Islands · Off Phuket's east coast
Khai Islands
Three small islands fifteen minutes from the east coast: sand, snorkelling and a line of speedboats on the beach.
Access
By boat only
Time to allow
A half day, or a stop on a sunrise Phi Phi trip
Best time
Early in the day, according to one guide
Why go
A short hop for sand and snorkelling: about 15 minutes by speedboat from the east coast, so a trip fits into half a day.
Not for you if you want a deserted island: speedboats line up on the sand.
What you will find
Three islands. According to one guide, Khai Nok is a ring of sand round a rocky dome, with restaurants, bars, paid toilets, jet skis and loungers; Khai Nai is the largest, with nearly 500 m of sand; Khai Nui has no beach, and you snorkel from the boat.
In 2016 the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources ordered shops, restaurants, loungers and umbrellas off the islands and set boat routes and mooring buoys, after judging about 80 per cent of the reef damaged. Headlines spoke of the islands closing, but the measures were restrictions, and one guide we read in November 2026, whose date we could not find, still describes restaurants on Khai Nok and Khai Nai.
Getting there
By boat only: there is no public ferry. Half-day trips take about 15 minutes by speedboat; one guide names three departure points: Chalong, Ao Po and Royal Phuket Marina. Some sunrise Phi Phi trips also stop at Khai Nai.
Before you go
Feeding the fish is forbidden under national rules since April 2025; according to one guide, rangers fine people who do it.
At Khai Nui the current can be strong: wear a life jacket. According to one guide, boats skip it when the sea is rough.
Common questions
Are the Khai Islands closed?
No. In 2016 restrictions were ordered to protect the reef and headlines spoke of a closure, but trips still run, and one guide we read in November 2026 still describes restaurants there.
Can I feed the fish at the Khai Islands?
No. Feeding fish has been forbidden under national rules since April 2025.
Which Khai island has a beach?
Khai Nok and Khai Nai, the largest. Khai Nui has no beach: you snorkel from the boat.