Maiton Island (also spelled Mai Ton or Maithon) sits about 15 km southeast of Chalong, in the same general direction as Coral Island but further out and less accessible. Most of the island is a private resort — Maiton Island Resort — which means casual day landing is not always possible. On a private charter, you anchor offshore in the bay, swim from the boat, and enjoy the surrounding water without needing to set foot on the resort property.
This limited access is actually what keeps Maiton quiet. The longtail tours that pack Coral Island can't drop 30 passengers onto a private resort beach. There's no national park entry fee, no souvenir stalls, no managed boardwalk. It's just a boat, clear water, and an island that's kept itself from becoming a day-trip circus.
In practice, a private charter to Maiton is boat-centric rather than island-centric. You anchor in the protected bay on the northwestern side of the island, swim and snorkel from the swim platform or ladder, have lunch onboard, and spend time on the water rather than on the beach. The water around Maiton's western bay is clear — visibility of 8–12m is typical in good conditions — with a sandy bottom and some coral formations along the bay edges.
Couples and small groups who want a day at sea without a schedule, without a tour itinerary, and without other tourists in their peripheral vision find this setup very appealing. You're essentially hiring a private pool that happens to be positioned next to a tropical island.
| Factor | Maiton Island | Coral Island |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Chalong | ~15 km (40–50 min) | ~9 km (20–30 min) |
| Crowd level | Very low | High (longtail tours) |
| Beach access | Offshore only (private resort) | Open public beach |
| Facilities | None for day visitors | Restaurants, chairs |
| Water clarity | Good | Good |
| Snorkeling quality | Moderate | Moderate–Good (headland) |
| Best for | Couples, privacy | Families, facilities |
There are no shops, restaurants, or facilities for day-charter visitors at Maiton. You need to bring everything: drinking water (a full day for your group, more than you think), food, sunscreen, any snorkeling equipment not supplied by your charter, and anything else you'll want. Most catamaran charters can provide a fully catered day with a crew preparing meals onboard. Speedboat charters can usually supply a cooler of drinks and snacks if requested in advance. Don't arrive expecting to buy anything.
Maiton alone is a pleasant but limited destination. For a full-day charter that uses the time well, many operators combine Maiton with a Racha Island stop (also to the south, 35 km from Chalong) or backtrack via Coral Island on the return. Maiton as a morning stop plus Racha in the afternoon gives you privacy first and then serious snorkeling — a well-balanced private charter day.
Maiton's western bay is sheltered from the northeast monsoon that drives high-season weather (November–April). In the right conditions — light winds, calm bay — it's one of the most peaceful anchorages near Phuket. In the wet season (May–October) you're more exposed; the bay can get afternoon chop from the southwest and this is not a good season for Maiton visits. High season only, ideally arriving by 9am before any afternoon thermal winds build.
| Boat type | Full day (Maiton) | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Speedboat (4–6 pax) | From ฿6,500–9,000 | Up to 6 |
| Speedboat (8–10 pax) | From ฿9,000–12,000 | Up to 10 |
| Sailing catamaran | From ฿28,000–45,000 | Up to 10 |
| Luxury motor yacht | From ฿35,000+ | Up to 12 |
No park fee. Maiton suits a smaller group or couple better than a large party — 4–6 guests is the ideal size for the experience.
The main beach in front of Maiton Island Resort is private resort property. Day visitors generally anchor offshore and enjoy the water from the boat. Some areas of the island's coastline are technically accessible outside the resort boundary, but your captain will know what's appropriate and current policy. Don't count on beach access — plan your day as a boat day with swimming from the anchor.
Snorkeling-wise, Maiton is comparable to Coral Island — moderate reef quality, good visibility in calm conditions, nothing that competes with Racha. The reason to choose Maiton isn't the snorkeling; it's the privacy and the feeling of having a bay to yourself. If snorkeling is the priority, go to Racha. If solitude is the priority, go to Maiton.
It works for families with older children who are confident swimmers and comfortable spending a day on a boat without beach facilities. For families with toddlers, Coral Island is more practical — it has toilets, shade, restaurants, and shallow beach entry. Maiton's lack of facilities is a real constraint for young children who need nap space, changing facilities, or frequent snacks and drinks that need refrigerating.
Yes — Maiton Island Resort accepts bookings for overnight stays and the resort has villas on the island. This is separate from chartering a boat to visit for the day. If you stay at the resort, the experience is obviously different from a day charter — you have beach access, meals, and the island to yourself in the evenings when day boats have left. Some liveaboard charters also overnight at Maiton as part of a multi-day itinerary.
A catamaran — sailing or power — suits Maiton particularly well. The wide deck and stable platform make spending several hours at anchor comfortable, and most catamarans have shade, seating, and often a proper galley for onboard lunch. Speedboats work for the transit but are less comfortable for extended anchoring. For a romantic or honeymoon charter, a sailing catamaran at anchor at Maiton with the crew preparing lunch is hard to improve on near Phuket.
Better snorkeling, still quiet. Pairs well with Maiton in a combined full-day charter.
View GuideCloser, busier, better facilities. The practical alternative if you need a beach and food options.
View GuideBest experiences for two people — sunset cruises, anchoring at Maiton, romantic catamaran days.
View GuideGet available boats and prices for your dates.