If you only have time for a few boat trips from Phuket, these five are the ones worth your day: Phi Phi for snorkelling and Maya Bay, James Bond Island / Phang Nga Bay for dramatic karst scenery and sea caves, the Similan Islands for world-class diving (seasonal — the park closes in the green season), Racha for tranquil, clear-water snorkelling, and Coral Island for an easy family beach day. Here’s what makes each one special, who it suits, and how to do it well.
The five at a glance
| Island tour | Best for | Highlight | Season | Simba option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi Islands | Snorkelling, swimming, beaches | Maya Bay | Year-round (open water) | Phi Phi Sunrise Tour |
| James Bond Island / Phang Nga | Scenery, sea caves, families | Ko Tapu | Year-round; very sheltered | Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Tour |
| Similan Islands | Diving & snorkelling | Reefs & granite boulders | Open ~mid-Oct to mid-May only | Private charter |
| Racha Islands | Quiet, clear water | Racha Yai & Racha Noi | Best in dry season | Private charter |
| Coral Island | Family beach day | Coral reefs, calm bays | Year-round | Coral-and-beach charter |
1. Phi Phi Islands — the all-rounder
The Phi Phi Islands are the classic Phuket day trip: limestone cliffs, turquoise water and some of the best snorkelling in the Andaman. The archipelago’s stars are Phi Phi Don, the larger inhabited island, and Phi Phi Leh, home to Maya Bay of The Beach fame. It’s about 1 hour 10 minutes by speedboat from Boat Lagoon, so it’s open-water — a calmer day pays off. Our Phi Phi Sunrise Tour leaves before the fleet and reaches Maya Bay ahead of the day-tripper crowds, which is the whole game at this site.
2. James Bond Island — the scenery pick
Named for its role in The Man with the Golden Gun, James Bond Island (officially Khao Phing Kan) sits inside sheltered Phang Nga Bay, where limestone karsts rise straight out of emerald water. Beyond the famous Ko Tapu pinnacle, the bay’s real magic is sea-canoeing into the hongs — hidden tidal lagoons ringed by jungle cliffs. Our Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island Tour makes an early, lengthy stop at the island and explores the surrounding caves. Because the bay is so sheltered, it’s the strongest pick in the green season.
3. Similan Islands — the diver’s paradise (seasonal)
The Similan Islands are consistently rated among the world’s best dive sites — nine islands of granite boulders, clear water and vivid reefs, protected as a national park. One crucial planning note: the park is seasonal and closes each year for the green season, typically open only from around mid-October to mid-May, so it isn’t a year-round option (more on the closure here). Simba runs the Similan Islands as a private charter for a personalised day at the best dive and snorkel spots.
4. Racha Islands — the tranquil escape
Just south of Phuket, the Racha Islands trade crowds for calm: clear blue water, quiet beaches and easy snorkelling around Racha Yai and Racha Noi. It’s the pick for anyone who wants a slower, quieter day on the water. Simba runs Racha as a private charter, so you set the pace — snorkel, swim, or just unwind on the sand.
5. Coral Island — the family day
Coral Island is a short hop from Phuket and an easy win with kids: vibrant reefs a few strokes from shore, calm bays and plenty of room for a relaxed beach day. If you want a coral-and-beach day with everything organised, our Coral Delight charter is built around exactly that — reef snorkelling at Coral Island, a beach stop at Koh Rang Yai, and lunch back at Soho Pool Club on the return. All our standard boats run small groups (a maximum of 18 adults), so no island day feels like a cattle boat.
How to choose
Want the headline snorkel-and-beach day? Go Phi Phi. Want scenery and sea caves, or you’re travelling with kids who prefer calm water? Go James Bond / Phang Nga. Serious about diving and visiting in the dry season? Similan. After peace and quiet? Racha. Easy family beach day close to Phuket? Coral Island. Short on time and can’t choose, or want a bespoke route? A private charter can be built around any combination.
A note from the operator
We’ve run these waters since 2005, so this list isn’t a scrape of the internet — it’s where we actually take guests, in the seasons that make sense. Owner-led and pilot-owned, we plan departures around light and weather to reach the headline sights before the fleet. The full author profile sits below.
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