About Ports
Before considering any excursions for your short days in Southern of Thailand, we would like to provide information about ports in the areas to help you make a decision easier and accuracy to match timing you have. Here are lists of ports in Southern of Thailand.
PHUKET
Patong - tender port
Patong is located on the west coast of Phuket island. Mainly this tender port operates only in November – April when the west side has calm sea. Approximately travel time from the ship to Phuket port is 15 – 20 mins each way.
Patong is the center of tourism in Phuket, there are so many attractions that you can walk around for shopping, beach, water sports, restaurants and nightlife area.
There are 2 cruise ships can tender at the same day.
Deep Sea Port - docking port
Deep Sea port is located on the south east of Phuket by Customs and Dolphin piers nearby with walking distance. This port is operates all year round, not only passengers port also containers and cargos too.
The easiest port to estimate timing and no queue for tender as it is docking port.
This area is not convenience to walk around because there is nothing much to see. Suggest to book something or take a taxi, most places are driving distance.
Customs pier - tender port
Customs pier is located on the south east of Phuket by Dolphin pier next door with walking distance. This port is operates all year round, but mainly are May – October.
It is a tender port. Customs port is take approximately 20 – 30 mins travel time from the ship to the port.
This area is not convenience to walk around because there is nothing much to see. Suggest to book something or take a taxi, even Ao Yon beach is not convenient.
Visit Panwa pier - tender port
Visit Panwa pier is located on the south east of Phuket by Customs pier next door with walking distance. This port is operates all year round, but mainly are May – October.
It is a tender port. Visit Panwa pier is take approximately 20 – 30 mins travel time from the ship to the port.
This area is not convenience to walk around because there is nothing much to see. Suggest to book something or take a taxi, Phuket old town is about 20 mins away by driving.
KOH SAMUI
Nathon pier -tender port
Nathon pier is located on the west side of Samui island where all ferries from the mainland. As Samui is the only port in Southern of Thailand that is on Gulf of Thailand, the rest they are on Andaman sea, Indian Ocean.
This port is operates all year round and only port for cruise ships in Koh Samui. The cruise is far way away get in ashore approximately take 30 – 40 mins with tender boat.
Nothing much around you could walk in a small town.
KRABI
Klong Jirad pier - tender port
Klong Jirad pier is located outside Ao Nang area on the east side. This port is close to government office and Prince Chumphon monument but it’s far from attractions, town or city, and shopping.
This port is operated all year but from May – Oct there are less cruise ships pass along in this area, normally only short cruises from Singapore and back to Singapore for 5 – 7 days however Krabi is not main destination.
Tender is approximately take 30 – 40 mins to the port.
Ao Nammao pier - tender port
Ao Nammao pier is located outside Ao Nang area on the east side, closer than Klong Jirad. This port is close to ferry to Railey beach and long-tail boat to sightseeing around but not town of city.
This port is operated all year but from May – Oct there are less cruise ships pass along in this area, normally only short cruises from Singapore and back to Singapore for 5 – 7 days however Krabi is not main destination.
Tender is approximately take 30 – 40 mins to the port.
Nopparat Thara pier - tender port
Nopparat Thara pier is main pier not only for cruise ships port also main pier from local ferries from Phuket, Koh Lanta, and etc. so make sure you follow a direction that crews escort you.
This port is the easiest access to places to the beach, take long-tail boat to excursion, walk to Ao Nang (quite a distance) and easy by self. As there are many boats to different direction make sure you are the right tender back to the cruise. Tender is approximately take 30 – 40 mins to the port.
KOH PHI PHI
Ton Sai pier - tender port
Ton Sai pier is located in the south of Phi Phi Don island where Ferry and most of boats are stop however this is tender port too.
It is very easy to walk from Ton Sai bay without tours but the town is quite small and not long time to walk across the island to Koh Dalum bay for swimming and rent kayak to paddle around.
Only 2 options operate for excursions which is speedboat or long-tail boat.