Phuket islands by yacht: Phi Phi, Phang Nga, Racha, Similan

Which islands near Phuket can you visit by yacht?

For half a day, Coral Island or Racha in the south. For a full day, Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay. The Similans are a separate dry-season trip, and Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai suit people who want quiet rather than a crowded pier.

• Coral Island (Koh Hae): close to Phuket's southern tip, beaches and snorkelling
• Racha Yai and Racha Noi: south, clear water, crossing open sea
• Phi Phi: southeast, in Krabi province, Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay
• Phang Nga Bay: northeast, limestone karsts and James Bond Island
• Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai: in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, villages and empty beaches
• The Similans: far to the northwest, a national park that closes seasonally

Phi Phi by yacht: what to know about Maya Bay

Phi Phi is two main islands: lived-in Phi Phi Don and the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh, home to Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay. Plan a full day. On a motor yacht you'll get there before most of the tour boats.

Boats don't enter Maya Bay itself. You land on the far side of the island at Loh Samah Bay and walk a boardwalk to the beach. Swimming in Maya is banned, you can only wade in about knee-deep. The bay also closes every year for August and September, while the rest of Phi Phi stays open. National park entry fees apply.

Phang Nga Bay: where to go when the west coast is rough

Phang Nga Bay is sheltered from the open sea, so boats head there even in the rainy season when Phuket's west coast gets rough. From May to October it's the best plan B.

The highlights are James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan and the Koh Tapu rock), the stilt village of Koh Panyee, and islands with sea caves you paddle into by canoe at low tide. The water is greenish rather than turquoise, but hundreds of limestone towers rising out of it make up for that. The east coast is the handy starting point, Ao Po Grand Marina for instance.

Racha and Coral Island: half-day trips

Coral Island is the closest to southern Phuket and works for half a day. Racha is further out and the water is noticeably clearer. Both routes cross open sea, so you'll feel the swell more in monsoon season.

Coral Island (Koh Hae) means beaches, snorkelling and water sports, and it's busy during the day. Racha Yai is quieter, with white sand and good anchorages, and Racha Noi further on is more of a diving spot. A speedboat is fine for Coral Island; for Racha a catamaran or motor yacht is more comfortable.

The Similan Islands: when are they open?

The Similan Islands National Park opens only in the dry season, usually from around mid-October to mid-May. In 2026 it reopened on 15 October, but the parks department sets the dates every year, so check before you travel.

The Similans sit far to the northwest, and most tours leave from Khao Lak. From Phuket it's a long run, so think fast motor yacht or a multi-day itinerary. Park tickets are bought online in advance, visitor numbers are capped, and overnight stays on the islands aren't allowed. Sail Rock on Island No. 8 and water you can see the bottom through are why people make the trip anyway.

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai: the quiet route

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai lie in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi. You go for empty beaches and village life, not postcard views.

They pair well with the bay islands in one day. Fancy seeing it all from above? Some helicopter tours land on Koh Yao Noi, more in our Phuket helicopter guide.

What to bring on a yacht trip

The sun on the water is harsher than it feels on the beach, so sun protection comes first. Then the rest.

• Sunscreen, ideally reef-safe, plus a hat and sunglasses
• A rash guard or T-shirt for snorkelling, so your back doesn't burn
• Your passport or a copy: national park entrances may check ID
• Cash for small purchases and any fees paid on the spot
• Seasickness tablets if you're on a speedboat or crossing open sea

Which boat for which route?

A speedboat covers the nearby islands, Phi Phi and Racha call for a catamaran or motor yacht, and the Similans for a fast motor yacht. Here are boats from the catalogue with today's prices.

Catamaran or yacht, what's included and who's on board: all in yacht charter in Phuket. Month by month weather is in the season guide.

At Siam Luxury Adventure we plan the route around the day's weather: if the west is choppy, the manager will suggest the bay instead of Racha. Send your date and group size on WhatsApp or Telegram.

Pick a boat in the catalogue or reach us through the concierge service, and Siam Luxury Adventure will build your island route.