Phuket: Half Day Khai Islands by Speedboat

The Khai Islands sit 20 minutes off Phuket’s east coast and are the go-to option when you want easy beach time without a full day at sea. This half-day speedboat trip visits Khai Nok, Khai Nui and Khai Nai with swimming, snorkelling and hotel pickup from Patong, Kata, Karon, Kalim, Tri Trang and Phuket Town.

After pickup, a short minivan ride delivers you to AA Marine Pier where complimentary coffee, tea, juice and bakery await. The speedboat crossing takes around 20 minutes to Khai Nok, the most developed of the three with a long stretch of white sand for swimming and sunbathing. Khai Nui follows, with better snorkelling reef and coral life in the shallows, where guides hand out masks and life jackets. Khai Nai closes the loop, known for the colony of friendly beach cats you can feed on the sand. Seasonal fruit, bottled water and travel insurance are covered; bring cash for the beach maintenance fee (small, paid at the island) and for fins if you want them (200 THB hire).

Ideal for travellers short on time or sensitive to long boat rides. Four to five hours total means you’re back by early afternoon. Not the best choice if serious snorkelling is your priority, the reefs are fine but not spectacular. Lunch isn’t included, so budget for food at a beach restaurant or plan a late meal back in Phuket. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a towel. Meeting is at AA Marine Pier where the guide waits holding KHAI Island flags. Maintenance beach fee and other personal expenses (towels, fins, lunch) aren’t included. A 4.4 rating across 12 reviews is a small sample but reads fairly, better than Koh Racha’s shorter-trip options but nothing exceptional. Good value at $60 given it includes refreshments and insurance.