Island hopping beaches is one of those things I can’t quit, even though half the time it kicks my ass. Here I am, January 3, 2026, bundled up in my Florida apartment—it’s supposed to be warm here but nope, feels like 50 degrees and rainy—and I’m scrolling old photos, missing that salt air bad. My first real island hopping attempt was a joke, like seriously, I showed up in Thailand thinking I’d glide from beach to beach like in the movies. Instead? Chaos from day one.
I remember landing in Phuket, all hyped, grab a ticket to Koh Phi Phi, hop on the ferry… and boom, rough seas hit. My backpack flips, everything spills—sunscreen squirts on some guy’s shirt, my flip flops go flying, and I’m chasing them across the deck like a total newbie. People laughing, me turning redder than the sunburn I got later. That’s island hopping beaches for ya—not all Instagram perfect.
Why I Keep Going Back to Beach Island Hopping Anyway
Even with the messes, beach island hopping hooks you because every stop feels different. One beach is party central with fire shows at night (Koh Phangan vibes), next is chill with just palm trees and maybe a stray dog napping in the shade. I did Thailand last year, then tried a bit in the Philippines—those lagoons? Insane. But I contradict myself sometimes; I say I want “authentic” but end up at tourist spots half the time ’cause they’re easier.
From the US, flying out is the pricey part, but once you’re there, ferries are cheap. I save up Southwest points or whatever for the long haul.
How I Plan Beach Island Hopping Now (After Learning the Hard Way)
First trips, I overdid it—tried six islands in ten days, ended up rushing everywhere, barely saw the beaches. Now? Max four, and I build in buffer days for delays. Ferries late? Common. Check apps like 12Go Asia—saved me multiple times.
Start easy: Thailand or Philippines for beginners. Greece is pretty but pricier and more crowded in summer. I almost did Croatia once but bailed ’cause costs.
My Packing List for Island Hopping Beaches (Post-Mistakes Edition)
Went heavy once—dragging a roller bag on sand? Idiot move. Now it’s backpack only.
Stuff I swear by:
- Dry bag for boat days (phone survived a splash in El Nido)
- Motion sickness patches—those ferries get wild, and yeah I got queasy more than once
- Reef-safe sunscreen, ’cause I fried bad ignoring that
- One good book, ’cause downtime on beaches is real
Don’t bother with fancy clothes; it’s all swimsuits and coverups.
Biggest Beach Island Hopping Screw-Ups I’ve Made
Cramming too many spots, for one. Thought quantity over quality, but nah—better to chill on fewer beaches.
Another: not checking tides or seasons. Got stuck on an island with high tides flooding paths, had to wade through water with my bag over head. Hilarious now, not then.
Food wise, I played it safe first—stuck to hotels—and missed the best grilled fish from beach shacks. Now I dive in, stomach issues be damned (mostly fine, knock wood).
Those Surprise Beach Finds During Island Hopping
Best part? Stumbling on quiet spots. In Coron, Philippines, our boat squeezed into this hidden lagoon—water glowing turquoise, cliffs all around, felt secret even on a tour. Book those via GetYourGuide if you want reliable ones.
Or quieter sides of popular islands, like away from the crowds on Koh Lanta. Just you, waves, maybe a coconut vendor.
Alright, Wrapping This Up—Go Try Some Beach Island Hopping
Look, island hopping beaches ain’t perfect—it’s sweaty, sometimes buggy, and you’ll have off days—but those moments staring at endless ocean from a boat deck? Worth every fail. I’m plotting my next one already, maybe slower pace. Check out spots on Lonely Planet for inspo if you’re starting.
You got a dream beach hop in mind? Tell me below, or whatever—let’s talk. Stay dry out there, or wet in the good way. Haha.
