Phi Phi Island Tour from Phuket: Everything You Need to Know
Phi Phi is the number one excursion from Phuket, and I say this after 15+ trips to these islands. Every time friends visit or followers ask "what's a must-do?", I answer: Phi Phi. Turquoise water, sheer cliffs, Maya Bay from the movie "The Beach," snorkeling with tropical fish -- this is an experience you'll remember for a lifetime. In this article I'll cover everything: which tour to choose, prices, what to expect, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Types of Phi Phi Tours
Speedboat -- My Choice
A fast boat for 25-35 people. Travel time to Phi Phi -- 45 minutes. This is my favorite option and here's why: more stops per day (usually 5-6 locations), less time traveling, more time swimming and snorkeling. A speedboat can enter bays where big boats can't fit.
Price: 2,500-4,000 baht (~$70-115) per person. Included: hotel transfer, lunch (buffet on Phi Phi Don), masks and snorkels, life jackets, national park fee (400 baht), drinking water, and fruit.
Typical itinerary: hotel pickup 7:00-7:30 -- Rassada or Royal Marina pier -- Pileh Lagoon -- Viking Cave (viewing from water) -- Maya Bay -- lunch on Phi Phi Don -- snorkeling at Monkey Beach -- Bamboo Island (swimming) -- return by 17:00.
Downsides: bumpy on waves, can cause seasickness. Seats are hard. Engine noise.
Premium Speedboat (Small Group)
Same as a regular speedboat, but group of 10-15 instead of 30+. More comfortable boat, cushioned seats, sometimes a sun canopy. Guide gives more attention to each person. Same itinerary but unhurried -- more time at each stop.
Price: 3,500-5,000 baht (~$100-143). If your budget allows -- take this option, the comfort difference is enormous. These are the tours I recommend through our excursion service.
Big Boat
A double-decker ship for 100-200 people. Travel time -- 1.5-2 hours. Slow but stable -- almost no rocking. Has an upper deck for sunbathing, toilets, and a bar.
Price: 1,700-2,500 baht (~$49-71). Includes: transfer, lunch, snorkeling equipment, national park fee.
Downsides: fewer stops (usually 3-4), more people, can't enter narrow bays. You spend most of the day on the boat itself.
Best for: families with children, people prone to seasickness, budget travelers.
Two-Day Tour with Overnight
For those who want more: day one -- standard program, overnight stay at a hotel on Phi Phi Don, day two -- free time or additional snorkeling. Evening -- sunset at Phi Phi Viewpoint, nightlife on Tonsai Beach.
Price: from 5,000 baht (tour + 3-star hotel). I recommend this if you're in Phuket for more than a week -- nighttime Phi Phi is a completely different, magical experience.
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Message usWhat You'll See: Key Highlights
Maya Bay -- The Beach from the Movie
The very bay where "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed. It was closed from 2018-2022 for ecosystem recovery and is now open again, but with restrictions: maximum 375 people at a time, one-hour visits, no swimming (walking on the beach only). Sounds strict, but trust me -- it's worth it. The bay has recovered, the water is crystal clear, and reef sharks have returned.
My tip: to visit Maya Bay without crowds, choose an early speedboat that arrives at 8:30-9:00. By 10:00 it gets packed.
Pileh Lagoon -- Turquoise Paradise
My favorite stop on the route. An enclosed lagoon between the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh with incredible water color -- from emerald to turquoise. You can swim here (5-8 meters deep, can see the bottom), jump from the boat, and just float in the water gazing at 100-meter-high sheer walls. After 15 trips I still never tire of this place.
Viking Cave
Viewed from the water (landing is prohibited). On the cave walls are drawings resembling Viking ships (hence the name, though they have no actual connection to Vikings). Inside the cave, swiftlet nests are harvested -- a delicacy worth tens of thousands of baht per kilogram.
Monkey Beach
A small beach on Phi Phi Don, home to wild macaques. Boats stop for 15-20 minutes for photos. The monkeys are used to tourists and aren't afraid, but be careful: hide food, phones, and sunglasses -- macaques steal anything shiny. I personally lost my bananas and nearly lost my GoPro.
Bamboo Island
A flat coral island with perfect white sand and clear water. Not all tours include it, but if yours does -- consider yourself lucky. Excellent snorkeling right off the beach, gentle entry into the water, beautiful coral reef.
Snorkeling
Usually 2-3 snorkeling spots per day. What you'll see: clownfish (Nemo), parrotfish, butterflyfish, moray eels, reef sharks (harmless, don't come close), sea urchins (careful in shallows). Visibility 5-15 meters depending on season. Equipment (mask + snorkel) is included, but bring your own mask if you have one -- rental ones often fog up.
Tour Type Comparison
| Parameter | Speedboat | Big Boat | Premium | 2-Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (baht) | 2,500-4,000 | 1,700-2,500 | 3,500-5,000 | from 5,000 |
| Travel time | 45 min | 1.5-2 hrs | 45 min | 45 min |
| Stops | 5-6 | 3-4 | 5-6 | 7-8 |
| Group size | 25-35 | 100-200 | 10-15 | 10-20 |
| Seasickness | Medium | Minimal | Medium | Medium |
| Recommended for | Most people | Families | Comfort seekers | 7+ day stays |
Best Time to Go
High season (November-April): calm seas, excellent visibility, all route points accessible. Downside -- more tourists, especially December-January.
Low season (May-October): stronger waves, some days tours are cancelled due to weather. But if the weather cooperates -- far fewer people, prices 10-20% lower, and nature is even more beautiful (greener after rains). Maya Bay is closed in August.
My tip: the ideal months are November, February, and March. Tourist numbers are not at peak, weather is excellent.
Dealing with Seasickness
This is the most common question I get asked. Yes, you can get seasick on a speedboat, especially if the sea is rough. Here's what helps:
- Motion sickness tablets -- Dramamine or Dimenhydrinate, sold at any pharmacy for 30-50 baht. Take 30 minutes before departure.
- Acupressure wristbands -- Sea Band, sold at Boots. Press on a wrist pressure point to reduce nausea.
- Seat choice -- sit near the center and stern, not the bow. Look at the horizon, not your phone.
- Food -- light breakfast 1-2 hours before the trip. Don't eat anything greasy, don't drink alcohol the night before.
- Big boat -- if you know you get severely motion sick, choose the big boat. It's more stable.
What to Bring
- Sunscreen SPF50+ (reef-safe, no oxybenzone -- protect the corals)
- Towel (not always included in the tour)
- Waterproof phone case (200-300 baht at any shop)
- Cash 500-1,000 baht (drinks on the island, drone photos, souvenirs)
- Rash guard for snorkeling (your back burns instantly)
- Your own mask if you have one
- Motion sickness tablets (just in case)
Personal Experience: 15+ Trips to Phi Phi
My first trip to Phi Phi was a month after moving to Phuket -- and I was in absolute awe. Pileh Lagoon looks like Photoshop, but it's reality. The water color is unreal -- I still can't properly capture it on camera.
Since then I've taken dozens of friends, acquaintances, and followers there. Every time -- pure amazement. Yes, Maya Bay has become more organized (restrictions, queues), but the bay has recovered and looks better than in the movie. Reef sharks have returned -- you can see them from the pier.
My top advice: don't skimp on this excursion. The difference between a 1,700 baht tour and a 3,500 baht tour is like economy class versus business class. Better boat, smaller group, more professional guide, incomparable experience.
How to Book
Three ways:
1. Through us -- write in our Telegram chat or on our website via the excursions page. We'll match a tour to your budget and preferences, verified operators, English-speaking guide.
2. Street tour agencies -- booths labeled "Tour" on every corner in Patong and Karon. Bargain -- prices are inflated 20-40%. Quality is unpredictable.
3. Independently by ferry -- from Rassada Pier, 400-600 baht one way, 1.5-2 hours. On Phi Phi Don, rent a longtail boat (1,500-3,000 baht for half a day) to explore the bays. Best for adventurous travelers.