Top 5 Secret Islands near Phuket only accessible by boat

« Forget the ferry schedules and the overcrowded speedboats. I’m going to show you where we drop anchor when we want peace and quiet. »

You know, people often ask me: « Captain, where is the best beach in Phuket? » I usually smile and point to the horizon. The truth is, the real gems aren’t on Phuket itself. They are scattered across the Andaman Sea, just a short sail away, waiting for those who have their own boat.

When you’re on a private charter, we don’t follow the herds. Here are my top 5 coordinates for getting off the grid.

1. Koh Maiton (The Honeymoon Island)

This is usually our first stop if we are heading Southeast. It’s a private island, which keeps the foot traffic low. But the real magic happens about 100 meters offshore.

The water clarity here is exceptional compared to the mainland. We often cut the engines and drift here because a resident pod of dolphins calls this reef home. Nothing beats breakfast on the foredeck watching them play in our wake.

2. Koh Racha Noi

Most tourists stop at Racha Yai. It’s nice, but it’s busy. I prefer to push the throttles a bit further south to Racha Noi. It’s uninhabited, rugged, and wild. The two islands are separated by a deep channel known for great fishing.

The visibility underwater here can hit 30 meters. It feels like anchoring in a swimming pool. If you want to feel like you’re the only person on earth, this is the spot.

3. Koh Kudu Yai

Heading North into Phang Nga Bay now. This place doesn’t look like much from the outside—just another limestone rock. But navigate carefully through the narrow gap, and you enter a hidden lagoon.

It’s calm, silent, and surrounded by towering cliffs. We kill the generator here and just listen to the hornbills in the trees. It’s a prehistoric feeling.

4. Koh Rang Yai

Ironically, this is one of the closest islands to the marina, but people overlook it as they rush to Phi Phi. Big mistake. On the western side, there’s a pearl farm and a long, curving white sand spit.

I like to end the day here. The angle for the sunset is perfect. We open a cold Singha, grill some prawns on the BBQ, and watch the sun dip below the hills of Phuket in the distance.

5. Laem Haad (The Sandbar)

You might have seen this on Instagram, but timing is everything. At low tide, a dragon-spine of white sand emerges from the ocean. Come at the wrong time, and it’s underwater.

Since we control the schedule, I can get you there right when the tide turns, before the longtail boats from the hotels arrive. It’s just us and the sandbar.

About the Captain

Captain John

Sailing the Andaman Sea since 2005. I’ve traded my paper charts for a GPS, but the passion remains the same. My goal isn’t just to sail you from A to B, but to show you the Thailand that doesn’t appear in the guidebooks.