Day trip from Phuket to Koh Tachai

The Maldives of Thailand

Update 2016: Koh Tachai is closed indefinitely in order to preserve the islands natural beauty. Where to go instead? We recommend the Surin Islands.

Update 2017: You can still snorkel at the Koh Tachai reefs (where the big fish are!) but you can not visit the beach. So the only way is by liveaboard.

Koh Tachai is less visited than the Similan Islands and has an absolutely fabulous beach. It’s a long way to go from Phuket for a day trip (3 hours by minibus plus 1 hour speedboat) but if you don’t mind an early start and a late finish you’ll love the island.

The Tachai Island snorkeling day trip has become one of our most popular snorkeling tours, it’s better than the Similan islands day trip with fewer visitors and one of the best beaches anywhere.  At Shark Rock baby black tip reef sharks can be seen in the shallows. Snorkeling on the reef on the east side of Koh Tachai will not suit everyone because it is in open sea and there can be currents. Inexperienced snorkelers have the choice to snorkel nearer the beach.

Manta rays and whale sharks can also be seen in Koh Tachai although they are almost never seen by snorkelers on day trips (more chance with a liveaboard trip).

Itinerary

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred by air con minibus to the pier at Kuraburi. Guests staying in Phuket hotels will be picked up at about 6.00 hrs. Guests staying in Khao Lak hotels are picked up at about 7.30 hrs.

9.00 hrs: Speedboat departs to Koh Tachai. Journey time is about 60 minutes.

10.00-12.00 hrs: Snorkeling excursion

12.00-13.30 hrs: Thai buffet lunch and time to enjoy the beach.

13.30-15.30 hrs: Snorkeling excursion.

15.30 hrs: Depart from Koh Tachai. Guests in Phuket will arrive back at about 19.00 hrs.