Best day trip from Phuket
 

Hello. Couple in mid-30's, first time in Thailand and will be in Phuket for NYE, arriving at 9am on Dec 29 and departing at 4pm on Jan 2.
Dec 29 after arriving, we will just hang out on the beach in Phuket
Dec 30 - flexible for day trip
Dec 31 - beach club, Phuket town, NYE
Jan 1 - recovery on the beach, explore the island a bit
Jan 2 - relax, catch 4pm flight

Dec 30th seems like a great day to get away for the day but am lost with the options. I think we are narrowing down between a speedboat trip to Phi Phi or a full day boat trip to Phang Nga Bay including James Bond Island and other similar islands. We are looking for a relaxing and scenic day. Pictures look amazing from everywhere. Any suggestions would be great on your favorite day trip from PHK!

Thanks!

Sergey

The only day trip I recommend from Phuket is John Gray Sea Canoes.

Phi Phi has become the definition of over-touristed, so I'd cross that off my list and the "James Bond Island" tour is pretty bad.

The other option is not to do away trip - you are at the beach after all - and just enjoy the beach and the water.

Thanks Kathie! I took a look at John Gray..I like the tour and that it starts at 11am and goes into the evening. Question, what was bad about the James Bond island tour? it looks nice but I haven't been. Is it just overcrowded? I've just seen such spectacular photographs from folks that have gone from Phang Nga Bay tours.

The James Bond Island Tour: You spend a lot of time on a bus getting to the pier where you take a boat to the tiny island, which is quickly overcrowded. They play the movie on the bus. Not worth my time.

Another vote for John Gray Sea Canoes, but I would get a moveon and book now as it is high season and they are very popular trips. We took my inlaws there for a there wedding anniversary and it was probably their favourite activity during the tree weeks they spent with us in SEA. They also do a nighttime version, Hongs by Starlight , which sounded like a lot of fun.

Phi Phi I would definitely avoid, it was way overcrowded twenty years ago, I dread to think what it would be like now.

If snorkelling or diving is your thing, then I think it is possible to do a day trip to the Similan Islands but it would be a v. long day even by speed boat.

Can't really think of a worse time to want to go on an enjoyable day excursion.

Yea the one I was looking at was the Starlight. Starts at around 11am, visits 2 islands with caves followed by dinner and flower ceremony