Three postcard islands east of Phuket — shallow turquoise snorkelling, vivid coral and white sand beaches the whole family will love.
Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui — three tiny islands scattered across a shallow turquoise lagoon just 15 kilometres east of Chalong. They're close enough for a half-day trip but beautiful enough to linger all day. The reef sits at 1–4 metres depth, clear enough to see the bottom from the boat, calm enough for a five-year-old to snorkel without a guide.
Because the islands face east, they're sheltered from the southwest monsoon that closes many of Phuket's west-facing destinations May–October. That means the Khai Islands are a reliable option year-round — one of the few places near Phuket where you can plan a family snorkel trip and be confident the conditions will cooperate.
On a private charter you pick your island, your pace and your anchorage. No fighting for space with longtail crowds, no rushed group lunch — just your family and a crew who know exactly where the clownfish hide.
Four reasons families and snorkellers love it
Khai Nai Reef
The reef on Khai Nai's eastern flank starts at just 1 metre — dip your mask in and you're eye-to-eye with clownfish, damselfish and electric-blue parrotfish. No experience needed, no strong currents, no depth anxiety.
Khai Nok Beach
Khai Nok's main beach is a long arc of white sand with calm, ankle-deep water at the shoreline — the kind of beach children run into without being asked. Ideal for building castles between snorkel sessions.
Khai Nui Lagoon
Khai Nui is barely above the waterline at high tide, but the lagoon it creates is extraordinary — shallow, glassy, intensely turquoise. Anchor here for your post-lunch swim and feel like you're floating in liquid glass.
Year-Round
East of Phuket and sheltered from the southwest monsoon, the Khai Islands stay calm when west-coast destinations are rough. It's the charter we recommend when families visit in May–October and need a guarantee of smooth water.
A typical Khai Islands full-day charter — we adapt to your pace
Board your private boat at Chalong Pier. Welcome drinks are poured, safety briefing done, and you're underway heading east through Chalong Bay within minutes.
Anchor off Khai Nai's sheltered eastern reef. This is the best snorkelling of the three islands — dense coral heads starting at 1 m, home to clownfish, lionfish, sea urchins and hundreds of reef fish. The crew snorkels with you to point out highlights.
Motor five minutes to Khai Nok and anchor off its long white beach. Wade ashore (or swim) for a walk along the sand. The beach is gentle and shallow — great for kids while adults kayak the shoreline.
The rocky headland at Khai Nok's southern tip holds a different ecosystem — more table coral and larger fish including barracuda and small reef sharks (completely harmless). A second snorkel here while conditions are still ideal.
Anchor between Khai Nok and Khai Nui for lunch on deck. A full Thai–Western spread: grilled fish, rice, salads, fresh fruit. Soft drinks and water refills all afternoon. Kids' options available — just let us know when booking.
Navigate to the impossibly blue lagoon at Khai Nui for the afternoon swim. The water is waist-to-shoulder depth at low tide, crystal clear and completely calm. Best spot of the day for underwater photos.
Free time: explore by kayak, doze on the sunpads or do one last snorkel around Khai Nui's rocky edges. Afternoon snacks and cold drinks on deck. The crew is happy to photograph the group in the water.
Head back to Phuket for a 17:15 arrival. The easterly return crossing often catches a following breeze — sails up if conditions allow. Arrive back tanned, salt-dried and happy.
Everything packed — you just turn up
All prices are for the full private charter — split between your group
Fast and fun — perfect for smaller groups and families. Khai Islands in 30 minutes, leaving more time in the water. Ideal for half-day or full-day trips.
Roomy cockpit and wide side decks give kids space to move safely. Sail the last stretch with the mainsail up — a highlight for children who've never been on a sailing yacht.
The most stable platform for snorkelling — the wide beam and shallow draft let you anchor closer to the reef. Four cabins and two trampolines make it the family favourite for bigger groups.
Everything you need to know about a Khai Islands charter
Khai Nok is the largest with a long sand beach and the most facilities. Khai Nai is quieter with excellent shallow reef on its eastern side. Khai Nui is tiny — largely submerged at high tide — but surrounded by the clearest water of the three. On a private charter your captain chooses the best spot based on tides and conditions that day, and you'll typically visit all three.
Yes. The Khai Islands fall within the Hat Nai Yang National Park zone and a fee of ฿300 per adult (฿150 for children under 14) applies. This is paid on arrival and is not included in your charter price. We'll remind you to bring cash on the day.
About 15 km east of Chalong Pier. By speedboat the crossing takes 30–45 minutes. By sailing catamaran it's 50–70 minutes. The sheltered eastern waters make for a smooth ride year-round.
They are among the best islands near Phuket for children. The reef is shallow (1–4 m), the water is calm and clear, and the sandy beaches are gentle for paddling. Kids can see clownfish, parrotfish and sea urchins without any diving experience — we provide child-size snorkel gear and buoyancy vests.
Yes. The Khai Islands sit in sheltered waters east of Phuket and can be visited throughout the year. Even during the May–October southwest monsoon the eastern aspect keeps conditions manageable, though we always check sea state before departure and will advise if conditions require a change of plan.
Easily. Khai combines well with Coral Island — both are east of Phuket at a similar distance — for a twin-island day. Alternatively, pair Khai with Maiton Island for a morning snorkel followed by a private anchorage lunch. Ask us for a custom itinerary when you enquire.
Combine or extend your island adventure
Phuket's family beach favourite — pair it with Khai for a twin-island day trip visiting both on a single charter.
Phuket's most private anchorage — snorkel Khai in the morning then drift south for a secluded lunch at Maiton.
Step up to world-class visibility — Racha's 15–20 m clarity is the next level for snorkellers ready for deeper water.
Thailand's most iconic archipelago — a longer full-day adventure for groups ready to venture further from Phuket.