Eastern Thailand Island Hopping: Koh Samet → Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood

If you want to experience more than one island in a single trip, Eastern Thailand Island Hopping is an excellent way to explore the country's eastern coastline. A multi-island journey can combine Koh Samet, Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood, with each island offering a different atmosphere and travel experience.

Koh Samet is convenient for travelers starting from Bangkok, Koh Chang offers beaches, mountains and outdoor activities, Koh Mak is known for a slower and more peaceful atmosphere, while Koh Kood is ideal for relaxing beaches, clear water and nature.

Rather than treating the journey as one direct ferry route between four islands, it is better to plan it as a series of connected travel segments. This makes it easier to understand where you need to change transport and how to organize your time on each island.

What Is Eastern Thailand Island Hopping?

Island hopping means visiting several islands during the same trip instead of staying on only one island. For Eastern Thailand, one possible travel concept is:

Koh Samet → Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood

The complete journey involves several transportation segments, particularly when connecting the Rayong area with Trat Province. Once you reach the Trat island network, Boonsiri provides routes connecting key destinations including Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood.

Recommended Eastern Thailand Island-Hopping Route

A sample trip structure is:

1. Bangkok → Koh Samet
2. Koh Samet → Koh Chang
3. Koh Chang → Koh Mak
4. Koh Mak → Koh Kood

The exact transportation plan should be checked before booking because the journey between some islands may require a combination of transport rather than a single direct ferry.

1. Start Your Trip on Koh Samet

Koh Samet is a popular starting point for travelers coming from Bangkok. Its location in Rayong makes it convenient for adding a beach destination to the beginning of an Eastern Thailand trip.

The island offers a variety of beaches, restaurants, cafés and activities, making it possible to enjoy a short island stay before continuing toward Trat.

For an island-hopping itinerary, staying for one or two nights can be enough to experience the island before moving on to the next destination.

2. Travel from Koh Samet to Koh Chang

After Koh Samet, the next major destination is Koh Chang in Trat Province. This section requires careful transportation planning because Koh Samet and Koh Chang are not simply connected by one continuous ferry route.

The journey should therefore be planned as a connection between the Rayong and Trat areas before continuing to Koh Chang.

Once you arrive on Koh Chang, consider staying for two or three nights. The island is significantly larger and offers a wider variety of activities than a short beach stop.

Why Visit Koh Chang?

Koh Chang combines beaches with mountains, forests, waterfalls and outdoor activities. It offers a different experience from Koh Samet and is a good place to spend several days during an island-hopping trip.

Depending on your travel style, you can spend your time relaxing on the beach, exploring the island, visiting waterfalls, enjoying local food or taking part in marine activities.

When you are ready to continue your island journey, you can travel from Koh Chang toward Koh Mak and later Koh Kood.

3. Koh Chang → Koh Mak

Traveling from Koh Chang to Koh Mak is one of the key connections for an Eastern Thailand island-hopping itinerary.

Boonsiri provides a route connecting Koh Chang → Koh Mak , allowing travelers to continue their journey between islands without returning to Bangkok.

Koh Mak works particularly well as a stop between Koh Chang and Koh Kood because the island provides a slower and more relaxed atmosphere.

Who Is Koh Mak Good For?

Koh Mak is a good choice for travelers who want to slow down after spending time on a larger and more active island.

Things to enjoy on Koh Mak include:

• Relaxing on quiet beaches
• Cycling around the island
• Kayaking and water activities
• Watching the sunset
• Exploring the island at a slower pace
• Enjoying a peaceful island atmosphere

One or two nights can work well for a short island-hopping itinerary, while travelers with more time can stay longer.

4. Koh Mak → Koh Kood

The final island in this route is Koh Kood, one of the destinations known for its beaches, clear water and natural surroundings.

Boonsiri provides a connection from Koh Mak → Koh Kood , making it possible to continue the island-hopping journey without returning to the mainland between these destinations.

Koh Kood is a natural choice for the final stage of the trip because it offers an opportunity to slow down and spend several days relaxing after traveling between multiple islands.

Why Finish Your Trip on Koh Kood?

Koh Kood is well suited to the final stage of an island-hopping journey. After moving between several destinations, you can spend the final days enjoying beaches, nature and a slower pace.

Popular activities include:

• Relaxing on the beach
• Swimming in clear water
• Snorkeling
• Exploring waterfalls and natural areas
• Watching the sunset
• Enjoying a quiet resort stay

7-Day Eastern Thailand Island-Hopping Itinerary

Have 10 Days? Slow Down the Trip

If you have around ten days, consider spending more nights on Koh Chang and Koh Kood instead of changing islands every day. This gives you more time to explore each destination without making the trip feel rushed.

One possible structure is:

• Koh Samet: 2 nights
• Koh Chang: 3 nights
• Koh Mak: 2 nights
• Koh Kood: 3 nights

This itinerary is particularly suitable for travelers who want to combine island hopping with a relaxing beach holiday.

Explore the Trat Island Network with Boonsiri

Once you reach Trat Province, the island network becomes easier to connect through several established routes. Boonsiri connects key destinations including Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kood and Laem Sok.

Useful routes for planning your island-hopping trip include:

• Laem Sok → Koh Kood
• Koh Chang → Koh Kood
• Koh Chang → Koh Mak
• Koh Mak → Koh Kood
• Bangkok → Koh Kood
• Laem Sok → Koh Mak

If you prefer to travel directly from the mainland rather than starting with Koh Samet, you can also build an itinerary around the Trat island network and begin with Koh Chang, Koh Mak or Koh Kood.

Choose Your Route Based on Your Travel Style

For Beach and Outdoor Activities

Spend more time on Koh Chang, where you can combine beaches with nature, waterfalls and outdoor activities. Continue to Koh Mak and Koh Kood for a more relaxed finish.

For Slow Travel

Give yourself more time on Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Instead of changing islands frequently, focus on beaches, nature, accommodation and local experiences.

For Maximum Island Hopping

If your priority is experiencing different islands, the Koh Samet → Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood route gives you four different island environments in one trip.

Things to Check Before Your Island-Hopping Trip

1. Check every ferry schedule before booking accommodation, because schedules differ between routes.
2. Allow enough connection time when changing between transport services.
3. Check your departure pier carefully and make sure it matches your ticket.
4. Plan your return journey before reaching your final island, especially if you have a flight or train to catch.
5. Check weather conditions because sea travel can be affected by weather and operational conditions.

You Do Not Have to Visit All Four Islands

Although Koh Samet → Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood is an interesting multi-island concept, you do not have to visit all four destinations.

If you only have four or five days, a shorter itinerary such as Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood may give you more time to enjoy each island.

You can also choose only two islands, such as Koh Chang → Koh Kood, depending on your schedule and travel priorities.

Learn more about this connection: Koh Chang → Koh Kood .

Plan Your Eastern Thailand Island-Hopping Trip with Boonsiri

The key to a successful island-hopping trip is not simply finding individual ferry tickets. It is understanding the entire journey: Origin → Pier → First Island → Next Island → Final Destination.

For Eastern Thailand, the Boonsiri network can help you connect key destinations around Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kood and Laem Sok. This makes it possible to build a trip around individual islands or combine several destinations into one longer island-hopping itinerary.

Check the latest schedules, routes and booking information at Boonsiri Ferry .

Frequently Asked Questions About Eastern Thailand Island Hopping

Can I visit Koh Samet, Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood on the same trip?

Yes. You can plan them as one multi-island trip, but the journey should be divided into several transportation segments and each connection should be checked before booking.

Which island should I start with?

If you are traveling from Bangkok, Koh Samet can be used as the first island before continuing toward Trat. Alternatively, you can start directly with Koh Chang, Koh Mak or Koh Kood depending on your itinerary.

Can I travel from Koh Chang to Koh Mak?

Yes. Boonsiri provides a connection between Koh Chang and Koh Mak, making it possible to include both islands in an Eastern Thailand island-hopping itinerary.

Can I travel from Koh Mak to Koh Kood?

Yes. Boonsiri provides a connection between Koh Mak and Koh Kood, allowing travelers to continue their island-hopping journey without returning to the mainland between these destinations.

How many islands should I visit if I have less than seven days?

You do not have to visit all four islands. Choosing two or three islands can give you more time to explore and relax at each destination.

Do I need to book every ferry separately?

This depends on the route and the services available for your travel date. Check the latest Boonsiri routes and schedules before planning your connections.