11 Islands near Phuket

There are so many islands near Phuket, big and small, it would take forever to visit them all. Most are not far and you should really consider adding a couple of islands to your trip. These are just few islands we had the chance to visit and we will be adding more as we travel around.

1) Coral Island

(About 1,400 baht)

Coral Island, or Koh Hae, is one of the few islands you can reach within fifteen minutes by speedboat and spend the day playing on the beach, even during low season. With two beautiful beaches, the only accommodation is the small but nice Coral Island Resort offering small bungalows right on the beach. Read more

2) Koh Bon

(about 1,000 baht for longtail to cross – 2mn ride)

Koh Bon is one of the closest islands from Phuket that be reached very easily from Rawai Beach by longtail boat. This small hideaway features two beaches; one used to be reserved to the guests of the Evason Resort and the other beach is home to Bon Restaurant, very nice and has a very popular destination for lunch and for a lazy day on the beach or playing some water activities. Read more

3) Similan Islands

(about 2,400 baht)

The Similan Islands are clear blue diamonds in the Andaman Sea… You don’t even need to be a good photographer to get some striking photos. Ideally, you should go for a two days trip to make the best of it… it’s far and can be tiring to reach by speedboat, plus you’ll have the best beach almost for yourself in the morning. Read more

4) Phi Phi Island

(about 2,800 baht)

Phi Phi of the most visited islands departing Phuket or Krabi and after the movie the beach, it got even more popular. With its beautiful beaches and bays, Phi Phi is mostly a destination for young travelers who feel like party on a tropical island. We went there many times but need to go back to write a proper page about it. Ideally, you should go for a two days trip to make the best of it… it’s far and can be tiring to reach by speedboat, plus you’ll have the best beach almost for yourself in the morning. Read more

5) Racha Island

(about 1,400 baht)

Racha Island is a small hideaway twelve miles south of Phuket, which is about two hours by boat or 30mn by speedboat. This lovely tiny island is very well known from divers as a clear dive site and. Racha is also the home of three resorts, The Racha, a luxurious villa resort, the Rayaburi and Baan Raya Resort. The two beaches of the main island are beautiful and the island can be explored. Read more

6) Koh Panyee

(1,600 baht with James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay)

Koh Panyee in the bay of Phang Nga near Phuket is quite a touristic fishermen village almost entirely built on stilts. This is still a very unusual and interesting place to visit, but the trick is to go there early to be the only visitor in the village! Read more

7) James Bond Island

(1,600 baht with Koh Panyee and Phang Nga Bay)

Not really an island as you imagine it, but definitely surprising and very popular since that old James Bond movie, usually people visit it together with Koh Panyi and Phang Nga Bay where it is located. Read more

7) Koh Hong (30 – 40 mn)

Koh Hong is one of the four tiny Hong islands in Phang Nga Bay belonging to the National Marine Park. Monkeys and birds can be spotted but mainly the inside lagoon and its white sand and amazing blue water     is the most attractive part with the many fishes playing around visitors.

8) Koh Yao

Koh Yao consists of two large islands located half way between Phuket and Krabi. Koh Yao Noi, the smallest of the two has several hotels such as the beautiful Six Senses Hideaway Resort. Koh Yao can be reached from Bang Rong pier on the east coast of Phuket or from Krabi. The island doesn’t have any majestic sights but is a popular mountain bike day trip. The east coast has rice fields, a small village on stilts and quite a few rubber plantations.

9) Rang Yai Island

Rang Yai Island is a beautiful private island located about five kilometers east of the Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina. If you want to experience a Robinson Crusoe lifestyle, Rang Yai offers camping and bamboo bungalows. You can spend some time kayaking or mountain biking and even visit a pearl farm. Reaching it by longtail boat from Laem Hin pier costs around 1,200 baht round trip.

10) 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 tiny beach, the only particular signs of this island are the two large golden Buddhas, one sitting and one standing as well as a small temple on top of the hill.

11) Koh Maphrao

Koh Maphrao or Coconut Island is quite a large but rather unknown island very close to Phuket. Built in the recent years, the luxurious Coconut Village is almost the only reason to go there. If you happen to eat at Laem Hin or Kru Suwit Floating Restaurant, you will see the island on the other side of the bay.

12) Koh Sirey

Koh Sirey is really 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 many particular signs but this is where you will find the beautiful Westin Siray Bay Resort. Read more

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