The vast bay between Phuket and Krabi is home to hundreds of exotic islands. Phi Phi Island is, of course, the best known, but there are other gems such as Racha Island, Coral Island, Rang Yai and Koh Yao, to name a few. Island hopping is very easy to organise for an unforgettable day trip. On the west coast, the Similans are the most amazing islands you could dream of visiting.
A Weekend in Koh Yao Noi [toc] The Koh Yao Islands are just 5 kilometres away by boat from the east coast of Phuket. The smallest and most populated is Koh Yao Noi (Noi stands for small), and the largest but mostly uninhabited is Koh Yao Yai (Yai stands for large). Koh Yao Noi is where most people spend long weekends in one of the many hotels along the coast.
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Phi Phi Islands 2021 [toc] Phi Phi island is open, and the beaches and other nearby islands are more beautiful than ever. However, no international tourism is possible unless visitors agree to go through a 2 weeks quarantine in designated hotels. The island looks desolated, and the vast majority of shops, restaurant and hotels are closed. There are just a few visitors every day, locals and expats for most. You
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Which Islands Near Phuket Should I Visit? [toc] There are so many big and small islands around Phuket; it would take forever to visit them all. Most are not far, and you should consider an island hopping to your trip or even a private cruise. These are just a few islands near Phuket we had the chance to visit, and we will be adding more as we travel around. 1.
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What to Do in the Similans? [toc] The Similan Islands form a fabulous archipelago in the Andaman Sea, just 120 km northwest of Phuket island. These small islands are so stunning; you don't even need to be an excellent photographer to come back with amazing photos. Most people go there on a day trip tour, but the best way to enjoy the Similan islands is to stay for two days.
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A small paradise island near Phuket [toc] Rang Yai Island is an unexpected little paradise just 5 km away or a 20 min ride from the east coast of Phuket Island. It is not a secret beach since it is part of some tours packages, but most individual travellers often forget it even exists. We decided to revisit Rang Yai island to see if it was as beautiful as in
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The unexpected beauty of Maiton Island [toc] Maiton island is an understated paradise with a long and exciting history. It’s a fantastic day out, only 15 minutes from Phuket by speedboat. The island is small but with a large and quiet beach and a green hill as a backdrop. Maiton is a private island with a small hotel and just a few bungalows that used to be the ultimate luxury
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What to Do on Coral Island? [toc] Coral Island, or Koh Hey, is one of the few beautiful islands you can reach within 15 minutes by speedboat from Rawai Beach in south Phuket. You can spend half a day or a day playing on the beach, snorkelling or even scuba diving, even during low season. It might seem strange to go from a tropical island to another tropical island, but
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Where is Koh Bon Island? [toc] Bon Island (or Koh Bon) is located just south of Rawai Beach in Phuket and is just a short longtail boat ride away. A few sandy beaches pepper the coast of this tiny island, and despite being so close to Phuket, it hasn't been invaded yet. There are only two real beaches on Koh Bon (In Thai, islands are 'Koh'). One was the landing
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What to Do in Phi Phi Islands? [toc] Here are some of the best places to see and best things to do in the Phi Phi islands. Of course, as they are so popular, those places can be really busy, so it is recommended to stay overnight in Phi Phi and try to reach them early morning to beat the crowds. Note that Maya Bay has been closed to the
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How to Get From Phuket to Phi Phi Island? [toc] There are several ways to catch a ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi Islands. You can prebook in advance and include your hotel transfer, or if you are on a super tight budget you can even go to the Rassada Pier in Phuket Town and buy your ferry ticket from there. Not sure this second option is worth the hassle
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How to Get to Phi Phi Viewpoint? [toc] Phi Phi viewpoint is probably one of the main things you will visit during your stay on Phi Phi island. You can easily reach the Phi Phi viewpoint by foot, and this is where visitors take the iconic ‘2 bays view’ photo of Phi Phi. On the left is Tonsai Bay, Loh Dalum beach is on the right, and those majestic limestone
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Diving in Phi Phi Island [toc] Diving in Phi Phi Island is a unique experience you shouldn't miss as not many places in the world can offer such a unique clear dive sites. If you never experienced diving before, just remember that there is a very cool option called 'Discover Scuba Diving' that doesn't really require any training, just a briefing usually given on the deck of the boat on
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What is Koh Panyi Village? [toc] Koh Panyi (Koh Panyee) is a surprising village almost entirely built on stilts in Phang Nga Bay near the famous James Bond Island. Koh Panyi is a very unusual and exciting site to discover, but it can be hectic, especially at lunchtime because of the many seafood restaurants welcoming all the visitors. The trick is to get there early and be the only visitor
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James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay [toc] James Bond Island (Khao Ping Kan) is one of the many must-see places in Phang Nga Bay people want to tick off their list when in Phuket. There are many positive and negative opinions about this iconic island, and most are justified. Before that old 1974 Bond movie ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ with Roger Moore and Christopher Lee (remember 'Count
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An island within Phuket [toc] Koh Sirey is an island, but you would never guess it from a map and many probably have never heard of it. Connected to Phuket town by a very short bridge, this small piece of land doesn't have any particular signs but this is where you will find the beautiful Westin Siray Bay Resort. [the_ad id="30528"] What to Do on Sirey Island Besides the temple
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Koh Khai Nai, Khai Nai Island and Koh Khai Nok [toc] Koh Khai is a group of famous tiny islands just 15 minutes speedboat ride from Phuket east coast. There are 3 islands: Koh Khai Nai, Koh Khai Nui and Koh Khai Nok, but their names get a little confusing, especially once you know that 'Koh' means 'Island' in Thai. Two of them (Koh Khai Nai, Koh Khai Nok) have
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Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi [toc] Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi on Koh Yao Island is not your usual 'Phuket Resort’, it is a destination in itself. Specially designed for romantic couples in search of an escape from the stress of the big city, this is a perfect hideaway to spend a few days before moving to the fun of Phuket Island... Set on a nearby remote island not really
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What to Do on Koh Racha Island? [toc] Racha Island (also called Raya Island or Koh Racha Yai) is a great snorkelling and diving site located 12 kilometres south of Phuket. The island is so small it can only accommodate three resorts: The Racha Phuket Resort is a real luxury hideaway, Baan Raya Resort and the modest Bungalow Raya Resort. Believe it or not, even people living in Phuket need
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