But since I am already here, why not take a gamble, I thought to myself. To hell with rain or shine.
Island hopping trips in Phuket are divided into 3 main itineraries:
- Sightseeing: James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay, Canoeing
- A bit of snorkeling: Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay, Khai Island
- A LOT of snorkeling: Coral Island and Racha Island, OR Similan Island
I went for the Phi Phi Island option. I would have liked to see Phang Nga bay as well but there simply wasn't enough time.
You could either opt for speedboat (faster, more stops) or ferry (leisure)
Getting a tour from Patong beach area is really simple if you are willing to do the price and comparison.
There are so many options available and most of the itineraries are in fact the same. Based on my personal experience, here's what to do when selecting a tour:
- Price! Cheaper during monsoon seasons, you should be able to get Phi Phi around 1000-1100 baht after discount. For Phang Nga, it's probably around 1000 baht. I did not check for others. This is per 2013.
- Do not be greedy and go for the itineraries with the most stops during the monsoon season. It will be hugely dependent on weather conditions.
- Try to book a couple of days in advance and don't rush to book the first (cheap) package you see. There's always a better deal at the next tour operating just a few steps ahead.
- Some operators will offer more discounts if you book in a group of 4 or more.
Just walk around and ask. There are at least dozens, if not hundreds of options.
The average tour package will include picking you up from your hotel early in the morning (around 7:30 AM), transfer to the pier after all guests have been picked up. Depending on your tour operator, there will be light drinks available at the pier.A good tour leader will make a brief introduction and describe the planned itinerary for the day as well as tell you upfront about the risks involved before you embark on the tour.
Just FYI, it's not recommended for pregnant ladies to take the trip by speedboat. During the monsoon season, the waves could get really bumpy and scary. Trust me, I was there :)
p.s. My personal experiences are based on what little time I spent in Phuket and are intended as a reference only. I'm sure there are a lot of great options out there that I did not have time enough to discover!
