Island Hopping from Phuket: Best Tours and Destinations

The best island hopping tours from Phuket are the Phi Phi Islands for iconic lagoons, Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island) for dramatic limestone karst scenery, and the Similan Islands for world-class snorkeling. For those seeking shorter trips, Coral Island and Racha Island offer stunning white sands just a 15-minute speedboat ride away.

Phuket is the ultimate launchpad for exploring the Andaman Sea. But before you jump on a longtail boat and start posting those crystal-clear water shots to the 'gram, you need to sort your connectivity. Relying on Telstra’s International Day Pass or Optus’s daily roaming charges is a quick way to blow your cocktail budget before you even hit Patong. Instead, savvy Aussies and Kiwis are switching to an eSIM to get local rates on Thailand’s best networks like TrueMove H and AIS.

The Big Three: Must-Visit Island Destinations

1. The Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi)

Phi Phi is the heavy hitter. It’s actually a small archipelago, with Phi Phi Don being the inhabited hub and Phi Phi Leh being the home of the famous Maya Bay. Since its reopening with stricter environmental controls, Maya Bay is more beautiful than ever, though you can no longer swim directly in the bay to protect the reef.

• Highlights: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon (the "swimming pool of the sea"), and Monkey Beach.
• Connectivity: Surprisingly good. Because Phi Phi Don is a major tourist hub, you’ll get solid 5G or 4G coverage from TrueMove H and AIS while you’re lounging at a beach bar. Signal might dip when you’re deep inside the limestone lagoons, but it bounces back fast.

2. Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island

This isn't about white sand beaches; it’s about emerald green water and towering limestone cliffs jutting straight out of the ocean. It’s moody, dramatic, and iconic. Most tours include a visit to Koh Tapu (James Bond Island) and the floating Muslim fishing village of Koh Panyee.

• Highlights: Sea canoeing through sea caves (hongs) and eating fresh seafood at Koh Panyee.
• Connectivity: You’re weaving between massive rock formations here. Expect your signal to play hide-and-seek. However, once you’re out in the open water or at the village, you’ll have enough data to upload your stories. see plans to ensure you have the data needed for these remote spots.

3. The Similan Islands

Located about 85km northwest of Phuket, these islands are only open from mid-October to mid-May. This is the big leagues for snorkeling and diving. The water is so clear it looks like the boats are hovering in the air.

• Highlights: Donald Duck Bay and the Sailboat Rock viewpoint.
• Connectivity: This is remote. While there are towers on the main islands, don't expect 5G in the middle of the crossing. If you’re heading further north, you might even consider a Bangkok street food guide for your return to the mainland, as the Similans are strictly for nature lovers.

Choosing Your Vessel: Speedboat vs. Longtail

How you get there matters as much as where you’re going.

Feature	Speedboat	Longtail Boat	Catamaran
Speed	Fast, covers more ground	Slow and steady	Stable and relaxing
Comfort	Can be bumpy in waves	Authentic but noisy	High-end, great for groups
Cost	Mid-range	Cheapest for private hire	Most expensive
Vibe	Efficient sightseeing	Instagram aesthetic	Sunset party/luxury

For destinations like Phi Phi or the Similans, a speedboat is almost mandatory unless you want to spend four hours each way on a ferry. For closer spots like Coral Island, a private longtail is the way to go for that classic Thai experience.

Connectivity: Why Your Aussie Roaming is a Rip-off

If you land at Phuket International Airport and just leave your roaming on, you’re essentially paying a "laziness tax." Telstra and Optus charge significant daily fees for a tiny sliver of data.

AussieRoam provides a much better alternative. Our eSIMs hook into Thailand’s premium networks—TrueMove H, DTAC, and AIS. You get local 5G and 4G coverage without the bill shock. These are data-only plans, meaning you won't get a local Thai phone number, but in 2026, who needs one? You can still use WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime to call home or message your tour operator.

If you're planning on heading south after Phuket, you might want to look into Railay Beach rock climbing for your next adventure. The coverage there is excellent, allowing you to stream your climbs in real-time.

How to Install Your Thailand eSIM

You don't need to hunt for a SIM card kiosk at the airport while a taxi driver hassels you. You can set everything up while you're waiting for your flight at Sydney, Melbourne, or Auckland airport.

1. Check Compatibility: First, make sure your phone is compatible with eSIM technology. Most iPhones from the XS onwards and recent Samsung/Google Pixels are good to go.
2. Purchase Your Plan: Choose a plan based on your stay. If you’re a heavy social media user, the 50GB plans are legendary value. see plans for all the options.
3. Scan the QR Code: You’ll get a QR code via email. Scan it in your phone’s cellular/mobile data settings.
4. Label Your eSIM: Call it "Thailand" or "AussieRoam" so you don't get confused.
5. Activate on Arrival: When the wheels touch down in Phuket, toggle the eSIM to 'On' and ensure Data Roaming is enabled for that specific line.

For a more detailed breakdown, check out our guide on how it works.

Data Needs by Activity

How much data do you actually need for an island-hopping holiday?

• Google Maps: Essential for finding your way back to your hotel in Patong or Rawai. (Low data use)
• Instagram/TikTok: High data use. Uploading 4K videos of the Similan Islands will eat through a 1GB plan in no time.
• Grab/Bolt: You’ll need data to hail rides. It’s way cheaper than the local tuk-tuks. (Low data use)
• WhatsApp Calls: Since our plans are data-only, this is how you’ll stay in touch. (Moderate data use)

We recommend at least 10GB for a two-week trip if you plan on posting regularly. If you’re just using it for maps and the occasional message, 3GB to 5GB will suffice.

Coverage Realities: City vs. Sea

In Phuket Town, Patong, and Bang Tao, you will likely see 5G icons on your phone almost constantly. The infrastructure in Thailand is surprisingly robust—often better than what we get in rural parts of Australia or NZ.

However, once you are 20 kilometers out at sea, the signal relies on line-of-sight to the towers on the islands. While AussieRoam connects you to multiple networks (giving you the best chance of a signal), there will be "dead zones" between Phuket and the remote archipelagos. Use these moments to actually look at the scenery instead of your screen!

The bottom line

Island hopping is the highlight of any Phuket trip, but it requires a bit of planning. Ditch the expensive roaming, grab an eSIM from AussieRoam before you leave home, and you’ll have more money for Pad Thai and boat tours. Whether you’re climbing the cliffs of Phi Phi or canoeing through Phang Nga, staying connected shouldn't be a hassle.