Should I book ferries in advance?

In high season (December–February), book at least 48 hours ahead. In low season, you can buy tickets at the pier on the morning of your departure.

Can I island hop if I get seasick?

Yes, but stick to the larger ferries, which are more stable than the speedboats. Take motion sickness pills 30 minutes before boarding.

Planning an Island Hopping Route in Thailand

To plan a successful island hopping trip, choose one coast—either the Andaman or the Gulf—to minimize travel time and maximize relaxation. Dedicate at least 3 days per island to avoid spending your entire trip on a ferry.

Pick a single coast. Don't try to visit both the Gulf (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) and the Andaman (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta) in one trip. It requires a full day of travel and significant expense to switch sides.
Map your ferry connections. Use 12Go Asia to verify ferry schedules before booking your hotels. Some routes only operate once daily, and if you miss the 2:00 PM ferry, you are stuck on the island for the night.
Book long-tail boat transfers. For island-to-island travel within the same archipelagos (like around Krabi), use local long-tail boat cooperatives. Negotiate the price at the pier before you board, usually ranging from 500 to 1,000 THB depending on distance.
Sequence from busy to quiet. Start at a major hub (Phuket or Samui) to get your bearings and buy supplies, then move to smaller, quieter islands (Koh Lanta or Koh Tao) to decompress before flying home.

Should I book ferries in advance?: In high season (December–February), book at least 48 hours ahead. In low season, you can buy tickets at the pier on the morning of your departure.
Can I island hop if I get seasick?: Yes, but stick to the larger ferries, which are more stable than the speedboats. Take motion sickness pills 30 minutes before boarding.