Premium Tour to Phi Phi & Bamboo Island Tours by Speed boat

Phi Phi looks its best from the water, where steep limestone cliffs rise behind clear coves and the boat can reach several islands in one long day. This nine-hour speedboat tour packs Phi Phi Ley, Pileh Bay, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island into one outing from Phuket.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which saves you a taxi hunt before an early start. I also like the choice of Bamboo Island, a quieter counterpoint to the famous Phi Phi stops, with snorkeling gear and lunch included. The catch is the speedboat ride: rough water can make the trip tiring, and the popular bays may feel crowded.

Key points to know before booking

• Maya Bay is viewed from a distance: It is currently closed for direct visits, so do not expect to walk onto its famous beach.
• Bamboo Island gets two hours: This is the best part of the schedule if you want time for snorkeling and sand.
• Royal Phuket Marina is the starting point: Check-in includes safety information and good-quality snorkeling equipment.
• The boat ride can be rough: Motion sickness tablets may be offered, but bring your own plan if you are sensitive to bouncing waves.
• Lunch, transfers, and photos are included: You pay $109.12 per person for a fairly complete day package.
• The group can reach 35 people: Expect a shared tour, not a private island outing.

Royal Phuket Marina starts the day at 7:30

Your morning begins with hotel pickup and a ride to Royal Phuket Marina. The tour starts at 7:30 a.m., so the transfer time depends on where you are staying in Phuket. This early departure matters because the itinerary has several stops and needs most of the day to fit them in.

The marina is more than a place to board. You receive a safety briefing and snorkeling equipment before the boat leaves. The operator describes the gear as top quality, and the check-in process uses clear instructions so you know what to do in the water.

A useful detail from the tour operation is the colored wristband system. Your band identifies your group, which helps the crew organize a boat carrying as many as 35 people. On some departures, a small breakfast is also available at the pier while groups are being assembled, though lunch is the meal formally included in the package.

You may spend up to 40 minutes at the marina. That time is practical rather than scenic. It gives you a chance to use the toilet, collect your gear, listen to the English-language safety talk, and settle in before the speedboat leaves.

The speedboat saves time, but comfort is not guaranteed

A speedboat makes this island circuit possible in a single day. You cover open water quickly, leaving more time for swimming and snorkeling than you would get on a slow boat. That efficiency is the main reason to choose this tour.

The trade-off is a firm, bumpy ride when the sea is rough. One passenger described the trip as extremely uncomfortable and said the motion sickness pills offered onboard helped with nausea but caused sleepiness. That is useful advice if you are prone to seasickness: ask about the route and conditions at check-in, and bring any medication you already know works for you.

The crew provides drinks and assistance during the ride, and the service has been described as friendly. Still, a speedboat is not a lounge. Keep loose belongings secured, expect noise, and prepare for spray. If you need a calm, quiet crossing, a larger boat may suit you better, though it will not offer the same pace.

Phi Phi Ley brings cliffs, coves, and time in the water

The first major island area is Ko Phi Phi Le, known for its dramatic limestone walls and bright water. The schedule gives you about an hour for swimming and snorkeling, followed by a longer two-hour visit in the Phi Phi Ley area.

That split suggests two different parts of the stop. The first hour is for getting into the water and cooling off. The later period gives you more time to look beneath the surface, explore sheltered areas, and take in the cliffs from sea level.

The water around Phi Phi Ley is the visual star of the trip. You can expect limestone scenery, shallow tropical water, coral areas, and fish around the snorkeling spots. Conditions will determine how clear the water feels on the day, so do not treat the promotional photographs as a guarantee.

There is no long land walk here. Most of your time is spent in or beside the water, which makes the stop a good fit if you prefer swimming to sightseeing in town. It also means you should be comfortable climbing in and out of a boat and staying with the guide’s group.

Maya Bay is a photo stop, not a beach visit

Maya Bay is currently closed to direct access, so the boat views it from a distance. This is the most important limitation in the schedule. You will not step onto the beach made famous by film and social media.

The distant view still gives you a chance to see the bay’s setting, with its ring of cliffs and narrow opening to the sea. Keep your expectations in check, though. If walking on Maya Bay is the main reason you want to book, this is not the right time for this tour.

The closure also reflects how heavily this small bay has been used. A responsible visit now means respecting the limits in place. You can take photographs from the boat, then enjoy the parts of Phi Phi that remain open for swimming and snorkeling.

Pileh Bay offers one of the day’s best swims

Pileh Bay, also called Pileh Cove, is scheduled for about 45 minutes. That is not a long stop, but it is enough for a swim and a quick look at the water beneath the steep cliffs.

The cove is one of the most scenic places on the route. The enclosed shape makes it feel different from open-water stops, and the clear water creates an excellent setting for a short snorkeling session. The boat may need to share the area with other tours, especially during the busiest part of the day.

I would treat Pileh Bay as a concentrated burst of scenery rather than a peaceful half-day retreat. You get a memorable view and time in the water, but not much room for lingering. Keep your mask ready and listen for the guide’s instructions so you do not lose half the stop getting organized.

Bamboo Island gives you the longest island break

Bamboo Island receives about two hours, making it the most generous stop on the itinerary. It is also less famous than Maya Bay and Phi Phi Ley, which gives the day a useful change of pace.

The main activity is snorkeling around the island. The crew leads you toward suitable spots, and the included equipment means you do not need to rent a mask and snorkel separately. You can look for fish and coral, swim in the shallow water, or spend time on the beach if conditions and access allow.

This is where the tour earns much of its value. The famous Phi Phi stops can feel busy and tightly scheduled, while two hours at Bamboo Island gives you a better chance to settle into the setting. It is still a shared excursion, so do not expect complete solitude, but the stop offers more breathing room than the shorter coves.

Lunch is included during the day, along with nonalcoholic refreshments and the services of the crew. The food has been described as good and plentiful enough for a tour lunch. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and personal expenses remain your responsibility.

Monkey Beach adds a quick wildlife sighting

Monkey Beach is included among the Phi Phi sights, though the supplied schedule does not assign it a separate duration. You should think of it as a passing or short viewing stop rather than a major part of the day.

The name refers to the monkeys found along the beach. Keep your belongings close and do not feed or approach them. The boat crew controls how near you get, and conditions can affect whether the boat pauses for photographs.

This stop adds variety to the route. After cliffs and snorkeling, you get a look at a beach known for its resident animals. It is not a reason to book the tour by itself, but it helps fill out the Phi Phi circuit.

Photos are included, but the day moves quickly

The guide takes photographs during the tour and provides them as part of the package. That is a welcome detail when you are busy swimming or holding onto the boat instead of managing your own camera.

The photo service is useful, but I would still protect your phone carefully if you bring it. Water, spray, and crowded boarding points are real concerns on any boat outing. A waterproof case is sensible, though it is not listed as included.

The schedule also means you need to move when the guide calls the group together. You have roughly 45 minutes at Pileh Bay, one hour for an early Phi Phi swim, two hours around Phi Phi Ley, and two hours at Bamboo Island, plus transfer and cruising time. This is a sightseeing circuit, not a flexible private charter.

Is $109.12 a fair price from Phuket?

At $109.12 per person, the tour is priced above a basic shared boat trip, but the package includes several costs that can add up. Hotel transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, speedboat transport, lunch, snorkeling gear, an English-speaking guide, and tour photographs are all covered.

The price makes more sense if you want to see several major sites in one day and do not want to arrange transport to the marina. It also saves you from organizing gear, food, and a separate trip to Bamboo Island.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet beach day. A group of up to 35 people, fixed stop times, and the chance of rough water mean you are paying for access and convenience, not privacy. You are also paying for a Maya Bay viewing stop rather than a beach visit, so check that this matches your priorities.

The tour has free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, so keep the local cut-off time in mind when your plans are uncertain.

Who will get the most from this island circuit?

I would recommend this outing to you if you have one full day in Phuket and want a broad taste of the Phi Phi area. It suits active people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, boat travel, and short stops with a clear schedule.

Families with children aged eight and above may find the format workable, provided everyone is comfortable with a fast boat and open-water conditions. The English instructions, crew support, and included equipment make the day easier for first-time snorkelers.

You should think twice if you suffer badly from motion sickness, dislike crowded attractions, or want to spend hours on one quiet beach. The speedboat can be rough, and the most famous stops can be busy. A slower boat, private charter, or a shorter outing may be more comfortable.

Should you book this Phi Phi and Bamboo Island tour?

Book it if you want the practical all-in-one version of Phuket island hopping. Bamboo Island, included snorkeling, lunch, hotel transfers, and photographs give you solid value, while the speedboat lets you reach several places in one day.

Do not book it expecting an uncrowded escape or a walk on Maya Bay. The best reason to choose this trip is its range: Phi Phi Ley, Pileh Bay, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island in a single organized circuit. If that sounds better than spending a whole day in one place, the $109.12 price is reasonable. Just prepare for a bumpy ride and bring a seasickness plan if you need one.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transfers are included, along with an air-conditioned vehicle.

Can I visit Maya Bay directly?

No. Maya Bay is currently closed to direct visits, so you view it from a distance by boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and safety information is provided at Royal Phuket Marina.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included. Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The group size can reach a maximum of 35 people.