Private Phi Phi and Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat

The best part of this day is the range: one fast boat ride connects the limestone cliffs and famous bays of Phi Phi Leh with a beach stop on Phi Phi Don and a final hour on Khai Nok Island. I like that the boat is private to your group, and I like the mix of swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and time ashore rather than a day spent only on the water.

Private does not mean that the islands are yours alone. Maya Bay and the other popular stops can be crowded, and you should also check the meal details before booking: lunch appears in the tour highlights and route, but the inclusions list says it is not included.

At a glance

• A private boat for your group: The listed price is $1,399 for up to 12 people, so the per-person cost changes sharply with group size.
• A full island circuit: Stops include Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, and Khai Nok Island.
• Snorkeling and paddleboarding gear: Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included; fins are available to rent for 200 THB.
• Park fees cost extra: Pay 400 THB per adult or 200 THB per child to the guide at check-in.
• The day runs about 7 to 8 hours: Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, with the stated start time at 9:30 a.m.
• Expect other boats at popular sites: A private charter gives your group its own boat, not private access to the beaches and bays.

A private speedboat from Phuket to the Phi Phi islands

This is a long day on the water, built around a string of well-known island stops. Your group travels by speedboat from Royal Phuket Marina, with an air-conditioned minivan transfer from Phuket included. The route takes in Phi Phi Leh’s steep cliffs and coves, Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, and Khai Nok Island.

The private format is the main reason to consider the price. Your group does not share the boat with other booked parties, and past guests have praised the flexibility to linger when they were enjoying a beach stop. Still, the schedule depends on tides and weather, and the destinations themselves are shared public places. At the busiest stops, you may see plenty of other boats.

The group price is $1,399 for up to 12 people. At the maximum, that works out to about $117 each before park fees and any lunch cost. For a smaller group, the per-person price rises quickly, so compare it with a shared speedboat trip if you are traveling as a couple or a small family. A private boat makes the day more personal, but it does not make the journey or the islands less busy.

Starting at Royal Phuket Marina

The stated start time is 9:30 a.m. The itinerary begins with hotel pickup and an air-conditioned minivan ride to Royal Phuket Marina, followed by a short marina stop before you board. The marina is also the stated meeting point, so confirm your pickup time and location with the operator rather than assuming 9:30 is when the minivan reaches your hotel.

A speedboat covers the distance between islands quickly, which helps fit several destinations into one day. The trade-off is a brisk ride and more exposure to sun and spray than you would have on a large boat. One person described the boat as fast, clean, and equipped with both shaded and sunny areas. If you prefer calmer transport, or you are sensitive to a bumpy ride, a speedboat may not be your best choice.

An English-speaking guide accompanies the trip, along with the captain and crew. Past trips have been led by guides named James, Tommy, Dino, David, and Tony, but a particular guide is not guaranteed. The strongest praise has been for attentive crews who helped with practical details, including taking photos. That personal attention is one of the more useful benefits of a private charter.

Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay, and Pileh Lagoon

Phi Phi Leh is the day’s dramatic introduction: high limestone cliffs rise above narrow bays and bright water. The route allows about an hour in this area, then roughly 40 minutes at Maya Bay. The cove is famous from the film The Beach, but its fame is also why it can draw a large crowd. Go for the setting and the chance to see it from close by, not for the promise of solitude.

Maya Bay is a beach visit, with admission included according to the stop details. The exact time spent there can change, since the itinerary and timing are approximate and may shift to suit local weather and tides. If you are hoping for long, quiet beach time, keep expectations measured. The boat’s private status does not reserve the bay for your group.

Pileh Lagoon brings a different kind of scenery, with water enclosed by limestone walls. The planned 40-minute stop is for swimming, paddleboarding, and taking in the views. A paddleboard is included, as is snorkeling equipment, so you have more than one way to enjoy the water. This is likely to be a highlight if you want time to get in rather than just admire the cliffs from the boat.

Viking Cave is another 40-minute stop. The route description mentions wall paintings and the harvesting of bird nests, as well as snorkeling nearby. Treat it as a sightseeing stop with a chance to see the underwater area, not as a guaranteed cave visit or a long shore excursion. The available details do not specify whether you go inside the cave.

Monkey Beach and lunch on Phi Phi Don

Monkey Beach is scheduled for about 20 minutes. It is a brief stop for sightseeing and photos, so you will not have much time to settle in. Keep a sensible distance from monkeys and avoid treating them as pets. The tour details do not spell out rules for interacting with wildlife, so follow your guide’s instructions.

The itinerary then allows about 70 minutes on Phi Phi Don, where you can have lunch at a beachside restaurant and take a walk. This is the clearest opportunity to stretch your legs away from the boat and enjoy a meal with a view. But there is an important booking detail to resolve: lunch is named as a highlight and appears in the route, while the inclusions list explicitly says lunch is not included. Ask the operator what meal, if any, is covered before you pay, and plan for the possibility of paying separately.

Snacks and refreshments are listed as included, but the exact selection is not given. Alcohol is not included and is available for sale at Royal Phuket Marina. If you want to keep costs predictable, confirm the meal arrangements and bring any personal snacks you need.

Khai Nok Island and the return to Phuket

The final island stop is Khai Nok, with about an hour set aside for its white-sand beach. It is a chance to swim, relax, and wind down after the more tightly scheduled Phi Phi stops. The overview mentions Rang Yai, but the detailed route names Khai Nok Island. Since those are different destinations, confirm the planned final stop with the operator if this matters to you.

After Khai Nok, the boat returns to Royal Phuket Marina, where an air-conditioned minivan takes you back toward your hotel. The listed marina transfer at the end is about 20 minutes, though your total journey will depend on your hotel’s location and the day’s conditions. The full experience is estimated at 7 to 8 hours, so leave your evening flexible.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $1,399 per group, the tour includes the private speedboat, hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan in Phuket Province, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard use, an English-speaking guide, refreshments, travel insurance, and local taxes. The private format is most compelling when you can share the cost across a larger group and value setting your own pace within the day’s route.

National park fees are extra: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, paid to the guide at check-in. Fins are not included, but can be rented at the marina for 200 THB. Lunch is also listed as excluded, despite the tour description referring to a restaurant stop and describing lunch as a highlight. This conflict deserves a direct question before booking; do not assume the meal is covered by the group price.

The tour has a 5.0 rating from 166 reviews, with 99 percent recommending it. Praise tends to focus on the guide and crew, the clean and comfortable boat, and the freedom of a private trip. One practical complaint concerned sales pressure and a 20 THB restroom fee at the final island stop. Another concern was the crowds at popular destinations. These are useful reminders that a private boat improves your transport and group experience, not the commercial or visitor conditions on shore.

Who should book this speedboat day

I would consider this trip if you are traveling with a larger group, want a private boat, and hope to fit several famous Phi Phi sights into a single day. It suits people who are happy to swim and snorkel, tolerate a fast ride, and accept that a popular island route will not feel remote. Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate having their own boat, though the tour details do not specify age limits or particular facilities for children.

If your main aim is a quiet beach, fewer boats, or a slow day in one place, this is a less natural fit. The itinerary moves through several stops, and the busiest locations may feel crowded. If you are a small party, compare the cost with a shared tour and think about whether a private boat is worth the difference to you.

Before booking, get clear answers on lunch, whether your last island is Khai Nok or Rang Yai, your hotel pickup time, and how much time the operator expects to allow at each stop. Those questions help avoid the fewest pleasant surprises and make it easier to judge the true cost.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. Timings can change to suit the tides and local weather.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:30 a.m. Hotel pickup is offered, so confirm your actual pickup time with the operator.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan are included for hotels in Phuket Province.

How many people can join the private tour?

The listed group price is $1,399 for up to 12 people. The boat is private to your group.

How much are the national park fees?

Fees are 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. They are paid to the guide at check-in.

Is lunch included?

The details conflict: the route and highlights describe a restaurant lunch stop, but the inclusions list says lunch is not included. Confirm what is covered with the operator before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Fins are not included, but can be rented at Royal Phuket Marina for 200 THB.

Is a paddleboard included?

Yes. Use of a paddleboard is included.

Which islands and sights are on the route?

The detailed route includes Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, and Khai Nok Island. The overview also mentions Rang Yai, so confirm the final island stop.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund.