Travel Guides & Information
Islands in Phuket
Southern Thailand is blessed with an astonishing number of islands off its coasts. From tiny rocks to inhabitable larger tracts of land emerging from the surface of the Andaman Sea, islands – and above all, tropical islands – have always been perceived positively in our collective imagination. They offer a sense of freedom, escaping the crowds, and exoticism.
Phuket – the largest island in Thailand – still offers the sensations mentioned above, but its fast development through the last several decades undoubtedly made it lose some of its idyllic vibes. Even so, many smaller islands around Phuket still offer a real feeling of evasion from our modern world. Below are the best islands around Phuket, each with its own personality and certainly worth a visit when you're in Phuket.
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands have become one of the prime holiday destinations in southern Thailand for obvious reasons. This small archipelago of 6 islands is stunningly beautiful and can offer an ideal vacation for almost any taste.
Koh Phi Phi Don, the largest and only inhabited island of the group, features 3 main areas. The buzzing main village between Tonsai and Dalum bays is filled with hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants. Laem Thong, a very tranquil tropical cliché of a beach hosts only a few resorts. Then there's the southern coast, which counts a few accommodation choices stuck between the jungle and the sea. If you're looking for a drastic change of scenery for your holiday, Phi Phi Islands are bound to meet your expectations.
The Similan Islands
The Similans are a group of 9 islands belonging to the eponymous Marine National Park, about 84 km northwest of Phuket. Totally undeveloped, they offer their visitors an unspoiled remote territory in the same state as it used to be thousands of years ago.
Ranked among the top 10 dive sites in the world, the Similans can be visited on day trips as well as short stopovers. The rangers' camp features accommodation in tents and small bungalows that allow visitors to fully enjoy the natural beauty of the islands. With white powder sand beaches, lush vegetation, crystal waters, and only the sound being the wind through the branches, the Similans offer the ultimate place to get away from it all.
Racha Islands
Also known as Raya, the Racha Islands are 2 islets situated some 20 km south of Phuket. Racha Yai and Racha Noi are especially famous for their top-notch diving and snorkelling sites, as well as for their 'full of fish' surrounding waters.
Racha Yai is the only island of the 2 featuring accommodation options and a small local population of Muslim fishermen and farmers. Relatively busy during daytime with the passage of day-trippers, it regains its tranquillity after around 4pm, and offers its guests laid-back evenings spent in the few bars and restaurants available, or stargazing on the beach.
Coral Island
Coral Island (Koh Hae in Thai) is a small island that's around 5 km off Phuket's southeastern coast. The short commuting time – 15 minutes by speedboat – from Phuket, makes this island a very popular day trip destination.
Coral Island features only 2 beaches named Long and Banana, both of them facing north and offering great diving and snorkelling opportunities. There is only one hotel – Coral Island Resort – and a few bars and restaurants on the island that, in a similar way as Racha Island, is buzzing with day-trippers until mid-afternoon before it regains its peacefulness at night. Coral Island certainly has all the assets of a tropical dream destination near Phuket.
Koh Yao Yai & Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Yai and Noi are 2 rather large islands situated right between Phuket's and Krabi's coasts, at the mouth of Phang Nga Bay. From Phuket, it takes about 45 minutes to get there by local ferry, or 20 minutes by speedboat.
For the visitor, Yao Noi is more developed than Yao Yai, with the presence of a good choice of hotels from budget to 5-star. The charm of these islands stands in the fact that they have not been overdeveloped, and that a peaceful community of Muslim farmers and fishermen is the only human presence. Offering a journey back through time, these islands have preserved their ancestral traditions and beautiful tropical landscape.
Koh Kai Island
Khai Islands – Koh Khai Nok and Koh Khai Nai – are 2 tiny islets situated to the east of Phuket, only a 20-minute ride by speedboat. The largest of them, Koh Khai Nok, is particularly busy in high season as it offers a pleasant getaway from Phuket for those who want to enjoy sunbathing and snorkelling without the hassle of a long trip at sea.
Both islands are uninhabited, and Khai Nok is the only one which can be visited. Featuring all the infrastructures necessary to spend a comfortable day on the beach – restaurants, bars, sun-loungers and umbrellas – the highlight of Koh Khai Nok is the multitude of tropical fish roaming around the shore, giving visitors the great experience of swimming in a natural 'aquarium'.
Koh Bon
Directly opposite Rawai Beach, off Phuket's southeastern coast, Koh Bon is a small rocky island that features a long beach to its eastern side and a small sandy patch at its northwestern tip where the only restaurant of the island is situated.
Under British management, Koh Bon is a cool place to enjoy fresh seafood, as well as Thai and western delicacies. A perfect destination for a short break, it is a tranquil island offering good swimming and a great natural escape from the hustle and bustle of Phuket. On your way there, ask the driver of your longtail or speedboat to stop by the southwest corner of the island. It hosts an excellent snorkelling spot.
Koh Maphrao
Koh Maphrao (or Coconut Island) is a small isle about 500 meters off Phuket's east coast. Measuring just 2.5 x 1.5 km and facing Leam Hin, a popular seafood dining area just north of Phuket Town, Koh Maphrao is still rather undeveloped due to the fact that there's no electricity on the island apart from private generators.
It takes only 5 minutes by long-tail boat to reach Koh Maphrao's main pier, situated on the northern part of its west coast, facing Phuket. On the way, you'll pass several famous floating restaurants between Laem Hin and Koh Maphrao's jetty. The island is roughly rectangular, and a good quarter of its southwestern part is covered with mangrove forests, home to long-tailed macaques.
Koh Rang Yai
Koh Rang Yai is about 5 km off the east coast of Phuket. A 1-km long beach occupies on its western part, which gets busy daytrippers to Phang Nga Bay. The southward current gently carries you parallel to the whole length of the beach. The water is also almost at body temperature, between 25°C to 35°C.
Koh Rang Yai's shady and tree-lined beach has several pathways for strolling and hiking. You can even cycle on the paths, though they're rather rickety in parts. You'll also notice a small football pitch, an air gun shooting range, a mini-golf course, along with a volleyball net on the beach.
On Koh Rang Yai's west-facing beach, you can enjoy water sports (including sea kayaking) or sunbathe in the afternoons. Adventurous travelers can find pretty good snorkelling near the headland rocks. If you need to refuel, there are a couple of restaurants and bars close to the large trees on the beach.
The easiest way to get to Koh Rang Yai is by joining a day tour. It's also quite possible to kayak from Phuket, though this option isn't recommended when the weather is poor. You can also opt for a 20-minute ride on a longtail boat from Phuket's Laem Hin Pier, just north of Phuket Town.
Hotels in Phuket
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Beautiful beaches and islands, ancient ruins, temples, jungles, and unique cultures form the basis of Thailand's tourism industry. Bangkok is the main entry point for most tourists, and from here travelers generally head south to the beaches or north to the jungle towns. Our Discovery guides will help you choose your perfect Thailand destinations, whilst our tour partners-viator will ensure picturesque excursions, thrilling activities and memorable experiences.
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