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    Phuket Island Hopping — Where to Go and How to Get There

    Phuket island hopping is the practice of visiting multiple islands across the Andaman Sea on a single day-tour or multi-day charter, departing from one of Phuket’s east-coast marinas. From Phuket, five distinct destinations are within reach by speedboat: the Phi Phi Islands (1 hour 10 minutes south, including Maya Bay and Bamboo Island); Phang Nga Bay (about 1 hour north-east, home to James Bond Island and Hong Island); Krabi (1 hour 30 minutes east, including Koh Hong, Railay Beach, and Koh Poda); Coral Island (30–45 minutes south, including Mai Thon and Rang Yai); and the Racha Islands (approximately 45 minutes south, including Racha Yai and Racha Noi).

    Most visitors choose one destination per day. The departure point matters: tours that leave from Boat Lagoon Marina on Phuket’s east coast reach all five destinations directly, without needing a road transfer to Krabi or Phang Nga town.

    Small Group Tours
    Phuket Island Hopping

    Why Island-Hop from Phuket?

    Phuket sits at the centre of the Andaman's most-visited day-trip cluster. Within a single sailing day from Boat Lagoon Marina, you can reach five distinct destinations — from the UNESCO-protected limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay to the protected snorkel reefs of Coral Island. No internal flight needed. No road transfer. Each destination has its own character, and the right one for your trip depends on what you're after — postcard scenery, calm snorkel water, a longer-distance adventure, or a quiet local-island day. Simba Sea Trips has operated boat tours from this base since 2005. We cap every boat at a maximum of 18 adults — well below the 30 to 60-passenger mass-market norm in our area. The smaller group means more space, faster snorkel access, less queue time at busy attractions, and an unrushed day on the water.

    Your Destinations

    Five Destinations, One Base

    Pick a destination, choose join-in or private charter, and explore the Andaman with a captain who has been operating these waters since 2005.

    Phi Phi Islands

    Phi Phi Islands

    The Phi Phi Islands sit one hour 10 minutes south of Phuket by speedboat — the region’s most famous postcard view. Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, and the snorkelling sites at Bida Nok and Phi Phi Don are all reachable in a single day. Our tours depart pre-sunrise to reach Maya Bay before the crowds. From ฿5,310.

    Explore Phi Phi Islands
    Phang Nga Bay

    Phang Nga Bay

    A 400 km² UNESCO-protected expanse of limestone karsts rising from emerald water, roughly an hour north-east of Phuket. James Bond Island is the headline stop, but the bay’s real character lives in its hongs — hidden lagoons reached by sea-canoe through cave tunnels — and the floating village of Koh Panyee. From ฿4,500.

    Explore Phang Nga Bay
    Krabi

    Krabi

    Closer to Phuket by sea than by road — roughly 50 km direct by speedboat versus 180 km via highway. Our private charter departs Boat Lagoon Marina and reaches Koh Hong, Hong Lagoon, Railay Beach, Chicken Island, and the hidden hongs of Phra Nang in 1 hour 30 minutes. No road transfer required. From ฿41,690 group total.

    Explore Krabi from Phuket
    Coral Island

    Coral Island

    Coral Island (Koh Hae) is one of Phuket’s closest snorkel destinations — roughly 30 to 40 minutes south of our base. Calm reef bays, white-sand beaches, and clear water naturally protected from the open Andaman by Phuket itself. Often combined with Mai Thon and Rang Yai. Best for families and mixed-experience groups. From ฿34,870 group total.

    Explore Coral Island
    Racha Islands

    Racha Islands

    Racha Yai and Racha Noi sit south of Phuket in some of the Andaman’s clearer water, known for white-sand bays and snorkel reefs with consistently good visibility. Racha Yai is the more developed of the pair; Racha Noi is rougher and deeper, for advanced snorkellers. Reached in roughly 45 minutes. Available via private charter.

    Explore the Racha Islands
    Experience the Simba difference

    The Simba Sea Trips Difference

    Whichever destination you choose, the experience is shaped by how the tour is operated. Simba caps boats at 18 adults, departs early to beat the crowds, and includes everything you'd otherwise pay extra for. Here's what makes the Simba experience consistently different.

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    Smallest group sizes

    With an average group size of around 14-16 guests, and capped at approximately 18 adults, there is room to move, stretch out, and enjoy the view in comfort.

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    Early departures to beat the other arrivals

    By departing at the crack of dawn, Simba tours reach the highest density attraction such as Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon in the absence of most boats, and to work within time slot restrictions instead of against them.

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    An Expert, Safety Conscious and Helpful Crew

    Staff have been carefully selected and offer a wealth of experience of the Phi Phi Islands destination. All crew members are English-speaking and ensure that the safety of our traveling party is of the highest priority.

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    No hidden costs / all-inclusive pricing

    Hotel transfers, light breakfast, snacks and soft drinks, snorkel gear, national park fees, accident insurance, are all typically included, so there are no surprises on the day.

    Continue exploring

    More Andaman destinations from Phuket

    Each destination has its own character. Browse the individual pillar pages for full itinerary detail, sub-destination guides, and tour options.

    What Our Guests Say

    TripAdvisor★★★★★

    Simba Sea Trips Phuket delivers one of the most polished and memorable island experiences you can have in Phuket. The "Luxury Small Group Sunrise Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay boat trip" feels carefully designed from start to finish, with every detail handled before the crowds arrive, so the day begins in calm, comfort, and style. The breakfast at the SOHO Club is a lovely way to start the morning at 6 am, and the hospitality only gets better from there. On board, the food and drinks are well thought out, and the final buffet lunch at the beach club is a fitting finish, with good vegetarian options as well. What sets this trip apart is the attention to guests. With no boat carrying more than 18 people, the experience never feels crowded or rushed, and there is a real sense that everyone is being looked after individually. That extra care makes a huge difference, especially on a premium trip like this. A special mention to our guide Noi Noi, whose witty commentary, deep knowledge, and genuinely personal attention made the journey even better. He had a wonderful way of making everyone feel included, and it was impressive to see first-time snorkelers, including guests who did not know how to swim, confidently enjoying the Phi Phi Don waters under his guidance. Our speedboat captain Dan Dan was amazing and how he guided through the choppy waters still keeping the boat steady and stable. Simba is a highly professional, luxury experience that is absolutely worth every penny.

    Maneck K

    4 days ago

    TripAdvisor★★★★★

    The entire trip was wonderful - the boat ride, the scenery, the stops for swimming and snorkel - everything was perfect. A dream come true, and still on my bucket list.

    poppylander

    6 days ago

    TripAdvisor★★★★★

    Dear Simba Tours Team, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for another fantastic experience following my recent Sunrise Phi Phi & Maya Bay tour. I have been travelling with Simba Tours since 2013, back when the company was under its previous ownership. Over the years, I’ve experienced tours under both the original and current owners, and what continues to impress me is the consistency of the experience and the standards you maintain. A few things have always stood out to me: • Professionalism from start to finish • A genuine customer-first approach • A team that clearly cares about creating memorable experiences rather than simply moving tourists from one location to another On this particular trip, Noi and his crew were exceptional. Their energy, charisma, humour, and ability to engage with guests made the day even more enjoyable. What impressed me most was the care shown towards guests who were nervous about the sea or snorkelling. I watched Noi personally enter the water with guests to help them overcome their anxieties and ensure they felt safe and comfortable. That level of care is rare and speaks volumes about the culture of your company. From time to time, I hear people comment that Simba Tours is more expensive than some other operators. Having travelled with many tour companies over the years, my response is always the same: there is a reason for the difference. With Simba, you are paying for professionalism, safety, organisation, quality, and an experience where guests genuinely matter. You’re not simply another number on a crowded boat. The attention to detail and customer care consistently justify the premium. After more than a decade of travelling with Simba Tours, it’s wonderful to see that the values that made me choose you in the first place are still very much alive today. Please pass my thanks on to Noi and the entire crew. They did a fantastic job and made what was already a beautiful day even more memorable.

    DesertRogue15k

    7 days ago

    Everything you need to know before you go

    Practical Information for Phuket Island Hopping

    Best Time to Visit

    High season (roughly November to April) brings sunnier skies, calmer seas, and clearer underwater visibility — ideal for island hopping, snorkelling, and sunrise tours. Low season (May to October, locally called green season) has more varied conditions, but trips still run when conditions are safe — and the lush cliffs are at their best for photography. Simba monitors forecasts closely and adjusts routes or makes weather calls when needed, always with clear communication.

    Departure Point: Boat Lagoon Marina

    All Simba Sea Trips depart from Boat Lagoon Marina (Soho Pool Club) on the east coast of Phuket. The address is 23 Boat Lagoon Marina, Soho Pool Club, Moo 2, Koh Kaeo, Ampur Mueang, Phuket 83000. Hotel transfer is included in every tour.

    Day Trip or Overnight?

    Most Simba guests experience each destination as a day trip from Phuket — convenient, fully guided, and fits cleanly into a broader holiday itinerary. Those particularly enchanted by a destination (most commonly Phi Phi or Phang Nga) sometimes choose to stay on a nearby island after their tour to enjoy sunrise/sunset views from land. Either way, the boat experience is the same: organised, small-group, with full hotel transfer logistics handled for you.

    Hotel Transfers and Logistics

    Every tour includes hotel pickup and return transfer within the Phuket pickup zone. Pickup times vary by destination — Phi Phi Sunrise leaves the marina at 6 AM (hotel pickup from 5 AM); Phang Nga Bay tours typically depart at 7 AM; Locals Island Tours can depart at 9 AM or 1 PM. We coordinate directly with your hotel reception.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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