Island day trips from Patong: Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and more

None of the big island trips leave from Patong Beach itself. Tour minibuses collect you from your hotel early in the morning and drive you to a pier on Phuket's east or south coast, where you board a speedboat or a larger boat. Knowing which pier, which boat and which fees are involved helps you compare offers and avoid a long, uncomfortable day.

Which island trip should you pick?

Phi Phi

The most famous trip: towering cliffs, turquoise water, Maya Bay, snorkelling stops and usually lunch on Phi Phi Don. It is also the busiest. A speedboat takes about 1–1.5 hours each way; the big boats take around two. Go for the scenery, not for solitude.

Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island

Dozens of limestone islands rising out of calm green water north-east of Phuket, with sea-canoe trips into hidden lagoons and a stop at the famous rock pinnacle off Khao Phing Kan, the 'James Bond Island'. Many tours visit the stilt village of Koh Panyee for lunch. Calm water makes this the best choice in the green season.

Coral Island (Koh Hae) and Racha Yai

Coral Island is just 15–20 minutes by speedboat from Chalong and works as a half day of beach, snorkelling and water sports. Racha Yai, about 30–45 minutes further south, has clearer water and white-sand bays. They are often combined in one day and are good for families who do not want long crossings.

Similan Islands

Granite boulders, white sand and the clearest water in the region, but only open roughly from mid-October to mid-May. Day trips leave by speedboat from a pier north of Khao Lak, a 1.5–2 hour drive from Patong, so pickups can be as early as 5:30 am. Daily visitor numbers are capped, so book a few days ahead in peak season.

What are the rules at Maya Bay now?

Maya Bay reopened in 2022 after a long closure that let the reef and beach recover from overtourism, and it is now managed much more strictly. Boats can no longer anchor in the bay. They drop passengers at a pontoon on the back side of the island, from where a boardwalk leads to the beach. Swimming in the bay is not allowed, time on the beach is limited, and visitor numbers are controlled. The bay also closes every year for about two months in the green season, typically around August and September, and can close at short notice for weather or reef recovery. If Maya Bay is your main reason to go, check the current status before you pay.

How much do island day trips cost from Patong?

Speedboat, big boat or longtail: which is better?

• Speedboat: fastest and fits more stops into a day, but bumpy and wet in any chop. Sit toward the back, where the hull slams least; the front seats are where back injuries happen. Not advised in pregnancy or with back or neck problems.
• Big boat or ferry: slower but far more stable, with shade, toilets and room to move. The better choice for families, older travellers and anyone prone to seasickness.
• Longtail: the narrow wooden boats with an engine on a pole. Great for short hops in sheltered water, inside Phang Nga Bay or around Phi Phi, but not built for open-sea crossings in rough weather.
• Private charter: more expensive but you set the timing, which means arriving at popular spots before the crowds.

Which pier will your trip leave from?

• Rassada Pier, east of Phuket Town, 30–45 minutes from Patong: the main ferry pier for Phi Phi and many big-boat tours.
• Chalong Pier, in the south, 30–40 minutes from Patong: speedboats to Coral Island, Racha and Phi Phi, plus most dive boats.
• Ao Po, in the north-east, 50–70 minutes from Patong: the usual departure point for Phang Nga Bay.
• Similan day trips leave from a pier in Phang Nga province north of Khao Lak, 1.5–2 hours by minibus.

Your pickup time depends on the pier, so a 6:30 am pickup for one trip and 8 am for another is normal. Be ready in the lobby 10 minutes early: minibuses collect from several hotels and rarely wait long.

How do you deal with seasickness on a boat trip?

• Choose a big boat over a speedboat if you are prone to it, especially from May to October.
• Sit low and toward the middle or back, and look at the horizon rather than your phone.
• Eat a light breakfast and skip the late night and alcohol before the trip.
• Take motion-sickness tablets 30–60 minutes before departure; Patong's pharmacies sell them without a prescription. Most cause drowsiness, so do not combine them with alcohol.
• Ginger sweets or tea help some people with mild nausea.

How safe are island boat trips, and when are they cancelled?

Most trips run without incident, but accidents do happen, usually in bad weather or on overloaded speedboats. Before you board, check that there is a life jacket for every passenger, including children's sizes, and wear it during speedboat crossings. When the authorities issue a small-boat warning, tours are not allowed to sail; this is most common from May to October. Ask before paying whether a cancelled trip is refunded or rescheduled.

• Wear a snorkel vest if you are not a confident swimmer; currents around islands can be strong.
• Do not stand on coral or touch marine life, and do not feed the fish.
• Sunscreens containing oxybenzone and some related chemicals are banned in Thai marine national parks; use a reef-safe product and a rash vest.
• Compare two or three tour desks, get a receipt with the operator's name and phone number, and be wary of the very cheapest offers, which often mean crowded boats and long shopping stops.

For the season that suits each trip, see the best time to visit Patong. Certified divers, or anyone curious, can read learning to dive in Patong, and the money, safety and scams guide covers tour-desk tactics to watch for.