Day Trips from Phuket: The Best Excursions

Getting off the island

Phuket’s position on the Andaman coast gives it easy access to some of Thailand’s best seascapes — Phang Nga Bay to the northeast, the Phi Phi Islands to the southeast, and the Similan and Surin Islands further offshore. Many of these require boat transfers, and the choice between speedboat tours and slower alternatives has a significant effect on cost. For everything on Phuket itself, see our Phuket island guide.

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Phang Nga Bay

80km by road, 1.5 hours | Full day recommended

Phang Nga Bay is the most photographed landscape in southern Thailand — more than 40 limestone karsts rise vertically from shallow green water, riddled with sea caves and hollow hongs (inland lagoons). The bay is sheltered enough to visit year-round.

Khao Phing Kan — James Bond Island — became world-famous after appearing in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). The site is busy but the karst landscape justifies the crowds. Koh Panyi, a Muslim fishing village built on stilts over the water, makes a natural lunch stop. Sea kayaking through narrow cave passages into hidden lagoons is the highlight of most tours.

Getting there and costs: The standard approach is a full-day speedboat tour departing from Rassada Pier or a pier on Phuket’s east coast. Prices run ฿1,500–2,200 per person including kayaking, lunch, and return transfer from your hotel. Longtail boat tours are slower (add 30–45 minutes each way) but quieter and cost ฿800–1,200. Private longtail charters for small groups: ฿4,000–6,000 for the boat.

Operators worth checking include John Gray’s SeaCanoe (฿4,200 per person for the premium night kayaking tour) and Sea Cave Canoe (฿1,800–2,200 for full-day). Both have strong safety records and controlled group sizes.

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Phi Phi Islands

48km southeast | 1.5 hours by speedboat | Full day

Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island; Phi Phi Ley (uninhabited) holds Maya Bay, made famous by the film The Beach. After a decade of environmental damage, Maya Bay closed for rehabilitation from 2018 to 2022. It reopened with stricter controls — no boats inside the bay, swimmers must enter from a designated beach.

The snorkelling around Phi Phi Ley is excellent: Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, and the area near Monkey Beach all have strong coral coverage. Viking Cave contains ancient boat paintings and is an active swift nest collection site.

Getting there and costs: Speedboat tour from Rassada Pier or Chalong Pier: ฿1,500–2,500 per person, full day including snorkelling stops and lunch on Phi Phi Don. Journey time approximately 1.5 hours. Ferry (slower, cheaper): ฿500–600 one way, 1.75–2 hours, departs from Rassada Pier. Ferries run roughly 3 times daily. Private speedboat charter for groups: ฿12,000–18,000 for the boat.

For those who want more time on the islands, taking the ferry over in the morning and the afternoon ferry back gives about 4–5 hours on Phi Phi Don.

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Similan Islands

84km northwest | Departs Tap Lamu Pier | Full day, seasonal

The Similan Islands sit about 84km from the Phuket coast in open water and are rated among the best dive sites in Southeast Asia. Eleven islands make up the marine national park; the best snorkelling is around Islands 4, 8, and 9. The underwater visibility often exceeds 30 metres on good days.

Season: The park is open approximately November to April only. Monsoon swells make access too dangerous from May onwards. Check current status before booking.

Getting there and costs: The standard route is to take a transport van from Phuket to Tap Lamu Pier (1.5 hours south), then a speedboat to the islands (1.5–2 hours). Full-day snorkelling tours depart early (around 6–7am) and return by 6pm: ฿2,200–3,500 per person including transport, speedboat, national park fees, snorkelling equipment, and lunch. Dive day trips add equipment and divemaster: ฿4,500–6,000 for two dives. Book through dive schools in Patong, Kata, or Karon at least a day in advance during peak season.

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Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai

30 minutes by longtail | Half day or overnight

The Koh Yao islands sit in the middle of Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi, and are the anti-thesis of both. No nightlife, few resorts, and a pace of life governed by Muslim fishing village rhythms. Koh Yao Noi has a network of paved roads ideal for cycling; Koh Yao Yai is larger and quieter still.

As a day trip, a morning longtail over, a bicycle ride around the island, lunch at a waterfront restaurant, and an afternoon ferry back is perfectly achievable. As an overnight, it makes an extremely peaceful contrast to Phuket.

Getting there: Longtail boats depart from Bang Rong Pier on Phuket’s northeast coast (25km from Patong, around 40 minutes by car). Fare to Koh Yao Noi: ฿100–150 one way, roughly 30 minutes. Boats run throughout the day but become less frequent by late afternoon.

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Krabi Mainland

80km south by road | 1.5 hours | Full day

Krabi town and Ao Nang are straightforward to reach from Phuket by minibus or private transfer, making a combined day trip viable for those who want limestone cliff scenery on the mainland.

Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) sits 8km from Krabi town: 1,237 steps to a summit with panoramic views over the province. The climb takes 30–45 minutes each way. Ao Nang’s beach and the nearby boat departure point for four-islands tours and Railay Beach are the other main draws. Railay itself requires a short longtail from Ao Nang (฿80–100 one way).

Getting there: Shared minibus Phuket–Krabi: ฿300–400, 2 hours, runs multiple times daily from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 at Phuket Town. Private taxi or transfer: ฿2,000–2,800. Driving yourself along Route 4 is straightforward.

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Koh Racha (Racha Islands)

26km south | 45 minutes by speedboat | Full day

Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi are Phuket’s nearest island escape for snorkelling and diving. The water is clear, the beaches are calm, and the islands are small enough to walk across in an hour. Because they’re close, day tours depart and return at more relaxed times than the Similan Islands runs.

Racha Yai has three bays — Batok, Siam, and Kon Kare — each with their own character. The diving here is good for beginners; visibility is usually 15–25 metres.

Getting there and costs: Speedboat from Chalong Pier or Rawai Pier: ฿1,200–1,800 per person for a full-day tour including snorkelling equipment and lunch. Journey time 45 minutes. Racha Noi (further, stronger currents) is usually dive-only.

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Surin Islands

60km northwest | 2.5 hours by speedboat | Full day, seasonal

The Surin Islands are harder to reach than the Similans but offer arguably better snorkelling, including the famous Richelieu Rock — one of the world’s top dive sites. The five islands in the marine national park are home to manta rays (seasonal, February–April), whale sharks, and healthy hard coral.

Season: Same as the Similans — open approximately November to April only.

Getting there and costs: Full-day tours depart from various Phuket piers, usually via a transfer van to Khuraburi Pier (2.5 hours north of Phuket) then speedboat. Budget ฿3,000–4,500 per person for a full-day snorkelling tour. Dive tours run ฿5,000–7,000. The total travel time each way is significant — aim for an early departure.

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Planning transport

Most Phuket day trips involve boat transport, and prices vary considerably between tour agencies, piers, and seasons. Hotels add a 10–20% markup over direct bookings. Comparing prices at Chalong Pier or Rassada Pier directly usually yields better deals.

For Krabi and Phang Nga Bay road trips, renting a car from Phuket gives the freedom to combine multiple stops — see our car hire guide for current rates. The road bridge at the north end of the island makes driving on and off straightforward.