Phuket sights
Coral Island (Koh Hey)
A small island a short boat ride off southern Phuket, ringed by clear water and shallow reefs that make it one of the easiest places near the island to snorkel, swim, and laze on white sand for a half- or full day.
About
Coral Island, known in Thai as Koh Hey, is a small island just off Phuket's southern coast — only a 15–30 minute boat ride from Chalong or Rawai — that has become one of the easiest and most popular nearby escapes. Its appeal is simple: two pretty white-sand beaches, calm shallow water, and fringing coral reefs close to shore that make for accessible snorkelling straight off the sand, without the long journey of the bigger island tours. The main Long Beach has loungers, beach restaurants, and a roster of watersports — banana boats, sea-walking, and parasailing — giving it a busy, resort-day feel, while quieter Banana Beach is more low-key. It works well as a half-day trip or a full lazy beach day, and because it's so close it's an easy option even with limited time. Conditions are best in the November–April dry season; some operators offer overnight stays at the island's single resort.
Good to know
Opening hours and entry fees vary by season — check before you visit.