Day Tours are the best way to see and experience Thailand's most beautiful islands. There are numerous tours to choose from, so here are the top tours to book.

photo by: alikainwanderlust

If you want to see all of these places without crowds book a boat a private boat and leave at 6 am. 

When you book a private boat, you avoid having to wait for other people, and you can tailor the boat tour to your needs by deciding where you want to go and how much time you want to spend at each location. 

There are many local tour companies on the streets of any place you travel to in South Thailand where you can book your day tours, but if you want to book online and in advance, below are some recommendations. 

1. Phi Phi Islands  

The best way to see Phi Phi Islands is by staying on Koh Phi Phi Don Island and booking a private long-tail boat to visit the following places: 

1. - Maya Bay 
2. - Pi Leh Lagoon 
3. - Viking Cave 
4. - Bamboo Beach 
5. - Monkey Bay 

photo by: alikainwanderlust

A private long-tail boat rental for 6 hours with the tour company listed below costs 3,500 Baht per couple, not including the national park fee of 200 Baht per person. 

Private Tour Recommendation: Private Tour By Long Tail Boat with Visa Travel Phi Phi (https://visatravelphiphi.com/product/private-tour-by-long-tail-boat/) 

If you plan on visiting Phi Phi Islands from Krabi or Phuket it’s best to do a group tour. 

Group Tour Recommendation: From Krabi: Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Day Tour with GetYourGuide (https://www.getyourguide.com/krabi-l2174/phi-phi-islands-day-trip-by-speedboat-from-krabi-t28512/) 

From Phuket: Maya, Phi Phi, and Bamboo Island with Buffet Lunch (https://www.getyourguide.com/phuket-l32123/phuket-phi-phi-and-bamboo-island-trip-with-buffet-lunch-t431461/?) 

2. Hong Islands

It’s easiest to visit Hong Islands from Krabi. Book a private long-tail boat to visit the following places: 

• - Koh Lao Lading 
• - Hong Lagoon 
• - Hong Island + Hong Island Viewpoint 

photo by: alikainwanderlust

A private long tail boat for 5 hours with the tour company listed below costs 2,800 Baht per couple, not including the national park fee of 300 Baht per person. 

Private Tour Recommendation: Book a private long tail boat through tour@swisschalet-thailand.com. 

Group Tour Recommendation: Krabi: Hong Islands Day Trip by Speedboat with Lunch (https://www.getyourguide.com/krabi-l2174/krabi-hong-islands-day-trip-by-speedboat-with-lunch-t144153/ 

3. 7 Islands Sunset 

The 7 Islands Sunset Tour departs from Krabi and includes the following: 

• - Snorkelling at Ko Ma Tang Ming 
• - Koh Tup 
• - Koh Mor 
• - Koh Kai (aka Chicken Island for its chicken-shaped rock) 
• - Snorkelling at Koh Yawasam 
• - BBQ dinner while watching the sunset on Koh Poda 
• - Swim with bioluminescent plankton near Koh Raeng 

photo by: alikainwanderlust

The tour cost 1,300 Baht per person with the recommended tour company below, not including the national park fee of 200 Baht per person. The tour lasts approximately 7 hours. 

Tour Recommendation: Krabi: 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ dinner and Snorkelling (https://www.getyourguide.com/krabi-province-l2172/krabi-7-islands-sunset-tour-with-bbq-dinner-and-snorkeling-t409855/?) 

4. Pig Island  

Pig Beach is located on an island named Koh Madsum. It takes about 20 minutes to get to this island from Koh Samui. 

The tour begins with a visit to Pig Island, where the tour guide will take you to a viewpoint (I would skip the viewpoint and spend more time with the pigs on the beach). There are better viewpoints on Koh Samui). 

Feeding the pigs costs 30 Baht, and there are plenty of them, including cute baby pigs. 

Then you'll be taken to Koh Tean, where you can go snorkelling near the island before enjoying a delicious Thai lunch. 

photo by: alikainwanderlust

After lunch, you can kayak to nearby beaches before returning to Koh Samui. 

The tour costs 2,000 Baht per person and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, lunch, snorkelling equipment, and kayaking. 

Tour Recommendation: Koh Samui: Coral and Pig Island Long Tail Boat Tour (https://www.getyourguide.com/ko-taen-l89691/koh-samui-island-hopping-tour-coral-and-pigs-island-t391725/?)  

5. Ang Thong National Marine Park 

Before departing for Koh Mae Koh and visiting the emerald green Emerald Lagoon, a light breakfast is served onboard. 

While eating lunch, you will be treated to a breathtaking view of the islands in Ang Thong National Marine Park. 

After lunch, you will arrive at Ko Wua Ta Lap. Here you can choose to snorkel (snorkelling equipment provided), relax on the white sandy beach, explore a stalagmite cave or hike to the most stunning viewpoint in the Gulf of Thailand! 

To get to the viewpoint it takes about half an hour with many viewpoint stops along the way. Make sure to bring plenty of water with you. It’s not an easy hike as there are many steep steps and the heat makes it more difficult.  

photo by: alikainwanderlust

A full-day tour costs 1,250 Baht per person, not including the national park fee of 300 Baht per person. It includes a light breakfast, a buffet-style lunch, and pick-up and drop-off services. It costs an extra 550 Baht per person to kayak around Koh Mae Koh. 

Tour Recommendation: Ang Thong Marine Park Full-Day Big Boat Economy Tour with Koh Samui Tours (https://kohsamui.tours/products/angthong-marine-park-full-day-boat-tour?_pos=2&_sid=348a7968c&_ss=r&variant=41147419656372)  

6. Similan Islands 

The Similan Islands are an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Phuket or Khao Lak! 

This tour takes you on a speedboat for about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Khao Lak to the Similan Islands. 

Donald Duck Bay, one of the many beautiful Similan Islands, is the first stop. On this island, you can hike to the famous Sail-Rock to see the incredible beach from above, or you can spend time swimming and sunbathing on the white sandy beach.

photo by: alikainwanderlust

After that, you'll be taken to two snorkelling spots: Ba Ngu Island and Pay Island. Sea turtles are frequently spotted near Payu Island. 

Lunch is served on Miang Island, followed by more relaxing and swimming on the beautiful beach before returning to the pier. 

The tour costs 3,067 Baht per person and includes a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off services and snorkelling equipment. 

Tour Recommendation: From Phuket or Khao Lak: Similan Islands Snorkeling Day Trip (https://www.getyourguide.com/phuket-l32123/similan-islands-snorkeling-day-trip-from-phuket-or-khaolak-t191459/?)  

If you want to see white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters and swim with tropical fish, I recommend booking one of the above tours during your Thailand vacation.