Coral Island
Known locally as Koh Hae, Coral Island is a stunning location just nine kilometres away from Phuket. There are two main beaches which are popular with visitors and where most amenities are found: Long Beach and Banana Beach. Here you will find golden sand, clear waters, beach bars and restaurants and of course coral reefs; what the island is actually famous for.
Koh Bon
Koh Bon is an island off the coast of Phuket, just 15 minutes away from Rawai beach. It is a tranquil island with soft white sand and crystal clear waters. The water close to the shore boasts excellent snorkelling opportunities while further out to sea is where you will find some of the Andaman Sea’s best scuba diving spots.
Koh Kaew
This small land mass jutting out of the sea can hardly be called an island. It is tiny and while it is just a short distance away from Rawai by long-tail boat, there is nothing to do other than sit on the beach. There is a large Buddha statue located here, although most people don’t generally try to find it.
Koh Khai Nok
Located off the east coast of Phuket, Koh Khai Nok is a very small yet picture-perfect island with soft white sand and crystal clear water. From a distance, it does not even look like an island; instead it looks more like a small forest poking its nose out of the sea and impossible to enter. However, upon arrival at the island, visitors soon realise that the sandy beaches are all they actually really need.
Koh Lone
Koh Lone is located in the heart of Chalong Bay and is a great place to stay if money is no object. This picturesque island is home to upmarket resorts and is a favourite with the rich and famous because of its exclusivity. It is possible to visit for the day, with the best way to arrive being by long tail boat.
Naka Islands
These two islands, known collectively as Naka Islands, are very small islands in southern Thailand. They are located very close to Phang Nga Bay and are popular destinations on many day trip itineraries. Naka Yai is the larger of the two and is home to a small fishing village. The beaches on Naka Yai are long, wide and made up of golden sand. Naka Noi is the smaller of the two islands and is known locally as ‘Pearl Island’. This is due to the fact that it is the site where rare South Sea pearls are refined
Koh Panyee
This is a stunning island, just 20 minutes by boat from Surakul pier on Phuket. It is an undeveloped haven housing local fishermen and a must visit for anyone looking to escape the madness of Phuket for a day or two. Life on this island is uncomplicated and very peaceful. There are just 1500 people living on the entire island; all of whom are descendants of the first settlers on the island over 200 years ago. The village is a traditional fishing village, although unlike most places in Thailand, it is completely Muslim. For this reason, you should always make sure that you dress respectfully when away from the beach.
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are two sister islands in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, halfway between Phuket and Krabi. Both islands are bathed in untamed natural beauty and offer visitors the chance to relax in beautiful surroundings while catching a glimpse into local island life in Thailand. Wooden stilted houses can be found along the roads inland and buffalos grazing in the long grass can be seen round every corner. There are a number of rubber plantations and mangrove swamps which add to the beauty and simplicity of this island.
Maiton Island
Maiton Island is famous for housing the highly exclusive Maiton Island Resort. This resort sees Hollywood ‘A-listers’ as guests every year and while the resort itself is too expensive for your average tourist, the island itself can still be explored. There are no day trips here, although it is possible to hire a long-tail boat and make your own way across the sea. It is just 15 minutes away from Phuket’s shores.
Koh Maphrao (Cocnut Island)
This tiny fishing island is located very close to Phuket; in fact, just 10 minutes away by long tail boat from Laem Hin pier. It is a stunning island perfect for those who want to get away from it all and gat a glimpse in local island life. It is known as coconut island which is due to the number of palm trees on the island and also because of the island’s shape.
Phang Na Bay
Phang Nga Bay is a stunning area in the Andaman Sea, within easy reach from Phuket. It is home to a number of small islands which are excellent spots for diving and are located within the crystal clear emerald colour water. Highlights of this bay, aside from the islands, are the imposing limestone cliffs which create a very dramatic scene and are also home to underwater caves and numerous species of sea life.
Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi is made up of a number of islands, which in turn make up the National Marine Park. However, only one of them is inhabited while the rest bask in untamed beauty. Phi Phi Don is the most famous of the six islands, and it is here that you can stay and take advantage of the tourist infrastructure. Its sister island across the water, Phi Phi Ley, is popular with day trips and despite not being able to stay here, it does have beautiful white sandy beaches which are ideal for relaxing on. Phi Phi Don was devastated by the 2004 tsunami and almost the entire island has been rebuilt. Today it is back to its former glory.
Racha Islands
The two islands which are collectively known as Koh Racha (Yai and Noi) can be found just 12 kms south of Phuket and are renowned for their diving and snorkelling opportunities. The crystal waters are teeming with sea life and because of the natural beauty both on and off shore; they have become very popular with day trips. However, only Racha Yai is developed. It is here where you will find restaurants, bungalows, resorts, bars and shops. Racha Noi is home to purely natural attractions.
Rang Yai Island
The beaches running along the outskirts of the island are truly beautiful, with long stretches of golden sand and shade under the scenic coconut trees. As there is no accommodation on the island, the beaches are generally very quiet with minimal facilities.
Similan Islands
The Similian Islands are just 84kms away from Phuket, but they are in a completely different league to the crowded beaches of Patong and Karon. They are one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the whole of the Andaman Sea and just one hour away from Phuket. The Similians are among the top 10 dive sites in the world (which is no mean feat) and while they do not boast as dramatic scenes as some of the islands of Krabi or Phang Nga Bay, they are beautiful and are home to a wealth of sea life. Each island is covered in pristine forest, have deserted white sandy beaches and an abundance of wildlife. Beauty oozes from these islands; both in and out of the water.
Surin Islands
The five islands of Surin are found approximately 60kms off the coast of Phang Nga Province, and together make up Mu Koh Surin National Park. The small archipelago of Koh Surin Nuea, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Ri, Koh Khai, and Koh Klang is among the most beautiful in the whole of Thailand. They are not inundated by tourists throughout the year so have therefore maintained much of their untamed beauty.
