Best Islands near Phuket to Visit in Thailand 2024

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is known for its fantastic beaches, dynamic nightlife, and luxury resorts. Just off the shores of Phuket, however, are numerous beautiful islands that just beg to be discovered. Read on to learn about the seven beautiful islands near Phuket.

Whether you’re after tranquil retreats, thrilling water sports, or picturesque natural landscapes, the islands around Phuket town can give any traveler a lot of reasons to spend a day.

 At Sarayah Phuket, we offer exclusive tour packages available for the renowned James Bond Island and Phi Phi Islands, making it an unforgettable experience for our guests staying either at our Private Pool Villa or at our spacious four four-bedroom villa.

Island Hopping: Seven Best Islands Near Phuket to Visit in Thailand

Phuket is a great base to see some of Thailand’s most beautiful islands. Below is an outline of seven of the best islands around Phuket, all with different attractions you should visit.

Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands have a reputation for being some of the most beautiful in the world, including the very famous Maya Bay, a location where the movie “The Beach” was shot. The two main islands are Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh. With turquoise waters that are crystal clear, flanked by giant limestone cliffs and coral reefs teeming with life, it is just perfect for snorkeling and diving. Come to relax on Long Beach and hike up to the Viewpoint, offering a panorama of the islands and Andaman Sea. The period between November and April is good to visit Phi Phi because the sea is calm and ideal for sightseeing.

You can take a speedboat or ferry to get to these islands from Phuket. Book our one-day trip to explore the Phi Phi islands.

Racha Islands

Racha Islands are less crowded but equally exquisite, lying just 12 kilometers south of Phuket. Its bigger twin, Racha Yai, is popular for snorkeling and diving due to its powdery white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Racha Noi, on the other hand, is far from the crowd, thus becoming a perfect destination for serious divers in search of deeper waters and bigger fish. The best diving conditions are available in the dry season from November to April.

Coral Island (Koh Hae)

Located 15 minutes away from Phuket, Coral Island lives up to its name with a colorful coral reef that is teeming with various marine life. It is also a perfect location for families and those who love parasailing, banana boat rides, and scuba diving. Its laid-back atmosphere mixed with the soft beaches makes it perfect for any day of a trip. The best time to visit is during the cool season, from December to February.

Koh Panyi Island Village

Koh Panyi is a floating village with a fascinating mix of tiny fishing homes on stilts over the water. The villagers are predominantly fishermen, although this traditional Thai village has also received many tourists in recent years. It is a chance to experience traditional Thai culture but without all the typical tourist hype and noise you’ll find in larger cities. Restaurants serve fresh seafood within the village, and guests will enjoy an opportunity to visit a football field that floats. The best visiting time is during the cool season, from November to February.

Koh Yao Islands

Koh Yao Islands, comprising two islands in Phang Nga Bay, are tranquil scenes left untainted by mass tourism – Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai. They are ideally placed where tourists head out of Phuket to get away from all the hustle and bustle. Koh Yao Noi is more developed and has a few upscale resorts, while Koh Yao Yai is far quieter and rural. You can find hidden beaches, cycle around the villages, or go kayaking around the bay. The best time to visit is from November to March.

Similan Islands

With its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking underwater rock formations, the Similan Islands remains one of the best diving destinations in the world. The marine life can be so varied here that snorkeling or diving becomes an extremely essential activity to do. Because of weather conditions, the Similan Islands are open only during the tourist season, from November to May, and thus the tour plan should be made accordingly.

Khao Phing Kan (James Bond Island)

Better known as the James Bond Island, famous since appearing in the 1974 James Bond movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun,’ Khao Phing Kan is a popular icon limestone island that draws tourists from across the world. The plush landscape of Phang Nga Bay, with its towering rock formations, forms a mere tenderness that makes the sight worth seeing. Take kayaking through sea caves or board a traditional longtail boat and feast your eyes on the unique beauty of this island. The weather turns pleasant, and the sea is calm between November and March.

This list can go on and on with other nearby islands close to Phuket, including the Khai Islands (Koh Khai), Koh Maithon, Coconut Island, and Koh Naka. These offer travelers dreaming of a tropical paradise many options to select from.

READ ALSO: 10 Best Beaches in Phuket to Visit

Best Places to Stay on Each Island

When you travel to these islands off Phuket, a range of accommodations are available, from super luxury resorts to economically priced, cheaper accommodations.

Phi Phi Islands

• Zeavola Resort: This eco-friendly resort offers luxurious villas with natural materials and a rustic feel on the beach.
• Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort: It offers bungalows right on the beach and a large infinity pool that allows a wider view of the resort’s surroundings.

Racha Islands

• The Racha: Luxury resort on Racha Yai, offering private villas with eco-friendly amenities.
• Ban Raya Resort: Budget-friendly option offering beautiful views and basic comforts.

Coral Island

• Coral Island Resort: This is the only resort on the island. It offers basic facilities, but access to the beach is excellent.

Koh Panyi

• Panyi Village Homestay: Spend your nights in the homes of locals and share in their culture and the best seafood meals.

Koh Yao Islands

• Six Senses Yao Noi: This luxury resort offers spectacular views of Phang Nga Bay. 
• Koh Yao Yai Village: This eco-resort has traditional Thai cottages. 

Similan Islands

• There is limited accommodation on the islands because it falls into a national park. Most people stay in Khao Lak and make a day-tripping arrangement to the Similans. 

James Bond Island

• Accommodation on the island does not exist; most visitors stay either in Phuket or in more proximal Phang Nga and take a day tour.

Activities and Attractions on these Phuket Islands

Each island near Phuket to visit offers its own activities and attractions:

• Phi Phi Islands: snorkeling and diving, white sandy beach, Maya Bay, Viewpoint
• Racha Islands: snorkeling and diving, beach life, island trekking
• Coral Island: parasailing, scuba diving, banana boat end.
• Koh Panyi: Guided cultural tours of the floating village apart from fresh seafood restaurants.
• Koh Yao Islands: Kayaking, cycling around villages, beach experience, and yoga retreats.
• Similan Islands: Snorkeling and diving among crystal-clear coral reefs teeming with life.
• James Bond Island: Kayaking through sea caverns and exploring limestone cliffs.

Tips for Planning Your Best Island Getaway

Getting ready for an island getaway from the coast of Phuket requires some preparation.

Here are a few practical tips:

• Transportation: Book your transfers by speedboat or ferry in advance, particularly during high season. 
• Best Time to Go: Most islands should be visited during the dry season, which falls from November to April, since the seas are usually at peace, plus the weather is absolutely perfect.
• Make Early Booking of Tours and Accommodations: Sometimes, popular islands such as the Phi Phi Islands and Similan Islands book up really fast; hence, an early reservation of your stay and tour will help ward off disappointment.

Steps to Follow:

• Choose the island based on your liking: diving-relaxing-cultural.
• Choose an accommodation based on budget and preference.
• Activity plan: snorkeling and diving tours, and book accordingly.
• Arrange transport to and from the islands.
• Light packing and pack sunscreen, swimwear, and insect repellent.

Make Your Stay Unique with Sarayah Phuket Villas

At Sarayah Phuket Villa, we provide a sumptuous stay in either our private pool villa or four-bedroom villa, suitable for family or group guests. Complete your island getaway at Sarayah by exploring our exclusive Phi Phi Island and James Bond Island tour packages, which are available to all our guests for a complete and memorable Phuket experience.