Phuket Island Hopping Guide: All Nearby Islands & How to Visit

The Phi Phi archipelago is the most popular day trip from Phuket and includes Phi Phi Don (the inhabited island with hotels and restaurants) and Phi Phi Leh (the uninhabited island famous for Maya Bay, the setting of the Leonardo DiCaprio film "The Beach").

Getting there: Speedboat day trips depart from Rassada Pier or Royal Phuket Marina. The journey takes 45–60 minutes by speedboat or 90 minutes by large ferry/catamaran.

Day trip cost: Group tours: 1,500–3,000 THB per person including lunch, snorkeling gear, guide, and hotel pickup. Private speedboat charters: 15,000–25,000 THB for a boat (6–10 passengers).

What you'll see: Maya Bay (reopened with a daily visitor cap — book early), Pileh Lagoon (stunning turquoise water surrounded by cliffs), Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and snorkeling stops with abundant tropical fish.

Best tip: Book an "early bird" tour that departs at 6:30 AM to reach Maya Bay before the main crowd arrives at 10 AM. The difference in experience is dramatic.

Overnight option: Stay on Phi Phi Don for 1–2 nights to explore the island at your own pace. Accommodation ranges from 500 THB dorm beds to 5,000 THB resort rooms. The evening fire shows on the beach are legendary.

Phang Nga Bay is a national park northeast of Phuket featuring hundreds of dramatic limestone karsts rising from emerald-green water. James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) is the most famous landmark, featured in "The Man with the Golden Gun." The bay also includes sea caves, mangrove forests, and the floating Muslim fishing village of Koh Panyi.

Getting there: Tours depart from Ao Po Grand Marina or Tha Dan pier. The bay is also accessible by private yacht from Royal Phuket Marina.

Day trip cost: Group longtail/speedboat tours: 1,500–3,000 THB. Kayaking tours: 2,000–3,500 THB. Luxury yacht charters: 60,000–180,000 THB for a private boat.

Highlights: Kayaking through Tham Lod sea caves (you paddle through a cave to reach a hidden lagoon), Koh Panak's collapsed cave "hong" (room), James Bond Island photo stop, and lunch at Koh Panyi fishing village.

Best tip: Choose a kayaking-focused tour over a pure sightseeing tour. Paddling into sea caves and hidden lagoons is the best way to experience the bay's magic up close.

The Similan Islands are a marine national park located 70 km northwest of Phuket. Nine granite islands with white-sand beaches, massive underwater boulder formations, and some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Visibility reaches 30+ meters, and marine life includes manta rays, whale sharks (rare), reef sharks, and sea turtles.

Season: The Similans are only open from October 15 to May 15. They are completely closed during the monsoon season.

Getting there: Speedboats depart from Khao Lak (1 hour north of Phuket by road, then 1 hour by boat) or from Tab Lamu pier. Day trips from Phuket include road transfer to Khao Lak.

Day trip cost: 2,500–4,500 THB per person from Phuket (including land transfer, boat, lunch, park fee, and snorkeling gear). The national park entrance fee is 500 THB for foreigners (included in most tours).

Best tip: If you can allocate 2 days, do an overnight trip with camping on the islands (basic tents provided by the national park, 800 THB/night). The sunset and sunrise with no day-trippers around is extraordinary.

Racha Yai is a small island 30 minutes south of Phuket with powdery white sand and crystal-clear water that rivals the Maldives. Racha Noi, further south, is an uninhabited island popular with divers for its manta ray encounters.

Getting there: Speedboats depart from Chalong Pier. The ride to Racha Yai takes 25–35 minutes.

Day trip cost: Group tours: 1,200–2,500 THB. Private longtail charter: 3,000–5,000 THB. The Racha resort on Racha Yai offers day-use packages from 3,000 THB with pool, restaurant, and beach access.

Best for: Couples seeking a romantic day on a quiet beach, snorkelers who want calm and clear water, and divers looking for easy conditions.

Best tip: Visit on a weekday to avoid weekend daytrippers. Bring your own snorkel gear for the best experience — the coral along the eastern bay of Siam Beach is beautiful.

The closest and most accessible island from Phuket. Coral Island is a 15-minute speedboat ride from Chalong Pier, making it ideal for families and budget travelers who want a quick island fix without a full-day commitment.

Getting there: Speedboats and longtails from Chalong Pier. The journey is short enough that even those prone to seasickness will be fine.

Day trip cost: Group tours: 800–1,500 THB including lunch, boat, and snorkeling gear. It is the cheapest island trip from Phuket.

Activities: Swimming, snorkeling (coral is decent but not spectacular), banana boat rides (300 THB), parasailing (500 THB), and sea walking (helmet diving). The beach has sun loungers and a restaurant.

Best tip: Coral Island can feel overcrowded by midday. Arrive early on a morning tour or visit in low season for a more peaceful experience.

These twin islands sit in Phang Nga Bay, roughly equidistant between Phuket and Krabi. Koh Yao Noi (smaller island) is a peaceful, Muslim-majority fishing community with rice paddies, rubber plantations, and boutique resorts. It feels like Thailand 30 years ago. Koh Yao Yai (bigger island) is even quieter with long deserted beaches.

Getting there: Longtail boats from Bang Rong Pier (northeast Phuket) take 30 minutes and cost 150–200 THB per person. Speedboats are available through hotels.

Cost: Budget accommodation from 500 THB/night. Boutique resorts (Six Senses Yao Noi, Cape Kudu, Paradise Koh Yao) from 4,000–30,000 THB/night.

Best for: Travelers seeking total escape from tourist Phuket. Kayaking, cycling, rock climbing, and simply existing on an island where the pace of life is blissfully slow.

Best tip: Rent a bicycle on Koh Yao Noi (100 THB/day) and cycle the island's flat roads through rice paddies and fishing villages. Have lunch at a waterfront restaurant overlooking Phang Nga Bay's karsts.

Koh Bon is a tiny island 15 minutes by longtail from Rawai Beach. It has a small beach, a restaurant, and decent snorkeling. It is a great option for a half-day escape without committing to a full tour.

Getting there: Charter a longtail from Rawai Beach for 1,500–2,500 THB per boat (round trip). The boatman will wait and bring you back.

Best tip: Pack a picnic, snorkel gear, and sunscreen. Negotiate with the boatman for 3–4 hours on the island. A peaceful and surprisingly affordable mini-adventure.

Book through your hotel or a reputable operator. Tour agencies on every tourist street sell island trips, but quality varies. Well-reviewed operators include Simba Sea Trips, Offspray Leisure, John Gray's Sea Canoe (for Phang Nga Bay kayaking), and Love Andaman.

Avoid Bangla Road touts. The cheapest tours sold on the street often use overcrowded boats, rush through stops, and provide poor-quality lunch and equipment.

Private vs. group: Group tours are 1,500–4,500 THB. Private speedboat charters are 15,000–60,000 THB but allow you to set the itinerary, avoid crowds, and travel in comfort with your group.

Timing: Book 1–2 days ahead in high season. In low season, day-before bookings are fine. For Similan Islands (open Oct 15–May 15), book at least 3 days ahead as boats fill quickly.