Want to experience Phuket in all its glory? Get off the island for a bit.
All around Phuket, you’ve got magical islands, hidden bays, floating villages, and water colors that honestly don’t look real. If you’ve got the time—we *really* recommend escaping the island for a day and soaking up the ridiculously beautiful scenery nearby.
Phuket day trips can take you snorkeling, boating, kayaking, movie-set beaches, and more—all super close by.
Here are the best one-day routes outside Phuket.
By the way, take a peek at our article on all the incredible islands around Phuket so you know what you’re in for :-).
First things first—here’s a map of the area around Phuket:
1. Day trip to the Phi Phi Islands (the 7 Islands tour)
Speedboat ride to the Phi Phi Islands (about 1 hour)—a group of islands that’s considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand.
How to get there: Speedboats leave from Chalong Pier or Rassada Pier in Phuket. Most tour companies include hotel pickup.
The tour includes:
- Visiting some of the world’s prettiest beaches, like Maya Bay—an enclosed beach inside a bay surrounded by cliffs on Phi Phi Leh—and Phi Phi Don, the main island with Tonsai Bay.
- Snorkeling and diving at stunning spots with coral reefs and tons of marine life.
- Lunch on the island—most tours include lunch, usually a buffet on Phi Phi Don.
Back to Phuket around sunset—speedboats typically return around 4:00–5:00 PM.
You can find a bunch of tours you can book online right here…
2. Day trip to Phang Nga Bay (the 4 Islands tour)
An organized tour that includes a boat ride through the bay known for its dramatic limestone cliffs rising out of green-turquoise water.
How to get there: Drive to the pier in the Phang Nga area (about an hour from Phuket), then cruise the bay. Most companies offer hotel pickup.
The tour usually includes:
- A visit to the famous James Bond Island (Ko Tapu)—a striking limestone rock jutting out of the water that became an iconic symbol of the area after filming the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”.
- Sea cave exploration by kayak—paddling through caves, narrow passages, and hidden lagoons (Hong) surrounded by cliffs.
- A visit to the floating Muslim village of Koh Panyee—a unique village built on stilts above the water, with a fascinating history of about 200 years. You can also try fresh seafood at the local restaurants.
- An optional combo with a stop at Monkey Cave Temple (Wat Suwan Kuha)—a Buddhist temple inside a large cave packed with monkeys—or Shell Cemetery, a rare geological site.
You’ll find plenty of easy-to-book tour options right here…
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3. Day trip to James Bond Island + kayaking
A cruise through the mangroves—an easygoing ride through dense mangrove forests, an important habitat for all kinds of animals and plants.
How to get there: Similar to the Phang Nga Bay trip, but with a bigger focus on kayaking.
- Kayaking through caves and hidden lagoons—this route puts more emphasis on the paddling experience, with extra time exploring caves and lagoons.
- Visiting the famous James Bond Island—as described above.
- Swimming and free time on smaller, less touristy islands like Koh Pak Bia or Koh Hong, which offer quieter beaches and a more low-key, authentic vibe.
4. Day trip to the Similan Islands (seasonal—November to April)
A longer journey from Phuket (about 2 hours)—it includes a drive to Tab Lamu Pier or Bangsak Pier in Phang Nga province, then about a 1.5-hour speedboat ride.
How to get there: Organized tours include hotel pickup and drop-off (it’s a long day: leave at 6:00 AM and get back around 7:00 PM).
This tour takes you to a seriously gorgeous area, and it includes:
- White, powdery beaches and unreal turquoise water—Similan is considered one of the most beautiful areas in Thailand. The park includes 9 islands (“Similan” means “nine” in Malay).
- One of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world—super clear water with visibility of tens of meters, well-preserved coral reefs, and rich marine life including sea turtles, reef sharks, and tropical fish.
- Massive granite boulders unique to the area—the hooking visual here is the giant white granite rocks, giving the islands a dramatic, one-of-a-kind look.
Worth noting: The Similan Islands are only open during the dry season (November to April) and close during monsoon season to let nature recover.
Click here to see a variety of tours you can book online in advance..
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Where should you stay in Phuket? Here are 8 popular, excellent places to book…
5. Day trip to Coral Island (Koh Hae) – close, colorful, and family-friendly
A small, lush tropical island with white-sand beaches, shallow turquoise water, easy shore snorkeling, water sports (banana boats, tubing, parasailing), beachfront restaurants, and short trails for walking and climbing up to viewpoints.
How to get there:
A quick speedboat ride from Chalong Pier. There are tons of organized tours that include hotel pickup, round-trip boat rides, and snorkeling gear.
What makes it special:
- One of the closest islands to Phuket (just 15–20 minutes by boat), so it’s perfect for families with kids—or anyone who’s not trying to commit to a marathon day.
- Shallow coral reefs right near the shore—you can spot colorful fish even if you’re not a strong swimmer.
- Chill, calm, and postcard-pretty—an awesome option for a half-day trip.
Who it’s for: Families, couples, little kids, and anyone who doesn’t want to go too far.
Khao Sok National Park—you can actually sleep right on the lake</caption]
6. Day trip to Khao Sok Nature Reserve – jungle, lake, and cliffs
One of Thailand’s biggest and most impressive national parks—tropical rainforest, Cheow Lan Lake with massive limestone cliffs rising from the water, canoeing, bamboo-raft safaris, stalactite caves, waterfalls, monkeys, and birds.
How to get there:
About a 2.5–3 hour drive from Phuket, then a boat ride on the lake. Most tours include round-trip transportation, the lake cruise, a nature tour, and lunch.
What makes it special:
- A rare combo of wild nature and water—totally different vibes from the islands.
- Considered one of the greenest, quietest, and most beautiful areas in all of Thailand.
- It feels like “the gods are going wild”—with cliffs that resemble Phang Nga, but with deep-jungle energy.
Who it’s for: Nature lovers, couples, adventure seekers, and families with elementary-school-age kids and up.
Tip: There are day tours, and there’s also an option to stay overnight in a bungalow on the water—def worth a look if you’re down for a little detour…