If you’re dreaming of exploring Thailand’s stunning islands, day tours are your golden ticket. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to pick the perfect one. That’s why we’ve handpicked the top 5 day tours in South Thailand, based on our own adventures. These tours guarantee unforgettable experiences and breathtaking scenery, making the most of your time in this tropical paradise. So sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the top 5 day tours in South Thailand.
1. Similan Islands
Let’s start with our top pick: the Similan Islands, often called the Seychelles of Thailand. We totally get this nickname, the resemblance is striking! With the bluest waters and whitest sands, it truly felt like paradise when we were there. We’ll be honest, it was unlike something we’d ever seen before!
We booked our day tour from Khao Lak via GetYourGuide, and it definitely became one of our favorite experiences. The tour included multiple beach and snorkeling stops, as well as a lunch break on the main island. During the tour you’ll explore breathtaking spots like Donald Duck Bay, Honeymoon Bay, and Princess Bay. Our highlight was Princess Bay, where we got to swim with turtles! The lunch break was super nice too, as you had a lot of free time to do whatever you like. We opted for swimming in the crystal clear waters and sunbathing on those white beaches!
Tour recommendation: From Phuket/Khaolak: Similan Islands Early Bird Day Trip
Price: starting from € 100
2. Surin Islands
The Surin Islands, a cluster of five islands in the Andaman Sea, are a must-visit for snorkeling enthusiasts! This was our ultimate snorkeling adventure in Thailand, where we spotted a blue starfish, sea urchins, and tons of clownfish. These little nemo’s were so cute to admire! Everytime we came closer to them they tried to hide in the anemones. A real spectacle! We really loved the diversity of this tour, since each snorkeling spot offered something different. We booked a day tour from Khao Lak with GetYourGuide, which included multiple snorkeling stops, a lunch break, and a visit to the Sea Gypsy Moken Village. All in all, a day very well spent!
Tour recommendation: Surin Islands Snorkeling Day Trip from Phuket or Khaolak
Price: starting from € 90
3. Phi Phi Islands
Visiting the Phi Phi Islands is a must when you’re in Thailand. Yes, it’s busy and full of tourists, but trust us, you won’t want to miss this postcard-perfect destination! And with our tips, you may very well avoid most of the tourists!
First of all, try to start your (private) tour off on Phi Phi itself, rather than from Phuket or Krabi. It’ll save a lot of transportation time. The next tip is to try and start your trip on or before sunrise. Not only will it be a magical experience, you’ll also be able to beat the crowds! Who doesn’t want to admire the stunning limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters of Pileh Lagoon and the iconic Maya Bay made famous by the movie “The Beach”, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, without other people ruining the experience? We organized a private tour via a tour company on Phi Phi Don, but if you want to plan your tour in advance we recommend this one on GetYourGuide.
Tour recommendation: Phi Phi: Private Longtail Boat to Maya Bay with Snorkeling
Price: starting from € 70
Learn all about this beautiful destination in our ultimate guide to Phi Phi Islands.
4. James Bond Island
Another famous island thanks to a movie: James Bond Island. As the name suggests, this island gained fame from the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun”. The best way to visit is by booking an early bird tour to avoid the crowds. We booked a day tour from Phuket through GetYourGuide. As soon as you arrive at James Bond Island, you’ll realize that waking up early was the right call. We had the whole beach and water to ourselves for over an hour. When it was time to leave, we saw at least five times more people on the island! The tour also includes a visit to a cave, a viewpoint, and lunch and was probably the most well-organized tour we’ve been on in Thailand!
Tour recommendation: Phang Nga Bay: Early Bird James Bond & Beyond Tour
Price: starting from € 100
5. Hong Islands
Hong Islands is another picture-perfect spot you absolutely have to visit. It’s famous for its soft white sand and limestone cliffs. On the tour, you’ll explore Hong Island, Hong Lagoon, Ko Pak Bia, and Ko Lao Lading. The nice part about Hong Island and the surrounding locations, is that it is not needed to set an early alarm to beat the crowds. Sure, the Hong Islands are a very popular destination, but nothing to the likes of the Phi Phi islands or James Bond island! It is important to note that a day trip to the Hong Islands lasts well over 5 hours, so take that into account. But don’t worry about bringing your own food, lunch is included as well.
Tour recommendation: Krabi: Hong Islands Day Trip by Speedboat with Lunch
Price: starting from € 30
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