Small Groups of 20 people – Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands with Lunch

A speedboat carries you from Phuket to the islands of Phi Phi and Bamboo, where the day is built around swimming, snorkeling, and time on the beach. The small-group format, with a stated maximum of 20, is a practical advantage on a full day of island stops.

I like two things in particular: the range of scenery, from Bamboo Island’s open beach to the steep cliffs around Pileh Lagoon, and the thoughtful basics, including hotel transfers, snorkel equipment, towels, snacks, and bottled water. A buffet lunch with a sea view gives you a proper break between swims.

The trade-off is the boat ride. It takes about an hour to reach the first island, and speedboats can bounce hard when the sea is rough. If you are prone to motion sickness, take suitable medication before departure, and check the weather forecast and Maya Bay status for your travel date.

• Bamboo Island is your first major stop: Plan on about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing on the beach.
• Monkey Beach is a boat-side wildlife stop: You view the macaques from the speedboat, with no landing on the beach.
• Pileh Lagoon is a short, striking swim stop: Its emerald water and tall limestone walls make it a natural highlight.
• The lunch break is at Phi Phi Holiday Resort: A buffet includes Thai and international dishes, with dietary needs available on request.
• The 400-baht adult park fee is extra: Children’s fees are listed at 200 baht.
• The day lasts about nine and a half hours: Transfers and several island stops make for a full outing, not a quick boat ride.

From Phuket Marina to the open sea

Your day begins with hotel pickup and a drive to Royal Phuket Marina. The transfer is included, but the time spent collecting other passengers can add to the journey. One account put the drive from Patong at about an hour, so do not expect the marina to be just around the corner.

At the marina, the crew gives a short information and safety briefing, with light refreshments before boarding. The briefing matters: you will be getting on and off a speedboat, swimming in open water, and moving between several stops. Ask about anything unclear before the boat leaves.

The tour’s stated maximum is 20 people, which should make the boat feel more manageable than a packed island transfer. If a smaller group is one of your main reasons for booking, confirm the expected group size with the operator before you pay. A few accounts have described more people than the stated limit on a departure, so it is worth checking rather than assuming.

The boat has a restroom, a useful feature on a long day, though rough water can make it difficult to use while underway. The crew also serves water and snacks during the trip, and some passengers describe frequent offers of fruit and soft drinks. Bring your own water only if you have particular needs; refreshments are part of the package.

Bamboo Island: beach time before the busy stops

Bamboo Island is the first major stop, with about an hour to swim, snorkel, or sit on the sand. It is described as a large, relatively barren island within the marine national park system. That open character is part of the appeal: there is room to stretch out and enjoy the water rather than spend every stop climbing back aboard.

Snorkeling gear is included: a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. The operator also supplies a new snorkel mouthpiece and beach towels. You can expect fish and clear water in good conditions, though underwater coral is not guaranteed to be abundant or especially lively. Keep expectations realistic: this is a scenic island outing with snorkeling, not a specialist reef expedition.

Use your hour well. If swimming is your priority, get into the water early. If you would rather relax, take time on the beach and let the crew know when you plan to return to the boat. Sun protection is important, especially on a long day with several exposed stops.

Monkey Beach: wildlife from the boat

At Monkey Beach, the boat pauses for about ten minutes so you can see macaques in their natural habitat. The monkeys swim, climb, and jump around near the shore, making this a quick wildlife encounter and a change of pace from beach and snorkeling stops.

You do not go ashore. That is useful for keeping a respectful distance from wild animals, and it also means this is a short viewing stop rather than time to explore the beach. Keep your belongings close and follow the crew’s instructions. The macaques may be entertaining, but they are not tame photo props.

A sea-view lunch at Phi Phi Holiday Resort

Lunch is served at Phi Phi Holiday Resort, with about an hour set aside for a buffet overlooking the sea. The meal includes a mix of Thai and international dishes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and other dietary requests can be accommodated if you ask in advance.

Food opinions can be personal. Some people find the buffet generous and enjoyable; others consider it ordinary. The bigger value is the break itself: after the first island and boat-side wildlife stop, you can sit down, eat, and get out of the sun before the next stretch of swimming and sightseeing.

Coffee or tea, seasonal fruit, snacks, and bottled water are included in the tour. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but are available to buy. If you have a strict dietary requirement, tell the operator when booking rather than relying on a last-minute request.

Pileh Lagoon: the day’s emerald-water moment

Pileh Bay, also known as Pileh Lagoon, is a 30-minute stop for swimming in water framed by high limestone cliffs. This is one of the tour’s most distinctive settings. The contrast between the green water and sheer rock walls gives the lagoon a sheltered, almost enclosed feel.

The short visit is also a limitation. If you love swimming, half an hour may pass quickly, especially if the boat is busy or conditions affect how people enter and leave the water. Bring your mask and snorkel, but do not assume every stop offers the same kind of reef viewing. Here, the setting and the swim are the main attractions.

Life jackets are included, and the crew provides safety instructions. Follow them even if you are a confident swimmer. Conditions can change, and the boat’s schedule means you will need to return when called.

The cave and Maya Bay: famous sights, changing access

The route includes a sightseeing stop at a cave connected with the island’s swiftlet birds and the bird’s nest soup trade. The supplied details do not give a stop duration, so treat it as a brief look and explanation rather than a long visit.

Maya Bay is the best-known stop, made famous by the 2000 film The Beach. The planned visit is about an hour, with bright water and a white-sand beach as the draw. It is a place with strong name recognition, but its popularity also means you should expect other boats and people, rather than a secluded beach.

There is an important date-sensitive caveat: a notice states that Maya Bay is closed from August 1, 2025, but gives no reopening date in the information available here. Check the park’s current rules and ask the operator what your tour will do on your travel date. A closure could change the day’s route or the kind of access available.

The national park fee is not part of the tour price. It is listed as 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child. Budget for it separately, and confirm how and when it is collected before you set off.

What the speedboat ride is really like

A speedboat makes it possible to cover several islands in one day, but speed comes with noise, wind, and jolts. The trip to the first island takes about an hour, and the ride back can be choppy too. On calm days, the crossing may feel exhilarating; in rough conditions, it can be tiring.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding rather than waiting until you feel unwell. Sit where the crew recommends, hold on when moving around, and avoid standing while the boat is bouncing. Rain does not necessarily mean the tour is canceled, but heavy weather can make the day less pleasant even when the boat continues operating.

The tour is weather-dependent. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The crew’s safety decisions matter more than keeping every stop exactly as planned.

What the $108.43 price includes

At $108.43 per person, the tour bundles hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, accident insurance, snorkel gear, towels, lunch, fruit, coffee or tea, snacks, bottled water, and a waterproof floating phone case. There is also a restroom on board. Add the park fee to get a more realistic total: 400 baht per adult or 200 baht per child.

The value is in the combination. You are not only paying for a boat seat; you are covering a full day of transport between Phuket and the islands, several stops, equipment, food, and a guide to coordinate the schedule. A smaller stated group limit can also be worth paying for if you want more room and a less crowded feel.

Still, price does not remove the main compromises. You will share the boat and popular sights with other groups, and the day’s comfort depends heavily on sea conditions. If you want a private trip, more time at a single beach, or a slower pace, this is not the right format.

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 266 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it. The most consistently praised elements are the crew’s care, the organization, the snorkeling and scenery, and the steady supply of refreshments. Guide names mentioned on past trips include Ray, Sunny, Alan, Anton, P, and Goodies, but you should not expect a particular guide on your departure.

Who should book this island day

This trip suits you if you want to see several Phi Phi-area highlights in one day without arranging separate transfers, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. It is a good fit for couples, families with older children who are comfortable with boat travel, and first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the islands.

It is less suitable if you dislike fast boat rides, need long stretches of quiet beach time, or prefer to avoid popular stops. The schedule includes many changes of scene, which is part of its appeal, but also means no single beach or lagoon gets a very long visit. If you are bringing children, consider how they handle speed, spray, and a full day outdoors.

Book this tour if variety and convenience matter more to you than solitude. Before paying, confirm the group size, ask about Maya Bay access on your date, and check the weather outlook. Pack sun protection, a change of clothes, and motion-sickness medication if you need it. With those expectations set, this is a well-equipped way to spend a long day among Phuket’s best-known island scenery.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about nine hours and 30 minutes, including transfers and island stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

A life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, and a new snorkel mouthpiece are included. Beach towels are also provided.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a buffet lunch at Phi Phi Holiday Resort. Dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and gluten-free meals are available on request.

Are national park fees included in the price?

No. The listed fee is 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.