Island hopping is Thailand's signature experience, and it's also one of the highest-margin products you can sell. The secret? Most agents approach it wrong – they book random day trips instead of strategic multi-day packages.
Let me show you how to do this profitably.
Why Island Hopping Packages Generate Better Margins
Here's the math that changed how I sell Thailand: A client booking individual day trips pays $60-90 per trip with 10-15% agent commission. But package those same trips into a 5-day island hopping journey, and you're looking at $800-1,200 per person with 18-25% margins.
The content is identical. The packaging is what drives profit.
Understanding Thailand's Island Clusters
Thailand has three main island hopping zones. Each has distinct characteristics:
Andaman Sea (West Coast)
Main hubs: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta
Islands: Phi Phi Islands, James Bond Island, Similan Islands, Hong Islands, Koh Rok
Best season: November - April
Avoid: May - October (monsoon, rough seas, many tours cancelled)
This is where 70% of Thailand island hopping happens. The limestone karst formations are spectacular, water is turquoise, and infrastructure is excellent.
Gulf of Thailand (East Coast)
Main hubs: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
Best season: March - September
Avoid: November - December (monsoon on Gulf side)
This is your summer island hopping solution. When the Andaman side is stormy, the Gulf is perfect. The three islands form an easy circuit.
Eastern Seaboard
Main hubs: Pattaya, Koh Chang, Koh Samet
Best season: Year-round (some rain Sep-Oct)
Less spectacular than Andaman or Gulf islands, but closer to Bangkok. Good for quick weekend add-ons.
Top Island Hopping Routes for B2B Agents
Route 1: Classic Andaman Triangle (5D/4N)
Day 1: Arrive Phuket, settle in Patong/Kata
Day 2: Full-day Phi Phi Islands tour (Maya Bay, snorkeling, Viking Cave)
Day 3: James Bond Island + Hong Island by speedboat
Day 4: Similan Islands day trip (if in season: Oct 15 - May 15)
Day 5: Beach day or departure
Pricing: $650-950 per person (twin share, 3-star hotel)
Your cost: $520-700
Margin opportunity: 20-25%
Why it works: Hits all the Instagram-famous spots. Easy logistics from single base (Phuket). High client satisfaction.
Route 2: Multi-Island Stay (7D/6N)
Day 1-2: Phuket (2 nights) – Phi Phi Islands day trip
Day 3-4: Transfer to Krabi, stay Ao Nang (2 nights) – Hong Islands, emerald pool
Day 5-6: Transfer to Koh Lanta (2 nights) – Koh Rok snorkeling, relaxation
Day 7: Depart from Krabi
Pricing: $850-1,300 per person (twin share, 3-4 star hotels)
Your cost: $680-1,000
Margin opportunity: 22-28%
Why it works: Variety of experiences. Each location has different vibe. Clients feel they've "explored" Thailand.
Route 3: Gulf Island Circuit (6D/5N)
Day 1-2: Koh Samui (2 nights) – Ang Thong Marine Park tour
Day 3-4: Ferry to Koh Phangan (2 nights) – Snorkeling, beach relaxation
Day 5: Ferry to Koh Tao (1 night) – Diving or snorkeling
Day 6: Ferry back to Samui, depart
Pricing: $750-1,100 per person (twin share, 3-star beach bungalows)
Your cost: $580-850
Margin opportunity: 20-25%
Why it works: Summer season alternative when Andaman is rainy. Three distinct island personalities. Easy ferry connections.
Route 4: Ultimate Island Explorer (10D/9N)
Day 1-3: Phuket (3 nights) – Phi Phi, James Bond Island
Day 4-6: Krabi (3 nights) – Hong Islands, Railay Beach, kayaking
Day 7-9: Koh Lanta (3 nights) – Koh Rok, Koh Haa, beach time
Day 10: Depart
Pricing: $1,200-1,800 per person (twin share, 4-star properties)
Your cost: $950-1,400
Margin opportunity: 25-30%
Why it works: Premium package for serious beach lovers. Long enough to justify international travel. Highest absolute profit per booking.
Must-Include Islands and Why
Phi Phi Islands (Non-Negotiable)
Every first-time Thailand island hopper wants Phi Phi. Maya Bay (from "The Beach" movie) is the draw, despite being crowded. Include this or you'll get pushback.
Tour options:
- Day trip from Phuket: $60-100 (speedboat) or $40-60 (ferry)
- Day trip from Krabi: $50-80
- Overnight on Phi Phi: Adds $80-150 per night for accommodation
Agent tip: Speedboat tours are faster (45 min vs 2 hours) and visit more spots, but cost more. Recommend speedboat for time-constrained clients, ferry for budget travelers.
James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan)
Another film location (The Man with the Golden Gun). The island itself is underwhelming, but the surrounding Phang Nga Bay is stunning – emerald water, limestone karsts, sea caves.
Tour details:
- From Phuket: $50-90 per person
- Usually combined with Hong Island or canoeing
- Half-day (morning) or full-day options
Selling point: Less physically demanding than Phi Phi. Great for families with young kids or elderly travelers.
Similan Islands (Divers' Paradise)
Thailand's premier diving/snorkeling destination. Crystal-clear water, abundant marine life, pristine beaches.
Critical details:
- Only open Oct 15 - May 15 (park closure rest of year)
- 3-hour boat ride from Phuket
- Day trip: $100-150 per person (includes park fee)
- Liveaboard diving: $250-500 for 2-3 days
Agent warning: Long boat journey. Not suitable for clients prone to seasickness. But for snorkelers/divers, this is the pinnacle.
Hong Islands (Hidden Lagoons)
A cluster of islands near Krabi featuring secluded lagoons accessible only by kayak or small boat.
Tour options:
- From Krabi: $40-70 per person
- From Phuket: $60-90 per person
- Half-day or full-day
- Often includes kayaking through lagoons
Unique selling point: More adventurous than typical beach day. Instagram-worthy lagoon shots. Appeals to active travelers.
Ang Thong Marine Park (Gulf Side)
42-island archipelago accessible from Koh Samui. Thailand's most photogenic island group on the Gulf coast.
Tour details:
- From Koh Samui: $50-80 per person
- Full-day tour (usually 8:30 AM - 5 PM)
- Includes kayaking, snorkeling, viewpoint hike, beach time
Why include it: If you're booking Gulf islands (Samui/Phangan/Tao), Ang Thong is the highlight experience.
Logistics That Make or Break Island Packages
Transportation Between Islands
This is where agents lose money if they don't plan carefully.
Ferry schedules matter: Most ferries run morning (9-11 AM) departures. This means checkout from Hotel A, ferry to Island B, checkin at Hotel B consumes most of a day. Build this into your itinerary as a "transfer day," don't oversell it as a sightseeing day.
Speedboat transfers: Faster (1 hour vs 3 hours) but expensive ($40-80 per person vs $15-25 for ferry). Recommend for luxury packages or tight schedules.
Flight + ferry combos: For Gulf islands, clients often fly Bangkok-Samui, then ferry between Samui-Phangan-Tao. Include these ferry tickets in your package price.
Accommodation Strategy
Here's the secret to profitable island hopping packages: Negotiate block rates with 2-3 hotel chains that have properties across multiple islands.
For example, if you consistently use Centara properties (they have hotels in Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Phi Phi, Koh Chang), you can negotiate better rates and streamline booking. This also gives clients consistency in quality.
Pro strategy: Mix 3-star and 4-star properties. Splurge on hotels for "key" islands (Phi Phi, Samui) where clients spend more time, use budget-friendly options for 1-night stops (Koh Lanta, Krabi). This balances cost while maintaining perceived value.
Timing and Seasonality
Peak season (Nov-Feb): Book island tours 2-3 weeks ahead. Boats fill up, especially for Phi Phi and Similan Islands. Hotel rates are 40-60% higher.
Shoulder season (Mar-Apr, Oct): Best value. Weather is still good, prices drop 20-30%, fewer crowds. This is your margin sweet spot.
Low season (May-Sep for Andaman, Nov-Dec for Gulf): Heavy discounts (50% off peak rates) but rough seas cancel many tours. Only book for flexible, adventurous clients. Always include cancellation insurance.
Common Island Hopping Mistakes
- Too many islands, not enough beach time: Clients get exhausted moving every 1-2 days. Minimum 2 nights per island unless it's a pure "action" trip.
- Booking Similan Islands without checking dates: It's closed half the year. I've seen agents promise this and have to refund.
- Not factoring in sea conditions: Rough seas in monsoon season mean seasickness and cancelled tours. Warn clients or book Gulf islands instead.
- Overestimating ferry convenience: Ferry delays happen. Build buffer time if clients have flights to catch.
- Ignoring physical fitness levels: Some island tours involve long boat rides, snorkeling, hiking. Screen clients for mobility issues.
- Same-day checkout and tour: Don't schedule an 8 AM island tour on checkout day. Clients will miss breakfast, feel rushed, and blame you.
Upselling Opportunities in Island Packages
This is where good agents become great agents:
Diving Certifications
Koh Tao is one of the world's cheapest places to get PADI certified. Open Water course: $300-400 for 3-4 days. Add this to island hopping packages for diving enthusiasts. Your commission: $50-80 per course.
Private Speedboat Tours
Standard tours pack 30-40 people on boats. Offer private speedboat option for 4-8 people at $400-800 for the day (split among group). Families and luxury travelers love this. Your markup: 25-30%.
Sunset Cruises
Most island hopping packages focus on daytime. Add sunset dinner cruises for $60-100 per person. Easy upsell, high satisfaction.
Underwater Photography
Partner with photographers who follow snorkel tours and sell photo packages ($80-150). You get 20% commission for the referral, clients get professional trip photos.
Island-Specific Experiences
- Phi Phi: Bioluminescent plankton night tour ($40-60)
- Koh Samui: Elephant sanctuary visit ($70-120)
- Koh Phangan: Full Moon Party (if dates align) – accommodation sells at premium
- Koh Lanta: Mangrove kayaking tour ($35-50)
Sample Package Pricing Breakdown
Let's price a real 7-day island hopping package (twin share):
Itinerary: 3N Phuket + 2N Krabi + 2N Koh Lanta
Your costs:
- Hotels (7 nights, 3-star): $280 per person
- Phi Phi Island tour: $65 per person
- James Bond Island tour: $55 per person
- Hong Islands tour: $50 per person
- Airport transfers: $15 per person
- Phuket-Krabi-Lanta transfers: $40 per person
- Ferry Krabi-Lanta return: $20 per person
- Total cost: $525 per person
Your package price: $750-850 per person
Your margin: $225-325 per person (30-40%)
For a couple booking, that's $450-650 profit on one package. Now scale that across multiple monthly bookings.
Marketing Island Hopping Packages
What clients respond to:
- "Visit 5 islands in 7 days" (quantify the experience)
- "Private speedboat options available" (luxury angle)
- "Swim in Maya Bay from 'The Beach' movie" (pop culture reference)
- "Untouched paradise + vibrant nightlife" (variety appeal)
- Before/after photos showing crowds vs empty beaches at different times
Client segments that book island hopping:
- Honeymooners (70% of bookings in my experience)
- Adventure couples (20%)
- Friend groups, especially female groups (10%)
Tailor your messaging to these segments.
Ready to Build Profitable Island Packages?
Our Thailand island hopping tours include all major routes with transparent pricing. Mix and match islands, hotels, and activities through our B2B agent portal.
We provide pre-built packages you can customize: view Thailand island itineraries with detailed day-by-day breakdowns. Our hotel inventory covers Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta.
Need help designing a custom multi-island itinerary? Contact our Thailand specialists for route recommendations based on your client profile and travel dates.
Explore more Thailand destination guides in our B2B travel blog.
