OUR PICKS · ISLAND HOPPING CRUISES IN THAILAND
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 9 island hopping cruises in Thailand worth the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend eight busy but well-paced hours exploring Phang Nga Bay by van and speedboat. You will visit Yao Yai, Panak, Hong, Panyee, Khao Ping Kan, James Bond Island, and Naka Island, with cave walks, sea canoeing, lunch, and beach time. Guides may include Selina, Emma, Habib, or Hanifa.
“Cindy and her team were great. We were very well looked after by them and really enjoyed the day.”
Take a 7-hour Wangsai Speed Boat trip from Krabi or Ao Nang to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island. Guides such as Sanan, Bee, and Eddie have been praised for friendly service, while lunch, snacks, fruit, drinks, hotel pickup, and snorkeling gear are included.
“Eddie our guy has been an absolute diamond. Very informative and very well organised and all the safety measures were good too.”
Spend about eight hours aboard Hype Yacht from Royal Phuket Marina, with sparkling wine, gourmet lunch, Koh Hong lagoon, snorkeling, Koh Lao La Ding, and sunset sailing in Phang Nga Bay. The boat carries up to 18 people and includes towels, soft drinks, fruit, gear, DJ, fees, and Phuket-area transfers.
“I could only highly recommend this tour - boat, dj, crew, route, pickup …. unforgettably moments and fun”
Travel from Krabi with a guide such as Mai to Monkey Cave, James Bond Island, Tham Lot Cave, and the floating village of Koh Panyee. You’ll ride a longtail boat, eat Thai food, and may kayak through sea caves before a final waterfall stop. Expect a full day with substantial road time.
“On the whole it was a good day out and lunch was adequate. People should be aware that the van journey from Ao Nang to the boat launch is 2 hours there and approximately 2 hours back again. The majority of our group opted not to go to the waterfall at the end of the trip as there has been no rainfall for some time and would be a waste of time. Overall as stated before, A nice,well run day out with lovely accommodating people 🙏🌞 Thank you.”
Spend eight hours exploring Phang Nga Bay from Phuket on a steady big boat. Visit Panak Island, kayak through Hong Island caves with a paddler, see James Bond Island, ride a long-tail boat, and eat a Thai buffet lunch with soft drinks and fruit.
“Organizzata benissimo mi sono venuti a prendere dall' hotel, purtroppo nn ho potuto organizzare anche le altre perché non era disponibile essere presi direttamente dall' hotel. Mi sarebbe piaciuta una guida in italiano, per il resto tutto eccellente.”
From your Koh Lanta hotel, an English or Thai-speaking guide takes you by van and speedboat to Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Phi Phi Don, Monkey Island, Viking Cave, and Shark Point. Swim, snorkel, eat a buffet lunch, and expect a busy day shaped by sea and weather conditions.
“Tuvimos algunos imprevistos por los cambios climatológicos y no pudimos ver parte de lo planeado en la excursión, pero es cierto que la guía se demoró en un par de ocasiones, ya que desapareció y eso nos quitó tiempo de visita de otros lugares. El restaurante al que nos llevaron para la comida sin más, poca variedad y sabores no muy buenos.”
Travel from Royal Phuket Marina on a speed catamaran limited to 30 seats. You will canoe around Hong Island, visit James Bond and Phing Kan islands, eat lunch on Panyee Island, walk through a limestone cave, and finish at Palm Beach Club. English guidance, transfers, meals, and water activities are included.
“I’m so glad I went. Crew, snacks, sights, all excellent. It rained but the experience and crew were so amazing it didn’t dampen my spirits. To our guide Latte: you are the absolute best, thank you so much and I hope to see you again! 🩵”
Ride from Krabi to Maya Bay and the Phi Phi Islands with an English-speaking guide, Thai lunch, snorkeling gear, and shared pickup. You’ll swim at Pileh Bay, see Viking Cave, watch for monkeys, and relax on Bamboo Island. Guide Eve is praised for helpful photos and attentive service.
“Our guide Eve was incredibly nice, always offering help to take pictures and coming around checking on us. The trip overall was good, food was very nice and the time was appropriate in each island. I really loved the tour. I would highly recommend them”
Set out from Phuket by speedboat for six island stops, including Koh Panak caves, Hong Island canoeing, James Bond Island, Koh Panyi, and Koh Yao Yai. Guide Spicy leads the day in English or Thai, with hotel pickup, breakfast, buffet lunch, and beach time included.
“Day Tour in Phuket – Island Hopping Adventure I recently joined a fantastic day tour in Phuket that took us by speedboat to six stunning islands. The trip was well-organized and packed with beautiful scenery, clear blue water, and lots of opportunities for snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. Our tour guide, who goes by the name "Spicy," made the experience even more enjoyable. He was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and brought great energy to the group. Thanks to his guidance, everything ran smoothly and we felt well taken care of throughout the day. It was an unforgettable experience and definitely a highlight of my time in Thailand! Enjoy.”
An hour around a harbour, a full day with a swim stop, or a cabin and a sunrise.
