About this tour
When Tom from our team boarded the Smile Rainbow catamaran in Phuket, it was immediately clear this is a well-oiled operation built around one thing: a relaxed day on the water. The 70-foot vessel hauls you between Coral Island and the Racha Islands over 7.5 hours, with swimming, snorkelling, and optional paid activities (parasailing, scuba, kayaking) dotting the schedule. You'll see plenty of other tourists—this isn't a secret—but the boat's size means you're not packed shoulder-to-shoulder. The buffet lunch served while cruising between islands is a genuine highlight, and the crew handles transfers from your Phuket hotel smoothly.
Highlights
- Spacious catamaran cabin and shared day beds—actual room to breathe
- Snorkelling gear and towels included; decent reef access at each stop
- Hot buffet lunch served onboard as you cruise between islands
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Phuket included
- English-speaking crew kept things running without hovering
- Turquoise water and soft sand beaches live up to the brochure
- Optional add-ons (scuba, parasailing, banana boat) let you pick your vibe
What to expect
You'll be picked up from your hotel 30 to 2 hours before departure—so when they say be ready in the lobby, mean it. The catamaran itself is comfortable and air-conditioned below deck, though it rocks gently once you're underway. Expect to anchor at Coral Island first for a 60–90 minute swim and snorkel; the reef life is decent, not mind-blowing, but the water is clear and the sand is genuinely soft. A freshly made international buffet lunch arrives mid-journey—nothing fancy, but hot and filling.
The Racha Islands stop follows lunch, with similar swimming and snorkelling time. Throughout the day, crew members are present but low-key. The schedule moves at a leisurely pace, which suits the boat's vibe. Weather and sea conditions do sometimes force cancellations or route changes; the operator reserves the right to shuffle the itinerary for safety. By late afternoon you're cruising back past Maithon Island toward Phuket, and you'll be back at your hotel by late afternoon.
What travellers say
- Spacious catamaran and shared day beds make the day comfortable
- Buffet lunch included and served hot mid-journey between islands
- Hotel pickup and drop-off covers all Phuket areas
- Snorkelling kit and towels included; reef access straightforward
- Crew professional and fluent English; minimal fuss and attentive
- Large group size dilutes intimacy; expect 80+ passengers on peak days
- Snorkelling is pleasant but not exceptional for a full-day boat tour
- Cancellations and route changes due to weather have no refund policy
- Alcohol not included and bar prices are typically inflated
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
The catamaran is genuinely roomy and well-maintained. The buffet lunch is included and tastes like effort went into it, not a reheat situation. Hotel pickup is wide-reaching and reliable—saves you sorting taxis. Snorkelling gear is provided and free flow soft drinks keep you hydrated. If you're keen on optional activities (scuba, parasailing, kayaking), you can bolt them on, and the crew facilitates them without pressure.
This is a popular tour, so you'll share the boat with 80+ other tourists on peak days. The snorkelling is pleasant but not world-class—don't expect pristine coral gardens. The tour isn't suitable for pregnant women, anyone over 75, children under 1, or those with serious cardiovascular issues. Alcohol isn't included and drinks at the bar are marked up. Rough seas do happen; if weather turns, the operator can cancel with no refund. You must bring your own swimming kit, sunscreen, and a light jacket; the dress code is casual but you'll want deck shoes that grip.
Fresh fruit, welcome drink, buffet lunch, snorkelling kit, towels, hotel transfers, crew, and soft drinks.
Alcohol, food outside the buffet, optional activities.
Up to 80+.
Weekends and school holidays.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.