and tamarind across market stalls.

MARINE RESERVES

Similan and Surin island archipelagos offer world-class drift diving over manta rays and granite boulders, open only between November and May.

HERITAGE QUARTERS

Nineteenth-century Sino-Portuguese shophouses, Baba Nyonya shrines, and old tin-mining heritage lining Thalang Road in Phuket's central old town.

LIMESTONE KARSTS

Towering sea stacks and emerald tidal lagoons inside Phang Nga Bay and Ao Nang, best navigated at slack tide by sea kayak through sea caves.

MORNING MARKETS

Dawn street stalls dishing up crispy deep-fried pa tong go dough sticks, sweet condensed milk kopi, and fragrant southern-style chicken biryani.

MANGROVE FORESTS

Dense coastal estuaries and tidal river networks explored by wooden longboats around Krabi town's mangrove boardwalks and Ao Luk's waterways.

JUNGLE HIKING

Monsoon rainforest trails in Khao Sok and Khao Phanom Bencha national parks leading to hidden limestone sinkholes and cold waterfall pools.

NIGHT BAZAARS

Street carts sizzling with charcoal satay skewers, pad thai kung, and fresh roti canai drizzled with condensed milk at Krabi walking street.

COASTAL TEMPLES

Hilltop shrines like Wat Tham Suea near Krabi, where climbing 1,260 steep concrete steps rewards you with panoramic limestone karst views.

BEACH BAYS

Crescent bays of golden sand sheltered by headlands, from the quiet Casuarina-shaded shores of Koh Phra Thong down to Koh Lipe's Sunrise Beach.

Where to go in The Andaman Coast

The bases worth booking. Each one has its own field guide with 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries.

  1. 01
    Phuket Town

    PHUKET / THAILAND

    Walk Thalang Road for Sino-Portuguese architecture, Baba cuisine, and quiet dawn coffee.

  2. 02
    Krabi Town

    KRABI / THAILAND

    A genuine river hub with excellent night markets, riverside boardwalks, and low-key charm.

  3. 03
    Ao Nang

    KRABI / THAILAND

    The main launchpad for longtail boats heading to Railay Beach and offshore karst islands.

  4. 04
    Railay

    KRABI / THAILAND

    Cliffs cut off road access, leaving world-class rock climbing, quiet coves, and clear water.

  5. 05
    Koh Lanta

    KRABI / THAILAND

    A mellow island of long uncrowded beaches, sea gypsy villages, and chilled sunset shacks.

  6. 06
    Koh Phi Phi Don

    KRABI / THAILAND

    Towering limestone peaks encircle bustling bays, lively party alleys, and clear turquoise seas.

  7. 07
    Khao Lak

    PHANG NGA / THAILAND

    Wide golden beaches and quiet resorts serving as the prime staging post for Similan diving trips.

  8. 08
    Phang Nga Town

    PHANG NGA / THAILAND

    A sleepy provincial capital framed by colossal karsts, offering easy boat trips into the bay.

  9. 09
    Koh Lipe

    SATUN / THAILAND

    Thailand's southernmost Andaman outpost offers vibrant coral reefs right off powdery white beaches.

  10. 10
    Koh Muk

    TRANG / THAILAND

    A laid-back island famous for swimming through the dark cave into the hidden Emerald Cave lagoon.

  11. 11
    Ranong

    RANONG / THAILAND

    A border town known for natural geothermal hot springs, lush rainforest, and boat trips to Koh Phayam.

What to do in The Andaman Coast

Stretching along Thailand's southwest rim, the Andaman Coast pairs dramatic limestone seascapes with rich culinary traditions. Days here revolve around boat schedules, tide charts, and fiery southern bowls of gaeng som. It suits independent island-hoppers, divers heading out to the Similans, and travellers who appreciate waking up to fresh roti and strong kopi by the water.

When to go to The Andaman Coast

November through April brings calm turquoise seas and dry weather, with peak crowds arriving around December and January. May to October brings the southwest monsoon, kicking up rough swells and closing offshore marine parks like Similan, though mainland towns stay quiet, lush, and cheap.

Getting around The Andaman Coast

Highway 4 connects the mainland bases reliably by air-conditioned bus or private rental car. Getting between islands relies on public passenger ferries, speedboats, and longtails departing from piers like Rassada in Phuket or Pak Bara in Satun. Expect island crossings to take one to three hours.