Southern Thailand and its islands are home to some of the world’s most strikingly beautiful beaches. If you’ve seen the films The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio or The Man with the Golden Gun (featuring Roger Moore as James Bond), you probably recognize the turquoise waters surrounded by steep limestone cliffs.
It’s a dramatic landscape and the perfect backdrop for snorkeling, scuba diving, or just relaxing on the beach, and don’t forget to schedule a Thai massage at some point. You can be as active or as in-active as you want in the islands, and everywhere you look there will be another gorgeous view.
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Before you leave the mainland, however, stopping by Khao Sok National Park to experience one of the world’s most ancient rainforests and its wildlife might be in order.
Southern Thailand Highlights
The gorgeous beaches and snorkeling or scuba-diving are definitely the primary reason people come to this part of the world, but you wouldn’t be remiss if you just wanted to relax and pamper yourself at one of the area’s five-star resorts as well.
We recommend the Tubkaak Krabi on the mainland and the Treehouse Villas on Koh Yao, but it’s difficult to go wrong! Most resorts have their own private beaches plus pools, spas, and restaurants or cafes, so you can stay on the property and have all your needs taken care of. And if you want to book an excursion, the staff will be more than happy to help you out!
If you’re visiting Khao Sok as well, there are a number of options in and around the park, and they can help you arrange canoeing, kayaking, jungle trekking, cave visits, and more. This part is a bit more rustic, but it can be worth it if you love the outdoors and want to see those nearly untouched landscapes.
Southern Thailand Logistics
You’ll likely land in Phuket or Krabi airports first, and from there you can hire a driver (or your hotel can arrange one) to take you to your next locale.
Ferries or shared speedboats are a common way of getting around the islands as well, and for island-hopping day trips you’ll likely take a more traditional long tail boat between the coves and lagoons.
What to Pack for Southern Thailand
Think beachy glam! You can live your best White Lotus inspired life when you are on the resort property. But if you plan to scuba or snorkel you’ll need some adventure water gear as well — you can rent nearly everything but swimsuits and water shoes.
Don’t forget the sunscreen of course! That said, even the more elegant resorts are pretty casual. You can definitely get by with a couple chic swimsuits, cover-ups, sandals and sunglasses — and not much else! If you’re inclined to shop, you can find beautiful batik or silk pieces, fun locally made jewelry, and other curios and knick-knacks to bring home as souvenirs.
In the jungles, you’ll need sturdy closed shoes for hiking and outdoors gear designed for hot, humid weather (think Cotopaxi or Prana, or similar). You’ll likely get muddy and you’ll need bug spray for the mosquitos, so think practicality over style here.
What to Eat in Southern Thailand
Eat all the fresh seafood and locally grown fruit and vegetables you can find! Soft-shell crab is particularly good here, and you’ll regularly see fishermen out with their nets and long-tail boats seeking the catch of the day.
Beach-side, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh coconuts and all the tropical fruit juice concoctions you can find. They are the perfect things to keep you hydrated while you’re swimming, exploring, or sunbathing.
Southern Thailand Day Trips
Any and all of the island hopping options are fabulous! Visit the Phi Phi islands, Koh Hong, Maya Bay, the James Bond Island, Pak Bia, and more for snorkeling, scuba, or just picnicking and relaxing on stunning beaches. There are tons of day trip operators — your hotel can likely help you out or hire one through Viator or one of the outfitters in Krabi town, Ao Nang, or Phuket.
Are you considering a trip to Thailand, or have you already been? Have you been to southern Thailand, Khao Sok, or gone island hopping in the Andaman Sea? What did you do, where did you stay, and perhaps most importantly, what did you eat? Let us know in the comments or in our Growing Younger Facebook group!
– Jacqueline Zenn
You may also like to read more of Jacqueline’s travel adventures. See Gloriously Chaotic Bangkok Thailand: Travel Tips, Adventures and How To Navigate, Travel Tips and Adventures in Thailand: Chiang Mai and the Thai Highlands. and Travel Tips and Adventures in Cambodia: Siem Reap and Angkor Wat
Photos: Jacqueline Zenn for Fountain Of 30
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