Apart from the incredible and exciting nightlife, shopping scene, and tropical sights, Thailand's largest island has much more to offer. With multiple islands located in close vicinity, Phuket provides a wonderful Island Hopping experience. They provide a wonderful escape from the fast city life, providing a serene and peaceful experience. The nearest of them are under an hour away by boat and offer scuba diving and snorkelling. Others, including the Similan and Surin groups, are a half-day trip in the neighbouring province of Phang Nga and are closed to visitors for part of every year, so check the season before you build a plan around them.
Best Islands to Visit in Phuket
1. Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi is a group of six islands in Krabi province, and almost everything happens on Phi Phi Don, where the village sits on the isthmus between Ton Sai Bay and Loh Dalum Bay. Ferries from Phuket take an hour and a half to two hours, and a speedboat does the crossing in about 45 minutes. With beautiful beaches, vibrant and stunning wildlife, and an array of shops, bars and restaurants, this island is a must-visit tropical paradise. The waters around the island are home to exotic marine life and provide an excellent diving and snorkelling experience.
2. Koh Lanta
A perfect peaceful getaway, this island has slowly developed to become the home of one of the finest beach resorts in Thailand. Koh Lanta is also in Krabi province: boats from Phuket take one and a half to three hours and run in high season only, roughly November to April, while outside those months the journey is by road and car ferry and takes about five hours. Koh Lanta boasts long sandy beaches with diverse terrain, including mangroves and waterfalls. The clear water proves to be an aid to fantastic marine watching sessions. The island is also home to exciting places to explore, such as Aow Nui, Tanod Cape Viewpoint, Tanod Cape, Baan Sriraya, Sea Gypsy House (Baan Sangka U).
3. Koh Tapu (James Bond Island)
Koh Tapu appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun in 1974, which is where the James Bond Island nickname comes from. It is a 20 metre limestone stack in Ao Phang Nga National Park, and boats have been kept back from it since 1998 to slow the erosion, so you see it from the water rather than landing on it. There is nothing on the rock itself, so the stop is normally taken as part of a Phang Nga Bay day trip alongside the beaches, caves and sea canoeing at neighbouring Khao Phing Kan.
4. Similan Islands
A striking blend of tropical beauty and ecstatic marine life, Similan Island is a must-visit. It is considered one of the best diving spots globally due to its clear water and remarkable and beautiful marine life. Home to a variety of endangered species, these islands provide great insights into the beautiful aquatic life. Two practical points: the Similans are in Phang Nga province rather than Phuket's, and there is no scheduled ferry from Phuket, so you reach them on a day tour or a liveaboard leaving from Khao Lak or Thap Lamu. Mu Ko Similan National Park also closes for the monsoon, roughly 16 May to 15 October, and the reopening date is announced each year by Thailand's Department of National Parks, so confirm it before you book.
5. Surin Islands
The Surin islands have got a national park status due to their varied marine and tropical diversity. Considered one of the best diving spots in Thailand, this island is a tropical paradise. Its remote location has resulted in crystal clear water, which enables a wonderful diving and fish spotting experience. The magnificent coral reef adds to the beauty and provides a memorable experience. Like the Similans, Mu Ko Surin sits in Phang Nga province with no ferry from Phuket, and the park is open only from about 15 October to 15 May. It can shut earlier if the weather turns, so treat the dates as provisional.
6. Racha Islands
These islands are constituted by two islands - Racha Yai and Racha Noi. They lie at a distance of 20kms from Phuket and are thus easily accessible. Racha Noi has a rocky terrain and is uninhabited. Fishing and diving are the main attractions on this island. Racha Yai has secluded bays, wonderful long beaches and enthralling nightlife.
7. Koh He
Koh He is also known as the Coral Island, and for a good reason. Being nearest to Phuket, it is a popular choice among tourists. Long sandy beaches provide for good sunbathing sessions. A variety of watersports activities like snorkelling are available. The reef offers the ideal scenery for diving sessions, with the clear water easing the process.
Why is Island Hopping in Phuket so Popular?
Phuket is a beautiful tropical paradise in itself. With long sandy beaches and various attractions present in the city, it offers a lovely experience to all the tourists. However, one of the most sought after activities after coming to the town is Island Hopping. With 32 islands scattered in its close vicinity, the tourists are genuinely spoilt for choice.
Most of these islands are within two hours of Phuket, though the Similan and Surin groups lie further north and are reached from piers on the mainland rather than from Phuket itself. Tourists have several options to choose from while visiting these islands. Tourists can hop on ferries that leave from the Rassada pier or Chalong Bay. These ferries carry a large group of people together. For privacy, tourists can also rent private speed boats while touring the islands. Another option available to the tourists is the island hopping tours. These tour around the most popular islands quickly and are less desirable as they do not provide flexibility.
Prices for Ferries, Boats and Tours
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Ferries - Tickets to Phi Phi start at about THB 250, and most operators charge THB 400 to 800 one way, plus a THB 20 environmental fee on arrival at Ton Sai.
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Private and Longtail Boats - These are on the expensive side as they provide privacy and utmost flexibility. A longtail boat costs about THB 5,500 for a full day with fuel included. A private speedboat chartered for a full day starts at around THB 22,000, which is a whole-boat price rather than a per-person fare, so it only makes sense split across a group. A seat on a shared speedboat is closer to THB 400 to 520. Prices vary with the route and the season, so treat all of these as a guide.
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Island hopping tours: Prices vary according to the package chosen. They include food, transportation and touring. If you would rather have the boats, transfers and permits arranged for you, the Phuket tour packages bundle island hopping days into a longer trip.
How to Reach Phuket
Being the largest island in the country, Phuket is easily accessible by air and water. The city has one serving airport, the Phuket International Airport, with international and domestic flights operating. Thai Lion Air and Thai Airways provide daily flights from Bangkok. Water routes can also access Phuket. Cruises taking sail from Singapore dock at Phuket en route to Kuala Lumpur. Tourists can arrange for cabs or rented vehicles to move around from the city.
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