Island Tours from Patong Beach: Pickup Times and Options

Patong is the busiest resort area in Phuket and a convenient base for island trips. Our own office is in Patong. The one thing to know is that the speedboats for most island day trips do not leave from Patong Beach itself. They depart from piers on Phuket's east and south coasts, so your day starts with a minivan ride over the hills. Every day tour and private charter we sell includes hotel transfers, so you do not have to organize that part.

This guide covers how pickup from Patong works, the tours available, typical pickup and return times and how to pick the right trip. Prices below are standard rates at the time of writing and can vary by date, so check the tour page for yours.

How pickup from Patong works

• Transfers are included. Round-trip hotel transfers are part of every day tour we sell, and Patong is within the standard pickup area.
• The exact time is confirmed the evening before. The time depends on your hotel and the other guests being collected.
• Be ready in the lobby a little early. The minivan collects several hotels on the way and cannot wait long.
• Allow for traffic. From Patong, the drive to Chalong Pier in the south usually takes around 25 to 35 minutes, and to the east coast piers often 35 to 60 minutes, depending on the pier and the traffic.
• You are dropped back at your hotel at the end of the day.

Our guide to how hotel pickup works explains the process step by step.

Tours available from Patong

Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island

The classic first island day. The Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island speedboat tour leaves from a pier on Phuket's east coast and visits Khai Nai, Monkey Beach, lunch on Phi Phi Don, Viking Cave from the boat, Pileh Lagoon and the walk from Loh Sama Bay to Maya Bay. Pickup is between 07:30 and 08:30, and you are back at around 17:30. The price is 3,100 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child (4 to 11), with the national park fee, breakfast, lunch and snorkel gear included.

James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay

Limestone towers, a sea canoe into the Hong Island lagoon (or Talu Island, depending on the tide), a Thai buffet lunch at the Koh Panyee stilt village and a swim at Naka Island. The James Bond Island tour picks up between 07:30 and 08:00 and returns at around 17:00. It costs 3,500 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child (3 to 11), and the national park fee is paid on the day.

Raya and Coral Island

The easiest island day, leaving from Chalong Pier, the closest main pier to Patong. The Raya and Coral Island snorkeling tour runs from about 07:30 to 16:00, with pickup between 07:30 and 08:45 depending on your area. It costs 2,400 THB per adult and 1,700 THB per child (4 to 11). It is the shortest day of our boat tours, which is handy if you want an evening out in Patong.

Jet Ski 7 Islands

Drive your own 1200 cc jet ski behind a guide to the Naka Islands, Monkey Island and a mangrove channel off the east coast. The Jet Ski 7 Islands tour costs 7,500 THB per jet ski for 1 or 2 riders, with a maximum of 150 kg per jet ski. Drivers must be at least 15, and you need your passport on the day. The pickup time is confirmed the day before.

White water rafting

Not an island tour, but a good break from the sea. The rafting, flying fox and waterfall trip heads into the Phang Nga jungle for 5 km of rafting, with pickup between 07:30 and 08:00. It costs 2,500 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child under 12.

Private speedboat charters

If you are a group, a private speedboat charter gives you the whole boat, with up to 6 hours on the water and hotel pickup at around 08:00. The routes are Phi Phi (29,000 THB), Phang Nga Bay (35,000 THB), the Hong Islands (25,000 THB) and Krabi's 4 Islands (20,000 THB), all priced per boat. National park fees and lunch are not included.

What about the Similan Islands?

The Similans are a long drive north of Patong plus a long open-sea crossing, and the park is usually open only from mid October to mid May. We do not currently sell a Similan trip.

Which tour should you choose?

• First time in Phuket: Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island.
• Dramatic scenery and calm water: James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay.
• Young children or an easy day: Raya and Coral Island.
• Something active: the jet ski tour or white water rafting.
• A group with its own plans: a private charter.

Our guide to choosing a Phuket island tour compares them side by side, by budget and by season.

Planning your week in Patong

• Mind the late nights. Bangla Road and a 07:30 pickup do not mix well. Plan your big nights out before a beach day, not before a boat day.
• Alternate tour days and rest days. Most island tours are full days, and one free day between them makes the week much more enjoyable.
• Put the most weather-dependent trip first. Phi Phi has the most open crossing, so book it early in your stay to leave room to move it.
• Swim safely at Patong Beach. From May to October the west coast gets big waves and rip currents. Swim between the flags where lifeguards are present and never when red flags are up.
• Check what is included if you compare prices with street stalls, especially park fees, lunch and snorkel gear.

For a ready-made plan, see our 3 day Phuket itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Is hotel pickup from Patong included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transfers are included on all our day tours and private charters, and Patong is within the standard pickup area.

What time will I be picked up in Patong?

Usually between 07:30 and 08:45, depending on the tour. The exact time is confirmed the evening before, or the day before for the jet ski tour.

Do any island tours leave from Patong Beach itself?

Our tours leave from piers on the east and south coasts, and the transfer from your Patong hotel is included.

Which tour gets back to Patong earliest?

The Raya and Coral Island tour, which runs from about 07:30 to 16:00. The James Bond Island tour is back around 17:00 and Phi Phi around 17:30.