Chalong Pier, Phuket: Getting There for a Morning Boat
By the PhuketGO tour desk on Phuket — we book and run these trips every week · Updated 28 September 2026
Chalong pier sits in the bay on Phuket's south-east coast, a couple of kilometres from the Chalong roundabout. From Rawai or Kata it is about twenty minutes, from Patong around forty, from the airport area more than an hour — and in the morning the roundabout jams, so aim to arrive half an hour before your group meets.
Tours and prices in Thai baht
| Tour | Duration | Adult | Child 4–9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai island by speedboat | One day | 2,000 ฿ | 1,800 ฿ |
| Racha and Coral islands by speedboat | Eight to nine hours | 1,400 ฿ | 1,300 ฿ |
| Sea fishing from sunrise | One day, 05:30–15:00 | 2,500 ฿ | 2,200 ฿ |
Prices come straight from our booking system. Children under four join free on most trips — each tour page says so.
Which boats leave from Chalong?
Most of the day trips. Boats to Racha, Coral island and Phi Phi, and the dive boats, start here, which is why every morning minivans converge on it from all over the island. Three of ours: Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai island leaves at 09:15, Racha and Coral by speedboat at 09:00, and sea fishing from sunrise at 07:00.
If your tour includes the transfer, forget this page: the driver collects you at the hotel and delivers you to the right desk. What follows is for people making their own way.
How long is the drive from my area?
South is closest. Rawai and Nai Harn: fifteen to twenty minutes along the east coast. Kata and Karon: over a low hill to the roundabout, twenty to twenty-five. Patong is cut off by the ridge, so you go over the pass and through the middle of the island — about forty minutes with no traffic. From Kamala, Surin or Bang Tao, allow an hour.
Phuket Town is half an hour if you beat the school traffic. From the north — Nai Yang, Mai Khao, the airport — you are crossing the whole island, about an hour and a quarter. Every one of these numbers moves in the morning, because between half past seven and nine the Chalong roundabout collects school buses, parents on scooters and tour minivans all at once.
Taxi, app or scooter?
Taxi or a ride-hailing app is simplest. Book it the evening before — at six in the morning there are few free drivers in the south, and they wake up later than the tourists do.
A scooter works fine; there is motorbike parking at the pier entrance. Take your helmet with you or leave it on the handlebar, and park in the shade if you can find any — after a day in the sun the seat is scorching.
What is it like at Chalong in the morning?
Busy. Minivans arrive from all over the island at once, groups gather at the operators' desks, and the whole job is to reach yours before the group walks to the boat. There is shade, water, toilets and kiosks — Chalong is one of the big piers — so arriving early is not a hardship.
Wristbands or a list: you are either given one or ticked off on the other. Then you wait for boarding, and shoes come off at the gangway on most boats.
When do boats come back to Chalong?
On our trips: the fishing boat at 15:00, with photos with the catch on the pier; the Phi Phi and Khai island speedboat around 16:15; the Racha and Coral speedboat between 16:00 and 16:40, then on to the hotels by about 17:30.
If you drove yourself, remember the scooter or car has spent the day in the sun. If you came by app, book the ride back while you are still on the boat — at the end of the afternoon everyone wants one at the same time.
What do I do when I get there?
The evening before, check two things in your confirmation: the name of the pier and the meeting time. Not the departure time. Then find your operator's desk by name or by the wristband colour in the confirmation, register, and wait for boarding.
Shoes come off for most boats, so wear flip-flops. Not sure which pier your trip uses? Send the confirmation in the chat and we will check it for you. Our Phuket piers guide explains what the other piers are for.
And if you are staying somewhere awkward for Chalong — the airport end of the island, say — ask us before booking. A trip with hotel pickup takes the problem away entirely.
Coming by scooter? Keep the parking ticket or photo safe; a day on the water is long.
The tours on this page
Questions people ask
Where is Chalong pier?
On the south-east coast of Phuket, in Chalong bay, a couple of kilometres from the Chalong roundabout.
How long from Patong to Chalong pier?
About forty minutes without traffic, over the pass and through the middle of the island. Allow more in the morning.
How long from Kata to Chalong pier?
Twenty to twenty-five minutes over a low hill to the Chalong roundabout.
Which tours leave from Chalong pier?
Many day trips to Racha, Coral island and Phi Phi, plus dive boats. Our Phi Phi and Khai island day, Racha and Coral speedboat and sunrise fishing trip all leave from Chalong.
Is there parking at Chalong pier?
Yes, including motorbike parking at the entrance. Shaded spots fill first.
When should I arrive at Chalong pier?
Half an hour before your group's meeting time, because the Chalong roundabout jams between about 07:30 and 09:00.
Tell us your dates
Send the trip you like, your dates and your hotel. We confirm the pickup time and how the sea looks for that day. Payment is agreed in the chat after the booking is confirmed: by card, bank transfer or USDT.