Exploring Phuket’s surroundings – Coral Island
WE’VE already covered James Bond Island, an impressive landmark located in the bay of Phang Nga, which was made famous in the ’70s and ’80s after the release of the James Bond movie “The Man with a Golden Gun”. Today we have a look at another beautiful island located much closer to Phuket, a mere 15 minutes’ ride that is, that goes by the name of Coral Island.
Coral Island, or Koh Hae as it is known in Thai language, is a relatively small island which spans 3 kilometers, located on the southeastern part of Phuket. It can be reached via a short boat ride of about 15-20 minutes departing from Chalong Pier, with prices varying between 250 baht per person when renting a long-tail boat to 1,000 baht if you decide to book a one-day package, including transfers and lunch on the island.
Once on the island, you’ll be surrounded by crystal clear water offering a perfect opportunity to snorkel and appreciate the marine life in the area. Please remember that feeding fish is strictly forbidden in Thailand and bears heavy fine if you get caught.
Plenty of activities are organized on the island to keep you entertained, such as the ever-funny banana boat, parasailing and sea-through canoe, perfect to admire the sea without getting too wet.
Another fun activity is the underwater walking trail, which allows you to immerse completely under the sea thanks to special oxygen apparatus provided in the trip.
The lunch in the main restaurant is a mix of traditional and local Thai food, with delicious fish on the menu. Soft drinks and local beers are available at extra cost.
Spend the day by the sea in one of the numerous sun loungers or explore all the activities the island has to offer, then it is time to head back to Phuket island with the speed boat or long-tail boat that brought you here in the first place.
All-in-all, this makes for a fantastic day trip out of Phuket and is recommended to everyone, thanks to a very short ride to reach the beautiful Coral Island.
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Top and inset: Stunning vistas of Coral Island.
By Nattha Thepbamrung