Chalong Bay (Ao Chalong)

Chalong Pier is Phuket’s busiest boat harbour, the departure point for day-trip speedboats to Coral Island, Racha Island, Koh Bon, and Maiton Island, and the main base for the island’s dive boats and private yacht charters. It sits in Chalong subdistrict on Phuket’s Andaman-facing south coast. There’s no entry fee to the pier itself.

What to expect

Longtail boats, speedboats, and yachts share the same stretch of water, loading day-trippers and dive groups from early morning onward. Tour desks and dive-shop offices line the road leading up to the pier, and a run of seafood restaurants overlooks the harbour if you’d rather watch the boat traffic over a meal than board one.

It’s worth being precise about what Chalong does and doesn’t reach. The public Phi Phi ferries leave from Rassada Pier, on the other side of Phuket Town, though some Phi Phi speedboat day tours do load at Chalong. Day trips to James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay mostly depart from Ao Po Grand Marina and similar piers on Phuket’s northeast side. Chalong’s own routes are shorter-haul: Coral Island is roughly 15 minutes away by speedboat, Racha Island around 30 minutes.

Insider Tip: Check the departure pier printed on your ticket, not just the tour name: some Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi day tours list “Phuket pickup” but actually load from Rassada or Ao Po, with only a shuttle stop at Chalong.

Atmosphere & Timing

The pier runs at its busiest in the early morning as tour groups load for the day’s island runs, and again in the late afternoon as boats return. Seas on this stretch of the Andaman coast get rougher during the southwest monsoon, roughly May to October, when some smaller-boat departures are cancelled or rerouted.

Watch out: An informal caretaker fee applies for parking at the end of the pier. Recent visitor reports put it at around 60 THB regardless of how long you stay, separate from any boat ticket.

Practical information

Chalong Pier is reachable by taxi, tuk-tuk, or rental scooter from anywhere on the island. There’s no need to book transport in advance unless you’re travelling with a large group.

Wat Chalong, Phuket’s most-visited temple, is a short drive inland from the pier if you’re spending the morning in the Chalong area before a boat trip. Chalong Bay is part of Phuket’s southern coastline.