Phuket is not only a popular island destination, it is also a gateway to other incredible islands.
Lots of them, in fact.
Whether you are looking for epic party islands or a tranquil island for a peaceful vacation, we’ve got you covered with our list of unbelievably gorgeous islands that are a boat ride away from the famous shores of Phuket.
Contact us today to charter a yacht and explore them during your next trip.
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Koh Maphrao (Coconut Island)
Koh Maphrao, which means Coconut Island is a small island located just 500 meters from the east coast of Phuket.
It is a quiet but beautiful, lush island where there is not much to do except relax on the beach, explore the village by bicycle, enjoy stunning views, swim, or kayak through magnificent mangroves.
Coconut Island even has a couple of high-end resorts such as Villa Escape by Burasari, Barceló, and Koh Maphrao Resort.
Koh Bon
Just five minutes from the southeastern coast of Phuket lies another tiny island known as Koh Bon.
This easily accessible but undeveloped island is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving.
There is also a variety of marine and wildlife on the island.
Because of its beauty and tranquil beaches, the island is also often used for photoshoots.
It is especially popular for the vast amounts of hermit crabs you can see on the beach.
Coral Island Phuket (Koh Hae)
Coral Island, also known as Koh Hae, is one of the most beautiful and popular islands near Phuket.
It takes only 15 minutes by speedboat to get here.
Once you get there you realize just how unbelievably gorgeous it is here.
The island has a couple of beaches with soft off-white sand and blue-green water that are home to various water activities, stunning viewpoints, restaurants, a resort, and even a beach club called The Coral Beach Club.
Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi is one of southern Thailand’s most beautiful and unique islands.
It is a true paradise on earth that is just a 30 to 40-minute speedboat ride from Phuket or Krabi.
It’s famous for pristine beaches, rice fields, lush landscapes, and genuine island vibes.
The island is home to incredible luxury hotels such as Six Senses, ANI, and Coastal Escape as well as boutique resorts and hostels.
There are also bars, cafes, and restaurants
This 50 km2 tropical oasis provides a perfect blend of nature, luxury, adventure, and relaxation.
Koh Khai
Just 20 minutes from Phuket, Koh Khai Nok is a popular day-tripping island destination because of its powdery sand and crystal-clear blue water.
Koh Khai Nok is part of an archipelago of three small islands and is often part of island-hopping tours
Visitors can snorkel, sunbathe, go jet skiing, banana boating, or simply explore the island while taking pictures of its gorgeous beach and unique rock formations.
But there is no electricity or place to stay overnight.
Koh Pa Nak Island
Koh Pa Nak is not another typical island.
While it does not have picturesque beaches and clear blue waters, it does have a unique natural landscape.
Just 20 to 30 minutes from the northeastern coast of Phuket, this tropical island is known for its magnificent rock formations, limestone cliffs, deep caves, and out-of-this-world lagoons.
You can snorkel here but it is more exciting to kayak around the island.
Koh Hong
Koh Hong is a popular snorkeling destination close to the coast of Krabi but you can get here from Phuket as well.
Its stunning landscape makes you feel like you’re in a ‘Jurassic Park’ movie.
Koh Hong has beautiful beaches, a lagoon, and steep limestone formations that are perfect for unbelievable photo captures whether from the ground or air.
If you don’t have a drone, don’t worry.
Hike up to the viewpoint for incredible 360-degree panoramic views of beaches, sea, and surrounding islands.
You can also snorkel or kayak around the island.
Khao Phing Kan / Koh Tapu (James Bond Island)
James Bond Island is one of Thailand’s most famous tourist destinations
It got its nickname from being featured in the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun”.
It is a unique natural formation highlighted by an iconic limestone karst tower, cliffs, caves, and caverns.
The island also has a tiny beach and a small dense jungle.
It can be found on most private island-hopping tours and is popular for day trips and boat tours from Phuket and Krabi.
Koh Panyee
Koh Panyee is one of southern Thailand’s hidden gems.
About 30 minutes from Phuket, this village island is home to 1,600 locals.
The island features a large limestone cliff but what is unbelievable about this place is how the village is built on the island and shallow sea.
They have homes, shops, a school, a mosque, restaurants, and an incredible floating football pitch.
It is a super scenic place.
Koh Racha Yai
Ko Racha Yai is what travel postcards are made of.
The water is super clear and colored in shades of blue and the sand is powdery white.
This absolutely gorgeous island is located about 30 minutes south of Phuket.
It is the perfect vacation destination with a few resorts at different price ranges, restaurants, and even a couple of bars.
The island is also great for snorkeling and even has a scuba diving spot.
Koh Poda
Koh Poda is an island in Krabi province that can be visited by speedboat from Phuket.
This tiny little island is a tropical paradise with three soft sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and remarkable limestone rock cliffs.
The island is a popular spot for boat tours that stop here so that visitors can snorkel, swim, relax on the beach, climb rocks, and even crawl into tiny caves.
Koh Phi Phi
If you are looking for the ultimate island getaway, Koh Phi Phi has it all.
It perfectly blends laid-back vibes and relaxation with excitement and adventure.
We are talking about unbelievable natural beauty and awesome views worthy of postcards, fantastic beaches, a great selection of accommodations, and even a lively nightlife scene.
There is also a sense of thrill when you are on the island with so much to do like kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
What more can you ask for?
The wonderful thing is that this slice of paradise is just a 50-minute speedboat ride from Phuket.
Similan Islands
Similan Islands are a beautiful group of islands that are part of a national park in Thailand’s southern province of Phang Nga.
It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to get here from Phuket but it is worth the trip.
This tropical paradise is one of the most scenic destinations you can ever visit in Thailand.
The islands offer super white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters, and lots of cool rocky formations to climb.
The water is so clear here that it has become a popular spot for diving and snorkeling with plenty of marine wildlife and corals.
Koh Lanta
You might not know this but Koh Lanta isn’t just one island.
It is an archipelago of an impressive 52 islands!
Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi are the two main islands in the district.
There is a bridge that connects the two islands.
To get here you have to take a ferry from the pier Krabi or take a speedboat from Phuket, which takes about 2 hours.
The islands are known for their incredibly beautiful beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and scenic landscapes such as limestone cliffs, mangroves, and rainforests.
It is a peaceful getaway and vacation hotspot with lots of fantastic resort options.
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a dream destination for island lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
Although it is quite a long journey from Phuket (about 5 hours Phuket), once you step foot on the island, you won’t want to leave.
It’s got some of the finest beaches and the clearest turquoise waters you will ever see.
While it is small enough to explore in just 1 or 2 days, there is a lot more to do here than you think.
Koh Lipe has some amazing resorts, restaurants, and bars that will keep you busy all night.
And you can spend all day discovering other nearby islands as well as go snorkeling or diving.
Explore The Islands With Party Phuket
Book a yacht with us today and let us take you island-hopping around some of the islands listed above.
We can even arrange a week-long trip to explore each island at your own pace with a crewed boat.
Message us today to explore the options together.
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FAQ
What is the closest island to Phuket?
The closest island to Phuket is Rangyai Island.
Which is the best island to stay near Phuket?
The best island to stay near Phuket is Koh Yao Noi, it has incredible 5-star resorts.
Discover More From Phuket
Our team has gathered for you a list of the best places to explore in Phuket.
Read our blog to find out more about the most incredible spots on the island.