15 Islands Near Phuket – Phuket Island Hopping

Phi Phi Islands

Koh Phi Phi are probably the most famous islands in Thailand, located about 40 km southeast of Phuket. The group includes Phi Phi Don, the only inhabited island, and Phi Phi Leh, home to the famous Maya Bay, which appeared in the movie The Beach. Both islands are incredibly scenic, with dramatic limestone cliffs and clear turquoise water.

I’ve been to Phi Phi many times and always find something new to enjoy. Phi Phi Don is lively and walkable, with plenty of places to eat, stay, shop and party! One of my favourite things to do is hike up to the viewpoint, especially late afternoon, the view over the twin bays is unforgettable.

Phi Phi Leh is uninhabited and only accessible by boat. Maya Bay is stunning, but it can get very busy. I recommend visiting early in the day and checking if it’s open, as the authorities sometimes close it to protect the marine environment.

Snorkelling and diving around the Phi Phi Islands are also great, with colourful coral and marine life. It’s easy to book trips from Phuket or Krabi, but staying overnight on Phi Phi Don gives you the chance to enjoy the islands once the day-trippers leave.

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are a group of islands I’ve been lucky to visit a few times, and they really are among the most beautiful places you can explore from Phuket. Located about 100 km northwest of the island, they’re not the easiest to reach, but that’s part of what makes them special. The boat ride from Khao Lak or Phuket takes a while, but when you finally arrive, the crystal-clear water and powdery white sand make it worth every minute.

Most people come here for snorkelling and diving, and for good reason. The water clarity is some of the best I’ve seen in Thailand, and the underwater world is covered with colourful corals, reef fish, and sometimes turtles swimming right beside the boat. I remember how surreal it was to float above the reef with visibility so good it felt like flying.

If you’re not into diving, just walking on the beaches or hiking up to the viewpoints is already an experience. The park is only open from mid-October to mid-May, and the number of visitors is controlled, so it doesn’t feel too crowded.

Racha Island

Racha Island, or Koh Racha Yai, is one of the easiest island trips from Phuket, and I’ve been there many times. It takes only 30 minutes by speedboat from Chalong Pier, and the water gets clearer and bluer the closer you get. The island is small but incredibly beautiful, especially Patok Bay, where most boats arrive, with white sand, clear water, and a perfect place for a swim.

It does get busy with day-trippers as it is a popular island-hopping destination, but if you stay overnight, the island becomes peaceful again by late afternoon. I’ve stayed at The Racha, which is one of the best resorts on the island, peaceful, well-designed, and just a few steps from the beach. There are a couple of more affordable options too, like Racha Island Resort and Baan Raya, if you’re on a smaller budget.

Snorkelling around the island is easy, just walk into the water at Siam Bay or Ter Bay and you’ll find coral and fish within minutes. It’s also a good place to try diving if you’re just starting out, and there are a few local dive schools that offer beginner trips.

Koh Bon

Koh Bon is one of the closest islands to Phuket, and it’s been one of my favourite quick getaways for years. It only takes about 15 minutes by longtail boat from Rawai Beach, but once you land, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s quiet, undeveloped, and perfect for a few hours of doing nothing at all.

Most people head to the beach near Bon Island Restaurant, a casual place. I usually stop for lunch. Their fried fish with garlic or the green curry is always good. The setting is so simple and relaxed that you can easily spend half a day there without realising it.

If you explore a little further, there’s a superb hidden beach tucked away on the other side of the island. It’s not easy to find unless you know the way. You either walk a rough trail or ask your boat driver to drop you off directly. It’s quiet, with soft sand and great swimming, and I’ve often had the whole beach to myself.

Koh Bon isn’t flashy, and that’s exactly why I keep going back. It’s an easy, peaceful escape that still feels like old Phuket.

Koh Khai Islands

The Koh Khai Islands are probably the easiest day trip you can take from Phuket, and I’ve been there quite a few times, especially when friends visit and want a quick escape with clear water and some beach time. It takes just 15 minutes by speedboat from Phuket’s east coast, usually from Boat Lagoon or Laem Hin Pier, and you’re already on a tiny island with bright white sand and turquoise water.

The two main islands are Khai Nai and Khai Nok. They’re both small and easy to walk around, with beaches all around and shallow water filled with colourful fish. You’ll often see people feeding them by hand, although it’s not recommended as it disrupts the marine life. There are beach chairs, simple bars, a few shops, and lots of umbrellas.

Khai Nui is the smallest of the three and doesn’t have any buildings, just a small rocky islet with decent snorkelling around. Some tours stop there briefly, but it’s usually part of a combo trip. To be honest, the islands are quite commercial and can feel crowded at times. But if you’re short on time or just want to swim in clear water, lie on the beach, and take photos, the Koh Khai Islands are fun and very easy to access and are often on the island hopping programs.

Coral Island

Coral Island, also called Koh Hey, is just 15 minutes from Rawai Beach by speedboat, and despite being so close to Phuket, the colour of the sea always surprises me. On a sunny day, the water turns a striking shade of blue, and the sand is so white you’ll need sunglasses just to look at it. I’ve been there many times over the years, sometimes for a lazy half day, sometimes for snorkelling or even a quick dive.

There are two beaches on the island: Long Beach and Banana Beach.

Long Beach is the main beach, and it’s just beautiful, long, wide, and lined with trees for shade. It has a few restaurants and offers all the usual water activities: banana boats, parasailing, snorkelling, and even scuba diving right from the beach. It used to feel overcrowded, but lately, I’ve enjoyed a few relaxing visits. I once skipped the big buffet lunch included in the tour package and ordered a quiet meal from one of the beachfront restaurants instead. It took a while to arrive, but it was peaceful, and I had time.

Banana Beach, on the other hand, used to be a quiet beach that no one went to. Not anymore. Today, it’s busy from around 9:30 am, with speedboats unloading groups of visitors onto designated beach chairs. There’s a full program of activities, a loud orientation briefing, and a big buffet lunch included in most tours. It can be a bit overwhelming, lots of noise, organised photo poses, and queues for everything.

If you like having everything arranged for you and don’t mind the crowds, it might be your kind of day trip. But when I went, I wandered away from the crowd to find a bit of peace, and I did.

Koh Maphrao

Koh Maphrao, also known as Coconut Island, is one of the closest island escapes from Phuket. It only takes about 10 minutes to get there by longtail boat from Laem Hin Pier, but it feels like a different world once you get there. I’ve been there many times, sometimes just for lunch, sometimes to spend a quiet weekend.

The island is small, with coconut trees, a few plantations, and a calm local village vibe. The beaches aren’t the kind with white powdery sand, but the peace and space are what make the trip worthwhile. You won’t find crowds or beach clubs here. It’s all about slowing down.

One of the best places to stay is the Barceló Coconut Island Resort, recently renovated and looking better than ever. The setting is beautiful, and the resort blends well into the surroundings with a laid-back atmosphere and great views across the bay.

If you’re just visiting for a few hours, I usually recommend stopping at one of the floating seafood restaurants near the pier. Kruvit Raft is a long-time favourite. Simple, fresh, and right over the water.

Koh Maphrao is great for when you want to take it easy and enjoy something a little more local and quiet, just minutes from Phuket.

Maiton Island

Maiton Island, or Koh Mai Thon, is one of those quiet escapes I’ve always enjoyed. It’s only about 30 minutes by speedboat from Phuket, usually from Ao Makham or Chalong, but the water is already much clearer, and the island has a different feel compared to the more popular day-trip spots.

The beach is beautiful: soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and no jet skis or noisy beach sellers. It’s the kind of place where you can just lie under the trees and enjoy the breeze. I’ve been there a few times and always found it peaceful. On one trip, I even spotted dolphins swimming not far from the island. Rare, but unforgettable.

There used to be a luxury Japanese resort here many years ago, and while the buildings are still standing, the hotel has long been closed. You can still see the old villas tucked behind the trees, a reminder of a time when the island catered to upscale travellers. Today, it adds to the slightly nostalgic feel of the place.

Most people visit Maiton on a day trip that includes snorkelling and lunch. The reef just off the beach is nice for casual snorkelling, and the island is usually quiet, even when a few boats arrive.

Rang Yai Island

Rang Yai Island is one of the easiest islands to visit from Phuket, and I’ve gone there quite a few times when I just wanted a quiet afternoon by the sea without too much planning. It’s only about 20 minutes by longtail boat from Laem Hin Pier on the east coast, and once you arrive, there’s a long sandy beach lined with trees and space to relax.

The west-facing beach is the most popular spot, and it’s surprisingly nice, with soft sand, calm shallow water, and a few basic facilities like a beach bar, restaurant, and toilets. It’s not a luxury setup, but I always find it comfortable enough to spend a few hours. If you go during the week or early in the morning, it can feel like you have the whole beach to yourself.

The water is good for swimming, and there are kayaks and mountain bikes to rent if you feel like moving around. I’ve walked across the island a few times. There’s a trail that cuts through coconut groves, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get from one side to the other.

In the past, Rang Yai was also known for its pearl farm, and they used to offer a small tour and display. It’s no longer a major attraction, but you might still spot some traces of it.

Rang Yai isn’t a place for big adventures, but that’s part of the charm. It’s close, quiet, and easy, the kind of spot I recommend when you just want to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Koh Yao Noi

Koh Yao Noi is one of the islands I’ve returned to the most over the years, not for big sights or dramatic beaches, but for how peaceful and unchanged it still feels. Located halfway between Phuket and Krabi in Phang Nga Bay, it’s easy to reach by speedboat from Bang Rong Pier and is also often on island hopping programs. In just 30 minutes, you’re stepping into a different pace of life.

The island is home to a local Muslim community, and while tourism has slowly grown, Koh Yao Noi has kept its laid-back character. Most of the coastline is lined with coconut trees, rice paddies, and small beaches with views of the limestone cliffs in the distance. It’s not the kind of place where you come for parties or flashy beach clubs; it’s the opposite, and that’s exactly why I like it.

There are a few lovely places to stay, from simple bungalows to high-end villas like Six Senses Yao Noi, which has one of the best views in the bay. I’ve stayed in a few spots around the island, and no matter where you are, you wake up to birds, sea breeze, and quiet roads with almost no traffic.

I usually rent a motorbike and just explore, stopping for iced coffee, watching water buffalo graze, or finding a quiet beach to sit for a while. If you want something more active, there’s kayaking, rock climbing, and even Thai cooking classes.

Koh Panyi

Koh Panyi is one of those places that still amazes me, no matter how many times I go there. Built entirely on stilts at the foot of a tall limestone cliff, this floating village in Phang Nga Bay feels both unusual and real. It started over 200 years ago as a small fishing community, and today it’s home to several hundred people who still live and work here, mostly around fishing and tourism.

The village can get busy at lunchtime with day tours stopping for seafood meals, but it’s always worth walking past the restaurants to explore. You’ll find narrow wooden walkways weaving through houses, shops, and local homes, some with kids playing, others drying fish or chatting in front of their porches. It feels very local once you get past the tourist-facing side.

There’s also a floating football field, which was built by the kids and has become something of a symbol for the village. Every time I see it, I’m reminded how creative and resourceful the locals are.

The food is usually simple and fresh: grilled prawns, fried fish, and crab, often served fast to keep up with the tour groups. If you’re doing a day trip to James Bond Island, it’s easy to stop here along the way, and I always suggest staying just a little longer to see more than just lunch.

James Bond Island

James Bond Island, or Khao Phing Kan, is one of the most photographed places in Phang Nga Bay, and I’ve been there many times over the years, mostly when friends or family visit and want to see that famous rock from The Man with the Golden Gun. It can get busy, but the trip is still worth it, especially if you include a few other stops along the way.

The island is small, with a short walkway and a handful of stalls selling drinks and souvenirs. The iconic limestone pillar, Ko Tapu, sits just offshore and looks exactly like the photos: tall, narrow, and a bit unreal. Everyone takes the same picture with all kinds of funny poses, but I don’t mind. It’s part of the experience.

What I enjoy more, though, is the boat ride through Phang Nga Bay. The views along the way are what make the trip so unique: calm water, dramatic cliffs, and mangrove channels. If you can time your visit early in the morning or late afternoon, the light will be better, and the crowds will be thinner. James Bond Island is one of those places that lives up to the hype, if you visit it right and take your time getting there.

Koh Hong

Koh Hong in Phang Nga Bay near Koh Yao Noi is one of those places I have always enjoyed going back to. The island is known for its hidden lagoon, and getting there is half the fun, usually by kayak or small boat through a narrow opening in the cliffs.

Tall limestone walls surround the lagoon, and at high tide, you can paddle right in over the still water. It’s incredibly quiet, especially if you manage to go early before other boats arrive. There’s a sense of being cut off from everything else, just you, the water, and the cliffs.

Outside the lagoon, Koh Hong also has a small beach where boats drop off passengers. It’s not very big, but it’s a great place to rest, take photos, or have a quick swim. You won’t find any shops or restaurants here; it’s part of the national park, so it’s been kept clean and simple.

I usually recommend including Koh Hong as part of a longer day trip in the bay, especially if you enjoy kayaking. It’s quiet, beautiful, and feels just a little more hidden than the main tour stops.

Koh Kaeo

Koh Kaeo, facing the famous Promthep Cape, is just a tiny island you can visit by longtail boat from Rawai. Apart from a small beach, the only particular signs of this island are the two large golden Buddhas, one sitting and one standing, and a small temple on top of the hill.

Koh Sirey

Koh Sirey is indeed 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.