Joanna James
Where the seas are alluring blue, the sands are pristine white, and the vibes are nothing but blissful, tropical island getaways in Phuket are as paradisiacal as it gets. Add a bit of adventure to your holiday by embarking on an adventure to explore some of the islands that surround you in Phuket.
Occupying the breathtaking waters between Phuket and the Straits of Malacca coast of Thailand, Phi Phi Islands have long been a top holiday destination in southern Thailand, rivalling even the most dominant players in its vicinity, including the likes of Phuket itself. The small 6-island archipelago is mind-blowingly beautiful — undoubtedly one of the most scenic spots in all of Thailand, flawless to play host to your tropical island getaway. Koh Phi Phi Don is both the largest and the only inhabited island of the archipelago, leaving 5 untouched islands awaiting your exploration. Phi Phi Islands have been experiencing a reputation as a party destination, but there's a whole lot more to see and do on these droplets of paradise.
Set a rather distant 84 kilometres northwest of Phuket, getting to Similan Islands is quite a long boat ride, but as any lucky soul who has savoured the charms of the picturesque islands would unhesitantly agree, it is totally worth it. The 9-island archipelago hasn't seen the slightest commercial development thanks to its establishment as "Mu Ko Similan National Park" in 1982, leaving sprawling untouched and unspoilt grounds brimming with serenity. The stunning archipelago also basks in the glory of being one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.
For those on a time crunch or looking at a fully-packed itinerary, Coral Island presents the perfect island hopping opportunity from Phuket. The 5-kilometre journey is only a 15-minute boat ride, and you have two gorgeous stretches of beach, Long and Banana, to treat yourself to some soul-relaxing beach bumming. Unwind under swaying palms, bask in the sun, and gaze into the horizon in immersive contemplation.
The picturesque Racha Yai and Racha Noi islands 20 kilometres south of Phuket comprise Racha Islands — a popular destination among many tourists to Phuket, best known for its excellent snorkelling and scuba diving. The favoured islands are quite vibrant with day-trippers in the daytime, but when the sun goes down and the darkness descends, tranquillity is restored, and everything is peaceful and quiet.
Set at the mouth of Phang Nga Bay and in between the coasts of Phuket and Krabi are the unmissable Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi islands of Koh Yao Islands. The two islands are fairly large in size and have a slew of exciting things to do on offer. Get your fill of tropical island bliss and retreat to a fine Phuket luxury resort the likes of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, where a whole world of idyllic island living awaits.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
