The Khai Islands are three tiny islands in the sea between Phuket's east coast and Phi Phi: Khai Nai, Khai Nok and Khai Nui. They are little more than strips of white sand, a few rocks and a patch of trees, but the water around them is a bright, shallow turquoise that looks unreal in the morning sun. Most people visit them as a swim stop on the way to Phi Phi. This guide explains how the three islands differ, how to get there, when to go and how to enjoy a short stop without harming the reef.
The three Khai Islands
"Khai" means egg in Thai, a fitting name for islands this small. They sit in the southern part of Phang Nga Bay, close to the route boats take from Phuket's east coast to Phi Phi.
Khai Nai
The island most day trips stop at. It has a long strip of powder-white sand, very clear shallow water and a row of speedboats nosed up to the beach in high season. There are basic facilities such as sun loungers and drinks for sale, and optional sea sports are offered at extra cost.
Khai Nok
Another small island with a white sand beach, rocks at one end and clear water. Some tours stop here instead of Khai Nai. The experience is similar: a swim, some snorkeling in the shallows and photos.
Khai Nui
The smallest and least visited of the three. It is mainly visited by private boats and some snorkeling trips for a quick swim, and it has no real facilities.
How to get there from Phuket
On a Phi Phi speedboat tour
The easiest way to see Khai is on a Phi Phi day trip that stops there. On our Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island speedboat tour, Khai Nai is the first stop of the day, reached from a pier on Phuket's east coast. It gives you a swim while the sea is still calm and the light is at its best, before you continue to Phi Phi. The stop is short, around 20 minutes on the tour schedule.
Half-day trips and private boats
Khai is close enough to Phuket's east coast for half-day trips. Speedboats from the east coast reach the islands in roughly 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the pier and the sea. With a private speedboat you can spend longer on the sand, visit more than one Khai island or come early before the tour boats arrive.
Best time to visit
The best conditions are from November to April, when the sea is calm and the water is at its clearest. Mornings are best in any season: the water is flatter, the beach is quieter and the color of the water is at its most vivid.
From May to October the islands can still be visited on many days because this part of the coast is more sheltered than the open Andaman Sea, but wind and rain can make the water cloudy and the crossing choppy.
Low tide exposes more sand and rocks. At very low tide the shallows can be only knee-deep a long way out, which is great for wading but means watching where you put your feet.
What to do on Khai
Swim in the shallows
The main reason to stop is the water. It is shallow close to shore with a sandy bottom, so children and weaker swimmers can wade in comfortably. Wear a life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer.
Snorkeling
Small reef fish gather around the rocks, and striped sergeant major fish often swim right up to people in the shallows. Snorkel gear usually comes from the boat. Stay in the areas the guide points out and away from the boat lane.
Sea sports
On a Phi Phi tour, optional activities at the Khai stop can include a beginner try-dive, parasailing, jet ski and banana boat. They are not included in the tour price. Agree the price before you start and bring Thai baht.
Photos
White sand, turquoise water and the boats lined up along the beach make Khai one of the most photogenic stops of the day. Morning light is best.
Khai Island or Bamboo Island?
Phi Phi tours usually add one extra beach stop, often Khai or Bamboo Island. Khai lies on the way between Phuket and Phi Phi, so it adds a swim without much extra travel. Bamboo Island is north of Phi Phi Don, inside the Phi Phi national park, and is usually a longer beach stop with a bigger beach. We compare the two styles of day in Phi Phi with Khai Island vs a classic Phi Phi tour and describe Bamboo in our Bamboo Island guide.
Practical tips
- Short stop: on a Phi Phi day trip the Khai stop is brief. Wear your swimwear under your clothes so you can get straight in.
- Fees: the Khai Islands are outside the Phi Phi national park. There may be small charges on the island for loungers or facilities, so carry some cash.
- Feet: the sand is soft, but there are rocks and coral fragments at the edges. Water shoes help.
- Crowds: in high season many boats stop at Khai Nai at the same time in the morning. Walk to the ends of the beach for quieter water.
- Sun: there is little shade. Use a hat, a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen.
Protecting the reef at Khai
Khai's shallow water gets a lot of visitors, and the reef around small islands like these is easily damaged:
- 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 their 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.
Read more in coral reefs near Phuket.
Where to next
From Khai, most boats continue south to the Phi Phi Islands. For more detail on the islands themselves, read our Khai Island guide. If you are looking for more quiet islands off the east coast, the Naka Islands are a short hop further north.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Khai Islands?
In the sea between Phuket's east coast and the Phi Phi Islands, close to the route boats take to Phi Phi.
Which Khai island is best?
Khai Nai is the one most tours visit and has the most facilities. Khai Nok is similar. Khai Nui is the smallest and quietest.
How long do you spend at Khai Island on a Phi Phi tour?
On our Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour the stop is about 20 minutes, enough for a swim and photos. A private boat lets you stay longer.
Can you feed the fish at Khai?
Please do not. Feeding fish changes their behavior and damages the reef. Just watch them in the clear water.
Is Khai Island good for children?
Yes. The water is shallow and calm near the beach. Children should wear life jackets and water shoes.
