Phuket Day Trip Planner: Pickup Times, What to Bring, What to Expect
A good day trip from Phuket starts the evening before. Knowing when the van will arrive, what to put in your bag, how much cash you need and roughly when you will be back makes the whole day more relaxed. This planner pulls the practical details of each of our day trips into one place, straight from the tour pages, so you can plan your week without opening five tabs.
How a Typical Tour Day Works
- The evening before: your exact pickup time is confirmed. It depends on where your hotel is, which is why tours give a pickup window rather than a single time.
- Pickup: wait in your hotel lobby a few minutes before the start of the window. A minibus or van collects guests from several hotels.
- At the pier: check-in, a briefing from the guide and life jackets. On the Phi Phi tour there is a light breakfast here, and on the Raya and Coral tour coffee and tea.
- On the water: the guide runs the stops in the safest order for the tide and weather, which can differ from the published order.
- Return: the boat arrives back at the pier in the late afternoon and the van takes you to your hotel.
More detail on the first step in how hotel pickup works and hotel pickup zones.
Pickup and Return Times by Tour
| Tour | Hotel pickup | Departs from | Back at the pier | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island | 07:30 to 08:30 | Pier on the east coast | Around 17:30 | About 10 hours |
| James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay | 07:30 to 08:00 | Pier on the east coast | Around 17:00 | About 9 hours |
| Raya and Coral Island | 07:30 to 08:45 | Chalong Pier (boat leaves 09:30) | Around 16:00 | About 8 hours |
| White water rafting | 07:30 to 08:00 | Road trip north to Phang Nga | Late afternoon | About 8 hours |
| Jet Ski 7 Islands | Confirmed the day before | Jet ski base on the east coast | Late afternoon | Full day |
| Private speedboat | Included, departure around 08:00 | Depends on the route | Up to 6 hours on the water | Most of the day |
Add time for the drive back to your hotel after the boat returns. From the east coast piers that is usually a short transfer to Phuket Town and the southeast, longer to the west coast beaches and the far north.
A Typical Timeline: Raya and Coral Island
To give you a feel for the pace of a day, this is the published schedule for the Raya and Coral Island tour:
- 07:30 to 09:30: hotel pickup, coffee and tea at Chalong Pier, speedboat departs at 09:30.
- 10:00 to 11:30: beach time on Coral Island.
- 12:00 to 13:00: snorkeling at Racha, at Patok, Lah or Siam Bay.
- 13:00 to 15:00: buffet lunch at a seaview restaurant and free time at Patok Bay.
- 15:50 to 16:00: back at Chalong Pier, then transfer to your hotel.
The Phi Phi day is longer: the first swim at Khai Nai is around 10:00, lunch on Phi Phi Don around 12:00, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave in the afternoon and Maya Bay from around 15:50, back at the pier around 17:30.
What to Bring on Each Tour
Each tour page lists what to bring. The core is the same everywhere, with a few differences worth knowing:
- Phi Phi: swimsuit, beach shoes, towel, hat and sunglasses, sunscreen and Thai baht for drinks or optional activities.
- James Bond Island: swimsuit, towel, hat and sunglasses, sunscreen, a dry bag for your phone (the sea canoe gets splashes) and Thai baht in cash for drinks and the national park fee.
- Raya and Coral Island: swimsuit, shorts and a light T-shirt, sunglasses, camera, beach towel, sunscreen and slippers.
- White water rafting: swimwear, towel, shorts and a light T-shirt, sandals, camera and sunscreen. You will get wet.
- Jet Ski 7 Islands: swimsuit, beach towel, extra clothes, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses, your passport and Thai baht in cash.
Our full what to bring on an island tour checklist covers the extras: reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, seasickness tablets and a waterproof phone pouch.
What You Pay on the Day
Most costs are covered in the tour price, but a few are not. Budget for these in cash:
- National park fee on the James Bond Island tour: paid in cash on the day. It is included on the Phi Phi tour. See our park fees guide.
- Fins on the Raya and Coral tour: 100 THB per pair, rented on board.
- Optional sea sports: parasailing, banana boats, sea walking and try-dives at Khai Nai, Coral Island or Naka Island are sold by operators on the spot. Agree the price before you start.
- Drinks outside lunch: soft drinks are included on several tours, alcoholic drinks never are.
- Tips: optional. See tipping on boat tours.
Two costs are added when you book, not on the day: the transfer surcharge on the Phi Phi tour (200 THB per person from Kamala, or a private car from 1,500 THB for some outer areas) and optional extras on the rafting trip, such as a 30 minute ATV ride for 500 THB per person.
Who Should Not Go: Health and Age Rules
| Tour | Rules from the tour page |
|---|---|
| Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island | Not recommended for pregnant women or guests with back problems. Child price ages 4 to 11. |
| James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay | Not recommended for pregnant women or guests with back problems. Child price ages 3 to 11. |
| Raya and Coral Island | Pregnant guests are not allowed. Child price ages 4 to 11. |
| White water rafting | Not suitable for pregnant women or guests with back, neck or heart problems. Child price under 12. |
| Jet Ski 7 Islands | Drivers at least 15 and sober. Pregnant women, elderly, disabled guests and guests with medical conditions may not drive. Maximum 150 kg per jet ski. |
If you are unsure whether a tour suits you, contact us before booking and we will check with the operator.
What to Expect on Each Tour
Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island
A long, full day with the most boat time. Expect crowds at Maya Bay in high season, a walk along a short boardwalk trail from Loh Samah Bay, and swimming at Khai Nai and Pileh Lagoon rather than at Maya Bay. See Maya Bay rules.
James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay
Calmer water and more sightseeing than swimming. The water is green, not turquoise. The canoe stop depends on the tide, and the swim happens at Naka Island at the end of the day. See our Phang Nga Bay guide.
Raya and Coral Island
The most relaxed of the five, with short rides and long stops. The snorkeling bay is chosen on the day. Read the Racha and Coral Island day trip guide.
White water rafting
A safety briefing, then 5 km of rapids with a rafting guide steering from the back, a flying fox, lunch and a jungle walk to a waterfall. The river level changes with the season and the guide decides on safety on the day. See the rafting guide.
Jet Ski 7 Islands
A safety briefing and life jackets at the base, then a guide leads the group across calm water with stops for photos, swimming and a Thai lunch. See the jet ski tour guide.
Weather, Cancellations and Changes
If a tour is cancelled because of unsafe weather, you get a full refund or a new date at no extra cost. For your own cancellations, our standard policy is a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and 48 hours for private charters. Two tours have their own terms, shown on the tour page: on the Phi Phi tour you can cancel for a full refund until 23:59 the day before (date changes cost 300 THB per person), and on the jet ski tour free cancellation runs up to 24 hours before departure. Details in our booking terms and what happens if it rains.
When to Book
Bookings close 12 hours before departure, so you can book the evening before for most tours. In the December to March peak, book a few days ahead for the best choice of dates. Read should you book before or after arriving for the trade-offs.
Day-Before Checklist
- Check your pickup time message and save the contact number.
- Pack swimwear to wear under your clothes.
- Charge your phone and pack a waterproof pouch.
- Get Thai baht in small notes for fees, drinks and extras.
- Pack your passport if you are doing the jet ski tour.
- Take seasickness tablets with you if you are prone to it (see our seasickness tips).
- Eat a light breakfast and go to bed early. The days start around 07:30.
FAQ
What time do Phuket day trips start?
Hotel pickup on our tours starts at 07:30. The exact time depends on your hotel and is confirmed the evening before.
What time will I be back at my hotel?
Boats return to the pier between around 16:00 (Raya and Coral) and 17:30 (Phi Phi). Add the drive to your hotel.
Do I need my passport?
You need it on the jet ski tour. For other trips, see do you need a passport for island tours.
Is lunch included?
Yes, on all five day trips in this planner. On private charters lunch is an add-on.
Can I bring my own food?
Snacks are usually fine. See bringing food on boat tours.
Not sure which tour to pick? Start with best Phuket island tours: how to choose, or browse all tours.
Popular tours to book
You've read about it. Now experience it. Daily departures, instant confirmation, free 24h cancellation.
Phi Phi, Maya Bay & Khai Island by Speedboat
3 islands, 7 stops in one day by speedboat: Khai Nai, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay. National park fee, breakfast, halal buffet lunch, snorkeling and paddle board included.
฿3,100
per adult
James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay by Speedboat
Full day in Phang Nga Bay by speedboat: sea canoe into the Hong Island lagoon, Koh Panyee floating village with Thai buffet lunch, James Bond Island, Ice Cream Cave and Naka Island.
฿3,500
per adult
Raya & Coral Island Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat
Two islands in one easy day: Coral Island beach time, then snorkeling at Racha (Raya) Island with a seaview buffet lunch. Hotel transfer, snorkel gear and a licensed guide included.
฿2,400
per adult
