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Best Phuket Guide
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Island Guides

Islands near Phuket

Where to go, how to get there and when, written for planning a real day out.

Phuket sits between two very different seascapes. To the south and east lie the Andaman Sea islands: the limestone cliffs of Phi Phi, the clear water of Racha and the easy beaches of Coral Island, with the granite Similans far out to the northwest. To the north and east is Phang Nga Bay, a sheltered bay of karst towers, sea caves and hidden lagoons that can be visited in most weather.

Each guide covers how to get there, the best season, national park rules and fees, what to do and which of our tours visit. Start with the quick comparison below.

At a glance

IslandBest forGetting thereBest time
Phi Phi IslandsIconic cliffs, lagoons and Maya Bay45 to 60 min by speedboat, about 2 hours by ferryNovember to April. Maya Bay usually closes around August and September.
Khai IslandsA quick swim in bright, shallow water20 to 30 min by speedboat from the east coastNovember to April, mornings are best
Racha Island (Raya)Clear water and relaxed snorkeling30 to 45 min by speedboat from Chalong PierNovember to April, open all year
Coral Island (Koh Hae)Families and a short boat ride15 to 30 min by speedboat from Chalong PierNovember to April, open all year
Similan IslandsRemote reefs, open mid-October to mid-MayFull day: road to Khao Lak, then 1 to 1.5 hours by speedboatPark usually open 15 October to 15 May
James Bond IslandThe famous Ko Tapu rock pillarAbout 1 hour by speedboat from the east coastAll year, sunniest November to April
Phang Nga Bay and Hong IslandSea canoes, hidden lagoons and Koh PanyeeAbout 1 hour by speedboat from the east coastAll year, the bay is sheltered
Naka IslandsJet ski days and quiet beaches10 to 20 min by boat from the northeast coastAll year, calmest November to April

Andaman Sea islands

South and east of Phuket: the limestone cliffs of Phi Phi, the clear water of Racha, easy Coral Island and the remote granite Similans.

Phi Phi IslandsAndaman Sea

Phi Phi Islands

Sheer limestone cliffs, Maya Bay and the emerald Pileh Lagoon. How to visit Phi Phi from Phuket, the Maya Bay rules and the best season.

  • Maya Bay
  • Pileh Lagoon
  • Viking Cave
45 to 60 min by speedboat, about 2 hours by ferryBest time: November to April. Maya Bay usually closes around August and September.
Read the guide1 tour
Khai IslandsAndaman Sea

Khai Islands

Three tiny islands between Phuket and Phi Phi with powder-white sand and bright, shallow water. A favorite first swim stop on Phi Phi trips.

  • Khai Nai beach
  • Shallow turquoise water
  • Reef fish in the shallows
20 to 30 min by speedboat from the east coastBest time: November to April, mornings are best
Read the guide1 tour
Racha Island (Raya)Andaman Sea

Racha Island (Raya)

Racha Yai, also called Raya, has some of the clearest water near Phuket. White sand bays, easy snorkeling and a relaxed day from Chalong Pier.

  • Patok Bay
  • Clear water snorkeling
  • Siam Bay
30 to 45 min by speedboat from Chalong PierBest time: November to April, open all year
Read the guide1 tour
Coral Island (Koh Hae)Andaman Sea

Coral Island (Koh Hae)

The closest beach island to Phuket, about 15 to 30 minutes by speedboat from Chalong. Calm, shallow water, two easy beaches and plenty of sea sports.

  • Banana Beach
  • Long Beach
  • Beginner snorkeling
15 to 30 min by speedboat from Chalong PierBest time: November to April, open all year
Read the guide1 tour
Similan IslandsAndaman Sea

Similan Islands

Giant granite boulders, powder-white sand and clear blue water far off Khao Lak. A protected national park, open mid-October to mid-May.

  • Donald Duck Bay
  • Sail Rock viewpoint
  • Koh Miang
Full day: road to Khao Lak, then 1 to 1.5 hours by speedboatBest time: Park usually open 15 October to 15 May
Read the guide

Phang Nga Bay

The sheltered bay north and east of Phuket: karst towers, sea caves, hidden lagoons and calm water that makes it a good choice all year.

James Bond IslandPhang Nga Bay

James Bond Island

Khao Phing Kan and the Ko Tapu rock pillar in Phang Nga Bay, famous from The Man with the Golden Gun. What to see and how to visit from Phuket.

  • Ko Tapu rock
  • Khao Phing Kan
  • Hong Island sea canoe
About 1 hour by speedboat from the east coastBest time: All year, sunniest November to April
Read the guide1 tour
Phang Nga Bay and Hong IslandPhang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay and Hong Island

Karst towers, sea canoes into hidden lagoons at Hong Island, the stilt village of Koh Panyee and calm water that makes it a good trip all year.

  • Hong Island lagoons
  • Sea canoeing
  • Koh Panyee village
About 1 hour by speedboat from the east coastBest time: All year, the bay is sheltered
Read the guide2 tours
Naka IslandsPhang Nga Bay

Naka Islands

Naka Yai and Naka Noi, quiet islands off Phuket's northeast coast with sandbars, calm water and karst views. A highlight of the jet ski tour.

  • Naka Yai beach
  • Naka Noi sandbar
  • Pearl farms
10 to 20 min by boat from the northeast coastBest time: All year, calmest November to April
Read the guide2 tours

Not sure which island to pick?

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