Khai Island Guide: Khai Nai, Khai Nok and Khai Nui

What Are the Khai Islands?

Koh Khai is a group of three small islands in the sea between Phuket's east coast and the Phi Phi Islands: Khai Nai, Khai Nok and Khai Nui. They are tiny, with little more than a strip of white sand, a few rocks and very clear, shallow water. What they lack in size they make up for in color. On a sunny morning the water around them is a bright turquoise that looks almost unreal against the sand.

Because they sit on the way from Phuket to Phi Phi, the Khai Islands are a popular swim stop on Phi Phi speedboat tours. Most visitors see them this way rather than as a destination on their own. This guide explains what to expect, how the three islands differ and how to include Khai in your Phi Phi day.

The Three Khai Islands

Khai Nai

Khai Nai is the island most Phi Phi day trips stop at, including our Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island speedboat tour. It has powder-white sand and very clear, shallow water that is perfect for a first swim of the day while the sea is still calm. Optional sea sports are offered at extra cost.

Khai Nok

Khai Nok is another small island in the group with a white sand beach and clear water. Some tours stop here instead of Khai Nai. The experience is similar: a short swim and beach stop.

Khai Nui

Khai Nui is the smallest of the three and the least visited. Some snorkeling and private boat trips stop here for a quick swim.

What to Do on Khai Island

Swim in shallow, clear water

The main reason to stop at Khai is the water. It is shallow close to shore, with a sandy bottom, so it is easy for children and non-swimmers to wade in. Life jackets from the boat are always a good idea for weaker swimmers.

Snorkeling

You can often see reef fish in the shallows around the rocks. Snorkel gear comes from the boat on most tours. Stay in the areas the guide points out, away from boat traffic near the beach.

Optional sea sports

On our Phi Phi tour, optional activities at the Khai stop can include a beginner scuba try-dive, parasailing, jet ski and banana boat. These are not included in the tour price, so bring Thai baht if you want to try one, and agree the price before you start.

Photos

Khai is one of the most photogenic stops of the day: white sand, turquoise water and speedboats lined up along the beach. Morning light tends to be best.

How Long Do You Spend There?

Khai is a short stop. On our Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour the schedule shows about 20 minutes at Khai Nai, from around 10:00 to 10:20, before continuing to Phi Phi. That is enough for a swim, some photos and a few minutes on the sand. If you want hours on a Khai beach, a private speedboat charter gives you control over the timing.

Visiting Khai on a Phi Phi Day Trip

The easiest way to see Khai is as part of a Phi Phi speedboat tour. Here is how Khai fits into our Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour, which visits 3 islands and 7 points in one day:

• Hotel pickup and pier (07:30 to 08:30): light breakfast and briefing at the pier on Phuket's east coast.
• Khai Nai Island (around 10:00 to 10:20): first swim of the day on the white sand.
• Monkey Beach (around 11:30): wild macaques on Phi Phi Don.
• Lunch on Phi Phi Don (around 12:00 to 12:45): halal buffet at a beachfront restaurant.
• Viking Cave and Pileh Lagoon (afternoon): sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling and a turn on a stand-up paddle board.
• Loh Sama Bay and Maya Bay (around 15:50 to 16:40): walk onto Maya Bay beach.
• Back at the pier around 17:30 and transfer to your hotel.

The tour costs 3,100 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child (ages 4 to 11), with the national park fee, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling gear and paddle board included. Hotels in some outer areas have a transfer surcharge, shown as add-ons when you book.

Khai Island vs Bamboo Island

Phi Phi tours usually add one extra beach stop, and it is often either Khai or Bamboo Island. The main difference is location. Khai is on the way between Phuket and Phi Phi, so it adds a swim stop without much extra travel. Bamboo Island is north of Phi Phi Don, part of the Phi Phi national park area, and tends to be a longer beach stop with a bigger beach. Neither is better. It depends on whether you value a quick swim on the way or a longer beach break. We compare the two tour styles in detail in Phi Phi with Khai Island vs a classic Phi Phi tour.

Protecting the Reef at Khai

Khai's shallow water gets a lot of visitors, and the reef around small islands like these is easy to damage. You can help:

• Do not stand on coral. Float with a life jacket if you need a rest.
• Do not feed the fish. Bread and fish food change fish behavior and harm the reef.
• Do not take shells, sand or coral home.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen, or cover up with a rash guard.
• Take your rubbish back to the boat.

For more on why this matters, see our guide to coral reefs and conservation around Phuket.

Best Time to Visit

The calmest seas and clearest water are usually from November to April. Khai is a small, exposed island, so on rougher days the guide may shorten the stop or change the order of the day. In the rainy season from roughly May to October, Phi Phi tours still run on many days but can be cancelled when the sea is too rough. That decision is always made for safety.

Tips for Your Khai Stop

• Wear beach shoes. The sand is soft, but there are rocks at the edges of the beach.
• Put sunscreen on before you arrive. The stop is short and there is little shade.
• Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch when you step off the boat into shallow water.
• Bring some Thai baht if you want to try an optional sea sport.
• Listen for the guide's call to return to the boat. On a busy beach it is easy to lose track of time.

FAQ

Where is Khai Island?

The Khai Islands are in the sea between Phuket's east coast and the Phi Phi Islands, which is why they are a common stop on Phi Phi speedboat tours.

Is Khai Island worth visiting?

As a swim stop on a Phi Phi day, yes. It adds clear, shallow water and white sand without a long detour. It is too small to be worth a full day on its own for most people.

Can you stay overnight on Khai Island?

Khai is visited as a day stop. If you want to stay on an island, Phi Phi Don has plenty of accommodation.

Is Khai Island good for kids?

Yes. The water is shallow close to shore, and the stop is short enough to hold their attention. Bring life jackets from the boat for young children.

See Khai as part of a full day at Phi Phi: check dates on the Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour, or read our complete guide to the Phi Phi Islands.