10 Best Islands to Visit from Phuket

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Best Islands to Visit from Phuket

Picture yourself floating in crystal-clear turquoise water, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs that look like they belong in a movie. That’s exactly what awaits you just a short boat ride from Phuket.

The best part? These stunning islands are surprisingly easy to reach, even if you’ve never been to Thailand before, and I’ll show you exactly how to visit each one.

Here are 10 incredible islands that deserve a spot on your Phuket itinerary. 😊

1. Koh Phi Phi Leh

a. What Makes This Island Special

Koh Phi Phi Leh

This uninhabited gem is home to Maya Bay, the iconic beach from The Beach movie.

Dramatic limestone cliffs plunge into emerald lagoons, and since there are no hotels here, it feels wonderfully untouched.

The bay reopened in 2022 with strict conservation rules to protect the coral.

b. Key Sights and Activities

Maya Bay

  • Maya Bay lets you wade in the shallows and soak up postcard-perfect scenery framed by towering cliffs. Note it closes every August and September for ecosystem recovery.
  • Pileh Lagoon feels like a natural swimming pool surrounded by cliffs. Jump in from your boat and float in crystal-clear turquoise water.
  • Viking Cave is worth viewing from your boat. Local collectors gather swiftlet nests here for bird’s nest soup, and you may spot ancient wall paintings on the exterior.
  • Loh Samah Bay just behind Maya Bay is a quieter snorkeling spot with colorful fish and corals.
  • Photography is excellent everywhere.

2. Koh Phi Phi Don

a. What Makes This Island Special

Koh Phi Phi Don

Phi Phi Don is the lively heart of the Phi Phi islands with hotels, restaurants, and famous nightlife.

But it also has spectacular viewpoints, hidden coves, and excellent snorkeling.

Stay overnight to enjoy the beaches after day-trippers leave.

b. Key Sights and Activities

Nui Bay

  • Nui Bay on the north coast has remarkably healthy reefs with pristine corals, colorful fish, and occasional moray eels.
  • Phi Phi Viewpoint offers panoramic views of twin bays divided by a sand strip. It’s a steep 20 to 30 minute hike, but absolutely worth it at sunrise or sunset.
  • Beach hopping takes you to Long Beach with views of Phi Phi Leh, Loh Dalum Bay for swimming and nightlife, and quieter Laem Tong Beach in the north.
  • Nightlife on Loh Dalum Bay features fire shows, beach bars, and DJ sets at spots like Slinky Beach Bar. Tonsai Village offers a different vibe with sports bars, live music, and Muay Thai fights at the famous Reggae Bar.
  • Monkey Beach is a quick longtail boat ride from Tonsai Pier where you can meet the island’s cheeky residents. The beach also offers good swimming and snorkeling in clear, shallow water.

3. Koh Mai Phai (Bamboo Island)

Bamboo Island

a. What Makes This Island Special

Bamboo Island is the picture of tropical paradise. A small, flat island ringed by dazzling white sand and clear turquoise water.

With no hotels, just a small ranger post, it has a true castaway feel.

b. Key Sights and Activities

  • Pristine beaches wrap around the entire island. The main beach is wide and gently sloping. Walk a few minutes to find an empty stretch under the trees.
  • Shore snorkeling is excellent for beginners. Parrotfish, clownfish, and harmless blacktip reef sharks patrol the waters.
  • Nature walks take you across the tiny island in about 20 minutes through coastal vegetation where you might spot monitor lizards.
  • Early morning visits are magical. Catch the earliest boat and you might have the beach nearly to yourself.
  • Pure relaxation is the real draw. Swim, explore, and enjoy being somewhere beautifully simple.

4. Koh Racha Yai

Koh Racha Yai

a. What Makes This Island Special

About 18 kilometers south of Phuket, Racha Yai is known for exceptionally clear water and powdery white-sand bays.

With no cars and limited development, the island has a peaceful, laid-back charm. The stargazing at night is phenomenal thanks to minimal light pollution.

b. Key Sights and Activities

  • Snorkeling and diving are world-class at Batok Bay and Siam Bay with coral gardens, needlefish, parrotfish, reef sharks, and sea turtles. Visibility ranges from 20 to 30 meters.
  • Batok Bay Beach is a crescent of white sand and clear aqua water that quiets to an uncrowded paradise by late afternoon.
  • Scenic viewpoints reward you with panoramic views after easy 15 to 20 minute hikes, especially beautiful at sunset.
  • Kayaking and paddleboarding let you explore quiet bays and skim over coral patches in glassy morning water.
  • Night sky viewing is spectacular with minimal light pollution. The peaceful island after dark, with just waves and cicadas, is magical.

5. Koh Racha Noi

Koh Racha Noi

a. What Makes This Island Special

Farther south lies Racha Noi, uninhabited and covered in dense jungle.

Water clarity is often better than Racha Yai, and the beaches are totally undeveloped. Famous among experienced divers for big pelagic sightings.

b. Key Sights and Activities

  • World-class diving at South Tip brings manta rays and whale sharks during peak season. North Tip offers swim-throughs with reef sharks and eagle rays.
  • Snorkeling at Banana Bay has hard coral gardens and few other visitors. You might be the only ones in the water.
  • Untouched beaches on the north end see very few people. No vendors, no chairs. Just you and palm trees.
  • Crystal-clear water offers visibility of tens of meters. The remoteness here is palpable.
  • Fishing and excursions include sport fishing for tuna and mahi-mahi. The boat journey might reveal flying fish or dolphins.

6. Khai Islands

Khai Islands

a. What Makes This Island Special

The Khai Islands are three tiny islands just 15 to 20 minutes off Phuket’s east coast.

Incredibly convenient for half-day trips and fantastic for families with calm, shallow waters.

b. Key Sights and Activities

  • Beachfront snorkeling at Khai Nai puts you among schools of colorful fish in shallow, gentle water perfect for beginners and children.
  • Khai Nok Island has more space with a laid-back vibe, beach bars, and waist-deep water stretching far out.
  • Khai Nui Island offers the best snorkeling with angelfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, and sometimes passing sea turtles around its rocky reef.
  • Family fun and water toys include clear kayaks, floats, and banana boat rides in a cheerful, supervised environment.
  • Quick getaway convenience means you can visit for a morning or afternoon and be back at your hotel in half a day.

7. Similan Islands

Similan Islands

a. What Makes This Island Special

The Similan Islands are ranked among the world’s top destinations for divers and beach lovers, boasting Thailand’s healthiest coral reefs.

Giant granite boulders tumble into aquamarine water. Open mid-October to mid-May only.

b. Key Sights and Activities

  • Snorkeling and diving are dreams come true with sea turtles, reef sharks, leopard sharks, and manta rays. Visibility often reaches 20 to 30 meters.
  • Sail Rock Viewpoint on Island #8 is the most photographed spot. Hike through giant boulders for panoramic views of white beach and turquoise sea.
  • Pristine beaches like Honeymoon Bay on Island #4 and Donald Duck Bay on Island #8 have blindingly white sand.
  • Wildlife and nature reveal Nicobar pigeons, fruit bats, and the Similan flying fox. At dusk, crabs and monitor lizards patrol the beaches.

8. James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan)

a. What Makes This Island Special

James Bond Island

This island became famous after appearing in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974).

The star is Ko Tapu, a gravity-defying 20-meter limestone spike. It sits in Ao Phang Nga National Park, one of the world’s most stunning karst seascapes.

b. Key Sights and Activities

James Bond Rock

  • Ko Tapu (James Bond Rock) is the ultimate photo opportunity with its unforgettable silhouette against the green bay.
  • Exploring Khao Phing Kan reveals the leaning cliff from the film, shallow caves with stalactites, and local stalls selling souvenirs.
  • Sea kayaking through Phang Nga Bay takes you under limestone stalactites into secret emerald lagoons called “hongs”. Unforgettable.
  • Scenic longtail boat rides weave among dozens of surreal karst islands with brahminy kites soaring above and monkeys on cliffs.
  • Cultural stops often include Koh Panyee, a Muslim fishing village on stilts, and Suwankuha Temple with its reclining Buddha and wild monkeys.

9. Koh Hey (Coral Island)

Coral Island

a. What Makes This Island Special

For a quick beach escape, Coral Island is perfect. Just 15 to 20 minutes by speedboat, it has two lovely beaches with white sand and clear water.

Very family-friendly and ideal for half-day trips.

b. Key Sights and Activities

  • Easy snorkeling from the beach is ideal for beginners and kids with parrotfish, sergeant majors, and wrasses in calm, clear water.
  • Water sports galore include parasailing, banana boat rides, and sea walking with special helmets letting non-swimmers walk the seafloor among fish.
  • Banana Beach vibes feature a restaurant and bar serving Thai lunches under the palms. Relax in beanbags or hammocks. You might spot hornbills or iguanas nearby.
  • Short nature trek connects Banana Beach to Long Beach through the island’s interior in about 20 minutes.

10. Surin Islands

Surin Islands

a. What Makes This Island Special

Remote and pristine, the Surin Islands have some of Thailand’s best coral reefs.

About 60 kilometers offshore, these jungle-covered islands feel truly untouched.

They also offer cultural encounters with the Moken people, sea nomads living on Surin Tai island.

b. Key Sights and Activities

  • Spectacular snorkeling puts you among staghorn and table corals swarming with reef fish. Sea turtles are often spotted grazing in the shallows.
  • Richelieu Rock diving is world-famous with soft corals and whale shark sightings in March and April.
  • Moken Village visits offer unique cultural insight. Meet families, see handcrafted boats, and learn traditional sea knowledge.
  • Beach time and camping on North Surin Island means golden sand, turquoise water, and falling asleep to gentle waves with brilliant stargazing.
  • Jungle nature trails lead through rainforest to spot nicobar pigeons, flying foxes, and monitor lizards.

Best Time to Visit These 10 Islands

General Weather Patterns

  • Dry season (November to April): Sunny skies, calm seas, excellent visibility.
  • Rainy season (May to October): Frequent showers and choppier seas, but many tours still run.

Month by Month Overview

  • January and February: Driest, sunniest months with calm seas and excellent visibility. Peak tourist season.
  • March and April: Hot and mostly dry. Best dive months with active manta rays and whale sharks.
  • May and June: Monsoon begins mid-May. Similan and Surin close. Rain comes in short bursts with good hotel deals.
  • July and August: Variable weather. Maya Bay closes August and September. James Bond Island tours continue in Phang Nga Bay.
  • September and October: Wettest period. Similan and Surin reopen around October 15 as conditions improve.
  • November and December: Dry season returns. December offers excellent weather but is the busiest month.

Key Takeaways

  • Best conditions: November through April
  • Best diving: February through April
  • Most affordable: May through October
  • Similan and Surin access: Mid-October through mid-May only
  • Maya Bay closure: August and September yearly

The Best and Easiest Ways to Visit These Islands from Phuket

The good news is that visiting these islands is very easy, even if it is your first time in Thailand.

There is no need to figure out ferry schedules or negotiate with boat operators. You can simply join a boat tour and let everything be arranged for you.

Below are some popular tour options, organized by destination.

a. Phi Phi and Koh Mai Phai (Bamboo Island)

b. Koh Racha Yai, Koh Racha Noi, and Koh Hey (Coral Island)

c. Khai Islands

d. Similan Islands

e. James Bond Island

f. Surin Islands

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