From a few minutes by speedboat to a day's sailing away, Phuket is surrounded by so many tropical islands, of such outstanding natural beauty, that literally weeks can be spent exploring.

At the far north of Phuket's cruising grounds lie the nine islands of the Similans - noted for their magnificent dive sites - to the south, the brooding intensity of Taratao - a prison colony during World War II and now part of the fifty-one island Taratao National Park - and in between dozens of isles offering pristine beaches, spectacular scenery and a peace and serenity unique to the Andaman.

Perhaps the most popular - and populace - of the islands off Phuket are the twins, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley. The latter of these was the stage for the recent Hollywood movie - The Beach, while the former has become a busy tourist destination, offering a range of accommodation and watersport activities. 20km southeast of Phuket, the Phi Phi islands also afford visitors some excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities - the nearby islets of Bida Ley and Bida Nok of particular note.

The sheltered waters of Phangnga Bay have their own gifts of nature peculiar to this region alone. Scattered around the bay, craggy, hollow limestone escarpments thrust up from the sea like primordial fortresses. Caves, cut through the friable rock by salt water and usually only accessible at certain times of the tide, allow access to remarkable microcosms of nature. These lost worlds are havens for rare forms of flora and fauna and are also home to the swftlets whose nests are considered great delicacies by the Chinese.

It was in this region that part of the James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun, was filmed, and the gravity defying Raya Ring Island is now one of the bay's busiest tourist sites.

Best explored by yacht, charters and day cruises around Phangnga Bay are readily available from Phuket, while ferry services and dive trips run to Phi Phi daily. If time is of the essence, high speed motor launches can be hired from several locations around the island.

Coral Island (Koh Hey)

Koh Hey, off Phuket's south coast, is so well known for its coral reef that it is often referred to simply as Coral Island. In addition to the splendid reefs there are two fine beaches on the north and west of the island.

Koh Hey is part of a marine preserve, but accommodation, restaurants, various watersports and diving are all available. Boats leave from Rawai and Chalong. Package tours are also available.

Maiton Island

This tiny island off Phuket's southeast coast is highly prized for its still perfect natural environment, including fine white beaches and crystal waters; ideal for swimming, diving, or fishing. The only business of any kind is the plush Maiton Island Resort.

Those not wishing to stay overnight may take a daytime excursion leaving from Ao Makham Deep Sea Port.

Phi Phi Islands

Of the two islands, Phi Phi Don is the larger and more developed. The smaller, Phi Phi Le, recently took the title role in the film adaptation of The Beach - starring opposite Leonardo Di Caprio.

Despite misinformed protests and bad press regarding environmental damage to the island during filming, Phi Phi Le is, in fact, in better condition now than before filming began. International environmentalists report that the removal of two tons of tourist rubbish before filming could begin, did not adversely affect the island's delicate ecological balance. Read More...

Rang Yai Island

Lying off Phuket's east coast, this small island has been developed for the soft adventure tourist. Among the many activities are snorkeling on the coral reefs, sea kayaking, mountain-biking, playing miniature golf, and visiting the island's pearl farm.

How to get there: Boats may be hired from Laem Hin Pier at Phuket Boat Lagoon. Package tours are providede by Richy Island Tour (Tel: (076) 238163) and other tour agencies.

Raya Noi Island

This island, 10 km from Raya Yai, is the result of coral reef build up, and there are more rocks than beaches. In a small bay on the west is a boat anchorage. The waters at Raya Noi are emerald green, and the fishing there is famous, but swimming is not recommended.

How to get there: Hire a charter boat at Ao Chalong or Rawai, or go to a travel agent for details on package tours to the islands. By long-tailed boat the travel time is about two hours. Larger boats operated by tour companies will make the trip in about one hour. Travel to Raya Islands is restricted to dry season and periods when the monsoon is not blowing.

Raya Yai Island

The clean, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Raya Yai are a major attraction for daytrippers from Phuket.

On the west coast of Raya Yai is a fine beach, closed in by a horseshoe-shaped hillside, called alternately Ao Tawan Tok or Ao Bungalow.

From the top of the hill to the south of the bay is the viewpoint from which the whole island can be seen. On the east, at Ao Kon Kae Bay, is an excellent site for diving.

Similan Islands

From the north to the south, the archipelago comprises Koh Bon, Koh Ba Ngu, Koh Similan, Koh Payu, Koh Miang (actually two islands), Koh Payan, Koh Payang, Koh Ku Yong. Except for park officials and occasional tourist groups, these petite islands are mostly uninhabited.

The waters around the islands are home to a considerable variety of fish and crustaceans, and other marine life flourishes. The water in the area is as clear as glass and makes an excellent deep water dive site.

Si-Re Island (Koh Sire)

Separated from the mainland of Phuket by the Khlong Tha Chin, a shallow mangrove swamp, this twenty square km island is connected by a causeway to the city. Wat Koh Si-Re, on the hill, has a large Reclining Buddha and provides fine views of the surroundings.

Phuket's largest settlement of Sea Gipsies, or Chao Le, can be found on Koh Si-Re at Leam Tuk-kae. The muddy seabed means the island is not good for swimming. There are some popular seafood restaurants on the eastern shore.