My two weeks exploring the Andaman Sea islands in Thailand became some of my favourite solo travel experiences — and the start of my Southeast Asia obsession. And honestly, how could it not? Thailand offers everything a traveller could dream of: white-sand beaches, turquoise water, incredible natural scenery, delicious and affordable food everywhere you go, and warm, welcoming locals. 🤗
With over 1,400 islands to choose from, planning a first-time trip can feel overwhelming. From talking to friends and doing endless research, it quickly became clear that not every island would suit the quiet, nature-filled trip I wanted — and that choosing the wrong ones could easily derail the experience. I was looking for peaceful places where I could relax on the beach, take day trips into nature, and enjoy the calm pace of island life. It took a lot of digging to piece together the right itinerary, so if you’re searching for a gentler, more mindful route through Thailand, this guide is for you! ❤️
Over two weeks, I stayed on three of the most beautiful yet laid-back islands in the Andaman Sea: Phuket (Ya Nui), Koh Lanta, and Koh Yao Noi. From these bases, I explored the surrounding islands — including the Similan Islands, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Rok, Koh Haa, Koh Hong, and tiny limestone gems near Krabi like Koh Lao Lading. The snorkelling alone was some of the best I’ve ever experienced. 🐠
When planning where to go in Thailand, the weather quickly became a deciding factor. The country’s most popular islands sit on two opposite coasts: the Andaman Sea side (Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao islands, Koh Lanta, etc.) and the Gulf of Thailand side (Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan). Each coast has its own dry season, which can make choosing your route a little confusing.
The Andaman Sea typically has its dry season from November to April/May, while the Gulf side is driest from January/February to September. Since my trip was in late December, I decided to focus solely on the Andaman coast — and it turned out to be the perfect choice. I enjoyed warm, sunny weather almost every day, while Koh Tao, on the Gulf side, unfortunately experienced severe flooding during the same period. 😬 So it’s definitely worth aligning your itinerary with the seasonal patterns. 🤞
With that out of the way, let’s begin where my journey started: the quiet southern tip of Phuket.
I know what you’re thinking — Phuket and “quiet” don’t usually belong in the same sentence. 🙈 But for my first stop, I chose Phuket for convenience: it’s easy to fly into, and it’s one of the best bases for a day trip to the Similan Islands, which I’d been dreaming about visiting ever since I knew of its existence! 🤩 My plan was simple — recover from the long journey, explore the Similans, and move on.
To avoid the party crowds, I stayed near Ya Nui Beach, a small and peaceful corner of southern Phuket that feels worlds away from Patong. It’s relaxed, local, and a perfect soft landing into Thailand. I based myself at Navatara Phuket Resort, a calm, comfortable hotel close to Rawai Beach and a short shuttle ride from Ya Nui. It was exactly the quiet sanctuary I needed before continuing my journey down the Andaman Sea. 💆🏻♀️
From Phuket, I made my way to Koh Lanta, the island where I spent the bulk of my trip. Getting there was easy — I took a Bolt ride to Rassada Pier, boarded the Phi Phi Cruiser, and after a brief boat transfer on Koh Phi Phi, continued onwards to Koh Lanta. The journey was straightforward, scenic, comfortable, and the perfect way to ease into the next, slower chapter of my Andaman Sea adventure.
I knew I didn’t want to hop between too many islands — this trip was meant to be a break from my fast-paced London life, after all. After plenty of research, Koh Lanta quickly stood out as the ideal balance: a peaceful, slow-paced island where I could properly unwind, yet with enough excursions and nature activities to keep things exciting when I wanted a bit more adventure.
What truly makes Koh Lanta worth an extended stay is its calm, spacious feel: long, quiet beaches perfect for morning walks, a relaxed atmosphere that feels especially safe for solo female travellers, easy scooter-friendly roads, excellent snorkelling day trips, and beautiful national parks with jungle trails. It’s the kind of place where you can do as much — or as little — as you like.
The east side of Koh Lanta is lined with two main stretches of beach: Pra-Ae Beach (also known as Long Beach) in the more developed north, and Klong Nin Beach further south. I split my stay between the two — Lanta Pearl Beach Resort for the first 5 nights, followed by Lanta Intanin Resort further south for 3 nights. There are lots of hotels dotted along the shoreline, usually just a short walk from the sea. I much preferred my stay on the southern side: my room was larger and more comfortable, the area was noticeably quieter, and it was more fun to explore the hilly terrain and the smaller, secluded beaches that make the south of the island so charming.
After 8 relaxing nights on Koh Lanta, I continued my journey to Koh Yao Noi for the final leg of my trip in Thailand. I took a direct speedboat, and the 2-hour ride was surprisingly smooth. It was the perfect, peaceful transition from the wide-open beaches of Lanta to the quiet, rural charm of Koh Yao Noi.
Nestled between Phuket and Krabi, Koh Yao Noi is a small, peaceful island where time slows down. Still deeply local, it features quiet villages, rice paddies, fishing communities, and unspoiled beaches framed by dramatic limestone cliffs. The gentle pace makes it perfect for unwinding, reconnecting with nature, or exploring mindfully — from kayaking through Phang Nga Bay to strolling empty shores or watching the sunrise over the Andaman Sea. Just a half-hour speedboat from Phuket's Bang Rong Pier, it’s an ideal place to start or end your trip, offering a calm, authentic introduction—or relaxing finale—to your Andaman Sea adventure.
Most hotels and resorts on Koh Yao Noi are concentrated on the east side, where the sandy beaches are, while the west side is quieter, with accommodations perched on cliffs overlooking mangroves and Phang Nga Bay. Since I booked my stay relatively late over New Year’s Eve, many east-side options were either fully booked or prohibitively expensive. I ended up at Purana Resort Koh Yao Noi on the west side — and it quickly became my favourite stay of the entire trip. The views were simply breathtaking, the food divine, and the staff treated every guest like family. Add in stunning villas and infinity pools overlooking the lime-stone islands of Phang Nga Bay, and it was hard to leave!
I was definitely sad to leave Koh Yao Noi — and Thailand as a whole — but when the time came, the journey back was quick and easy: a speedboat to Phuket followed by a Bolt to the airport. I even managed to squeeze in a massage before my flight, the perfect end to a memorable trip!
These two weeks through the Andaman Sea were such an unforgettable journey for me — from the quiet beaches of Phuket and a breathtaking snorkelling trip to the Similan Islands, to the slow, peaceful days on Koh Lanta with island-hopping adventures, and the soulful, nature-filled moments on Koh Yao Noi and Phang Nga Bay islands. I hope sharing it gives you a little inspiration to explore these islands at your own pace, discover hidden gems, and create your own mindful, meaningful adventures. 🌺
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Journey with Junyuan