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Phuket Accommodation suggestions
- OK Chic Phuket Hostel – private rooms with shared bathrooms in Phuket Old Town
- Hip Hostel – dorm and private rooms close to Patong Beach
- iNest Poshtel – private balcony rooms in the centre of Kata
- WOO Gallery & Boutique hotel – Colonial style hotel with garden terrace in Phuket Old Town
- Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach – Luxury resort, close to Patong
Tours and day trips from Phuket
Amazing Day trips from Phuket
Let me start by saying that there are some truly amazing day trips from Phuket, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Phuket is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. With great connections to the nearby islands, Bangkok and Chiang Mai, in the north of Thailand, it is also a great place to base yourself.
Whether you are looking for the best day tours from Phuket, or are planning a short overnight trip from Phuket, I’ve got you covered. This blog includes some of my top recommendations for the best day trips from Phuket.
1. Phang Nga Bay and Hong Island
One of the most popular day trips from Phuket is a visit to Phang Nga Bay and Hong Island.
Phang Nga National Park is known for impressive limestone rock formations, hidden lagoons and beautiful turquoise blue-green sea. Phang Nga bay comprises small islands, the most famous is Koh Tapu, known to most as James Bond island after it was featured in the film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.
There are several tour companies offering full day and half day trips to Phang Nga Bay. I would recommend a full day trip as the boat journey from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay takes 1 hour. Choose a company that has a smaller boat, or uses kayaks as the larger boats won’t be able to get as close to the islands and explore the caves. I would highly recommend the full-day Hong by Starlight tour by John Gray Sea Canoe. The experience I had with them was incredible and it remains one of my favourite and most memorable tours I’ve been on.
2. Maya Bay
Maya Bay is one of the most well known beaches in Southern Thailand. The secluded cove became famous after the 1999 film, ‘The Beach’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed there.
A trip to maya Bay does come with several restrictions, in order to protect the natural environment. You can only walk on the designated boardwalks and are not allowed to swim in the bay. As Maya Bay is one of the most popular tours from Phuket, it can get quite busy, especially in peak season. There are many tours to choose from, but they all have a similar itinerary to this full day Phi Phi Islands tour.
After your visit to Maya Bay, most tours will include a boat tour around the surrounding islands and you can even join a tour with snorkelling if you like. I would recommend taking a longer tour so that you can enjoy the area surrounding Maya Bay as well.
3. Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi Island (Koh Phi Phi Don) is one of the most popular Islands in South Thailand. The main centre of the island is relatively traffic-free and full of shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and hostels. If you have more time, I would really recommend staying on Koh Phi Phi for a couple of nights. It has a great laid-back party vibe and there are some really nice resorts on the outskirts of the centre if you prefer a bit more peace and quiet. However, if you’re short on time, then a day trip from Phuket to Phi Phi is a great option.
I would recommend choosing a full day tour on a smaller boat, like this premium speedboat tour. You’ll make several stops throughout the tour to various islands and scenic spots around Koh Phi Phi and enjoy a swim in the sea. Most tours will also stop at Maya Bay so you will get the chance to see this, also.
If you want to spend more time on land, and check out the Phi Phi Viewpoint, then it is easy to take a speedboat or ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi and spend the day there.
4. Similan islands
The Similan Islands are another group of small islands in the Andaman Sea. There are 11 islands in total, all surrounded by beautiful bright turquoise sea and white sand beaches. From Phuket, you can join a full day boat tour to the Simlian islands which includes snorkel and swim stops along the way. Just bear in mind that it does take around 2 hours to reach the islands so you will spend a bit of time on the boat itself.
5. Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi is a small island located in Phang Nga Bay National Park. If you are looking for something a bit different, this Koh Yao Noi Cycle and beach tour is perfect. On the tour, you’ll cycle through rural countryside and rice fields before enjoying the beach and then a boat ride back to Phuket. Cycling around the countryside is a great way to get a feel for the more rural side of Thailand and enjoy the beautiful views. I absolutely loved doing a similar activity in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
6. Khao Sok National Park
You will need a couple of days to visit Khao Sok National Park but I couldn’t leave this out. Khao Sok is absolutely one of the best places to visit in Southern Thailand. It is simply beautiful. From Phuket, you can get a minivan transfer to Khao Sok and then the best way to experience the national park is to book an overnight tour package to Cheow Lan Lake. I booked my tour through my accommodation, Khao Sok Riverside Cottages, which was great. As well as an overnight stay in a floating raft on Cheow Lan Lake and a tour of the national park, I also did a night jungle trek and went rafting down the river. It is definitely one of the best places to visit from Phuket.
7. Spend the day on a floating beach club
There are some great beach clubs in Phuket. However, for a more unique beach club experience, I’d suggest either the Yona Floating beach Club or Hype Catamaran.
8. Phuket Jungle ATV experience
Phuket’s ATV tours are such a good way to get away from the busy towns and beaches and into the jungle. You’ll see a different side to Phuket without even having to leave! You can also join a tour that includes a zipline adventure, like this one.
9. Join a cooking class or food tour
Whilst not exactly a day trip, it wouldn’t be right to exclude a food related activity in this post!
Wherever you go in Thailand, there are so many cooking classes available. Joining a cooking class is such a great way to learn about Thai Cooking, and of course, sample the delicious local food!
If you’d rather someone else do the cooking, then join a food tour instead. This food tour takes you around Phuket Old Town, making it a great way to get in some sightseeing as well.
10. Do a tour of Phuket
If you are short on time, then booking onto a full or half day tour of Phuket is a great way to see Phuket’s highlights.
There are many different small group tours to choose from, like this half day tour with food tasting. However, for complete flexibility, I’d recommend booking a private day tour so that you can customise your itinerary.
If you are short on time, or don’t want to travel too far, then booking onto a full or half day tour of Phuket is a great way to see Phuket’s highlights.
