Phuket Islands 2026: Phi Phi, Similan or Racha - How to Choose

Choosing an island trip from Phuket starts with the calendar, not the postcard. The Similan Islands are closed from mid-May to the end of October, Phi Phi runs year-round, and Racha Yai is under an hour by boat from Chalong. In 2026, entry to Phi Phi National Park costs 400 THB for a foreign adult and 200 THB for a child, and that single ticket covers every stop inside the park.

Phi Phi: travel time and ferry prices. From Rassada Pier in Phuket Town the ferry takes about 2 hours and the speedboat 1-1.5 hours. From Ao Chalong a speedboat is faster at 45-60 minutes, but the ride is rougher. A one-way ferry is typically 400-600 THB, or about 1200 THB return. A speedboat one way runs 850-1700 THB, while a ready-made day trip with speedboat, lunch and snorkeling costs 1800-2500 THB per person. The spread depends on the pier, the operator and whether the park fee is included.

Maya Bay is the stop that disappoints most often. It is the bay from the film, and the rules there are the strictest: no swimming, and you can only wade ankle-deep. Boats drop passengers on the back side of the headland, and it is a 5-10 minute walk along a wooden boardwalk to the sand. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned in the park and may be taken off you at the boat. Swimming is allowed in Pileh Lagoon, but only inside the marked zone.

A practical tip for residents with flexible schedules: skip Phi Phi in January. In May or October there are roughly 60% fewer people, and the bays are the same.

Similan Islands: season and why they cost more. The season runs from November to mid-May. The rest of the year the park is closed because of the monsoon, and no operator will take you. The trip from Ao Po Pier takes 1.5-2 hours, but most departures leave from Khao Lak, which makes it 2-3 hours each way, since the archipelago is more than 130 km from Phuket. A day trip costs 2800-4500 THB per person, and up to 5500 THB on smaller private boats. The park fee of 600-800 THB is usually included, but confirm before paying.

The premium is justified: the park enforces visitor quotas, so it is less crowded, the water is clearer and the coral is noticeably healthier than at the popular spots near Phuket. For a sense of the top end, a private yacht charter to the Similans starts from 416,000 THB per boat with crew in high season (November-April), and the national park fee is often not included.

But if you do not snorkel or dive, a one-day Similan trip is a poor choice. Six hours on a boat for two beaches and a viewpoint tires more than it rewards. I would not take children under seven there for a single day.

Racha, Koral and Phang Nga Bay: for those who get seasick. Nearby islands work when you have half a day and motion sickness is a known issue. Racha Yai has some of the clearest water within an hour of Phuket and beaches with a gentle entry. Koral (Ko Hey) and Ko Bon sit even closer to Chalong, and ordinary longtail boats reach them. Phang Nga Bay is a different experience: trips usually start from Ao Po Pier, the main stop is James Bond Island with the Ko Tapu rock, and en route you pass the stilt village of Ko Panyi. The sea is almost always calm because the bay is sheltered by islands, which makes it a sensible choice in the windy winter months.

National park fees and other charges. The park ticket is bought once per trip and valid across the park. At Phi Phi, the single 400 THB fee covers Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach. Adult rates at island parks sit within 300-500 THB, children aged 3-14 pay roughly half, and children under three go free. Thais pay less, which is standard practice. Beyond the tour price you may be asked for a pier exit fee, mask and fin rental, or a locker. The sums are small, but carry cash in small notes since there is not always a card terminal on the dock.

How to choose and what usually goes wrong. Start with the month: from June to October the Similans drop out on their own. Then decide whether you tolerate rough water. Finally, decide your purpose: water and fish, or photos and a walk. Typical mistakes:

• booking a large-boat group tour in high season and reaching Maya Bay at 11 a.m., when twenty boats are already there;
• taking a one-day Similan trip with a small child and spending half of it comforting them below deck;
• not checking whether the park fee is included and paying 400-800 THB extra per person on the spot;
• planning Phi Phi as a single day in July, when waves cancel speedboats and the ferry still runs but is heavy going.

If Phi Phi genuinely interests you, do not turn it into a day trip. A night on Phi Phi Don changes everything: you reach Maya Bay in the morning before the excursion boats arrive from Phuket. Island accommodation in high season is booked weeks ahead, so book your hotel early rather than on arrival. And if you only have one free day in January, just take Phang Nga Bay or Racha and skip the agonizing.

FAQ

When are the Similan Islands open in 2026?

From November to mid-May. From mid-May to the end of October the park is closed because of the monsoon, and trips are not sold.

Can you swim at Maya Bay?

No. You can only wade ankle-deep near the shore. A boardwalk leads to the beach, and it is a 5-10 minute walk from the drop-off point.

How much is the national park fee at Phi Phi?

400 THB for a foreign adult and 200 THB for a child. One ticket covers all points in the park that day.

Where should I go with small children?

Racha Yai, Koral or Phang Nga Bay. The journey is 30-60 minutes, the sea is calmer, and the day does not turn into six hours on a boat.

Which month is quietest on Phi Phi?

May and October, with roughly 60% fewer visitors than from November to March, while the water and bays are the same.

How long does it take to reach the Similans from Phuket?

About 1.5-2 hours from Ao Po Pier, or 2-3 hours each way when departing from Khao Lak. The archipelago is more than 130 km away.

How much does a Similan day trip cost?

2800-4500 THB per person, up to 5500 THB on smaller private boats. The 600-800 THB park fee is usually included, so confirm before paying.

One last tip: take a trip departing at 7-7:30 a.m., even if getting up is painful. The gap between the first and second wave of boats at any popular spot is the gap between a photo with water in it and a photo of strangers' backs.

Source: Phuket Rating

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