Best Phuket Tours: Where to Go and What to See

Phuket Sea Tours

Phi Phi Islands Tour

This iconic archipelago became world-famous after the movie The Beach, starring a young Leonardo DiCaprio. The film's plot revolved around a mysterious island that the characters were searching for, which turned out to be Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh.

A one-day or two-day Phi Phi tour typically includes visiting Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, and Pileh Lagoon, with lunch on Phi Phi Don, where travelers stay overnight on the two-day trip. The islands are known for crystal-clear waters and excellent snorkeling and diving conditions.

 

James Bond Island

Another popular tour from Phuket is to James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay. In the past, tin was mined in the bay, and boats would navigate through the mangrove channels carrying the ore. Today, these same waters attract travelers who come to see the caves, lagoons, and dramatic limestone cliffs shaped by nature over millions of years, including the famous Koh Tapu, also known as James Bond Island.

Why is it called James Bond Island? In 1974, the movie The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed here, featuring the island as a hideout for the villain, which is how it got its name.

 

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are world-famous and consistently ranked among the top ten most beautiful places on the planet. The underwater world here rivals the Red Sea, with coral reefs that display an incredible variety of shapes and colors, and waters so clear you can see the corals from the surface.

The islands feature powder-white beaches and massive granite boulders rising from the sea, creating unreal landscapes. The Similans are perfect for snorkeling and diving, offering opportunities to see sea turtles, reef sharks, schools of tropical fish, and soft corals swaying in crystal-clear waters.

Those who have visited often describe the Similans as paradise and an ideal destination to experience the untouched beauty of the Andaman Sea.

 

Racha and Coral Islands

Among the most popular islands near Phuket are Racha and Coral Islands.

Racha Island is located just 30 minutes away by speedboat from Phuket and is often called the “Paradise Island” for a reason. It features powdery white sand and stunning turquoise water so clear that photos from Racha often resemble those from the Similans.

The island is small but offers hotels and all necessary infrastructure, with options for day trips or multi-day stays. Racha is perfect for families with children, especially due to its proximity to Phuket.
 

Sea Fishing (Trolling)

Another popular activity for tourists in Phuket is sea fishing. There are two types of trips, both taking place around the Racha Islands. It’s not only fishing enthusiasts who join these trips to catch big fish, but also their families and friends who come along for the experience.

 

Tours from Phuket to the Mainland

 

Excursion to Khao Lak National Park

Khao Lak is a national park in Thailand located on the mainland in Phang Nga Province. Here you will find waterfalls, tropical forests, mountain landscapes, small local villages, and fresh air perfect for a peaceful retreat and nature walks. We recommend this tour for families with children, as it includes an elephant camp, a turtle farm, a safe bamboo rafting experience, and, of course, jungle walks.
 

Rafting in Phuket

This is a popular activity for adventurous travelers. Although it’s not professional white-water rafting, the local rafting is completely safe and suitable for anyone over the age of 7, which makes it very popular among tourists. Reviews of rafting in Phuket highlight this experience as a must-try. Rafting trips also take place on the Phang Nga mainland.

 

Amazing Phang Nga Tour

You’ve probably heard about the “Glass Bridge,” right? This tour gives you the chance to visit it and much more. It’s packed with Instagram-worthy spots, including the beach with airplanes, the Glass Bridge, a sea gypsy village, a monkey temple, and many other attractions that make this trip so popular. As the name suggests, the Amazing Phang Nga Tour takes place on the mainland. But don’t think the Phang Nga mainland is just “three locations and that’s it”—the province covers nearly 4,500 square kilometers, stretching almost 130 km from north to south.