Island hopping from Phuket: how I picked the right tours and avoided the crowds

I came to Phuket for one reason: the islands. The beaches on the main island are lovely, but the real wonder is offshore — clusters of limestone karsts rising straight out of glassy water. After a week of tours I learned which ones are worth it and how to dodge the worst of the crowds. Here is what I wish I had known on day one.

Phi Phi Islands — go, but go smart

The Phi Phi Islands are the most famous for a reason. Maya Bay, the snorkelling, the cliffs — it is stunning. The catch is that everyone goes, so the bays get busy by mid-morning. I booked an early-departure speedboat tour and reached the best spots before the armada arrived. It cost me around THB 1,700 (≈ PKR 13,600) with lunch and snorkel gear. Worth every baht.

James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay

For something calmer, the James Bond Island tour through Phang Nga Bay was my favourite. You glide past that iconic leaning rock, then go sea-canoeing through hidden caves and lagoons — peaceful and surreal. It is less about beaches and more about the dramatic scenery. A day tour ran about THB 1,500 (≈ PKR 12,000).

The Similan Islands — for serious snorkellers

If you love the underwater world, the Similan Islands have some of the clearest water and best marine life in the region. The catch: they only open in the dry season (roughly November to April) and are a longer boat ride, so it is a full, tiring day. I paid around THB 2,400 (≈ PKR 19,000) but the visibility was unreal.

How I beat the crowds

• Take early tours — the first boats out get the calm, empty bays.
• Pick speedboats over big ferries if you can; they reach more spots faster.
• Avoid weekends and public holidays when day-trippers pile in.
• Go in the shoulder of dry season (late November or March) for good weather with thinner crowds.

Practical pointers

Book through a reputable operator, not the cheapest tout on the beach — safety and boat quality matter on the open sea. Check the weather and sea conditions; monsoon tours can be cancelled for good reason. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag for your phone, and motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to it. For food, I packed halal snacks and confirmed the tour lunch was seafood-based.

My verdict

If you only have time for two tours, do Phi Phi for the classic islands and Phang Nga Bay for the canoeing and quiet. Both are easy to arrange once you are settled in. Sort a beach hotel near a pier town, book your tours a day or two ahead, and you will come home with photos that look fake. The islands are the reason to fly all the way from Pakistan to Phuket — do not short-change yourself on them.