The sound of coconuts dropping from a palm tree, the ocean wind through your hair, the sound of random birds you’ve never heard before, and sunshine that’s worth the burn. This is the ultimate island life! There are tonnes of unbelievable islands to visit near Phuket, so get yourself ready to come on a sunny journey with us as we show you some amazing spots.
If you’ve not been to Phuket before, then you’re missing out big time! There’s nowhere quite like it. The balance of a chilled, tropical island life mixed with a busy, bustling town life is something special. From high-end hotels, state-of-the-art shopping centres, modern cafes and classy housing to white-sand beaches, rolling jungle hills and national parks.
The island has become a lot more populated in recent years. Everyone wants a slice of the cake! That’s why it’s pretty awesome that there are untouched islands just a short boat ride away (or a long swim for you crazy cats and kittens). So, we’re going to arm you with some of the coolest islands to visit near Phuket, for those days when you just want to immerse yourself in the wild.
Table of Contents
Poached Breakfast Cafe
We can’t send you out to sea without first feeding you some incredibly delicious food. That’d just be rude! That’s why, before we tell you the best islands to visit near Phuket, we need to introduce you to Poached Breakfast Cafe. To be fair, once you taste our food, you might never leave. So, let’s see if you even make it to the islands!
Our cafe is in a prime position for you island-hopping hopefuls. We are located only a couple of minutes from Chalong Pier. From our cafe, it’s super easy for you to catch a boat to the 30+ islands within the province.
We’re one of the cosiest spots around, with our Nordic-style, minimalist decor, comfy booths and great natural lighting. Convenient, homey and tasty—we have everything you need to start your day off with a bang at Poached Breakfast Cafe.
What even is a morning boost without a caffeine hit? Our coffee is seriously good, maybe the best this side of the mainland. It’s flawlessly stored, ground and hand-pressed by our trained baristas to give the perfect taste and depth. Whether it’s a froth-filled cappuccino, a zesty-tasting americano mixed with orange, or a milky latte, we’ve got you covered with an unbeatable selection of coffees. With our milk alternatives and flavoured syrups, you’ll have a happy tummy while exploring the Andaman’s treasures.
When you drop by, make sure you get stuck into our signature dish, eaten by many and loved by them all! The ‘Pulled Pork Eggs Benny’ is on a different level and one of the most popular dishes on our Aussie-inspired menu. Slow-cooked pulled pork shoulder, so tender that it falls apart in your mouth is covered in a silky apple cider hollandaise and tops our homemade sourdough. It’s combined with 2 creamy poached eggs, crunchy green apple and pomegranate that bursts at the bite. Yummy, right?
It doesn’t stop there, we have so many brekkie dishes that are tailored for champions. The ‘Breakfast Burrito’ is simply top-notch. The best breakfast flavours are all packed together in one dreamy burrito. It’s filled with house-made spicy sausage, soft and smokey scrambled eggs, melty Monterrey Jack cheese, and a zingy, refreshing avocado-tomato salsa. La panza es primero!
If that doesn’t hit all of the right spots, then what will? Maybe our tasty bagels will. The ‘Holy Halloumi’ should get the mouth juices flowing. Pan-fried halloumi, light yet flavoursome smokey BBQ Cream cheese, pickles and onions are stacked inside our soft bagel to give the perfect pop of flavour with every bite.
Check out our ‘New York Style Chicken’ bagel too. It’s packed with succulent poached chicken, refreshing avocado, semi-dried tomato, spinach for some crunch and some scrumptious chipotle mayo. Mmmmm who’s licking their lips now?
We also have some suuuuper healthy options for the dieting fanatics out there and they’re full of flavour. The ‘Chia Seed Pudding’ is full of nutritional goodness. We don’t do the typical bland, tasteless health dishes, we add a special twist that’ll make your tastebuds tingle. It’s served a beautiful pomegranate reduction and the freshest seasonal fruit. The ‘Breakfast Panna Cotta’ is a great option too. Our vanilla panna cotta is served with crunchy, toasted granola, juicy seasonal fruit and some sweet hazelnut praline. It’s seriously scrummy.
There’s one last thing we need to tell you before we show you the best islands to visit near Phuket. Order our homemade banana bread! It’s soft, warm, full of taste and drizzled in a whipped cinnamon butter. Thank us later!
Phi Phi Don
Undoubtedly one of the best islands to visit near Phuket, Phi Phi Don is known for its beauty. It’s a spectacular island town located in between two huge limestone formations. Its liveliness, restaurants, bars and beaches are what make this place so special. Words cannot do the views and scenery here justice, it’s like a postcard!
Koh Racha Yai
Koh Racha Yai is a must if you’re looking for the ultimate islands to visit near Phuket. It’s pretty untouched and slow-moving. You’re bang in the middle of nature, crystal blue sea and sparkling white sand beaches. If you want to relax and get some great pictures, then you need to come here. Plus, this place is famous for its scuba areas so it’s perfect for all you underwater fiends who want to explore new worlds under the sea.
Khai Islands
Khai Islands consist of two tiny islets, located just a 20-minute speed-boat ride from the coast of Phuket. The islands are uninhabited and the perfect place to go to sunbathe and dip in the sparkling blue Andaman. Relax, get a tan and have a drink in the middle of the ocean, it’s a surreal experience on one of the most amazing islands to visit near Phuket.
So, which is the best of these islands to visit near Phuket?
We love the beauty of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lei but both of these have experienced overcrowding in recent years. You’ll want to visit in rainy season if you can. If you prefer something more quiet, then try Koh Racha Yai – it feels almost like a private island and there are a few exclusive and stunning hotels you can stay at on the island.
Of course, you’ll want to start your trip off with a hearty breakfast and delicious coffee from Poached Breakfast Cafe before you hit up the nearby piers of Chalong and Rawai and leave on your tropical adventure to one of the best islands to visit near Phuket.
If you liked this article, why not try one of our other recommendations such as Where Can You Find the Ultimate Fitness Class in Chalong? Let Us Share With You Some of Our Favourite Spots