The Andaman Coast: Phuket
Use Phuket for the airport and one good beach day, then boat out to Phi Phi, whose karst towers and green lagoons survive every crowd that comes to see them.
- Best forBeach lovers · Divers & snorkellers · Couples
- In January28°C · 6 rainy days · sea 29°C
- Ideal stay10–14 nights
- Approx. flying time~17h 10m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyTHBThai baht
- LanguageThai
- Local time16:256h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType A / B / C / OBring an adapter
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+66
Why go
Limestone rises straight out of the Andaman Sea in towers and stacks, and the coast between them is a run of white sand, mangrove and warm shallow water. Phuket carries the airport, the traffic and the large resorts; Phi Phi supplies the cliff scenery and the day boats; Ko Lanta stretches out long, quiet, west-facing beaches. Snorkelling, longtail boats and sunset set the daily rhythm.
Ten days to a fortnight suits an island-hopping trip, moving by ferry with a night or two of overlap. November to March is the dry, calm window; the monsoon from May to October brings swell, rain and reduced boat services. Distances are short but transfers eat time. Anyone hoping for deserted beaches should aim beyond Lanta, towards Ko Jum or the Trang islands.
- Ideal stay
- 10–14 nights
- The vibe
- Karst, longtail, slow-burning
From our guides
Finish on laid-back Ko Lanta, where long golden beaches face the sunset and the pace drops to a stroll. November to March is the window; seas are flat and the light is extraordinary.
Featured in Ten island-hopping routes for the perfect beach fortnight
Things to do
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Maya Bay
The cove on Phi Phi Leh made famous by film, now managed with visitor limits, a fixed access point and seasonal closures to let the reef recover.
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Ko Lanta's west coast
A sequence of long sand beaches from Klong Dao south to Kantiang Bay, all facing the sunset, with the quieter stretches at the southern end.
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Railay and Ton Sai
Boat-access-only peninsulas near Krabi, ringed by limestone walls that make this one of Asia's best-known rock-climbing areas. There is no road in.
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Phang Nga Bay
A drowned karst landscape of sheer islets north of Phuket, explored by longtail or sea kayak, including caves you paddle into at low tide.
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Old Phuket Town
Sino-Portuguese shophouses in faded pastels, with a Sunday walking street, coffee shops and the local Hokkien noodle dishes.
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Ko Rok and Ko Haa
Day trips from Lanta to uninhabited islands with clear water, coral gardens and the best snorkelling and diving in the area.
Getting there
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Fly to
Phuket (HKT)
Nearest airport to Phuket, about 20km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Phuket
Phuket (HKT) is around 45 minutes to an hour by taxi or minibus to the west-coast beaches, longer to Phuket Town in traffic. Ferries onward to Phi Phi and Ko Lanta leave from Rassada pier.
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On the ground
Getting around
Ferries and speedboats connect Phuket, Phi Phi and Ko Lanta through the November to April season, with legs of one to two hours. Phi Phi is car-free and walked or reached by longtail; Ko Lanta's beaches string along one road served by scooters and taxis.
Public transport: Boats do the island hopping reliably in season; on land it is songthaews, taxis and scooters rather than buses.
Flights
Los Angeles Phuket, Thailand
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Roughly 17h 10m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 27°C in October to 29°C in April. Driest in January and February; wettest in October, with rain on about 27 days. The sea is warmest in May at around 32°C, coolest at 29°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
January28° · rain 6 days · sea 29°Warm with the odd shower.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Everything from beach bungalows and guesthouses to full-scale luxury resorts and villas, with the island hotels heavily resort-led. Hostels are common in Phuket and Phi Phi.
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Best base overall
Kata or Karon, Phuket
Good swimming beaches close to the airport road and the boat piers, with every grade of hotel. Less frenetic than Patong, though the main road behind is still busy.
Find stays in Kata or Karon, Phuket -
Best with children
Long Beach, Ko Lanta
A wide, calm stretch of sand with low-rise resorts and shallow water for most of the tide. The island is sleepy, so expect resort dinners rather than a choice of restaurants.
Find stays in Long Beach, Ko Lanta -
Best for nightlife
Patong, Phuket
Bangla Road delivers exactly what its reputation promises, with the island's cheapest rooms behind it. Noisy until very late and not remotely a family choice.
Find stays in Patong, Phuket -
Best for couples
Tonsai and Long Beach, Ko Phi Phi
Stay a night to see the karsts at dawn without the day boats. Tonsai is a party village, so pick a resort on the far side of the isthmus for quiet.
Find stays in Tonsai and Long Beach, Ko Phi Phi
Worth knowing before you book: Christmas and New Year rates on all three islands run far above the rest of the season, often with compulsory gala dinners. Monsoon closes many Phi Phi and Lanta places from May.
Search everything else in Phuket by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Timing
- The dry season runs November to March. Monsoon months bring strong currents and red flags on the west-coast beaches.
- Swimming
- Rip currents are common on Phuket's west beaches. Take the warning flags seriously and swim where lifeguards are posted.
- Ferries
- Boats between Phuket, Phi Phi and Lanta run to a reduced timetable out of season and can be cancelled in poor weather.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples, remove shoes indoors, and treat images of the Buddha with respect.
- Sun and reef
- The sun is fierce even when hazy. Reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest and a hat work better than repeated applications.
Similar places
Radhanagar Beach
Havelock, Andaman IslandsAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 28°C in January, as here · cheaper to stay
The Grenadines: Bequia
Mustique and the Tobago CaysAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 26°C in January (28°C here)
Flamenco Beach
Culebra, Puerto RicoAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 26°C in January (28°C here)
Nearby destinations
Koh Yao Noi
Thailand · 36km away →
Railay Beach
Krabi, Thailand · 54km away →
Koh Lanta
Thailand · 88km away →
Koh Lipe
Thailand · 192km away →
Langkawi
Malaysia · 236km away →
Koh Phangan
Thailand · 272km away →Elsewhere in Thailand
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit The Andaman Coast: Phuket?
Daytime highs run from about 27°C in October to 29°C in April. Driest in January and February; wettest in October, with rain on about 27 days. The sea is warmest in May at around 32°C, coolest at 29°C.
How long should I spend in The Andaman Coast: Phuket?
Our suggestion: 10–14 nights.
How do I get to The Andaman Coast: Phuket?
Phuket (HKT) is around 45 minutes to an hour by taxi or minibus to the west-coast beaches, longer to Phuket Town in traffic. Ferries onward to Phi Phi and Ko Lanta leave from Rassada pier.
Do I need a car in The Andaman Coast: Phuket?
No. Boats do the island hopping reliably in season; on land it is songthaews, taxis and scooters rather than buses.
What currency and language are used in The Andaman Coast: Phuket?
Currency: Thai baht (THB). Language: Thai. Plugs: type A and B and C and O.
Who is The Andaman Coast: Phuket best for?
Best for beach lovers, divers & snorkellers and couples. In a phrase: karst, longtail, slow-burning.