Islands Near Phuket: Where Can You Sail in a Day?
Nineteen islands are reachable from Phuket by boat, and travel time sorts them better than distance does. The closest, Coral Island, is 20–25 minutes out. Phi Phi takes one to two hours. The Similans and Surin are overnight trips. Below is the full list by direction, with distances from the marina that actually serves each one.
South: short runs from Chalong Pier
These are the islands people pick for a first day on the water, a half-day trip, or a relaxed day with children.
| Island | From Chalong | By motor yacht |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Island (Koh Hey) | ~11 km (6 nm) | ~20–25 min |
| Maiton | ~17 km (9 nm) | ~25–35 min |
| Racha Yai | ~26 km (14 nm) | up to an hour |
| Racha Noi | ~37 km (20 nm) | ~1–1.5 h |
Coral Island for beaches and a first snorkel; Maiton for a quiet bay with nothing built on it; the Racha Islands for the clearest water within a day's reach. Coral and Maiton combine neatly into one trip on a speedboat.
Phang Nga Bay: half an hour from Ao Po
The closest water to Ao Po Grand Marina, and the most sheltered from ocean swell. Limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, calm sea almost year-round.
| Destination | From Ao Po | By motor yacht |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Island (Phang Nga) | ~13 km (7 nm) | ~25–30 min |
| Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi | ~16 km (9 nm) | ~30–35 min |
| James Bond Island (Ko Tapu) | ~20 km (11 nm) | ~30–45 min |
The short approach is the point of this direction: James Bond Island is about 20 km from Ao Po against roughly 53 km from Chalong, so the hour you save stays with the islands. A single day here usually combines Ko Tapu, the hidden lagoon at Hong and the stilt village of Koh Panyee.
The Krabi side: about an hour from Ao Po
| Destination | From Ao Po | By motor yacht |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Pak Bia | ~26 km (14 nm) | ~45 min – 1 h |
| Hong Island (Krabi) | ~27 km (15 nm) | ~45 min – 1 h |
| Koh Lao Lading | ~28 km (15 nm) | ~45 min – 1 h |
| Chicken Island (Koh Kai) | ~38 km (20 nm) | ~1–1.5 h |
| Koh Poda | ~40 km (22 nm) | ~1–1.5 h |
| Railay Beach | ~44 km (24 nm) | ~1–2 h |
This is the direction for people who have already seen Phi Phi: the same limestone scenery with noticeably fewer boats. Several points combine easily into one route. Chicken Island can also be reached from Chalong — about 52 km and one to two hours.
Phi Phi: from either marina
| Departure marina | Straight line | By motor yacht |
|---|---|---|
| Chalong Pier | ~48 km (26 nm) | ~1–2 h |
| Ao Po Grand Marina | ~54 km (29 nm) | ~1.5–2 h |
Phi Phi and Bamboo is the most-booked full-day route: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, snorkelling. Every way of getting there, including the ferry and group tours, is compared in Phuket to Phi Phi.
Far expeditions: a long day or an overnight
| Destination | From Chalong | By motor yacht |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Ha and Koh Rok | ~106 km (57 nm) | ~2.5–4 h |
| Similan Islands | ~119 km (64 nm) | ~3–4.5 h |
| Surin Islands | ~183 km (99 nm) | ~4.5–7 h |
| Koh Lipe | ~184 km (99 nm) | from 4.5 h |
This is territory for boats with cabins and range: the Similans and Surin are far better with an overnight than pushed into a single day. Such routes are the domain of luxury yachts and larger crewed motor yachts.
How to choose
- Half a day with children — Coral Island or Maiton on a speedboat.
- A first full day — Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay.
- Maximum time on the islands — Phang Nga Bay from Ao Po: the shortest approach of all.
- You have seen the classics — the Krabi side, or Racha Noi.
- A large group — a power catamaran: level deck and room to move.
- A quiet day under sail — the near bays on a sailing catamaran.
- An expedition — the Similans or Surin, with an overnight.
All distances are approximate straight lines from the marina that serves each direction; the actual route on the water is always somewhat longer. The exact departure point depends on the boat and the route and is confirmed when you book. Full descriptions are on the destinations page.
Frequently asked questions
Which island is closest to Phuket?
From Chalong Pier it is Coral Island (Koh Hey): about 11 km, 20–25 minutes by motor yacht. From Ao Po Grand Marina the nearest is Hong Island in Phang Nga Bay — about 13 km, 25–30 minutes.
Where can you go from Phuket for one day?
The classic full day is Phi Phi, or Phang Nga Bay with James Bond Island and Hong. For half a day, Coral Island and Maiton. For something less crowded, the islands on the Krabi side.
Which islands are too far for a day trip?
The Similans, Surin and Koh Lipe are technically reachable in a long day, but the comfortable format for all three is an overnight route on a boat with cabins.
Where do the boats leave from?
South to Coral Island, Maiton and Racha — from Chalong Pier. Into Phang Nga Bay and towards Krabi — from Ao Po Grand Marina in the northeast. Phi Phi runs from both. The exact marina depends on the boat and route: see where yachts depart from in Phuket.
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