Coral Island Day Trip
A quick escape from Phuket — white sand, calm water, snorkeling, and parasailing at Ko Hae, just 20 minutes offshore.
Ko Hae, also called Coral Island, is the closest offshore island to Phuket — a 20-minute speedboat ride from Chalong Pier. It’s not the most pristine island in the region (the coral has suffered from years of heavy boat traffic), but for a quick, easy half-day escape with clear water and a white sand beach, it works well — especially for families or those who don’t have a full day for the Phi Phi Islands.
What’s There
The island has two main beaches:
Long Beach — the main tourist beach with sunbeds, beach restaurants, banana boat rides, and parasailing. Calm, clear water; good for swimming.
Banana Beach — quieter, accessible by a short walk across the island. Better for snorkeling (more live coral around the rocky points) and sunbathing without the water sports activity.
Activities On the Island
- Snorkeling — gear rental available; the rocky points around Banana Beach have the best coral
- Parasailing — tandem and solo; launched from a speedboat off Long Beach
- Banana boats — high-energy group rides on inflatable towable tubes
- Kayak rental — self-guided paddling around the island’s coastline
- Jet ski rental — available at Long Beach
Practical Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Departure | Chalong Pier (20-minute speedboat) |
| Duration | Half day (usually 4 hours on island) |
| Best months | November–April |
| Snorkel gear | Rental available on island |
| Facilities | Restaurants, toilets, sun loungers on Long Beach |
Tips
- This is a half-day trip, not a full day — most tours depart at 9am and return by 2pm, or depart at noon and return by 5pm.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen — there are still live coral sections worth protecting.
- Banana Beach is worth the walk from Long Beach — noticeably quieter and better for snorkeling.
- The parasailing is genuinely enjoyable — views back to Phuket’s coastline are impressive from height.
- If you have more than half a day available, Racha Islands tours offer superior marine life just slightly further out.
Where To Book
Book Coral Island day trips on Klook — many packages include snorkel gear and a seafood lunch on the island.
Where To Stay
Chalong is the most convenient base for this trip — you’re 5 minutes from the pier. Find Chalong and south Phuket hotels on Agoda for easy access to the day trip departure point.
FAQ
Is Coral Island better than Phi Phi for snorkeling? No — Phi Phi and Racha Islands have significantly better coral and marine life. Coral Island is the convenient option when time is limited, not the best snorkeling destination.
Can I get to Coral Island independently? Longtail boats run from Rawai Pier to Ko Hae for around 300 THB each way — a budget option compared to tour packages. Negotiate the return trip timing before you go.
Is Coral Island suitable for non-swimmers? Yes — the water is calm and shallow near the shore. Life jackets are available, and the beach is sandy. Water sports activities like parasailing don’t require swimming ability.
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