Khai Islands Full Day Tour

The Khai Islands Full Day Tour is a speedboat trip from Phuket’s Asia Marina Pier visiting Mai Thon Island, Khai Nai and Khai Nok between roughly 08.20 and 17.00, with a Thai lunch buffet, snorkeling gear, island entry fees and hotel transfer included. It’s arranged by our family-run, TAT-licensed tour agency at Chalong Circle, Phuket.

The fish-feeding crowds: what nobody tells you

Let’s be straight about the Khai Islands, because we book these boats every day. Between about 11.00 and 14.00, Khai Nok and Khai Nai host most of the speedboats operating out of Phuket’s east coast at once. The famous fish feeding — huge schools of sergeant majors swirling around your ankles — is real and kids genuinely love it, but at midday you’ll share the shallows with a lot of other ankles.

The full-day format is actually the smarter way around this. Because you start the day snorkeling at Mai Thon Island — quieter, deeper, better coral — you arrive at the Khai islets in stages and stay late: your last stop, Khai Nok from 14.30 to 16.30, runs into the hours when the half-day boats have already pulled out. Guests tell us the 15.30–16.30 window on Khai Nok, with the crowds gone and the light going gold, is the best hour of the whole day. If you can’t spare a full day, the Khai Islands half day tour covers all three islets in a compact morning or afternoon instead.

What does the day look like?

Times are approximate and for guidance only.

08.20–09.15 — pickup from your hotel to Asia Marina Pier; coffee, tea and snacks while you’re fitted for snorkeling gear and towels.
10.00 — depart by speedboat to Mai Thon Island.
10.30 — snorkel Mai Thon’s coral in crystal-clear water; dolphins are sometimes spotted on this stretch.
11.15 — on to Khai Nai: snorkeling, swimming, relaxing, fish feeding.
12.30 — Thai lunch buffet at a beach restaurant, vegetarian option available.
13.30 — boat snorkeling around Khai Nai.
14.30 — Khai Nok: swim, snorkel, feed fish, or just lie on the white sand.
16.30 — depart for the pier.
17.00 — arrive Asia Marina Pier, transfer back to your hotel.

What’s included?

• Round-trip hotel transfer from the main tourist areas (Patong, Karon, Kata, Chalong, Koh Siray, Phuket Town — free; other areas carry a small transfer fee paid in cash on the day, message us for your hotel’s rate)
• Injury insurance
• Mask, snorkel and life jacket
• English speaking tour guide
• Thai lunch buffet
• Island entry fees
• Paddle board
• Soft drinks and seasonal fruits
• Morning coffee, tea and snacks at the pier

Is this tour right for you?

This is the trip we recommend to families and mixed-age groups who want a full beach day without a long crossing — the islands are close, the water is shallow and calm, and the pace is unhurried. It’s also a good pick if the deeper Mai Thon snorkeling matters to you; the reef there beats anything at the Khai islets themselves.

Be aware of the fixed rules before booking: the tour operates on even dates only, and pregnant women, children under 1, and guests over 70 are not allowed on this speedboat program. If those rules exclude someone in your group, ask us — a private catamaran charter can usually accommodate them at a gentler pace. And if you’re torn between Khai and the bigger-name islands, our honest guide to what a Phi Phi tour includes helps you compare; all our Khai options live on the Khai Islands tours page.

What should you bring?

Swimwear under your clothes, a towel for the beach (boat towels are provided at the pier), reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and a dry bag. Bring small cash for drinks or beach chairs on the islands and for the transfer fee if your hotel is outside the free zone. November to April gives the calmest seas; on green-season dates the boat still runs on most days, and we’ll tell you honestly on WhatsApp if your date looks rough.

FAQ

Why does this tour only run on even dates?

The operator alternates its boats between programs, so this full-day itinerary runs on even calendar dates only. Tell us your travel dates on WhatsApp and we’ll fit the right day or suggest an alternative.

Is lunch included and is there a vegetarian option?

Yes — a Thai lunch buffet at a beach restaurant on Khai Nai is included, with a vegetarian option available.

When are the Khai Islands least crowded?

Before 10.30 and after 15.00. This full-day tour’s late Khai Nok stop (14.30–16.30) means you’re still on the beach after most half-day boats have left.

Who cannot join this tour?

Pregnant women, children under 1 year old and guests over 70 are not allowed on this speedboat tour. For those guests we recommend a private catamaran charter instead — ask us.

How much does the Khai Islands full day tour cost?

Boat prices in Phuket change daily, so we don’t publish fixed prices. Message us on WhatsApp with your date and group size and we’ll send today’s best price in minutes.

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