Thailand Islands Guide: Seasons, Ferries and Park Fees

Pick your island by month first. The southwest monsoon covers Thailand from mid-May to mid-October, the northeast monsoon follows to mid-February, and heavy rain lasts in the south until December. Similan and Surin close from 16 May to 14 October, and foreign adults pay THB 400 at Phi Phi.

Choose your island by the month you travel: the south keeps heavy rain until December, and the Gulf side on the east gets more of it than the Andaman side on the west.

Pick the coast for your month

The southwest monsoon covers Thailand from mid-May to mid-October, and the northeast monsoon follows until mid-February. The south is the exception, as heavy rain lasts there until December.

Phi Phi is at its best from November to April, and Koh Tao from February to May. Treat dates as a guide, since the rainy season can start 1 to 2 weeks early or late.

Some islands close for the season. Similan and Surin are shut from 16 May to 14 October, and Maya Bay is closed from 1 August to 30 September. The reopening rules ban swimming at Maya Bay.

Koh Rok closes from 1 June to 30 September, Adang and Rawi in Tarutao close on the same dates, and Ang Thong in the Gulf closes from 1 November to 15 December. Some sites can also change their opening with the weather. The full closure list is in Best Thai islands by month.

Getting there

Boats from Krabi to Phi Phi leave daily at 09:00. In high season, book ahead even though you can buy a ticket at the pier. Route details are in Krabi to Koh Phi Phi by ferry, the Samui, Phangan and Tao ferries, Bangkok to Koh Samui and Bangkok to Krabi.

National park fees

Your fee depends on the park group. A foreign adult pays THB 200 at a Group 2 park, THB 300 at Group 3 and THB 500 at Group 4.

Phi Phi has its own special charge, where a foreign adult pays THB 400 and a foreign child THB 200. Budget for it on top of the ferry. For the full picture, see Thailand national park fees and Maya Bay and the Phi Phi park fee.

Samui, Phangan and Tao

Expect wet days into December here, because Samui, Phangan and Tao sit on the east side of the south. The Koh Samui guide and the Koh Phangan guide take you island by island.

Koh Tao is the diving island, and a PADI Open Water course costs THB 9,900 at Isla Tortuga Divers. Save the diving emergency chamber number, +66 81 081 9777, and read the Koh Tao diving guide before you book.

Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi

For nightlife in Phuket, choose Patong, the largest and most popular beach resort. Kata is a busy, clean tourist beach with good surf, and Phuket Town has the cheapest accommodation. A counter taxi from the airport to Patong costs a fixed THB 800, so the Smart Bus is the cheap way in. See the Phuket guide.

In Krabi, Ao Nang is the busiest beach in high season, and Railay can only be reached by boat. The Krabi and Ao Nang guide has the details. For Phi Phi, open the Koh Phi Phi guide. Other islands have their own pages: Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, the Similan Islands and Koh Chang.

Pattaya and Hua Hin

For a beach break near Bangkok, Pattaya works well. The Koh Larn ferry costs 40 baht per person on a single fare, and the Sanctuary of Truth day tour is 500 baht for adults. Around Hua Hin, a foreign adult pays THB 300 at Kaeng Krachan National Park. See the Pattaya guide and the Hua Hin guide.

Beach rules and safety

Smoking is banned on listed beaches, except in an area officials have provided. Breaking the order carries up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to THB 100,000, or both. More in the beach smoking ban guide.

Lifeguards and a flag system run on designated beaches. Treat two red flags as a firm stop: very dangerous, no swimming at all.

If a jellyfish stings you, call 1669 and pour household vinegar over the area for at least 30 seconds. Never use fresh water. The jellyfish and rip current guide has the first-aid steps.

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Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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