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Coral Island (Koh Hey) by Private Yacht from Phuket
Coral Island (Koh Hey) by Private Yacht from Phuket
Coral island (Koh Hey)
Koh Hey, or ‘Coral island’, is a beautiful island which can be reached within just 15 minutes via speedboat from the Rawai Beach on the southern tip of the Phuket Island. You can spend here an unforgettable half a day or a full day, exploring the amazing world of natural beauty and engaging in various activities.
What to do here:
- Visit the sandy beaches
- Have fun at the Fantasi Theme Park
- Go snorkelling
- Try diving
Some might ask, why go for an island tour from Phuket? The Koh Hey island is sure to impress even the most jaded traveller. It is blessed with a unique natural beauty and an astonishing colour of the sea. The profusion of coral reefs draws marine life and makes it an awe-inspiring sight. It’s no wonder that this place is often referred to as the ‘Coral Island’. The boats that run this day and what each costs are in private charter to Coral Island and Maiton.
The best time for a visit is between November and March. During this period, the weather is the most pleasant, with no oppressive heat and higher humidity levels.
There are 2 popular beaches on the island – Long Beach and Banana Beach. They are connected by a path running through a picturesque tropical forest.
Long Beach
The Coral Island Resort is located here. For vacationers, there is a long sandy beach, palm trees, and cozy establishments with exotic cuisine. Water activities are popular here: banana boat rides, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving. If you want to get even more positive emotions, you can book a stay in one of the bungalows of the Coral Island Resort: visitors fall asleep and wake up to the sound of waves – real relaxation and tranquility. The bungalows have a shower, air conditioning, and the resort has a large swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and even a diving center. If you want a bungalow with sea views, it should be booked in advance.
Long Beach does not have as many tourists as Phuket. In the shade of the trees, you can take a break from the hot sun, enjoy the silence, and feel the gentle sea breeze. You can organize a day trip to the Coral Island by our yacht. You will have plenty of time to take photos, swim, relax, and try out the attractions.
Banana Beach
This is the northern part of the island, protected from the wind – the sea is always calm. It is comfortable to swim in the morning: in the afternoon, there are low tides.
Advantages:
- There are sunbeds.
- There are exotic birds, such as rhinoceros birds.
- Small coral reefs allow diving for beginners and children.
- Rental of diving equipment.
- Massage services.
The beach is suitable for those who like noise and fun. There are a lot of attractions for tourists here: shops, cafes, restaurants.
Day on a private yacht: Phuket – Coral Island (Koh Hey) and back
A day trip to Koh Hey island is a breath of fresh air after the fun adventures in Phuket. If you are tired of noise and hustle and want tranquility and a measured life, go on a small trip to the Coral Island. The trip will take about half an hour: you will be able to admire the picturesque island from the water. By including this trip in your vacation plans, you will make a great contribution to the collection of impressions of Thailand.
Why choose us:
- We are open to your suggestions and wishes and offer tailor-made activities such as romantic dinners or onboard discos to make your journey even more interesting.
- Spacious cabins, spotlessly clean and modern common areas, attentive and caring staff – all this is our priority.
- We take care of your safety. Our crew consists of experienced professionals with whom you will feel like a rock wall.
Plan your tour on a private yacht to Coral island (Koh Hey). To do this, contact us right now.
Coral Island is about a 15-minute speedboat ride from Rawai Beach on the southern tip of Phuket Island.
The best time to visit is between November and March, when the weather is most pleasant with lower humidity and no oppressive heat.
Visit the sandy beaches, go snorkelling, try diving among the coral reefs, and relax on Long Beach or Banana Beach.
Long Beach has the Coral Island Resort and more facilities and water activities, while Banana Beach is quieter, sheltered from the wind, with calmer water especially in the morning.
Yes — Banana Beach has small, shallow coral reefs suitable for beginners and children, and diving gear rental is available on the island.
How far is Coral Island (Koh Hey) from Phuket?
In a straight line it is about 11 km (6 nautical miles) from Chalong Pier to Coral Island (Koh Hey). This is an approximate straight-line distance, not an exact navigational figure — the actual route on the water is always somewhat longer.
For a motor yacht, a crossing of this length typically takes about 20–25 minutes, depending on the yacht, the weather and the state of the sea. The departure pier is also chosen to suit the route and the vessel, so we confirm the exact timing and departure point when planning your trip.
When planning a longer day on the water, this trip is often combined with Maiton Island or Koh Racha Yai.
Where does this route depart from? Chalong Pier and the island's marinas are compared in where yachts depart from in Phuket.
How long does the trip take on different boats?
Coral Island is about 11 km from Chalong Pier, and that distance sits differently on different hulls.
| Boat | Cruising speed | One way |
|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | 25–35 knots | ~15 min |
| Motor yacht | 9–28 knots | 20–25 min |
| Power catamaran | 8–18 knots | ~30 min |
| Sailing catamaran | 5–7 knots | ~1 h |
Times are calculated and run a little longer in practice: the captain eases off in swell and close to shore.
What is there to do at Coral Island?
Coral is the only destination half an hour from Phuket with two genuinely different beaches. Long Beach is a long strip of sand with water sports and places to eat; Banana Beach in the north is sheltered from the wind, the sea there is always calm, and swimming is more comfortable in the first half of the day — in the afternoon the tide goes out.
Shallow coral reefs close to shore let beginners and children snorkel without going far from the boat. On a private yacht you choose which side of the island to anchor on and for how long — rather than being tied to a tour boat's timetable.
How a day at Coral Island actually goes
| Time | Full day | Half day |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | depart | depart |
| 08:25 | first stop, the bay is empty | first stop |
| 11:00 | move to the second anchorage | head back |
| 12:30 | lunch on board at anchor | alongside |
| 14:00 | third stop or back to the first | — |
| 15:30 | head back | — |
| 16:30 | alongside | — |
The schedule is yours to move: a private charter has no timetable to hold to. But the eight o'clock departure is worth keeping — the tour boats reach the popular anchorages between ten and eleven, and the first hour and a half decides what kind of day it becomes.
When is the best time to go, and when is it not?
From November to April the Andaman side has calm water and predictable visibility — this is the main season. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings wind and swell in bands rather than continuously: there are calm weeks in July and rough days in December.
In practice, in low season the route is chosen on the morning, not a week ahead. The captain reads the forecast and takes the side of the island that is in the lee. Trips are almost never cancelled — they change shape. If the weather genuinely does not allow a safe departure, it is discussed case by case.
Recommended Yachts for Your Coral Island Tour
Horizon Cruises Phuket offers a private yacht charter to Coral Island (Koh Hey) tailored to your group. Two of our vessels are especially well suited for this trip:
- Technema 89 “Say Yes” — a spacious motor yacht ideal for families and groups seeking comfort on the short crossing to Coral Island.
- Beluga 88 — a stylish yacht offering a relaxed, private atmosphere for couples or smaller parties.
See our full yacht fleet or contact us to plan your Coral Island day trip.
What does a trip to Coral Island cost?
The price is per boat per day, not per person: from ฿18,900 for a speedboat for 4–12 guests, from ฿20,900 for a sailing catamaran for 8–120, from ฿33,900 for a motor yacht for 6–80, from ฿39,115 for a power catamaran, from ฿100,000 for a luxury yacht. The group shares one sum.
Fuel for the distance — about 22 km there and back — is added to the rate, plus fees where the route incurs them. Season moves the base rate by roughly a quarter: low season May to October, high season November to April, peak from 20 December. Full tables are on the yacht charter prices page.
What to bring
A hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and a light long-sleeved shirt for the middle of the day — it protects better than any amount of cream. Swimwear worn under your clothes saves the changing routine. Cash in baht for fees, if the route incurs them. A dry bag if you take a phone into the water.
Towels, masks and fins, water, soft drinks, ice and life jackets in adult and child sizes are already on board. On full-day trips most boats include lunch.
Coral Island or Maiton — which should you choose?
Coral is nearer (11 km against 17) and livelier: beaches, people, activities. Maiton is quieter, with a long empty beach and almost no infrastructure. The first if you want things going on, the second if you want nobody around. Maiton in detail.
Where do boats to Coral Island depart from?
The island lies south of Phuket, so it is served from the south side, usually from Chalong Pier — the kilometres on this page are measured from there. The exact boarding point depends on where the particular boat is berthed and is confirmed at booking together with a map pin and the time. All Phuket marinas.
Other destinations nearby
- Maiton — about 17 km, a long empty beach
- Racha Islands — about 26 km, snorkelling and clear water
- Phi Phi and Bamboo — about 48 km, a full day
Frequently asked questions
How far is Coral Island from Phuket?
About 11 km from Chalong Pier: 20–25 minutes on a motor yacht, about 15 minutes by speedboat, about an hour under sail.
Can Coral Island be done in half a day?
Yes — it is the shortest trip from the south of Phuket. Leave at eight, two stops and alongside around 12:30, with three hours on the island itself.
How is Long Beach different from Banana Beach?
Long Beach is a long beach with water sports and places to eat, and it gets busy. Banana Beach in the north is sheltered from the wind and quieter; swimming is more comfortable in the morning, as the tide goes out in the afternoon.
Is Coral Island suitable for children?
Yes: the crossing is short, the entry into the water is gentle, and the shallow reefs close to shore allow snorkelling right by the boat. Life jackets in child sizes are on board.
Boats that suit this route
Departure marina is the practical filter for this direction:
- Princess V39 ANFIELD — 42 ft, from ฿69,000
- Indigo 53s Mario's Brother — 53 ft, from ฿89,900
- Princess 42 — 42 ft, from ฿109,000
- Princess S65 KATI — 65 ft, from ฿190,000
- Limpopo Axopar 28 — 28 ft, from ฿21,000
- Leopard 51 Aurora — 51 ft, from ฿44,900
