Being the most important island in Thailand and one of many nation’s hottest vacationer locations, boredom is one thing you’ll by no means expertise in Phuket.
Whereas there are infinite sights and issues to do in Phuket and you may simply have tons of enjoyable on stunning seashores like Patong, Rawai, or Bang Tao, a lot of Phuket’s hidden gems are farther afield.
Phuket has 32 smaller islands within the Andaman sea surrounding it, this makes island hopping from Phuket tremendous straightforward and the reasonably priced tour packages make splendid half-day or day journeys from Phuket. Plus, the encircling provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi provide much more great and distinctive Phuket day journeys.
Probably the most handy strategy to e-book the preferred Phuket day excursions and journeys is on Viator or Get Your Information. These trusted platforms provide the possibility to learn actual opinions and e-book your day journeys earlier than you get to Thailand. Most excursions additionally embrace resort pick-up for a stress-free expertise.
Should you haven’t booked your resort but take a look at my insider’s information on the place to remain in Phuket and, should you’d want to go to the islands independently, you’ll be able to e-book your ferry tickets on-line at 12Go Asia.
As I’ve lived in Phuket for 3+ years, I’ve been fortunate sufficient to check out most of those island hopping excursions and day journeys from Phuket so right here is my decide of the ten greatest together with well-known sights, widespread islands and lesser-known native treasures that you simply shouldn’t miss while you go to Phuket.
So whether or not you’re after culutral gems or the most effective diving and snorkeling spots, a nature lover searching for some tranquility, or a seaside bum searching for the last word Phuket island hopping expertise, learn on to find the most effective Phuket day journeys.
Prime 10 Island Hopping Excursions and Day Journeys from Phuket
1. Outdated Phuket City & Large Buddha
Earlier than you begin exploring the close by islands and taking day journeys from Phuket, I like to recommend doing a Phuket metropolis tour to discover the island’s tradition.
Phuket City is the island’s cultural hub. If attainable, go on a Sunday to expertise the bustling Sunday strolling market within the Outdated City. Nevertheless, no matter day you go to, you’ll discover a vibrant ambiance.
One of the simplest ways to discover Phuket City is on foot – strolling round admiring the Nineteenth-century colourful homes and testing the distinctive boutique outlets and cafes.
Then, take a taxi to Wat Chalong, some of the stunning Buddhist temples in Phuket after which head to the well-known Large Buddha temple. This iconic sculpture is constructed excessive up on a mountain and is a powerful 148 ft tall and 83.5 ft huge. Together with its peaceable mountain ambiance, you’ll discover epic views over Phuket Island!
Getting there:
Phuket City and Chalong are within the southeast of Phuket Island. Should you’re staying within the vacationer seaside cities on the west coast, like Patong Seashore, will probably be a 30-40 minute drive to the Outdated City. The perfect time to go to the Large Buddha is at sundown.
Whereas it’s tremendous straightforward to discover this space by yourself through taxis, there’s additionally a terrific half-day group Phuket Metropolis Tour that may decide you up out of your resort. It is a nice tour for anybody occupied with historical past, tradition and spirituality because it visits all three of Phuket’s cultural highlights – Phuket Outdated City, Wat Chalong and the Large Buddha.
2. Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are undoubtedly the preferred day journey vacation spot from Phuket. Six islands make up the Phi Phi Islands, making it an excellent island-hopping Phuket day journey!
The most important and busiest island is Phi Phi Don – the archipelago’s solely inhabited island. It is filled with resorts and exquisite seashores, reminiscent of Monkey Seashore.
Koh Phi Phi Leh is among the uninhabited islands and residential to Maya Bay, made well-known after getting used because the filming vacation spot for the 2000 movie “The Seashore.” Bamboo Island is one other widespread spot on Phi Phi island hopping excursions.
Getting there:
The Phi Phi Islands are situated off the east coast of Phuket, within the province of Krabi. Being a preferred day journey from Phuket, you’ll don’t have any hassle discovering group excursions to the Phi Phi islands.
For instance, this Phi Phi tour contains stops at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Ko Phi Phi Don, Viking Cave and Bamboo Island. It’s one of many very best day journeys from Phuket and they’ll additionally decide you up and drop you again from any resort in Phuket.
Nevertheless, should you’ve obtained extra time you even have the choice to remain in a single day at one of many inns on Phi Phi Don and go to Krabi the subsequent day, the place you’ll be able to take a protracted tail boat to the unimaginable limestone cliffs of Railay Seashore.
3. James Bond Island
James Bond Island is one other of the preferred excursions from Phuket because of being the filming location of the 1974 James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun.”
James Bond is simply one of many 100 stunning islands in Phang Nga Bay, northeast of Phuket. This space is filled with fascinating limestone formations and sea caves, in addition to many improbable swimming and snorkeling spots.
Getting there:
Boat excursions are greatest for exploring Phang Nga Bay, and there are lots of choices. I took this Luxurious Sundown Cruise, which included a good lunch and dinner onboard whereas cruising round Phang Nga Bay. Together with James Bond Island, this distinctive tour included sea canoeing by means of the limestone caves of Hong Island.
4. Racha Islands
The Racha Islands include Racha Noi and Racha Yai, situated within the southern a part of Phuket, slightly below Coral Island. Racha Island is among the many greatest scuba diving and snorkeling spots within the Andaman Sea, so you can find many diving journeys going right here.
The islands are a real paradise – white sand, crystal-clear waters, and no automobiles. Plus, it takes simply 45 minutes to get there, making it top-of-the-line day journeys from Phuket for all water and seaside lovers.
Getting there:
To discover the Racha Islands, you’ll be able to be part of a gaggle scuba diving or snorkeling tour, or you’ll be able to simply organize a protracted tail boat or speedboat switch from Rawai or Chalong pier.
One other widespread alternative is the beach-club fashion Hype Luxurious Catamaran. On this journey, you may have loads of time to sunbathe on numerous Racha Island seashores and go to Banana Seashore on the close by Coral Island. On the best way again, you’ll get pleasure from a “floating celebration” with tapas, drinks, and an on-board dwell DJ.
5. Naka Island
Naka is one other of the shortest day journeys in Phuket. Naka Island is considered one of Phuket’s hidden gems and is good for anybody who seeks a calming day of sunbathing and swimming reasonably than journey.
Naka can also be residence to the posh resort “Naka Island Resort.” Whereas it’s costly to remain right here, day trippers can get a day cross to make use of the resort’s services, together with the pool, use of snorkeling gear, and water sports activities gear like kayaks.
Getting there:
Naka Island is only a 10-minute boat experience from Ao Por Grand Marina within the North East of Phuket. As it’s such a brief distance and there’s not a lot to do on the island, take into account together with Naka in a self-guided island hopping journey with Koh Yao Yai & Koh Yao Noi (see under).
6. Koh Yao Yai & Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Yai & Koh Yao Noi are two islands barely east of Naka. Koh Yao Yai is the most important, residence to beautiful resorts, stunning seashores, and mesmerizing nature.
One resort I like to recommend testing is Santhiya, an enormous hillside resort constructed from pure teakwood. Santhiya affords a day cross to make use of the resort’s two swimming pools (together with an infinity hilltop one).
Koh Yao Noi is a a lot smaller island, which is simply as stunning, however the seashores provide totally different views from Koh Yao Yai. It is because the north of Koh Yao Noi faces the beautiful limestone cliffs and caves of Phang Nga Bay. In the meantime, the island’s south is filled with lush nature, together with rice fields and coconut groves.
Getting there:
You’ll be able to entry these two islands through a 20 to 30-minute ferry from the Royal Phuket marina in northeast Phuket. You’ll be able to e-book your ferry simply on-line at 12Go Asia. There’s additionally a ferry between each islands that takes simply 10 minutes, making for easy island hopping in Phuket.
7. Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are some of the well-known diving spots on this planet. Thus, these pristine islands make for some of the widespread Phuket day journeys. Right here, you’ll be able to spot turtles, leopard sharks, Shovelnose rays, and plenty of extra uncommon species.
Nevertheless, whereas the turquoise waters and marine life are the highest sights right here, the surroundings is spectacular, too, with many distinctive rock formations. For instance, the Sail Rock hike is among the hottest on-land actions right here.
Getting there:
The Similan archipelago consists of 11 islands, 70 km off the coast of Phang Nga. Nevertheless, it is among the longer day excursions from Phuket, so put together for a 10-12 hour day! There are additionally multi-day journey choices, the place you sleep at a campsite or in a cabin on one of many islands.
Try the totally different choices for Similan island journeys on Get Your Information to search out the most effective one for you. Observe that the Similan Islands are closed throughout the monsoon season (June to September).
8. Surin Islands
Whereas staying in Khao Lak I needed to go to the Similan islands. However it was a busy interval and the journeys have been all absolutely booked – so be sure you e-book prematurely should you’re visiting Phuket within the peak season! Anyway, as an alternative, I made a decision to go to the lesser-known Surin Islands.
What’s distinctive about these islands is that they’re residence to an indigenous tribe generally known as The Moken. The Moken have been beforehand sea nomads/gypsies however settled within the Surin Islands within the Nineteen Nineties.
Dwelling in such an remoted area (a 4-hour boat experience to the mainland), the Moken dwell a semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer life-style. They sleep in very fundamental, humble picket huts on the seaside, and you may go to their village to see how they dwell.
Other than the Moken, you’ll discover some beautiful seashores and snorkeling spots within the Surin Islands, together with Mai Ngam Seashore.
Getting there:
The Surin Islands are situated far off the west coast of Phang Nga. The one strategy to go to the Surin Islands from Phuket is through a tour. I did a snorkeling journey just like this one, which included snorkeling, seaside time, and a go to to the village.
Whereas the Surin Islands are completely price visiting, it’s a VERY lengthy boat experience (from Phuket or Khao Lak). Due to this fact, you spend a lot of the day on a small pace boat, which is probably not perfect for some.
9. Khao Sok Nationwide Park
Khao Sok is an unimaginable nationwide park within the northern a part of Phang Nga, the province straight above Phuket. Khao Sok Nationwide Park is residence to the oldest evergreen rainforest on this planet – 160 million years previous. Due to this fact, you’ll be able to anticipate finding infinite lush jungles and various wildlife, together with 48 mammal species and 311 species of birds!
One other iconic a part of Khao Sok is Cheow Lan Lake. Majestic limestone mountains and cliffs encompass this serene lake, and there are lots of floating raft homes and bungalows – a part of the resorts you’ll be able to keep at.
Getting there:
You’ll be able to go to Khao Sok on a day journey from Phuket. Nevertheless, it’s a lengthy drive from Phuket Island (about 3.5 hours a method), so notice that you’ll have to go away within the early morning and spend a lot of the day in a minivan.
Contemplating this, I extremely advocate taking a 2 day 1 evening Khao Sok tour the place you’ll keep the evening in one of many floating raft homes in Khao Sok Nationwide Park – which is an entire expertise in itself. That approach, you’ll get to expertise the tranquility of the lake after darkish and witness a wide ranging dawn (should you’re up early sufficient).
You can even journey independently by bus and organize your personal lodging, then you definitely’ll even have the possibility to discover the close by Khao Lak, which, as you’re about to find, is considered one of my favourite components of Thailand!
10. Khao Lak
If you wish to escape the crowds of Phuket and Patong seaside throughout excessive season, Khao Lak is undoubtedly the place to go. Khao Lak is situated on the west coast of Phang Nga and is extremely quiet and largely untouched in comparison with Phuket.
The lengthy stretch of coast affords quite a few serene seashores, together with Pakarang and Pak Weep Seashore. Each of those seashores have quiet components in addition to mini “seaside villages” with a number of native eating places and “on-the-beach” therapeutic massage outlets. There are additionally a number of waterfalls close by and a spot the place you’ll be able to go bamboo rafting alongside the river!
Getting there:
Relying on the place you’re staying in Phuket, Khao Lak is a 1.5 to 2.5 drive, making it some of the accessible day excursions from Phuket. You’ll be able to hire a automotive and drive your self, take the general public bus (from Phuket bus terminal 2, simply north of Phuket city), or e-book a personal switch.
Last Ideas
The huge quantity of islands surrounding Phuket are one motive why I am keen on this a part of Thailand a lot so be sure you get out and discover!
Whether or not you’re right here for one week or one month, you should definitely take a look at all of the sights and issues to do on Phuket island itself in addition to leaving sufficient time to do a number of of those Phuket day journeys and island hopping excursions to discover this Thai paradise absolutely.
And should you’re searching for extra concepts to your journey to Phuket, take a look at my different Phuket blogs and this 7 Day Phuket itinerary which incorporates all of the highlights and likewise Koh Phi Phi and Krabi for the last word Thailand seaside expertise.
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