Day trips from Phuket: Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, the Similans
Here is the open secret of Phuket: the island is the launch pad, and the Andaman Sea is the destination. The day-trip fleet leaves from Chalong and Rassada piers for the southern islands and from Ao Po and the east-coast marinas for Phang Nga Bay. Book the weather-flexible days early in your trip so a squall just moves things, not cancels them. Eight verified runs (2026-10-01).
The island runs
These leave Phuket's waters — note the event feed stays inside the 25 km radius, but this page covers the beyond-radius classics because that is what the boats are for. Maya Bay runs on timed entry via licensed boats, with no swimming in the bay itself in some periods — the marine national park rules change, so the generic advice is: go with a licensed operator and follow their briefing.
Phi Phi Islands day trip
Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Cove, Viking Cave; speedboat ~45-60 min; Maya Bay timed entry on licensed boats
Phang Nga Bay + James Bond Island
Khao Ping Kan / Khao Tapu, hongs, Koh Panyee stilt village; longtail cheapest, speedboat fastest, John Gray Sea Canoe premium; pickups ~07:30-08:00
Coral Island (Koh Hey)
Closest snorkel island; morning or afternoon half-days; speedboat ~15 min
Racha (Raya) Islands
Clearest water near Phuket; full-day; pairs with Coral Island
Similan Islands
Season Oct-May; Thailand's top diving/snorkelling; verify 2026-27 park opening
Book the Phi Phi day tour on Klook — Maya Bay, Pileh Cove, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach by speedboat or premium catamaran, hotel transfers included; remember the 400 THB national park fee.
Phi Phi is the headline: Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Cove and Viking Cave, about 45–60 minutes by speedboat from Chalong or Rassada. Phang Nga Bay is the karst maze — Khao Ping Kan and Khao Tapu (James Bond Island), the hongs, the Koh Panyee stilt village; longtail is cheapest, speedboat fastest, John Gray's Sea Canoe the premium unhurried option, with pickups around 7:30–8:00 am. Coral Island is the closest snorkel — morning or afternoon half-days, 15 minutes by speedboat. Racha has the clearest water near Phuket and pairs well with Coral. The Similans are Thailand's top diving and snorkelling, season October to May — verify the 2026–27 park opening dates before planning around them.
Closer to home
Not every day trip needs open water. These stay near or inside the island's radius.
YONA Floating Beach Club
Floating day club IN radius; morning 9:30am-2pm family / afternoon 2-9:30pm adult-only 20+; shuttle boats from Patong
John Gray's Sea Canoe
Premium sea-canoe day trip specialist for the Phang Nga Bay hongs; less rushed than speedboats
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
Sunrise viewpoint over Phang Nga Bay; 20-min climb; often paired with James Bond trips; OUT of feed radius, page-only
YONA is the floating beach club anchored offshore from Patong — inside the radius, mornings 9:30 am–2 pm family, afternoons 2–9:30 pm adult-only 20-plus, with shuttle boats from Patong. John Gray's Sea Canoe is the premium way to do the Phang Nga hongs — sea kayaks, less rushed than the speedboat circus. Samet Nangshe on the Phang Nga mainland side is the sunrise viewpoint over the bay: a 20-minute climb, often paired with James Bond Island trips, outside the feed radius but firmly on this page.
Common questions
How long is the boat to Phi Phi from Phuket?
About 45–60 minutes by speedboat from Chalong or Rassada Pier. Full-day tours run roughly 8 am to 5 pm with hotel transfers.
Can you swim at Maya Bay?
Rules vary by period — timed entry via licensed boats, and swimming in the bay itself is restricted in some periods for reef recovery. Follow your operator's briefing.
When is Similan season?
October to May. Verify the current season's park opening dates before you book — they shift year to year.
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