Phuket island hopping means day trips by speedboat or longtail to the islands around it: the Phi Phi Islands (about 45 to 60 minutes by speedboat), James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, the Racha Islands, Coral Island, Koh Yao and, further north, the Surin Islands. The best season is November to April, and several islands are national parks with entry fees and seasonal closures.
Phuket itself has culture, nightlife and dining, but much of the magic lies offshore: limestone cliffs, emerald lagoons and white sand that looks lifted from a postcard. Whether you want to dive or simply relax, Phuket is the base. Here are the islands worth your day, and how to plan the trip.
At a Glance
- Most famous: Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay; James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay
- Quietest: Racha Yai, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai
- Best snorkelling: Surin Islands (open 15 October to 15 May), Racha Yai
- Season: November to April for calm seas; many trips cancel in the monsoon
- Park fees: Phi Phi about 400 THB, Surin 500 THB per foreign adult (as of September 2026)
In This Guide
- The Heavy Hitters: Phi Phi and James Bond
- The Quiet Escapes: Racha, Koh Yao and Surin
- Phuket Island Hopping Compared
- National Park Fees and Closures
- How to Choose a Boat Trip
- Top 5 Packing Essentials
- Where to Stay
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
The Heavy Hitters: Phi Phi and James Bond
When people talk about day trips from Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands usually come first: they are the quintessential Thai island experience. Maya Bay is stunning but busy, strictly managed and closed for two months every year, so Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island are worth building into the day.
Head north into Phang Nga Bay and the mood changes completely. James Bond Island is less about swimming and more about scenery: calm, emerald water ringed by towering limestone cliffs. A highlight is paddling a sea canoe through the hidden caves and lagoons around Koh Hong.
The Quiet Escapes: Racha, Koh Yao and Surin
To escape the crowds, the Racha Islands (Raya) are a brilliant alternative, about 30 to 45 minutes south of Phuket by speedboat. Racha Yai has clear water for snorkelling and white-sand bays such as Patok Beach, and it is a favourite with divers.
For a cultural reset, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai sit between Phuket and Krabi and feel like Thailand from another era: rubber plantations, water buffalo and very little nightlife. For the best coral, the Surin Islands, a national park to the north, are worth the long journey: boats leave from Khuraburi pier on the mainland, about 1.5 hours by speedboat, after a road transfer from Phuket.
Phuket Island Hopping Compared
Here is a quick comparison of the most popular trips. Times are one way by speedboat from the nearest pier (Chalong, Rassada or Bang Rong), except the Surin Islands, which leave from Khuraburi on the mainland. For more on the island itself, see what makes Phuket so popular.
| Island | Speedboat time (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi Islands | 45 to 60 min | Sightseeing, lively day out |
| James Bond Island | 30 to 40 min | Scenery, sea canoeing |
| Racha Islands | 30 to 45 min | Snorkelling, clear water |
| Coral Island | 15 to 20 min | Families, water sports |
| Maiton Island | 15 to 20 min | Quiet, possible dolphins |
| Koh Yao Noi | About 30 min | Culture, nature |
| Surin Islands | About 1.5 h from Khuraburi | Snorkelling, raw nature |
National Park Fees and Closures
Several of these islands are national parks, which charge entry fees and close at set times to let reefs and beaches recover. Fees are usually collected on the boat or at the pier and are often not included in the tour price, so ask when you book.
- Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay: the park fee is about 400 THB for foreign visitors (as of September 2026). Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September; in 2026 it reopens on 1 October. Swimming is limited to knee-deep water.
- Surin Islands: open from 15 October to 15 May; 500 THB per foreign adult and 250 THB per child aged 3 to 14 (as of September 2026).
- Similan Islands: also closed from mid-May to mid-October for the monsoon and reef recovery.
How to Choose a Boat Trip
There are two ways to go: a shared tour, which includes hotel pick-up, lunch and a fixed itinerary, or a private boat, which costs more per boat but lets you choose the islands and the timing. Private longtails from Rawai and Chalong are good value for small groups heading to Coral Island, Koh Bon or Racha; our Rawai Beach guide explains how to hire one. If your tour leaves from Chalong Pier, plan to arrive about 30 minutes before departure.
Whichever you choose, check that life jackets are on board, agree the price and whether park fees are included, and be ready for cancellations from May to October, when the southwest monsoon can make the sea too rough. The best time to visit Phuket guide has sea conditions month by month.
Top 5 Packing Essentials
You do not want to realise you forgot the sunscreen when you are already an hour offshore. Here is your kit:
- Waterproof dry bag (10 L): getting on longtails often means wading, and it keeps your phone and wallet dry.
- Reef-safe sunscreen: protects your skin without harming the reefs you came to see.
- Polarised sunglasses: they cut surface glare, so you can spot fish from the boat.
- Motion-sickness tablets: even on calm days, speedboats can be bumpy.
- Microfibre towel: light, packs small and dries in minutes.
Where to Stay
After a long day of sun and salt, the quality of your rest matters as much as the adventure. Many travellers now choose a private villa or apartment over a hotel for the space and privacy.
This is where we at Silqhaus come into the picture. Silqhaus, a Phuket and Pattaya holiday-rental company, has homes near the island-hopping piers, including Sava Villa in Rawai for boats from Rawai and Chalong, and apartments in Bang Tao on the northwest coast. Our local team answers your messages from the first day, and booking direct is always at least 10% below Airbnb and Booking.com for the same home and dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best island to visit from Phuket?
For a first trip, the Phi Phi Islands or James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay. For fewer crowds and clear water, Racha Yai; for the best coral, the Surin Islands between 15 October and 15 May.
Is Maya Bay open?
Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September; in 2026 it reopens on 1 October. When open, swimming is limited to knee-deep water, and the Phi Phi park fee is about 400 THB for foreigners.
When is the best time for Phuket island hopping?
November to April, when the Andaman Sea is calm. From May to October the monsoon brings rough seas, trips can be cancelled, and some national parks close.
How do I get to the Surin Islands from Phuket?
Take a road transfer to Khuraburi pier in Phang Nga, then a speedboat of about 1.5 hours. The park is open from 15 October to 15 May.
