Private Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat

Phi Phi’s limestone cliffs and bright coves are the main event, but the real advantage here is having a private speedboat and guide to shape the day around your group. You’ll visit Maya Bay, swim in Pileh Lagoon, stop to snorkel, and finish with time on Bamboo Island.

I like the mix of famous Phi Phi sights and time to swim, and I like that hotel transfers, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards are included. The crew has been praised for looking after groups and adapting when plans need a small adjustment. One important catch: the tour details conflict about whether lunch is included, so confirm that before you go. National park fees are extra, and the ride can be bumpy.

At a glance

• Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon: See two of Phi Phi’s best-known coves, with time set aside at each.
• A private boat for your group: The price covers up to 12 people, not 12 separate tickets.
• Two snorkel stops: Gear is supplied, and paddleboards are available to use.
• Bamboo Island beach time: Allow about 70 minutes to enjoy the sand, palms, and sea.
• Plan for extra costs: National park fees are 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. Fins cost 200 THB to rent.
• Lunch needs checking: One part of the tour description says it is included, while another says it is not.

A private boat day, with famous stops

This is a full-day outing from Phuket, starting at Royal Phuket Marina and covering several islands and bays by speedboat. The private format means only your group joins the boat, so you can enjoy more personal attention than on a large shared tour. It does not mean the beaches and bays are private. At popular spots such as Maya Bay, you should expect to share the view with other boats and visitors.

That distinction matters. The route brings you to places with real natural beauty, but also to famous places with real demand. The guide can help your group make the most of the stops, and the private boat allows some flexibility. Still, tides, weather, and conditions can alter the order or timing.

The tour is listed at $1,386.10 for a group of up to 12. If you fill every seat, that works out to about $115.51 per person before national park fees and any other extras. For a couple or a small family, the cost per person will be much higher. The value rests on having a private boat, transfers, equipment, and a guide for a long day, rather than on the lowest possible island-hopping fare.

From Phuket hotel to Royal Phuket Marina

The day begins with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan, followed by a transfer to Royal Phuket Marina. The listed start time is 9:30 am, and the journey ends back at the marina, where your return transfer takes you to your hotel. The transfer is a practical perk: you do not need to arrange your own transport to and from the pier.

At check-in, remember that the national park fee is paid to the guide. It is listed as 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, so add that to your budget. Fins are not included, though you can rent them at the marina for 200 THB. Snorkeling equipment is included.

The boat ride is part of the experience, but speedboats can bounce over the water. One group with people prone to seasickness found the ride manageable, while noting that bumps are to be expected. If you are sensitive to motion, plan with that in mind rather than assuming the ride will be smooth.

Phi Phi Leh’s cliffs and Maya Bay

The speedboat heads toward Phi Phi Leh, where steep limestone cliffs frame the bays. The first island segment is about an hour, giving you a look at the dramatic coastline as the boat moves between stops. The itinerary is approximate, and the guide may adjust the sequence to suit the tide and weather.

Maya Bay gets about 40 minutes. Its worldwide fame grew after it appeared in the film The Beach, and the cove’s high cliffs make it an easy place to understand the appeal. It is also one of the most recognized stops on the route, so do not expect solitude. Think of this as a chance to see an iconic setting, take in the scenery, and enjoy your time on shore, not a quiet, untouched beach.

The private format can make the day feel more personal, but it cannot clear the bay of other visitors. If you are choosing this trip mainly for empty beaches, this is worth weighing carefully. If you want to see the classic Phi Phi sights and are comfortable sharing them, Maya Bay belongs on the route.

Swimming and paddleboarding at Pileh Lagoon

Next comes Pileh Lagoon, a sheltered-looking bay encircled by limestone mountains. You get about 40 minutes here, with swimming and paddleboarding listed as options. The steep rock walls are the setting; getting into the water is the main reason to stop.

Bring a sense of flexibility. The tour’s timings can shift with local weather and tides, and the guide may adapt the schedule. That is useful on an island day, when the best order is not always the one printed in advance. It also means you should not plan a tightly timed activity immediately after the tour.

Snorkeling is a central part of the day, with two snorkel stops included. The tour description points to snorkeling around Phileh Bay and near Viking Cave, though the precise stops can depend on conditions. Gear is provided, and paddleboards are also included. Fins are not, so decide whether you want to rent them before boarding.

Viking Cave and a snorkel stop

Viking Cave is a scenic stop, with wall paintings and a history as a bird-nest harvesting site noted in the tour details. The boat spends about 40 minutes in this area, including time for snorkeling. You will see the cave from the water as part of the island cruise, rather than treating it as a long land visit.

This is a useful point in the day to focus on the water. Your snorkeling gear is supplied, but the description does not promise particular marine life or water clarity. Both can vary, so go for the chance to swim and look beneath the surface, not a guarantee of a specific underwater spectacle.

Monkey Beach and lunch on Phi Phi Don

Monkey Beach is scheduled for about 20 minutes, primarily as a sightseeing stop. The name gives you a clue about the attraction: macaques may be seen on the beach. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife and follow the guide’s direction. The short visit is enough for a look, but not a long beach break.

Lunch is planned on Phi Phi Don, with about 70 minutes for a meal at a beach-side restaurant and a walk around the area. This pause gives the day a different pace after several stops by boat. It also gives you a chance to stretch your legs and take in the island setting.

Here is the detail to settle before booking: the tour overview says lunch and snacks are included, but the inclusion list says lunch is not included. The itinerary also describes lunch at a restaurant without making the payment arrangement clear. Ask the operator to confirm whether the meal is covered, and budget for it if you cannot get a clear answer. Onboard refreshments are listed as included.

Bamboo Island’s final stretch of sand

Bamboo Island gets about 70 minutes, the longest scheduled beach stop. The description highlights white sand, palm trees, wildlife, and open sea views. After the concentrated sightseeing at Phi Phi’s famous bays, this is your main chance to slow down, walk along the beach, and enjoy time by the water.

The stop is not a promise of an empty shore. The islands are popular, and the overall tour is built around well-known places. Still, an hour or so on the sand offers a welcome break from the boat and the quick succession of viewpoints.

One detail deserves checking before you book: the tour title and itinerary feature Bamboo Island, while another part of the description mentions Rang Yai. The route laid out for the day includes Bamboo Island, so confirm the exact island stops with the operator if that distinction matters to you.

What the private format changes

A private tour is most useful when your group has different interests or needs a little room to adjust. The guide can give your party personal attention, and the crew has been praised for responding to small requests, including turning the boat around to retrieve a hat blown away in the wind. That sort of help can make a busy day feel less like a fixed conveyor belt.

Names associated with positive accounts include Tony and Jib, also spelled Jip. The crew has been described as attentive and skilled, with particular praise for making the day work well for a group that included teenagers. You cannot assume a specific guide will be assigned, but the feedback points to a personal, service-focused style.

Private does not mean you set every detail. The route and timings remain subject to tide and local weather, and the schedule includes a lot of stops in one day. Expect a well-filled outing, not a slow, unstructured day at one beach.

Who gets the best value

This trip makes the most sense for a group that wants to share the cost of a private boat and see several Phi Phi highlights in a single day. Families, friends, and larger groups can spread the $1,386.10 price across up to 12 people. A smaller party may still value the flexibility and personal attention, but should compare the per-person cost with shared tours.

It also suits people who want a mix of sightseeing and time in the water. You get two snorkel stops, swimming and paddleboarding options at Pileh Lagoon, a lunch break on Phi Phi Don, and a longer beach stop at Bamboo Island. If your priority is a quiet, uncrowded island, the popularity of Maya Bay and other famous sites may make this a less satisfying choice.

The tour is rated 5 out of 5, with 112 reviews, and is recommended by 99 percent of those who rated it. The most consistent strengths are the crew’s care, the well-paced sequence of stops, and the chance to see the islands from the water. Balance that with the expected bumps, shared public sites, extra park fees, and the lunch ambiguity.

Should you book this Phi Phi speedboat tour?

Book it if you have a group, want a private boat, and value seeing Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island in one day. The included transfers and snorkeling equipment help simplify the outing, and the crew’s personal attention is a meaningful plus.

Pause if you are very motion-sensitive, want a quiet beach day, or need a clear all-in price before committing. First confirm lunch arrangements and whether the route will include Bamboo Island or Rang Yai. If those details check out and you are happy to share popular sites, this is a strong, convenient way to cover a lot of Phi Phi in a day.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 am at Royal Phuket Marina. Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan is included.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The route and stop timings are approximate and may change with tides and local weather.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a private group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment and paddleboards is included. Fins are not included, but can be rented at Royal Phuket Marina for 200 THB.

Are national park fees included?

No. The stated fees are 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, payable to the guide at check-in.

Is lunch included?

The details conflict: the overview says lunch is included, while the inclusion list says it is not. Confirm with the operator before booking.