5 Surreal Islands Near Phuket You Should Explore In 2023

Phuket’s stunning beaches, lively nightlife, and diving opportunities off the coast to view coral reefs and marine life like turtles, fish, and even sharks draw in tens of thousands of tourists annually. However, Phuket is more than just its beaches; the nearby islands provide various activities and sights. These islands are among the most beautiful in the tropics, spanning the Andaman Sea and Phang Nga Bay.

These beautiful islands near Phuket are home to secluded beaches and roadside shacks serving fresh seafood that will blow your mind. Here is a list of all the amazing islands you can explore near Phuket. So, what are you waiting for? Head to Phuket and explore these dream-like islands.

Best 5 Islands Near Phuket To Enjoy The Beach Life

1. Koh Phi Phi

For obvious reasons, the Phi Phi Islands have become one of Thailand’s most popular tourist attractions. This cluster of six islands is remarkable in its beauty and diversity, making it a great holiday destination for anyone with a wide range of preferences.

Koh Phi Phi Don is divided into three distinct regions as the group’s biggest and only populated island. Hotels, stores, pubs, and restaurants can all be found between Tonsai and Dalum bays in the main town. There aren’t many hotels in Laem Thong since it’s more of a quiet tropical cliché. The southern shore, however, is a patchwork of rainforest and seaside hotels. The Phi Phi Islands are an excellent vacation destination for a dramatic landscape change. Maya Bay is known for being where Leonardo De Caprio’s movie “The Beach ” was filmed, so it’s a great place to relax after a long trip.

Things To Do At Koh Phi Phi:

1. Hike to Phi Phi viewpoint
On Ko Phi Phi Don, the main village is on a 100-meter-long strip of sand between the Dalum and Tonsai bays. You can walk up well-worn paths for 186 metres to get to the viewpoint and see a beautiful view of Phi Phi Leh, Loh Dalum, and Tonsai Village. You can see the H-shaped island from the top of the lookout point.

2. Scuba diving at Koh Phi Phi Don
When you go scuba diving in Koh Phi Phi, you can see the sea life like never before. With its colourful reefs, rough limestone caves, and many different kinds of fish, the island has a lot to discover.

Whether you are a professional diver or just starting, the shallow waters around the island are a great way to see what’s in the Andaman Sea. The activity should be carried out with the help of a trained guide. On Phi Phi Island, scuba diving is prohibited for kids younger than 12.

3. Cave exploration
Want to learn about this beautiful place uniquely and have some experiences you’ll never forget? Hike through an old jungle full of lianas, palm trees, tropical trees, butterflies, and flowering plants and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the forest floor. Check out the caves that have been there since the beginning of time. Watch a beautiful sunset among the trees to end your day trip.

4. Monkey Bay
Monkey Bay, often called “Ao Ling” in Thai, is a favourite place for water adventurers because there are many places to snorkel, swim, or relax on the white sand beach. Monkey Bay is a small cove at the mouth of Dalum Bay. A group of macaques that eat crabs live there, which is how it got its name. The small town of 15,000 people is a few miles from the main road north of Lake Malawi. Snorkelling is a great way to see beautiful coral reefs about 50 metres from sandy beaches. The best way to get to Monkey Bay is to rent a long-tail boat or paddle a kayak for about 30 minutes.

2. Ko Samui

Let’s start with the most visited island, Ko Samui, which you must see if you’re in Phuket. It is in the Gulf of Thailand and is one of the most important tourist destinations. It is known for its beaches with palm trees, coconut groves, dense mountain forests, and luxury resorts and spas. The 12m-tall Big Buddha statue at the Wat Phra Yai temple on a small island connected to Koh Samui makes it a must-see.

In addition to the natural beauty, Koh Samui has a lot of places of cultural, religious, and historical importance that are worth seeing.

Major Attractions

Turtle Island
Big Buddha Temple
Na Muang Waterfalls
Secret Buddha Garden
Ang Thong National Marine Park
Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village
Grandpa and Grandma Rocks

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit the island is between December and February.

3. Similan Island

Similan Island is part of the Phang Nga province in southern Thailand. It is another beautiful island group in the Adanam Sea. In the 1980s, it became Mu Ko Similan National Park, a sea border between India and Thailand.

Similan is also one of the best islands to visit in Phuket because there are natural wonders under the clear blue water. Its coral reefs and beaches haven’t been touched by people much, so they are a great place to escape everyday life. Also, its natural treasures are so beautiful that you wouldn’t want to go home.

Major Attractions

Koh Tachai Island
Richelieu Diving
Elephant Head Rock
Similan Islands National Park

Best Time To Visit

The best time to go is between December and early January to avoid bad weather.

4. Coral Island

Ko He, also called Coral Island, is a well-known island that everyone in Phuket should see. Coral Island gets its name from the beautiful coral reef that surrounds it. The island has two beautiful beaches: Long Beach and Banana Beach. A forest trail and a boat ride link Long Beach and Banana Beach.

Also, Coral Island, as a whole, has a lot of fun things to do on the water, like banana boats, canoes, snorkelling, speed boat racing, and more, to spice up your holiday.

Major Attractions

Water activities
Long Beach
Banana Beach
Freedom Beach
Best Time To Visit
Due to the good weather, November through April are favourable months.

5. Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan, one of the nicest islands close to Phuket, is a mountainous island with abundant natural beauty, including thick forests, mountains, waterfalls, and breathtaking vistas. The island is a fantastic location for fun and amusement, in addition to being a natural treasure trove. Together with the immaculate beaches, it holds some of the trendiest events since it has some of Phuket’s best beaches.

The fifth-largest and one of Thailand’s most stunning islands, Koh Phangan, has all the makings of a tropical paradise. They consist of coconut trees, coral reefs, and beaches with fine white sand.

Major Attractions

Full Moon Party
Half Moon Party
Black Moon Party
Water activities
Haad Rai beach
Khao Ra View Point
Phaeng Waterfall
Kuan Yin

Best Time To Visit

The best months are those between November and March due to the beautiful weather.

Final Words

The islands around Phuket are among the most stunning spots you will visit, close to Thailand. You must stop by at least a few to ensure your journey to Phuket is complete. To take advantage of the incredible experiences Phuket has to offer, plan your vacation to Thailand right now! To have an immersive experience, organise this vacation with your family or other close friends.