Phuket Island Hopping Guide: Which Islands to Visit and How

Island hopping from Phuket works differently from island hopping in places like Greece. Most visitors do not move their luggage from island to island. They stay in one hotel in Phuket and take day trips, and each day trip visits a small cluster of islands that sit close together. Get the clusters right and you can see very different landscapes in a few days: limestone lagoons, granite snorkeling bays, rock towers and quiet sandbars.

This guide explains how the islands around Phuket group together, how long it takes to reach each one, which ones combine well and how to plan one to four island days in a week. Each island links to its own in-depth guide.

The Four Island Groups Around Phuket

Think of the islands by direction. Where the boat leaves from and which way it heads decides what you can see in one day.

1. South: Coral Island and Racha

Boats leave from Chalong Pier on Phuket's south coast. Coral Island (Koh Hae) is only about 15 minutes away by speedboat, and Racha Yai (Raya) lies further south in open sea, around 30 to 45 minutes from Chalong. Both are granite islands with soft white beaches and some of the clearest water close to Phuket.

2. Southeast: Khai and Phi Phi

Speedboats leave from piers on Phuket's east coast. The tiny Khai Islands are 20 to 30 minutes out and make a natural first swim stop on the way to the Phi Phi Islands, which take around 45 to 60 minutes by speedboat. This is the famous limestone scenery: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave.

3. Northeast: Naka, Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island

Also from the east coast, but heading north into sheltered water. The Naka Islands are just 10 to 20 minutes from the northeast coast. Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island are about an hour away, a landscape of hundreds of limestone towers, sea caves and hidden lagoons.

4. Far northwest: the Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are a national park far out in the Andaman Sea. From Phuket it is a full day: a road transfer to Khao Lak, then 1 to 1.5 hours by speedboat. The park is only open for part of the year, usually from around 15 October to 15 May.

Islands Compared

Travel times are typical speedboat times and depend on the sea and the pier.

Which Islands Combine Well in One Day

Because each group sits in a different direction, one day usually means one group. These are the combinations that work:

Coral Island and Racha

The easiest island hopping day. Our Raya and Coral Island snorkeling tour spends the morning on Coral Island, then continues to Racha for snorkeling at Patok, Lah or Siam Bay, a seaview buffet lunch and free time at Patok Bay. It costs 2,400 THB per adult and 1,700 THB per child, with hotel transfer, snorkel gear and a licensed guide included. The day guide Racha and Coral Island day trip has the full timetable.

Khai and Phi Phi

Khai lies on the way to Phi Phi, so it adds a swim without much extra travel. Our Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island speedboat tour visits 3 islands and 7 stops: Khai Nai, Monkey Beach and lunch on Phi Phi Don, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and the walk onto Maya Bay. It costs 3,100 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child, with the national park fee, breakfast and lunch included. We compare this route with the Bamboo Island style of Phi Phi day in Phi Phi with Khai vs a classic Phi Phi tour.

Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island and Naka

The James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay speedboat tour strings the bay together: Panak Island, a sea canoe into the Hong Island lagoon (or Talu Island, depending on the tide), lunch at the Koh Panyee stilt village, James Bond Island, Ice Cream Cave and a last swim at Naka Island. It costs 3,500 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child. The national park fee is paid in cash on the day.

Naka and the small east coast islands by jet ski

For a completely different kind of island hopping, the Jet Ski 7 Islands tour lets you drive your own jet ski to Naka Yai, Naka Noi, Monkey Island, Phai, Hum and Phae islands and through a mangrove channel. It is priced at 7,500 THB per jet ski for 1 or 2 riders, and drivers must be at least 15.

The Krabi side by private boat

From Phuket's east coast you can also reach islands on the Krabi side of the sea, such as the Hong Islands near Krabi or the 4 Islands route of Poda, Chicken Island, Tup and Phranang Beach. We offer these as private speedboat charters: 25,000 THB per boat for the Hong Islands and 20,000 THB per boat for the 4 Islands, with up to 6 hours on the water.

Three Ways to Island Hop

Shared speedboat day tours

The simplest option: hotel pickup, a guide, lunch and a fixed route. You share the boat with other guests. See what to expect on a speedboat tour.

Private charter

Your own boat and crew, your own pace. You can leave earlier than the main tour groups and stay longer where you like. Charters are priced per boat, so they make most sense for groups. Our group vs private cost guide shows where the break-even point is.

Ferry and overnight stays

If you want to sleep on an island, large ferries run from Rassada Pier to Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don in around two hours. From there you would still need a longtail or speedboat to see Phi Phi Leh. See our Rassada Pier guide and visiting Phi Phi without a tour. For a slower island stay close to Phuket, look at Koh Yao Noi.

Sample Plans

One island day

Pick by what you want most. Famous views: Phi Phi. Calm water and cliffs: James Bond Island. Snorkeling and an easy pace: Raya and Coral.

Two island days

Phi Phi and James Bond Island. They cover the two great limestone landscapes of the region and feel very different. Put a beach day in between, because both start around 07:30 and return late afternoon.

Three island days

Phi Phi, James Bond Island and Raya and Coral. Do Raya and Coral first if anyone in your group is new to snorkeling or boats, since the rides are short.

Four island days

Add the jet ski tour for an active day, or a private charter to the Krabi side. If you are visiting between mid-October and mid-May and love clear water, a Similan day from Khao Lak is another option, although we do not currently sell it. Our 5 day Phuket itinerary shows how to fit island days around rest days.

Seasons and Island Hopping

From November to April the seas are at their calmest and every island group is a good choice. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings wind and swell. The sheltered northeast group (Naka, Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island) is the most reliable in that season. The south and southeast groups still run on many days, but crossings are rougher and some days are cancelled for safety. Maya Bay has closed for about two months in most recent low seasons, around August and September, and the Similans close from around mid-May to mid-October. More in our month by month guide.

Practical Tips

• Park fees: Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and the Similans are national parks. Coral Island and Racha are not. Check whether the fee is included. See our park fees guide.
• Reef-safe sunscreen: sunscreens with certain chemicals, such as oxybenzone, are banned in Thai marine national parks. A rash guard is the easiest solution.
• Cash: bring Thai baht for drinks, loungers, optional sea sports and any fee paid on the day.
• Seasickness: the south and southeast routes cross more open water. Take tablets before you leave if you are prone to it. See our seasickness tips.
• Packing: our what to bring on an island tour checklist covers the essentials.

FAQ

Can you island hop from Phuket without changing hotels?

Yes. That is how most people do it. Each day trip visits one group of islands and brings you back to your hotel in the late afternoon.

What are the best islands to visit from Phuket?

Phi Phi for famous views, Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island for limestone scenery, Racha for snorkeling and Coral Island for an easy beach day with children.

Can I visit Phi Phi and James Bond Island on the same day?

Not comfortably on a standard tour. They lie in different directions from Phuket. It is much better to do them on separate days.

Which islands are closest to Phuket?

The Naka Islands and Coral Island are the closest, each around 10 to 20 minutes by boat from the nearest pier.

Which islands can I visit in the rainy season?

Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island and the Naka Islands are the most sheltered. Coral Island and Racha also run on many days. See our rainy season guide.

Ready to plan? Compare the tours side by side in best Phuket island tours: how to choose, or browse all island guides and tours.