Phuket Island Day Trips by Boat

October 18, 2026

Phi Phi and Maya Bay

Boats for the Phi Phi islands leave from Rassada, Chalong and Royal Phuket Marina. A speedboat takes about an hour and the big ferry about two. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh is managed tightly. Swimming in the bay itself is not allowed, and wading is the limit. Boats do not enter the bay. They moor at the Loh Samah pontoon on the far side of the island, and a wooden boardwalk of about 5 to 10 minutes leads to the beach. Reported hours are about 07:00 to 18:00, with a cap of around 375 visitors an hour and roughly an hour on the sand. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned. Those details come from operators and the press, so check your tour operator for the current rules.

Maya Bay is closed to landings every year from about 1 August to 30 September and reopened on 1 October 2026. While it is closed, boats still reach Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave, and swimming in the lagoon is allowed only in designated areas. The national park fee is about 400 THB for adults and is usually included in tour prices. The Time Out report on the reopening covers the swimming ban.

Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island and Koh Panyee

Most trips start at Ao Po pier, about 45 minutes by road from Patong. Boats land at Khao Phing Kan, while the needle rock, Ko Tapu, is offshore and off limits to boats. The island is busiest from about 10:00 to 14:00. Koh Panyee is a stilt village, and its floating football pitch was built by local teenagers in 1986. The park fee is about 300 THB for adults, so hedge your budget accordingly. Tours run in the sheltered bay through the monsoon, with cancellations on rough days. Check with your operator between May and October. See the Phang Nga Bay guide for more.

The Similan Islands, 15 October to 15 May only

The Similans are open only from 15 October to 15 May, and the 2026-27 season opened on 15 October 2026. The park can close earlier in bad weather. A realistic day trip starts from Khao Lak, with boats from Thap Lamu pier on early departures at about 05:30, and from Phuket it is a very long day. The fee is about 500 THB for adults, tickets are electronic only, and a daily quota applies. Landings are allowed on Island 8 (Sail Rock) and Island 4, while Island 7 is for snorkelling and diving only. Overnight stays are not allowed on the islands. The park listing has the current fee and season. Surin is not a day trip from Phuket, since the pier is 3 to 4 hours away by road.

Racha Yai, Coral Island and Koh Bon

These are the quieter options. Speedboat packages from Chalong to Racha Yai and Coral Island (Koh Hae) cost about 900 to 1,500 THB, and a private longtail from Rawai to Coral Island runs about 1,200 to 1,800 THB per boat. Koh Bon is about 2 km off Rawai, a 10 to 15 minute longtail ride that costs about 1,000 to 1,200 THB round trip per boat. All of these prices are rough, so agree the fare and the return time before you set out.

Sea safety

Boat accidents have killed visitors in Thai waters, and overloading and monsoon seas are the causes. Skip a crowded boat and ask about life jackets. Speedboats slam hard in rough seas, and the crossings are hard on backs and in pregnancy, so ask the operator before booking. Swim only where the boat crew say it is safe.

To compare boat tours, search Phuket day trips on Viator .