Tours from Rawai and Nai Harn: A South Phuket Guide

Rawai and Nai Harn sit at the southern tip of Phuket. They are quieter than Patong, popular with long-stay visitors and families, and have a more local feel, with seafood restaurants, a working fishing beach at Rawai and one of the island's prettiest bays at Nai Harn. For island tours, the south has one clear advantage: you are close to Chalong Pier, where trips to Coral Island and Racha begin. Trips that leave from the east coast, such as Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay, mean a longer drive.

This guide explains which tours suit a stay in the south, what to know about hotel pickup, and what there is to do locally between boat days. Prices quoted are standard rates at the time of writing and can vary by date, so check the tour page for yours.

How Far Are the Piers?

• Chalong Pier: usually around 10 to 20 minutes by road. This is your closest pier and the base for Coral Island and Racha.
• East coast piers: for Phi Phi, Khai, Phang Nga Bay and the Naka Islands. Depending on the pier and the traffic through Chalong and Phuket Town, often around 45 to 75 minutes.
• Phang Nga province: the rafting trip heads north by road, so it is the longest drive from the south.

These are rough estimates. Morning traffic around the Chalong circle can add time.

The Best Fit: Raya and Coral Island

If you only book one boat trip from Rawai or Nai Harn, the Raya and Coral Island snorkeling tour is the natural choice. It leaves from Chalong Pier, so the drive is short, and the boat rides between stops are short too. You spend the morning on Coral Island, then continue to Racha Yai for snorkeling at Patok, Lah or Siam Bay (chosen on the day based on conditions), a buffet lunch at a seaview restaurant and free time on the beach.

• Adult 2,400 THB, child (4 to 11) 1,700 THB.
• About 8 hours, 07:30 to 16:00. Pickup is between 07:30 and 08:45 depending on your area, confirmed the evening before.
• Included: minibus transfer, speedboat, coffee and tea, buffet lunch, soft drinks and fruit, mask, snorkel and life jacket, and a licensed English or Chinese speaking guide.
• Fins can be rented on board for 100 THB. Sea sports at Coral Island cost extra. Pregnant guests cannot join.

Racha has some of the clearest water you can reach on a day trip from Phuket. Our Racha Island guide and Racha and Coral Island day trip guide go into detail.

Phi Phi from the South: What to Know About Pickup

The Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour leaves from a pier on Phuket's east coast. Hotel transfers are included from standard zones, while Kamala and outer areas have a surcharge. Rawai and Nai Harn count as outer areas for this tour and need a private car transfer, which you add on the booking page. Check the options for your hotel before you book so the full price is clear. Our guide to hotel pickup areas explains how the island is grouped.

Otherwise the day is the classic one: 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. It costs 3,100 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child (4 to 11), with the national park fee, a light breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, a paddle board and accident insurance included.

Phang Nga Bay, Jet Ski and Rafting

The James Bond Island tour, the jet ski tour and the rafting trip all include hotel transfer but involve a longer drive from the south. James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay (3,500 THB per adult, national park fee paid on the day) is the best choice if you want calm water, since the bay is sheltered and runs in both seasons. The Jet Ski 7 Islands tour (7,500 THB per jet ski for 1 or 2 riders) also stays in sheltered east coast water. The rafting trip (2,500 THB per adult) is a good plan B when the sea is rough.

Private Speedboat Charters

For families and groups staying in villas around Nai Harn and Rawai, a private speedboat charter is worth a look. Hotel pickup, captain and crew, fuel, life jackets, soft drinks and insurance are included, with up to 6 hours on the water, and the departure pier is confirmed before your trip. Routes go to Phi Phi (29,000 THB), Phang Nga Bay (35,000 THB), the Hong Islands (25,000 THB) and the 4 Islands in Krabi (20,000 THB), priced per boat. National park fees and lunch are not included.

Longtail Boats from Rawai Beach

Rawai Beach is lined with longtail boats, and local boatmen offer trips to the small islands just offshore, such as Koh Bon, and further out to Coral Island. It is a traditional way to spend a few hours on the water, but it is not the same as an organized tour. If you hire a longtail directly:

• Agree the price, the route and the return time before you get in.
• Check that there are life jackets on board for everyone, including child sizes.
• Expect a slower, wetter and noisier ride than a speedboat, and bring a dry bag.
• Skip it when the sea is rough, especially from May to October.

We do not sell longtail trips from Rawai.

Things to Do Locally

• Rawai seafood market: by the beach near Rawai pier. You choose seafood at the stalls and have it cooked at a restaurant across the road for a cooking fee.
• Promthep Cape: the southern tip of Phuket and a famous sunset spot. Arrive early in the high season, as it gets busy.
• Nai Harn Beach: one of Phuket's most attractive bays and good for swimming in the dry season. From May to October watch for red flags and strong currents.
• Nai Harn Lake: a flat loop behind the beach, popular with walkers and runners in the cooler hours.
• Windmill viewpoint and Ya Nui Beach: views over the south coast and nearby islands, and a small beach where you can snorkel close to shore on calm days.
• Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha: both a short drive north.

For more on the pier you will use most, read our Chalong Pier guide. Browse all tours or contact us if you have questions about pickup from the south.

Frequently asked questions

Which pier is closest to Rawai and Nai Harn?

Chalong Pier, usually around 10 to 20 minutes by road. Coral Island and Racha trips leave from there.

Is hotel pickup included from Rawai?

Every day tour we sell includes a hotel transfer. On the Phi Phi tour, Rawai and Nai Harn are outer areas that need a private car transfer, added on the booking page.

Can I go to Coral Island by longtail from Rawai?

Yes, local boatmen offer it. Agree the price and check the life jackets first. The ride is slower and wetter than a speedboat.

What is the easiest island trip from the south of Phuket?

Raya and Coral Island, because it starts at nearby Chalong Pier and each boat ride is short.