Go Travel Phuket › Travel Guides › Phuket Island Hopping Guide
Island Hopping · Boat Tours & FerriesPhi Phi, James Bond Island, Krabi, the Similan Islands or a quiet day on Coral Island? Around Phuket there are dozens of islands within reach — and just as many ways to visit them. This guide explains every island zone, which tour suits which traveller, how to avoid the crowds, and how to travel between the islands on your own by ferry.
By Go Travel Phuket · Nearly 20 years of experience in southern Thailand · Updated November 2026
Island hopping means visiting several islands in one day — or over several days — instead of staying on just one beach. Phuket is the perfect base for it: the Andaman Sea around the island is dotted with limestone cliffs, coral reefs and white-sand beaches, and most of the famous spots are less than two hours away by speedboat.
There are two ways to do it. Most visitors join an organised day tour: you are picked up at your hotel, the boat crew takes care of the route, lunch, snorkelling gear and national park fees, and you are back at your hotel in the late afternoon. The second option is to travel on your own by ferry — for example from Phuket to Phi Phi, on to Krabi or Koh Lanta, and stay a few nights on each island. Both are easy in Thailand, and this guide covers both.
Each island zone has its own character. Some are about dramatic scenery, some about snorkelling, others about an easy beach day. This table helps you choose quickly:
| Island zone | Best for | Boat time from Phuket | Season | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi Islands | Iconic scenery, Maya Bay, snorkelling | 45–90 min speedboat | Year-round* | Lively & stunning |
| Phang Nga Bay | Limestone cliffs, sea caves, canoeing | approx. 1 hour | Year-round | Calm & scenic |
| Krabi 4 Islands | Beaches, Railay, Phra Nang Cave | approx. 1–1.5 hours | Best Nov–Apr | Relaxed beach day |
| Similan / Surin | World-class snorkelling | via Khao Lak pier | Mid-Oct to mid-May only | Pristine & wild |
| Coral & Racha | Easy beach day, beginners, families | 15–30 min | Best Nov–Apr | Short & easy |
| Koh Rok, Haa, Kradan, Mook | Remote islands, very clear water | Long speedboat ride | Nov–Apr | Off the beaten track |
* Phi Phi tours run all year, but Maya Bay itself is closed every year from 1 August to 30 September.
The Phi Phi Islands are the reason many people come to Phuket. Towering limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons and Maya Bay — made famous by the film "The Beach" — make this the most photographed island group in Thailand. A typical day tour visits Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, a snorkelling stop with tropical fish, Monkey Beach and often Bamboo Island or Khai Island.
Maya Bay today: Since its reopening, Maya Bay has strict rules. Boats no longer enter the bay; you land at Loh Samah Bay on the back side and walk over a short boardwalk. Swimming in Maya Bay is not allowed — only wading up to your knees. The number of visitors per hour is limited, and the bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September so the reef can recover. During those two months, Phi Phi tours still run but only view Maya Bay from the water.
The biggest secret for Phi Phi is timing. From around 10:00 the main bays fill up with boats from Phuket and Krabi. Our Phi Phi Early Bird Speedboat tour leaves earlier, so you reach Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon before the big crowds. If you prefer a larger, more stable boat, the Phi Phi Islands by Speedcatamaran is a comfortable alternative, especially for families and guests who are worried about seasickness.
Still deciding between Phi Phi and other tours? Read our comparisons Phi Phi vs James Bond Island and Krabi 4 Islands vs Phi Phi.
Phang Nga Bay, north-east of Phuket, is completely different from Phi Phi. Instead of beaches and snorkelling, you get a landscape of more than a hundred limestone towers rising straight out of calm, emerald water. The highlight is James Bond Island (Koh Tapu), the needle-shaped rock from "The Man with the Golden Gun". Most tours also include sea canoeing through caves and hidden lagoons (hongs), and a stop at the floating Muslim village of Koh Panyee.
Because the bay is sheltered, the water is calm almost all year — which makes Phang Nga Bay the best island hopping choice during the rainy season and for anyone who gets seasick easily. Our James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay tour combines the classic highlights with canoeing, and the Andaman Seakayak tour focuses on the caves. For a quieter experience, the exclusive Phang Nga Sunrise and Unseen Phang Nga tours avoid the busy hours completely.
More details: Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island Guide and Best Phang Nga Bay Tour from Phuket.
Krabi lies on the mainland east of Phuket, and its islands are famous for postcard beaches. The classic 4 Islands tour visits Phra Nang Cave Beach near Railay, Chicken Island, Tup Island — where a sandbank connects two islands at low tide — and Poda Island. It is a softer, more relaxed day than Phi Phi, with more time on the beach and less time on the boat.
From Phuket you can join the Krabi 4 Islands Tour by Speedboat, or choose our exclusive Krabi Longtail Boat Tour from Phuket for a slower, more authentic day. If you want to stay in Krabi for a few nights, ferries connect Phuket with Ao Nang — see the ferry section below.
If snorkelling is your main reason for island hopping, the Similan Islands and Surin Islands are in a league of their own. Both are protected marine national parks in the open Andaman Sea, with extremely clear water, healthy coral reefs and a good chance of seeing turtles. The Similans are famous for their giant granite boulders and white beaches such as Donald Duck Bay; the Surin Islands are quieter and known for shallow reefs and the Moken sea-gypsy village.
Two things are important: the parks are only open from mid-October to mid-May, and the boats leave from piers in the Khao Lak area, not from Phuket. Tours from Phuket therefore include an early road transfer to the pier. Our Similan Islands tour and Surin Islands tour take care of the full journey. Staying in Khao Lak? Read our Similan vs Surin comparison.
Coral Island (Koh Hey) and Racha Island (Koh Racha Yai) lie just south of Phuket — only 15 to 30 minutes by speedboat from Chalong. They are perfect for a short, easy day: soft beaches, calm swimming, snorkelling straight from the shore and plenty of beach facilities. This is a great choice for families with young children, first-time snorkellers, or anyone who does not want to spend hours on a boat. Racha Yai's Patok Bay has some of the clearest water close to Phuket.
For travellers who have already seen Phi Phi, the islands further south offer something special. Koh Rok and Koh Haa near Koh Lanta are known for bright turquoise water and excellent snorkelling, while Koh Kradan and Koh Mook in Trang province are famous for the Emerald Cave, which you swim through into a hidden lagoon. The boat ride is longer, but the islands are much quieter. See our Koh Rok & Koh Haa and Koh Kradan & Koh Mook tours.
| You are… | Our recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First time in Phuket | Phi Phi Early Bird | The iconic islands — before the crowds arrive |
| Family with small children | Coral & Racha, or Phi Phi by Speedcatamaran | Short ride or a large, stable boat |
| Prone to seasickness | Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island | Sheltered, calm water all year |
| Keen snorkeller | Similan or Surin Islands | The best reefs in Thailand (mid-Oct to mid-May) |
| Beach lover | Krabi 4 Islands | More beach time, less boat time |
| Been there, done that | Koh Rok & Koh Haa, or Kradan & Mook | Quiet, remote islands |
| Travelling in the rainy season | Phang Nga Bay | Open-sea trips are often cancelled in rough weather |
The most popular and affordable option. Everything is organised: hotel transfer, boat, guide, lunch, drinks, snorkelling gear and usually the national park fees. The disadvantage: you follow a fixed schedule, and on the most popular routes you share the highlights with many other boats.
Early Bird tours leave around one to two hours earlier than standard tours. The difference is huge — you arrive at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon or James Bond Island while it is still quiet, the light is better for photos and it is not yet so hot. For Phi Phi we always recommend an Early Bird departure.
A private speedboat or longtail boat gives you complete freedom: your own start time, your own route, and you can stay longer where you like it. It is ideal for families, couples and small groups and is often better value than expected when shared by four to eight people. Contact us for a private island hopping quote.
| Boat type | Speed | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | Fast | Can be bumpy in waves | Day trips to Phi Phi, Krabi, Similan |
| Speedcatamaran | Fast | Stable, more space | Families, older travellers, seasick guests |
| Big ferry | Slow | Very stable, luggage space | Travelling between islands with suitcases |
| Longtail boat | Slow | Authentic, close to the water | Short distances, private trips, Krabi |
Want to spend a few nights on Phi Phi, in Krabi or on Koh Lanta? Then the ferry is the easiest way. Almost all ferries and speedboats from Phuket leave from Rassada Pier on the east coast near Phuket Town — around 20–40 minutes by taxi from Patong, Kata or Karon, and 45–60 minutes from the airport. Many ferry tickets can be booked with a hotel pickup in Phuket.
Boats to the quiet islands of Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi in Phang Nga Bay leave from Bang Rong Pier in the north-east of Phuket, only about 20–25 minutes from the airport. Both islands are a great choice if you want relaxed beaches, rice fields and real island life just 30 minutes from Phuket.
We are often asked how to book these ferries. We work with 12Go, a reliable booking platform for ferries and speedboats in Thailand. You see the live timetable, prices and reviews, many tickets include the pickup from your hotel, and your ticket arrives by email.
Note: The 12Go links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we receive a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep these guides free.
| Period | Sea conditions | Island hopping |
|---|---|---|
| November – April | Calm sea, clear water, lots of sun | Perfect — all islands open |
| Mid-October / early May | Transition, mostly good | Good — Similan/Surin open until mid-May |
| May – July | More wind and waves, short showers | Possible — Phang Nga Bay is the safest choice |
| August – September | Strongest monsoon, rough sea | Limited — Maya Bay closed, some trips cancelled |
Even in high season, plan island trips for the first half of your holiday. If a tour is cancelled because of weather, you still have time to reschedule. More about the seasons in our Phuket & Khao Lak Rainy Season Guide.
| Option | Typical price | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Group day tour | approx. 1,500 – 4,000 THB per person | Transfer, boat, lunch, snorkelling gear, often park fees |
| Private speedboat | from approx. 15,000 THB per boat | Your own route and timing |
| Ferry Phuket – Phi Phi | approx. 500 – 1,500 THB per person | Ticket, often hotel pickup |
| National park fees | usually 400 THB adults / 200 THB children per park | Often included in tours |
Prices change with season, boat type and demand, so use these figures as a guide. Our tour pages always show the current price and exactly what is included.
Our full checklist: Thailand Packing List for Phuket & Khao Lak.
After almost 20 years in the region, our advice is simple: for Phi Phi, go early — the Early Bird tour makes the difference between a crowded and a magical day. For calm water and dramatic scenery, choose Phang Nga Bay. And if snorkelling is your priority, nothing beats the Similan or Surin Islands between mid-October and mid-May.
If you have more than a week, combine a few days in Phuket with the ferry to Phi Phi and Krabi or Koh Lanta. You will see the islands at sunrise and sunset, when the day-trippers have gone — that is when they are most beautiful.
🔍 More Travel Planning for Phuket & Khao Lak
Danijel Petkovic — Go Travel Phuket
Nearly 20 years in Phuket and Khao Lak and around 30 years in tourism. We have taken thousands of guests on island trips — and we know which tours are worth it, and when.
Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, Krabi or the Similan Islands? Tell us your dates and who is travelling — we'll recommend the right tour or ferry route.
