Offshore Islands
Phuket itself is only just an island, linked to Phang Nga province by the Sarasin bridge. All around Phuket are small offshore islands which can be visited for the day or a few hours. Some have accomodation, some are just gorgeous little specks in the ocean. Some are good for diving too. For island tours, contact Easy Day Thailand.
Islands close to Phuket
Koh Yao Noi
I wish I had more time to explore Koh Yao Noi and it's larger neighbour Koh Yao Yai. These islands are officially in Phang Nga province, but easily reached from Phuket by ferry. Must get over there more often before the locals sell up their land to the resorts. At the moment, it's still gorgeous...
• Koh Yao Noi Day Trip in 2006
• Cycling in Koh Yao Noi (2011)
• Koh Yao Noi by Moped (2011)
• Exploring Koh Yao Noi Again (2012)
Racha Yai (Raya) Island
About 20km south of Chalong Bay and a popular destination for divers, especially beginners as the water is clear and there are rarely any strong currents. I must have been there 100 times before first setting foot on the island and staying overnight in 2012! We did a weekend trip staying at Ban Raya resort. Great.
• Racha Yai Island (Raya Island) Weekend Trip
Koh Kaew Yai
Just 1km offshore from Phromthep Cape (the southwesterly tip of Phuket), Koh Kaew Yai is a small island and a place of worship. It is said that the Buddha first stepped ashore on this island before landing on Phuket at nearby Rawai beach. You can hire a longtail boat to Koh Kaew Yai and Koh Bon from Rawai.
• Koh Kaew Yai
Koh Rang Yai
Off the east coast, Koh Rang Yai is a private island, but you can get a longtail boat here from Laem Hin - nice place to stay for half a day. Nice sand, there is a restaurant but it's not cheap. In between is Koh Maphrao.
• Koh Rang Yai trip in 2006
• A day with speedboats and Helicam at Koh Rang Yai
Koh Sirey
Sirey island is on the east side of Phuket Town.. rather like Phuket Island, it's connected by a bridge, but has a different feel and has many quiet areas as well as being home to sea gypsies. You can find a few restaurants and also an abalone farm here.
• More about Koh Sirey
• Koh Sirey Temple
Further offshore...
Phi Phi is easily reached in a day trip, though it's better to stay a night or two. Can be crowded during the day with all the daytrippers. Scenery is beautiful. The Similan Islands are about 100km from Phuket and are better known for diving, but day trips for snorkeling are possible and you can even stay on the islands in national park accommodation.
• Phi Phi Islands Day Trip
• Seaplane Flight to Phi Phi
• Similan Islands
More islands to come such as Koh Maphrao, Koh Bon... Just give me time, I do work 6 days a week, so that leaves little time for exploring offshore islands! Oh, to be a full time blogger!
Islands close to Phuket
Koh Yao Noi
I wish I had more time to explore Koh Yao Noi and it's larger neighbour Koh Yao Yai. These islands are officially in Phang Nga province, but easily reached from Phuket by ferry. Must get over there more often before the locals sell up their land to the resorts. At the moment, it's still gorgeous...
• Koh Yao Noi Day Trip in 2006
• Cycling in Koh Yao Noi (2011)
• Koh Yao Noi by Moped (2011)
• Exploring Koh Yao Noi Again (2012)
Racha Yai (Raya) Island
About 20km south of Chalong Bay and a popular destination for divers, especially beginners as the water is clear and there are rarely any strong currents. I must have been there 100 times before first setting foot on the island and staying overnight in 2012! We did a weekend trip staying at Ban Raya resort. Great.
• Racha Yai Island (Raya Island) Weekend Trip
Koh Kaew Yai
Just 1km offshore from Phromthep Cape (the southwesterly tip of Phuket), Koh Kaew Yai is a small island and a place of worship. It is said that the Buddha first stepped ashore on this island before landing on Phuket at nearby Rawai beach. You can hire a longtail boat to Koh Kaew Yai and Koh Bon from Rawai.
• Koh Kaew Yai
Koh Rang Yai
Off the east coast, Koh Rang Yai is a private island, but you can get a longtail boat here from Laem Hin - nice place to stay for half a day. Nice sand, there is a restaurant but it's not cheap. In between is Koh Maphrao.
• Koh Rang Yai trip in 2006
• A day with speedboats and Helicam at Koh Rang Yai
Koh Sirey
Sirey island is on the east side of Phuket Town.. rather like Phuket Island, it's connected by a bridge, but has a different feel and has many quiet areas as well as being home to sea gypsies. You can find a few restaurants and also an abalone farm here.
• More about Koh Sirey
• Koh Sirey Temple
Further offshore...
Phi Phi is easily reached in a day trip, though it's better to stay a night or two. Can be crowded during the day with all the daytrippers. Scenery is beautiful. The Similan Islands are about 100km from Phuket and are better known for diving, but day trips for snorkeling are possible and you can even stay on the islands in national park accommodation.
• Phi Phi Islands Day Trip
• Seaplane Flight to Phi Phi
• Similan Islands
More islands to come such as Koh Maphrao, Koh Bon... Just give me time, I do work 6 days a week, so that leaves little time for exploring offshore islands! Oh, to be a full time blogger!
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Offshore Islands | Jamie's Phuket Blog
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Please do add your comment or ask a question
Hi, just wondering if Phuket is near to Koh Lipe? We're planning to go there for honeymoon but could not find a suitable accomodation.
Guten Tag Fraulein,
Koh Lipe is a long way from Phuket, not within reach of a day trip. Lipe is way down south not far from the border with Malaysia. Check this website for information on how to get there:
http://www.kohlipethailand.com/how_to_get_there.php
Jamie - can you help me? what is the best way to get from Karon to Ko Lanta?
Will be travelling in February.
Karon to Koh Lanta.
Buy a ferry ticket to Koh Lanta from any travel agent. Daily ferry from Phuket to Lanta. They will pick you up from your hotel in the morning around 7 - 7:30am. Easy, no?
Hi Jamie,
I love your blog it is verrrry helpful!
We are coming to Phuket for the month of March and plan on travelling all around Phuket and are also planning on staying on Koh Phi Phi for 5 days.
Where does the ferry leave from to get there and keeping in mind the cost where is the best area to leave from if there is a lot of choices?
Thanks in advance!
Hello! Ferry to Phi Phi departs from Rasada pier on the east side of Phuket Town and 8:30am and 1:30pm. You can buy tickets from any travel agent anywhere on Phuket, which will include a hotel transfer. Easy!
First off, this blog is very interesting and informative, thank you!
I am a bit stumped, hoping you can help me :)
I arrive into Phuket airport at around 15:15pm on June 12th. By the time I get out of the airport and into Phuket, it will easily be about 17:30 - too late for any ferry to Phi Phi as far as I can tell, especially as its wet season. Are there any alternative methods for reaching Phi Phi at that sort of time? I'm on a backpacker/flashpacker budget. I would rather not stay the night in Phuket as I'm on a bit of a tight schedule :(
If there's no way to get to Phi Phi that day, I may just head to Trang, as I'm hoping to go to Koh Kradan too.
If you can help me out at all, it would be much appreciated! Cheers.
Jamie, I've heard all sorts of conflicting reports about going out on island day trips during the wet season. Would it be a better idea for us to go to Coral Island in late Sept for some snorkelling, or would that be a waste of time? Phi Phi now sounds a bit far to go, after reading about how the seas can become very rough at this time of year.
Cheers, Louise
Hi Louise,
Not much to see at Coral Island really. Phi Phi - just play it by ear - if the weather looks OK, book a trip! Or closer to shore you have Khai island - lots of snorkel trips go there.
Jamie
Hi Jamie!
Coming next week to Phuket with my boy-friend and would like to do some good snorkelling? Any places to recommend? We haven't booked anything yet, so we are open to any suggestions (staying there for at least 5 days). Thank you very much and hope to see you there! Sophie
Hi Jamie We love your blog it is such interesting reading. We are coming to Phuket from Perth for two weeks, on 19th April, travelling down to Krabi for a few days in the middle. What is the weather like and should we go by ferry to Phi Phi then on to Krabi? How long is the journey as I get seasick!! Also are there any festivals as I am a temple fanatic! Also do they bargain there like in Bali?
Thanks for your help!
To Krabi - ferry takes 2 1/2 hours or you can go by road, weather should still be hot and sunny, don't know of any festivals end of April but there are plenty of temples to explore, and sometimes you can bargain.
Hi Jamie,
Thinking of booking the resort on Coconut Island and travelling with 2 kids 12/14 is it easy to get to and from the island and the main land they advise they have a free boat service?.
Thanks for any advice.
Tanya
Hi Tanya,
Yes Coconut Village has a free boat service which I think runs any time you want.. its only just offshore.. only issue is that the boat jetty is at Laem Hin and from there you'll need transport to get to anywhere you want to see, it's on the east coast north of Phuket Town and a fair way from the main beaches.. mind you I would think part of the reason for staying at Coconut Village is to avoid the main tourist beaches!
Hi jamie,
maybe you can shine some light on my trouble,
you see i am going to phuket, on 10th-13th june, for my prewedding photo shoot.
We wanted to go to phi-phi island (maya beach) for the shoot, however we have tight schedule (only have 11 and 12 for photo session).
My friends told me that if we want to go to phi-phi we better stay overnight there, however that way we will lose some time to explore other spots in phuket.
But is maya beach really that crowdy ?
Maybe you have other suggestion ?
should i go to phi-phi and sacrifice exploring places in phuket ? or should i explore phuket and offshore islands instead ?
Thanks,
Teddy
You can certainly take a day trip, BUT if you want Maya Bay on a day trip you will either be very limited on time on a regular tour, or you can spend lots of cash and hire your own boat from Phuket. And the weather might not play ball either :) With such a limited time, maybe rethink location for photos?
any suggestion maybe ? on the location of photoshoot ?
yes i admit i was a bit hasty when i decide that...