Day Trips from Kamala and Surin Beach: Tours, Pickup and Tips

Kamala and Surin are on Phuket's west coast, north of Patong. Kamala is a beach village a short drive over the headland from Patong, and Surin sits a little further north, with the long sweep of Bang Tao beyond it. Both are quieter than Patong and popular with couples and families who want a calmer base. The trade off for tours is distance: most boat trips leave from the east and south coasts, so from here every island day starts with a drive across the island.

Where Kamala and Surin Sit, and Why It Matters

The west coast faces the open Andaman Sea. It has the sunsets and the big sandy beaches, but it is not where most tour boats leave from. Phang Nga Bay, Phi Phi and jet ski trips usually leave from piers on the sheltered east coast, and the Raya and Coral Island tour leaves from Chalong Pier in the south.

As a rough guide, allow around 40 to 60 minutes by road from Kamala or Surin to the east coast piers, and a similar time or a little more to Chalong, depending on traffic and the exact pier. That means earlier pickups than from Phuket Town, and a later return to your hotel at the end of the day.

Hotel Pickup from Kamala and Surin

All five of our day tours include a round trip hotel transfer from standard pickup zones. Kamala and Surin are further out than Patong or Phuket Town, and some tours charge a transfer surcharge for outer areas. On the Phi Phi tour, for example, Kamala has a surcharge that is shown when you book. Check the tour page for your area before you pay.

• Hillside villas and resorts. Minibuses may not be able to drive up steep private roads. The driver may meet you at the gate or on the main road. Ask your hotel where tour pickups usually wait.
• Early starts. Because you are further from the piers, you may be one of the first guests collected. The exact pickup time is confirmed before your trip.
• Traffic. The roads around Patong and through Kathu can be slow in the morning and early evening, so plan a relaxed dinner rather than a fixed reservation on tour days.

Our guide to how hotel pickup works explains what happens between your lobby and the boat.

The Best Day Trips from Kamala and Surin

The prices below are the standard listed prices at the time of writing. Prices can vary by date, so the tour page shows the current price for your date.

James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is sheltered, so it is one of the most reliable trips in any season. The James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay speedboat tour departs from a pier on the east coast, with pickup between 07:30 and 08:00 and a return around 17:00. You paddle a sea canoe at Hong Island (or Talu Island, depending on the tide), have a Thai buffet lunch at the Koh Panyee stilt village and stop at James Bond Island. Adults pay 3,500 THB and children aged 3 to 11 pay 2,200 THB. The national park fee is not included and is paid on the day.

White Water Rafting, Flying Fox and Waterfall

The white water rafting, flying fox and waterfall tour heads north into the Phang Nga jungle, and from the northern half of the island you are already pointed in the right direction. You get 5 km of rafting with a guide, a flying fox and lunch, over about 8 hours from 07:30. Adults pay 2,500 THB and children under 12 pay 2,200 THB. The river runs in both seasons, and the water level changes with the rain.

Jet Ski 7 Islands

The Jet Ski 7 Islands tour runs on the calm water off the east coast. You drive your own 1200 cc jet ski behind a guide, with Thai lunch, drinks and hotel transfer included. It costs 7,500 THB per jet ski for 1 or 2 riders (maximum 150 kg). Drivers must be at least 15 and sober, and you need your passport.

Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island

Phi Phi is the classic island day, and many people feel it is worth the early start. The Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island speedboat tour takes about 10 hours, with pickup between 07:30 and 08:30. The national park fee, breakfast, a halal buffet lunch and snorkel gear are included, with stops at Khai Nai, Monkey Beach, Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay. Adults pay 3,100 THB and children aged 4 to 11 pay 2,200 THB, plus the transfer surcharge if it applies to your hotel.

Raya and Coral Island

The Raya and Coral Island snorkeling tour leaves from Chalong Pier, the furthest departure point from Kamala and Surin. It is still an easy day on the water, with short boat rides, snorkeling at Racha Yai and a buffet lunch, running from about 07:30 to 16:00. Adults pay 2,400 THB and children aged 4 to 11 pay 1,700 THB. It suits families and first-time snorkelers.

Private speedboat charters

If you are traveling as a family or group, a private speedboat charter gives you the whole boat, crew and hotel pickup for up to 6 hours on the water, from 20,000 THB per boat for the 4 Islands of Krabi to 35,000 THB for Phang Nga Bay. National park fees and lunch are not included.

What to Do Between Tours

• Kamala Beach is long and relaxed, with a village feel and plenty of places to eat along the beach road.
• Surin Beach is smaller, backed by trees, and a good spot for sunset.
• Bang Tao, just north of Surin, is one of the longest beaches on the island, with the Laguna resort area behind it.
• The far north of the island, including the quieter beaches of Sirinat National Park near the airport, makes an easy half day out.
• Rainy day ideas: a spa, a cooking class, or a trip across the island to Phuket Old Town for shrines, cafes and street food.

Beach Safety on the Northwest Coast

From roughly May to October, the southwest monsoon sends wind and swell onto the west coast. Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao can have strong waves and rip currents, and Surin in particular is known for dangerous currents in the monsoon. Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, stay between the flags and stay out of the water when red flags are up. In the dry season, roughly November to April, the sea is usually much calmer. Our guide to Phuket's beaches compares the main beaches around the island.

Tips for Planning Your Tour Days

• Start with Phang Nga Bay. It runs all year and makes a relaxed first day on the water.
• Put Phi Phi early in your stay if it matters most, especially between May and October, so it can move if the sea is rough.
• Leave a beach day between long tour days. A full island day is long once you add the drive at each end.
• Confirm your pickup point the evening before, especially if you are staying in a villa up a hill.

Browse all tours to check dates, or contact us if you are not sure whether your hotel is in a standard pickup zone.

Frequently asked questions

Do tours pick up from Kamala and Surin?

Yes. All of our day tours include hotel transfer, but outer areas such as Kamala can have a transfer surcharge on some tours. The tour page shows it before you book.

How long is the drive to the piers?

Usually around 40 to 60 minutes to the east coast piers and to Chalong, depending on traffic and which pier your trip uses.

Which tours are easiest from Kamala or Surin?

Trips that head north and east, such as James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay, the jet ski tour and rafting, fit this side of the island well. Raya and Coral Island leaves from the far south, so the drive is the longest.

Is it safe to swim at Surin Beach?

In the dry season it is usually calm. From May to October, only swim between the flags where lifeguards are present, and never when red flags are flying.