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Island hopping Thailand - Deserted beaches

East Coast Island Hopping

Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Samui island combo

During our one-week island hopping in Thailand tour you'll visit two of Southeast Thailand's best known islands. You'll sail from one island to the next by junk for an adventurous, off-the-map tropical island experience. Barefoot with a warm wind blowing through your hair you'll search the horizon for rocky jungle islands and secluded snorkelling bays. It's the ultimate Thailand island hopping feeling.

Together, Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan create a very diverse and comprehensive island combo. You'll start off on the lively island of Ko Samui, for some fun in the sun, sea and sand. Ko Samui is a large island with a variety of modern shops and restaurants. Your seaside resort is located right off the beach in a bay where there's plenty to see and do. Ko Pha Ngan on the other hand is much more serene and authentic; it's a lovely island with a hilly interior, dreamy bays and just the right relaxing atmosphere. Ko Pha Ngan is also famous for its full moon parties. These take place on the other side of the island. If there's one whilst you're on the island, you may want to check it out. During our stay we preferred to spend our time swaying softly in the comfort of a hammock, reading a good book and sipping on a fresh fruit shake. Whatever you decide to do, let go and enjoy the laidback island lifestyle...

Duration	5 days/4 nights Sailing trip sets off on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays	Accommodation	Small-scale bungalow resorts Comfort level 3 (see accommodation)
Price	£198 per person - based on two people or £295 per person - based on two people - Special stay	Includes	Sailing trip, accommodation for 4 nights, breakfast on Ko Samui, breakfast and lunch whilst on the junk
Transport	Junk sailing trip from Ko Samui to Ko Phan gan	Excludes	Breakfast on Ko Phan gan, other meals maaltijden, other excursions and entrance fees

Day 1: Arrival on Ko Samui

Most travellers travel across land and sea from Bangkok to this island in the Golf of Thailand. We'll make reservations for you on the night train to Surat Thani where you can either set off on our Thailand adventure tour through the jungle or embark upon the two and a half hour ferry ride to Ko Samui. If you prefer, you can also choose to fly to Ko Samui from either Chiang Mai or Bangkok. Upon your arrival you'll find minibuses and taxis waiting to whisk you away to your hotel for a small fee.

After about a 45 minute drive you'll arrive at your mid-class bungalow resort with swimming pool situated in an idyllic secluded bay. The bay is encircled by majestic rock walls. Since there are only a few hotels in the bay, it has a very serene atmosphere. We really enjoyed the peace and quiet, especially since some of Samui's other beaches have more of a party atmosphere. If you want to check out the more happening beaches when the sun goes down, it'll only take a few minutes to reach either Lamai or Chaweng Beach. You'll have your pick of restaurants to dine at and there's an evening market to buy souvenirs at as well during this island hopping in Thailand tour.

Island hopping Thailand - Cocktails at sunset

Island hopping Thailand - Ang Thong National Marine Park

Day 2: Ko Samui

Start Day 2 of your island hopping in Thailand tour with breakfast overlooking the sea at the resort restaurant. Afterwards you can spend a lazy day by the pool or on the bright white beach stretched out in front of your resort. Lamai's main street is lined with a colourful variety of shops, restaurants and bars. There's plenty to see and do whilst on the island; but you can also spend your days here doing as little as possible of course.

Want to have a look around? There are various excursions you can book or you can hire a car or moped to explore the island's countryside. Go beyond the island's beaches and you'll find lush green vegetation, back to back coconut plantations, Na Muang Falls and the Laem Saw temple. Snorkelling and diving enthusiasts can enjoy the Ang Thong Marine Park which surrounds Samui. This national park made up of 18 islands is a protected habitat. Dive into warm, clear water and you'll see rainbow coloured coral fields filled with anemones, sponges and exotic fish. Want to spend more time on Ko Samui? Let us know and we'll add one or more nights to your itinerary.

If you're in the mood for something different in the evening, just hop on a passing songtaew (pick-up truck) and within minutes you’ll be in the midst of Chaweng's nightlife. If you love fish you'll enjoy the many types of fresh fish dishes available on Ko Samui. Restaurants offer fish prepared in a variety of ways; from Thais and Chinese to Italian and other Western variations.

During your island hopping Thailand trip, you're very welcome to upgrade your stay on Ko Samui to a luxury resort right on the popular Lamai Beach. Each room at the resort has a television, a mini bar, a hair dryer and any other creature comforts you might need. Just let us know you want an upgrade on whilst filling out your quote request form, and we'll put the arrangements in place.

Island hopping Thailand - Traditional junk sailing

Day 3: Sailing trip Ko Samui - Ko Pha Ngan

Today you'll sail from Ko Samui to Ko Pha Ngan. Many travellers take the ferry that runs between the islands whilst island hopping in Thailand. We believe it's much more fun to do this by junk, a traditional Asian teak wood yacht. You can spend the sailing trip lounging on a deck cushion, enjoying the view of secluded coves and snorkelling in lagunes lined by virgin white beaches. You and your belongings will arrive at the next island at the end of the day.

You'll set sail in the 25m long junk from Ko Samui's Bopuhut Pier in the morning. The junk holds up to 20 passengers at a time and there are toilets and showers on board. After about 30 minutes of sailing breakfast will be served and you'll be able to snack on a few exotic treats. The boat will drop anchor at Ko Mah, a small island with one of the most beautiful snorkelling spots between Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan. You'll spend about 30 minutes under water spotting parrot fish, anemones and colourful corals.

After the snorkelling stop you'll set sail for Ko Pha Ngan. As you sail along during the one and a half hour sailing trip you'll feel the warm wind blowing through your hair and the salty spray on your face. Before reaching the shore you'll be served a lunch of Thai curries and fresh fruit. When the junk reaches Ko Pha Ngan the junk will drop anchor at Ao Thong Nai Pan Bay. This is where you'll find your bungalow for the next few nights of this island hopping in Thailand tour. So you'll practically be dropped off at your front door.

You'll spend the night at a resort with swimming pool on Ko Pha Ngan's Ao Thong Nai Pan Beach. The famous full moon are held on the other side of the island at Had Rin Beach. You'll be far enough away to not be kept up by the sounds of the party, as the party really does last all night. If you like, you can coincide your visit to Ko Pha Ngan with a full moon, giving you the opportunity to join the legendary party on the other side of the island. If you prefer we can also book a hotel for you at Had Rin Beach.

Island hopping Thailand - Chill out on a tropical beach

Day 4: Ko Pha Ngan

Ko Pha Ngan has a hilly green interior that you can explore independently whilst island hopping in Thailand. If you're feeling energetic, you can hike up to the island's highest point - Kao Ra. This breathtaking viewpoint is located at an altitude of 627m. As you hike up to the summit you may come across a few cheeky monkeys, pigs or a deer. The resort reception will give you detailed information about the route.

If you're not in an overly active mood, just take it easy and enjoy the sunshine. The average water temperature is wonderfully warm at around 25°C. Ao Thong Nai Pan consists of two bays, both lined with powdery golden sand and a tropical jungle backdrop. In the evening you can dine at romantic candlelit restaurants on the beach, enjoying delicious fish dishes and tropical cocktails without taking your bare feet off the warm golden sand. Whilst island hopping in Thailand, indulge in the island life, where the pace of life is slow, the beer is cold and temperatures are sultry.

Day 5: Ko Pha Ngan - End of module

This morning you can take one last dip into the pool or the sea before checking out. Of course you can also extend your stay on Ko Pha Ngan; just let us know and we'll add one or more extra nights on the island to your travel plan. We also offer an upgrade hotel on Ko Pha Ngan. if this is the end of your stay you'll take the night train or a domestic flight back to Bangkok. Most travellers return home after island hopping in Thailand.

Want to explore more than two islands during your Thailand island hopping adventure? You can also visit Ko Tao whilst island hopping in Thailand. Check out our White sands of Turtle Island module on the idyllic diving island Ko Tao.

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Island hopping Thailand - Last night cocktails

Island Hopping Thailand - Accommodation (click to enlarge)

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