Phi Phi Don & Phi Phi Leh Sunset Trip by Arisa Speed Boat

The best part of this Phi Phi trip comes late: you stay on the water for sunset instead of returning with the daytime crowds. Before then, Arisa Speedboat packs in Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, and several snorkeling sites in one long outing from Phi Phi Don.

I like two things here. First, the maximum group size of 35 keeps the boat from becoming a floating bus. Second, the price includes lunch, fruit, water, snorkeling equipment, insurance, and the national park fee. The main drawback is the long speedboat day, with no hotel pickup and a program that can change with the sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunset is the tour’s special finish: You stay out late enough to watch the light change over the Phi Phi islands.
• Several major sites fit into one trip: The route includes Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Loh Samah Bay, and Shark Point.
• The boat carries up to 35 people: That is still a group outing, but smaller than many large day boats.
• Bioluminescent plankton may be part of the evening: The experience description includes this memorable night-water possibility, but natural conditions can affect what you see.
• The national park fee is included: This makes the $58.43 price easier to compare with tours that add charges later.
• You must reach the meeting point yourself: There is no hotel pickup or drop-off.

Why the 11:00 am start works well

This is not an early-morning island sprint. You meet the Arisa Speedboat crew at the McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier at 11:00 am, then head out from Phi Phi Don by speedboat.

That later start gives the day a different rhythm. You get the main island sights in daylight, then remain out for sunset. I like this setup if you want more than a quick transport run to Maya Bay, and if you would rather not wake up early for a crowded morning departure.

The tradeoff is clear: you spend around 8 hours and 30 minutes on the outing. That means a full day of sun, salt water, boat noise, wet gear, and repeated stops. Pack light, protect your phone, and expect the sea to be a major part of the experience.

The boat is described as spacious and carries no more than 35 people. That limit matters. You still need to share boarding points, food, swim time, and views with other people, but the group should feel more manageable than a much larger excursion.

Bamboo Island sets the pace

Bamboo Island is one of the first major stops. The planned visit lasts about an hour, giving you time to look around and enjoy the beach setting rather than simply taking a quick photograph from the boat.

This is a good early stop because it breaks up the ride from Phi Phi Don. You can get your bearings, see how the day is organized, and settle into the boat’s pace before the route reaches Phi Phi Leh.

The practical point is timing. A one-hour stop is useful, but it is not an open-ended beach visit. You will need to follow the crew’s return time so the group can keep moving through the island chain.

Phi Phi Leh brings the big scenery

Phi Phi Leh is the dramatic centerpiece of the route. The tour gives this island several hours in the schedule, with stops around its major bays and landmarks rather than treating it as one quick pass.

Maya Bay

Maya Bay is the famous stop, and it deserves its place on the route. You can expect only about 15 minutes listed for the visit, so think of this as a short look and photo stop rather than a long beach stay.

That short timing may disappoint anyone hoping to linger on the sand. On the other hand, Maya Bay can become tiring when a visit is built around waiting, crowding, and a rushed attempt to see every angle. Here, the stop is one part of a much wider day.

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation closes Maya Bay for two months each year during the low season. Check the date before booking if this bay is the main reason you want the tour. The program can also change because of weather and sea conditions.

Loh Samah Bay

Loh Samah Bay receives about 30 minutes in the planned program. This is one of the places where the boat-based format matters most, since the tour lets you see parts of Phi Phi Leh that cannot be reached by land.

The bay is also connected to the route’s water activities. Bring your mask and snorkel, which are supplied, and listen for the crew’s instructions about where and when you can enter the water.

Viking Cave

The stop at Viking Cave lasts about 15 minutes. This is a short visit, so expect to see it from the boat rather than settle into a long shore excursion.

That makes Viking Cave an easy addition to the day. You do not lose a large block of time, yet you still get another distinctive Phi Phi landmark along the coast.

Snorkeling at Shark Point

Shark Point is scheduled for about 30 minutes. The tour promotes a chance to see local marine life, and this is one of the places where snorkeling adds real value to the boat ride.

The word chance matters. Wildlife is never a guaranteed show, and visibility depends on conditions. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and life jackets, so you do not need to rent the basic gear separately.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the English-speaking guide for clear instructions before entering the water. Most people can participate, but the day includes swimming and boat access, not just sightseeing from a seat.

Monkey Beach is a quick stop

Monkey Beach gets about 15 minutes. That is enough for a brief look at the shoreline and its namesake wildlife, but not enough to treat it as a relaxed beach visit.

Keep your belongings close and follow the crew’s directions. The schedule is tight here, and the point is to add another memorable Phi Phi stop without letting one beach consume the day.

Monkey Beach also shows the advantage of a boat tour. You can reach a shoreline that is not part of an ordinary land-based visit to Phi Phi Don, then move on without arranging separate transport.

The sunset changes the mood

Many Phi Phi excursions end after the major daytime sights. This one stays out for sunset. That is the reason I would choose it over a faster daytime trip if you have enough time on Phi Phi Don.

The late light gives you a calmer final stretch after the active stops. You are no longer simply checking off bays and beaches. You get to watch the islands change color from the water, with no need to rush back for a land-based viewpoint.

The exact sunset location and timing can shift with weather and sea conditions. Treat the sunset as a key feature, not a promise of one fixed viewing point.

The experience also includes bioluminescent plankton as a highlight. When conditions cooperate, glowing plankton can make the evening feel genuinely special. It is a natural event, so the amount visible can vary. Do not book solely on the assumption that the water will glow brightly every time.

What the included food and gear mean

The price includes drinking water, seasonal fruit, a lunch box, snorkeling equipment, and a life jacket. A simple lunch is the right expectation, not a restaurant meal. The available description identifies chicken and rice, followed by fruit later in the day.

That is practical food for a long boat outing. You will want enough to keep your energy up between stops, and you will not need to arrange a separate lunch on Phi Phi Leh.

The included water matters in the Thai heat. Still, bring any extra drink or snack you personally need, since the supplied details do not promise unlimited refreshments.

Basic accident insurance is included as well. It is useful, but it should not be mistaken for broad travel insurance. Read the terms of your booking if you have special medical, cancellation, or equipment concerns.

Is $58.43 a fair price?

At $58.43 per person, this is a solid value if you want a full island circuit rather than a short boat transfer. You are paying for about 8.5 hours, a speedboat, an English-speaking guide, lunch, fruit, water, snorkeling gear, life jackets, basic accident insurance, and the national park entrance fee.

The park fee alone can make a low headline price less attractive when it is added later. Here, that cost is already covered. You also get several separate locations in one outing, including places you cannot reach by land.

The value drops if you want a quiet private day or long, unhurried time at one beach. A maximum of 35 people is reasonable for a shared tour, but it is still a shared tour. You will follow the group’s timetable and accept changes when the sea requires them.

This is also not the right comparison for a simple half-day excursion. The late return and sunset focus explain part of the price and length.

Getting to the meeting point

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You meet at McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don, then return to the same meeting point at the end.

That arrangement is easiest if you are staying near Ton Sai. Give yourself time to locate the meeting place, since the boat cannot wait for a late arrival without affecting everyone else’s schedule.

The activity uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. Keep the ticket accessible on your phone, but protect the device from spray and water during the boat ride.

Who will enjoy this Phi Phi day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see many of the classic Phi Phi sights in one organized outing. It suits people who enjoy a full schedule, boat travel, snorkeling, and a sunset finish.

It is especially useful if you have limited time on Phi Phi Don and do not want to arrange separate trips to Bamboo Island, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, and the Phi Phi Leh bays.

Families and mixed groups may also appreciate the supplied equipment and lunch. The information says most people can participate, but the day still involves boarding a speedboat, moving around beaches and bays, and possibly snorkeling.

I would think twice if you dislike long rides, cannot handle a changing sea, or want complete control over every stop. The itinerary is broad, but that means each individual location may receive only a short visit.

Practical things to pack

Bring sun protection, swimwear, a towel, and a waterproof way to carry your phone. The tour supplies a life jacket and snorkeling equipment, but the details do not specify towel service or dry storage.

Wear something suitable for a wet boat day. Keep valuables to a minimum, and bring any personal medication you need for the full 8.5-hour outing.

Check Maya Bay’s seasonal closure before paying if that stop is essential. Also remember that poor weather can change or cancel the trip. If the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book this Arisa Speedboat tour?

Book it if you want one busy, well-priced day covering the main Phi Phi sights, with sunset and a possible bioluminescent plankton sighting added to the usual Maya Bay route. The included park fee, lunch, equipment, water, and guide make the $58.43 cost easy to justify.

Skip it if you want a private boat, long beach stays, or a flexible schedule. For most people who want to see Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh without arranging several separate trips, this is a practical choice, as long as you are comfortable meeting at Ton Sai Pier and spending most of the day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don, at the listed location in Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand.

What time should I meet the boat?

The scheduled start time is 11:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the speedboat?

The boat has a maximum of 35 participants.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the national park entrance fee included?

Yes. The national park entrance fee is included in the price.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A lunch box is included. The supplied details describe chicken and rice, along with seasonal fruit.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included.

Can Maya Bay be closed during the tour?

Yes. Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation closes Maya Bay for two months each year during the low season. The program can also change because of weather and sea conditions.