Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat

Phi Phi’s cliffs and coves are the main event here, but this trip also gives you time ashore: you’ll visit Maya Bay, eat lunch on Phi Phi Don and finish at Bamboo Island. I like the mix of famous sights and a quieter beach stop, and I like that hotel transfers, snorkeling gear and fins are included.

One detail needs checking before you pay: the tour description presents Maya Bay and Bamboo Island as a choice, while the listed route includes both. Also budget for the national park fee and a separate Royal Phuket Marina charge, which are not included in the $139 price.

At a glance

• A full day on the water: Plan for about 7 to 8 hours, starting at 9:30 am.
• Several distinct stops: The route covers Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don and Bamboo Island.
• Snorkeling equipment included: You get a mask, snorkel and fins, with snorkeling planned near Viking Cave.
• Lunch with a view: A buffet meal and desserts are served at a beachside restaurant on Phi Phi Don.
• Small-group cap: The tour allows up to 30 people, with an English-speaking guide.
• Extra charges apply: National park fees are 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. Royal Phuket Marina lists a separate 400 THB per-person admission charge.

A long island day, starting at Royal Phuket Marina

The day begins with hotel pickup in Phuket Province, followed by an air-conditioned minivan ride to Royal Phuket Marina. The listed meeting time is 9:30 am, and the transfer to the marina is included, so you do not need to arrange your own way there if your hotel is within the pickup area.

At check-in, expect to pay the national park fee to the guide: 400 THB per adult or 200 THB per child. There is also a separate Royal Phuket Marina charge of 400 THB per person listed as not included. Since the two fees are described separately, confirm with the operator how and when the marina charge is collected, and bring enough cash for both.

After check-in, you board the speedboat for Phi Phi Leh. The sea crossing is part of the experience, but it also means a fair amount of the day is spent in transit. The total tour runs about 7 to 8 hours, and the listed route adds up to a busy sequence of stops rather than a slow island stay.

The group cap of 30 helps keep the outing from becoming an enormous boat excursion, though it is still a shared tour with a set schedule. If you want plenty of time to linger at one beach, this format may feel brisk. If you want to see several of Phi Phi’s best-known spots in one day, the pace makes sense.

Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay’s famous cove

Phi Phi Leh is known for its high limestone cliffs and dramatic bays. You travel around the island by speedboat, with the scenery unfolding from the water. It is a strong opening to the day, especially if you enjoy looking up at steep rock walls and tucked-away coves.

Maya Bay is the name many people will recognize. Its fame grew after it appeared in the film The Beach, and the tour sets aside about 40 minutes for the visit. That gives you a chance to take in the setting and walk along the sand, but it is not a long beach day.

The broad appeal of Maya Bay comes with a trade-off: it is a highly sought-after stop. If your idea of paradise requires a quiet, empty shore, the famous name may work against you. The trip also describes a choice between Maya Bay and Bamboo Island in its overview, while the detailed route lists both. Ask the operator which stops are included on your travel date before booking; it is better to settle that question before you are on the boat.

Swimming in Pileh Lagoon

Pileh Bay, also called Pileh Lagoon, is scheduled for about 40 minutes. Its water sits inside a ring of limestone cliffs, giving the cove a sheltered, pool-like feel. The planned activities include swimming and paddleboarding, though the details do not say whether paddleboards are included or available on every departure.

This stop offers a change of pace from the open-water ride and beach visits. You can swim while looking up at the surrounding cliffs, or simply take in the cove from the boat. With a limited stop time and several places still ahead, keep an eye on the guide’s instructions so you do not have to rush back at the last minute.

Snorkeling near Viking Cave

Viking Cave is a scenic stop, with wall paintings and a connection to bird-nest harvesting. The boat passes the cave, then the route includes snorkeling nearby. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment and fins, which saves you from having to rent or pack those basics separately.

A child on one trip saw a baby reef shark at the snorkeling spot, a reminder that wildlife sightings can make this part of the day memorable. That encounter is a possibility, not a promise. Bring realistic expectations: the underwater experience depends on conditions and what happens to be in the water that day.

If you are new to snorkeling, having fins included is useful because they can make it easier to move through the water. Still, this is a boat tour with several stops, not a dedicated snorkeling outing. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask how much time is usually spent in the water and whether the equipment includes the items you need.

Monkey Beach from the water

The route gives Monkey Beach about 20 minutes. The short stop is described as sightseeing, so think of it as a quick look rather than a long visit ashore. It adds another distinct coastal setting to the day, but it is one of the briefest stops on the schedule.

Keep your expectations practical. This is a shared itinerary with a number of places to cover, and the time allotted here leaves little room to linger. Follow the guide’s directions and keep a respectful distance from wildlife if animals are visible.

Lunch and a breather on Phi Phi Don

After the morning’s island stops, you head to Phi Phi Don for a buffet lunch and desserts at a beachside restaurant in Ton Sai Bay. The meal is included, and you can eat with a sea view before taking a short stroll nearby. That break matters: a full day of boat travel and outdoor stops can feel tiring without time to sit down.

Drinks and refreshments are included, though alcoholic beverages are not. Alcohol is available for sale at Royal Phuket Marina, and buyers must be at least 20 years old. The tour information does not specify the lunch menu, so if you have dietary needs, check with the operator rather than assuming the buffet will suit you.

Phi Phi Don is also a chance to stretch your legs after the speedboat ride. The scheduled hour gives you time for lunch and a wander, but it is still a stop within a tightly planned day, not an overnight visit or an extended island stay.

Bamboo Island’s white sand

The final major stop is Bamboo Island, with about 1 hour and 10 minutes set aside. The island is described as having white sand, palm trees and sea views, making it the best chance on this route to simply walk, swim or relax on a beach. After a day of moving between coves and boat stops, this longer stretch of shore time is welcome.

The tour description calls Bamboo Island pristine and uncrowded, but conditions and the number of people on the island can vary. Treat that as the sort of setting the stop aims for, not a guarantee of solitude. It is also worth confirming whether Bamboo Island is definitely part of your departure, given the separate mention of a choice between Bamboo Island and Maya Bay.

Is $139 good value?

At $139 per person, the price covers the speedboat, an English-speaking guide, round-trip hotel transfers in Phuket Province, snorkeling equipment and fins, lunch, refreshments, travel insurance and local taxes. Put together, those inclusions make the fare easier to assess than a bare boat ticket: you are paying for transport to the marina, a full island route and a meal as well as the boat ride.

The extra fees change the total cost. You must pay 400 THB per adult or 200 THB per child for national park fees, and the information also lists a 400 THB per-person Royal Phuket Marina admission fee. Those charges are not included in the advertised price, so build them into your budget and confirm the payment details before departure.

Value depends on what you want from Phi Phi. If you want a single day that covers famous scenery, snorkeling, lunch and two beach visits, the number of inclusions is useful. If you would rather spend most of the day at one quiet beach or avoid a packed schedule, a multi-stop speedboat tour may not be the right fit.

Who should choose this trip?

I’d consider this tour if you have a day in Phuket and want to see several Phi Phi sights without arranging transfers, boat transport and lunch separately. Families may also find the all-in-one setup convenient, since children can take part when accompanied by an adult. One family’s highlight was spotting a baby reef shark while snorkeling, though wildlife sightings are never assured.

The crew and guide can make a big difference on a day with many moving parts. One guide named Ohma was singled out for being kind and helpful, and the crew was praised for keeping the pickup on time and allowing a good amount of time at the islands. Guide assignments are not specified, so do not assume Ohma will lead your departure.

This trip is less suited to anyone who wants a private boat, a slow pace or long, unstructured time on each island. The schedule includes about 20 minutes at Monkey Beach and 40 minutes at Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, with longer stops at lunch and Bamboo Island. You will see a lot, but you will need to keep to the group’s timetable.

The activity has a maximum of 30 participants. Most people can take part, and children must be with an adult. Confirmation is provided at booking. The tour depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants; if poor weather or an unmet minimum cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your priority is a well-organized day that links Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, snorkeling, Phi Phi Don and Bamboo Island, with transfers and lunch handled for you. The most useful strengths are the included fins and snorkeling gear, the hotel pickup and the range of scenery in one outing.

Before paying, get a clear answer about whether your departure visits both Maya Bay and Bamboo Island or follows one of the two options. Add the park and marina fees to your budget, too. If you are comfortable with a full schedule and want a broad first look at Phi Phi, this tour offers a practical way to fit the islands into a Phuket stay.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan are included in Phuket Province.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment and fins are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch and desserts are included at a beachside restaurant on Phi Phi Don. Refreshments are also included.

What fees are not included in the price?

National park fees are 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. Royal Phuket Marina admission is listed separately at 400 THB per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 30 participants.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.