6 Morning Tours in Phuket Worth Leaving the Beach For

1.A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,693 reviews · from $97Our pick

Spend a morning at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, on the edge of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Start with an educational film and refreshments, then walk with a guide to observation platforms and a canopy walkway to watch rescued elephants roam, bathe, and socialize. A Thai vegetarian buffet is included; hotel transfers are optional.

“This was truly the best experience ever! Elephants in a sanctuary where they should be. Safe! Not ridden, washed, or in a circus which involves cruelty and beatings!”

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2.Exclusive Small Group Phi Phi Islands Sunrise or Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · from $110

Leave Phuket by speedboat for a full day around the Phi Phi Islands, with a sunrise option, beach time, snorkeling, and stops at Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, and Bamboo Island. The tour includes round-trip transport, snorkel gear, and buffet lunch. Guides such as Sunny, Goodie, YY, and Helen have led trips, though you cannot request a particular guide.

“This tour was simply amazing. We saw the sunrise from Phi Phi Island and had breakfast on one the islands. I am not normally a sunrise person but it was more than worth it and very memorable. The tour guides were so awesome and accommodating. Maya Bay was absolutely beautiful. My favorite part was snorkeling with all the pretty fish all around. This was one of the best tours I ever been on.”

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3.Luxury Private Speed Boat Charter – Phi Phi Sunrise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews

Leave Phuket at 6:00 am on a private speedboat charter for Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, snorkeling stops, and a beach chosen for the day’s conditions. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, refreshments, and round-trip hotel transfers are included. You travel with your own captain, crew, and guide, though names such as Patrick, Dee, Sara, Andy, and Yai are not guaranteed.

“Patrick was a great guide. He and his crew were attentive to our needs, and made sure that we experienced the most of Phi Phi Islands in the most secluded manner, making us feel as if we were the only ones with access during a very busy Read more”

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4.Private Morning Сeremony in Wat Chalong (Chaithararam Temple)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $54Best value

Meet local guide Sunsanee at Wat Chalong at 7 am for a 90-minute, small-group morning ceremony. You’ll offer food to monks, prepare flowers and candles, try siamsi fortune telling, and hear about Thai Buddhism. A sarong, ceremony supplies and food are included. The tour ends where it begins.

“I would highly recommend booking this experience! Sunsansee was such a great guide, her english was excellent and she shared her knowledge on the temples and religion. She was able to answer any questions we had with detail. There Read more”

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5.Small Group Phi Phi Islands Sunrise Tour with Seaview Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $140

Start before sunrise with hotel pickup and a speedboat ride from Royal Phuket Marina. This small-group tour, capped at 20, visits Khai Nai, Maya Bay, Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island or Khai Island, with breakfast, snorkeling gear, snacks, and a seaview buffet lunch. Guides named on past trips include Sunny, Sonny, Goodie, and Pom.

“I absolutely loved this tour! The main guide spoke perfect English and was able to share a host of knowledge about each spot on the tour. Breakfast was simple but tasty. We got to see a fantastic sunrise while on one of the islands. Maya Bay was a highlight for sure! Our guides made an extra effort to get us to each destination before the other tours so we got to enjoy most spots before the crowds. Every stop was absoltuely stunning. I only wish we were allowed to swim at Maya Bay--even with the black tip sharks we saw there. Lunch was delicious as well. I opted to hire…”

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6.Hiking to Sunrise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3h 30m · from $64

Set out early from Pa Tong, Kata or Karon with a local host for a 30 to 40 minute uphill trek through tropical vegetation. At the summit, enjoy coffee or tea, fruit and a local delicacy, then stop at Karon Viewpoint and a viewpoint cafe. The group is limited to 10, and the hike runs on Saturdays and Sundays.

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