Southern Thailand's islands offer some of the world's best beaches, diving, and island-hopping routes. But they also have their quirks. Here are five tips from seasoned travellers that will help you make the most of your trip.

1. Book Ferries in Advance During Peak Season

From December to February — and especially over Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year — ferries sell out days in advance. Don't assume you can just walk up to the pier. Use online booking platforms like Tripkha to reserve your tickets ahead of time.

2. Plan Around Weather — Not Dates

Thailand's two coastlines have opposite wet seasons:

• Andaman Coast (Krabi, Trang, Koh Lipe): Best Nov–Apr. Monsoon May–Oct.
• Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan): Best Jan–Sep. Rainy Oct–Dec.

This means you can chase good weather almost year-round by switching coasts — a Krabi trip in December, then a Samui trip in July, for example.

3. Carry Cash — Always

Many islands have ATMs, but they're often out of service or charge high fees (฿220+ per withdrawal). Card acceptance varies widely even in tourist areas. Keep at least ฿2,000–3,000 cash on you when hopping between islands.

4. Use a Dry Bag on Speedboats

Speedboats get wet — especially during rough weather or when docking in surf. A dry bag (฿150–300 from most island shops) will save your phone, passport, and camera from an expensive soaking.

5. Respect Coral Reefs — Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Many of Thailand's most popular dive and snorkel sites are in marine national parks with protected coral. Standard chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, octinoxate) bleach coral on contact. Reef-safe mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are widely available at island shops. It's a small change that makes a real difference.

🌟 Bonus Tip: Skip the Middleman

Booking your ferry transfers directly through a specialised service like Tripkha means accurate schedules, English/Thai support, and no markups from hotel concierges or street-side booking agents.