The islands in one table
| Islands | Province | National park, fee for foreigners | Closed | Straight-line distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coral Island (Ko Hae) | Phuket | no | no closure | 6 km from Rawai Beach |
| Khai Islands | Phang Nga | no | no closure | 11-15 km from Rassada Pier |
| Racha Islands | Phuket | no | no closure | 19 km from Rawai Beach |
| Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai | Phang Nga | no | no closure | about 20 km from Ao Po to Koh Yao Noi |
| Phi Phi and Bamboo | Krabi | yes, THB 400 | Maya Bay from 1 August to 30 September | 42 km from Rassada Pier |
| Similan Islands | Phang Nga | yes, THB 500 | from 16 May to 14 October | 65 km from Thap Lamu pier |
| Surin Islands | Phang Nga | yes, THB 500 | from 16 May to 14 October | about 70 km from the mainland |
| Koh Rok | Krabi | yes, THB 400 | from 16 May to 15 November | unconfirmed |
Sources: fees from the DNP table (version of 2 June 2023); Similan and Koh Rok closures from DNP park pages; Surin from TAT’s 2023 schedule; Maya Bay from the 1 October 2026 reopening; distances are our calculation from OpenStreetMap coordinates, except Surin (DNP). Child fees are half the adult rate. Checked 17 October 2026.
Close islands: half a day, no national park
Coral Island (Ko Hae). Part of Rawai subdistrict. Rawai Municipality says it is about 15 minutes by boat, with very clear water and a lot of visitors. The best pick with small children or for anyone prone to seasickness.
Racha Yai. Also in Rawai subdistrict, about 15 km south of Phuket. The west beach is shallow and safe for swimming, and Ao Siam and Ao Khon Kae bays have coral for snorkelling, according to the municipality. Smaller Racha Noi lies nearby.
Khai Islands. Three small islands east of Phuket, already in Phang Nga province. A short half-day tour, often combined with Phi Phi.
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai. Large inhabited islands in Ko Yao district of Phang Nga, between Phuket and Krabi. People usually stay a few days rather than visit on a tour. We do not have a separate page yet.
Far islands: national parks and seasons
Phi Phi. Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Krabi province. Phi Phi Don is inhabited; Phi Phi Leh has Maya Bay; Bamboo Island is nearby. Foreigners pay THB 400. Maya Bay and Loh Samah close from 1 August to 30 September, and swimming at Maya Bay is banned.
Similan Islands. Mu Ko Similan National Park, Phang Nga, 87,500 rai. The DNP closes it every year from 16 May to 14 October. Boats leave from Thap Lamu pier, about an hour and a half away. As of 17 October 2026 the park is open, but Ko Tachai and several dive sites are closed.
Surin Islands. Mu Ko Surin National Park near the Myanmar border, about 70 km off Thailand’s west coast. According to the DNP, it consists of five islands, Surin Nuea, Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Ko Khai and Ko Klang, covering 141.25 km². The park office is in Khura Buri district, Phang Nga. TAT’s 2023 schedule and recent DNP season notices close it from 16 May to 14 October; on 17 October 2026 it is not on the DNP closure list. In season all of Ao Suthep and part of Ao Tao are closed because of coral bleaching. Foreigners pay THB 500.
Koh Rok. Part of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, Krabi province. The DNP closes Koh Rok, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang every year from 16 May to 15 November. In addition, as of 17 October 2026 the DNP closure list shows the zone 2 bungalows and the campsite on Koh Rok closed since 31 March 2025, so overnight stays are not possible. Foreigners pay THB 400.
James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay is covered together with the tour there.
How to choose
- Half a day, travelling with kids: Coral Island or Khai
- Snorkelling and a beach in a day without a long crossing: Racha
- The famous views, and you are fine with a day on the water: Phi Phi
- Clear water and reefs, November to April: the Similans, then Surin
- Travelling May to October: close islands only, on calm days; check the closures above for the rest
Every option, including land tours, with travel times and seasons is in our guide to Phuket tours.
How to check whether an island is open
- Open the DNP national park status list. It is in Thai: look for the provinces Phang Nga (พังงา) and Krabi (กระบี่)
- Find the park: หมู่เกาะสิมิลัน (Similan), หมู่เกาะสุรินทร์ (Surin), หาดนพรัตน์ธารา-หมู่เกาะพีพี (Phi Phi), หมู่เกาะลันตา (Koh Rok)
- If the word ปิด (closed) follows the name, the closed area and the date are given next to it
- On the day, check TMD storm warnings: boats do not sail in swell even when a park is open
FAQ
What are the best islands near Phuket?
It depends on what you want, but for water clarity and reefs the marine national parks stand out: the Similans and Surin. They are also the furthest away and only open from mid-October to mid-May. For a balance of scenery and travel time, look at Racha or Phi Phi.
Which islands near Phuket are good for kids?
The close ones: Coral Island (about 15 minutes by boat according to Rawai Municipality), the Khai Islands and Racha, whose west beach the municipality describes as shallow and safe for swimming. The Similans and Phi Phi are hard work with small children because of the long open-sea crossing.
Can you visit the islands in the rainy season?
The close islands, yes, on calm days. The Similans and Surin, no: the DNP closes them from 16 May to 14 October, Koh Rok from 16 May to 15 November, and Maya Bay on Phi Phi from 1 August to 30 September (it reopened on 1 October 2026). No boats sail in a storm, so watch TMD warnings.
Where do you pay the national park fee?
Rangers usually collect it on the islands, or the tour operator includes it. On the Similans, TAT reported in 2019 that the fee could be paid at the park office in Thap Lamu and at three ranger posts on the islands. Keep the ticket: the DNP asks visitors to carry it for inspection.
Do I need a tour, or can I go on my own?
For Phi Phi, ferries run to Tonsai Pier. For Racha and Coral Island you can charter a boat in Chalong or Rawai. Only DNP-approved boats may enter the Similans, so you go with an operator.
Khai, Racha or Coral Island: which should I choose?
Khai works for half a day, including with children: tours take 4-5 hours with transfers, but there is little reef. Coral Island (Koh Hae) is 15 minutes by boat with clear water, but it is crowded. Racha Yai is further, 15 km south of Phuket, with clearer water and snorkelling in Ao Siam and Ao Khon Kae bays. None of them is a national park, so there is no DNP fee, but boats are cancelled in storms from May to October.
Sources
- Time Out Bangkok. Maya Bay reopens October 1 after annual closure (29 September 2026)
- DNP. National park open and closed status list (Thai)
- DNP. National park entrance fees for individuals (dataset, CSV)
- DNP. Mu Ko Similan National Park (Thai)
- DNP. Mu Ko Surin National Park (Thai)
- Krungthep Turakij. DNP opens Similan, Surin and Laem Son season to 15.05.2025 (17.10.2024), media
- DNP. Mu Ko Lanta National Park, Koh Rok (Thai)
- DNP. Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park (Thai)
- TAT Newsroom. Opening/closed status of Thailand's national parks (7 July 2023)
- TAT Newsroom. Mu Ko Similan National Park entry fee payment points and one-day advance notice (26 March 2019)
- Rawai Municipality. Racha Yai Island (Thai)
- Rawai Municipality. Ko Hae Island (Thai)
- OpenStreetMap. Island and pier coordinates (Nominatim)
Found an error or outdated fact? Tell the editors, we will fix it and update the check date.