Coral Island or Ko He

Ko He, marketed to tourists as Coral Island, sits about 15 minutes by speedboat off Rawai in southern Phuket. Entry to the island is free — you pay only for the boat and any water-sports add-ons. Two beaches split the island: Long Beach on the west side, where most tour boats dock, and the quieter Banana Beach around the point, both backed by clear, sheltered water that stays calmer than the open Andaman coast even when other crossings get choppy.

Snorkeling is the main draw. Reef fish work the coral close to shore off both beaches, shallow enough for casual swimmers, and most day-trip operators include a mask and fins in the package. Banana boats, parasailing, jet skis, and short introductory scuba dives run from stalls on Long Beach, priced separately from the boat transfer. A handful of open-air restaurants serve grilled seafood and fried rice for lunch, and sun loungers line the sand for a rental fee.

Insider Tip: Banana Beach gets a fraction of Long Beach’s crowds because most package tours only stop at Long Beach. Ask your boat operator for a Banana Beach drop specifically if you want fewer people around you.

Long Beach fills up fast once the morning wave of speedboats arrives from Chalong Pier and Rawai, and it stays busy until the early-afternoon departures start clearing out. Watch out: beach chair, umbrella, and water-sports vendors charge per activity on top of whatever your boat package already covers — confirm what’s included before you book so you’re not paying twice for the same gear. A resort has operated on Long Beach in the past for travelers who wanted to stay over, though the island functions almost entirely as a day trip today; many visitors pair it with a stop at Laem Phromthep viewpoint on the way back to Phuket.

Longtail boats from Rawai run around 1,500-2,000 THB per boat, split between passengers, while packaged speedboat day trips with lunch and snorkel gear typically cost roughly 1,500-2,200 THB per person, depending on the beach and add-ons. The short, sheltered crossing keeps Ko He reachable most of the year, unlike more exposed Andaman islands that close for months during the monsoon. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag — shade is limited to a few beachside umbrellas.