Phi Phi Maya and Maithon by Indigo Luxury Catamaran in Phuket

Phi Phi’s famous bays are the headline, but this trip gives you more than a quick look from the boat. You’ll ride a traditional long-tail boat through Pileh Bay, set foot on Maya Bay, snorkel twice, then finish at Honeymoon Island with kayaks and a water slide.

I like two things in particular: the mix of classic scenery and water play, so the day is not all beach stops, and the catamaran’s air-conditioned lounge and open deck, which give you options when you need shade or a sea breeze. The crew, especially guide Mike, also gets high marks for clear explanations and a lively, welcoming manner.

The trade-off is time and crowds. This is a long day, with hotel pickup as early as 8:00 and a return to the pier around 18:10 to 18:30, and popular Phi Phi stops can feel busy. One fee detail also needs checking before you book: national park fees are listed as included, while Maya Bay is also marked as having an admission charge not included.

At a glance

• Up to 40 people aboard: A small maximum for a shared day tour, though this is not a private boat.
• Pileh Bay by long-tail boat: A separate, 50-minute ride brings you closer to the bay’s scenery.
• Two chances to snorkel: One near Phi Phi and another at Honeymoon Island.
• Water activities at the final stop: Kayaks, a water slide, a transparent boat or kayak, and inflatable pools are included.
• Meals and transfers are part of the day: Expect Thai lunch, fruit, soft drinks, and free hotel pickup and drop-off across Phuket.
• Ask about Maya Bay fees: The fee information is not fully consistent, so confirm what you’ll pay before departure.

Start early, then leave Phuket by catamaran

Hotel pickup is offered across Phuket, with collection scheduled between 8:00 and 9:30 depending on your hotel. The exact time comes with your confirmation, so check it rather than relying on the tour’s 9:00 start time. The boat departs from Seven Plus Travel’s Chalong pier at about 10:30.

That early pickup is worth factoring into your plans. The listed return to the pier is around 18:10 to 18:30, making this a substantial day even before you add the drive back to your hotel. If you have dinner plans, leave them flexible.

The boat is a twin-hull catamaran described as a 2024 model, with an air-conditioned lounge, a 360-degree open deck, and a bow sundeck. Those spaces matter on a day with several hours on the water: you can sit in the shade between stops, then head outside for views and fresh air. The maximum group size is 40, enough to keep the boat from feeling like a large ferry, but you should still expect to share the deck and facilities.

There are two toilets aboard, according to the tour details, and the boat is described as clean. Pack light enough to move around easily, and bring anything you need to stay comfortable in the sun. Towels are listed among the advertised amenities, while snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Lunch on board and a long-tail ride at Pileh Bay

The schedule places the boat near Phi Phi at about noon, with a Thai-style buffet lunch served aboard. Fruit and soft drinks are included, and breakfast sandwiches and afternoon tea are also described as part of the day. That spread helps make the long outing easier, since you are not depending on finding a meal during each stop.

After lunch, the group takes a traditional long-tail boat through Pileh Bay for about 50 minutes. This is a useful change of pace from the larger catamaran: the smaller boat lets you get closer to the bay and take photos along the way. Keep your phone or camera secure, and remember that the bay is a shared attraction, not a quiet private cove.

Pileh Bay’s appeal is the setting itself and the chance to see it from the water rather than only from shore. The time is long enough for a scenic ride and photos, but it is still one part of a tightly timed island-hopping day. If you prefer lingering in one place, this route may feel brisk.

Maya Bay: the famous beach, with a crowd caveat

Maya Bay is the most recognizable stop, and the tour gives you about an hour ashore for beach time and other free activities. The bay is the kind of place many people come to Phi Phi hoping to see, so the opportunity to step off the boat is a real plus.

It is also a popular stop. Even with an organized group, you should be ready to share the beach and paths with other visitors. The tour’s own visitor feedback describes Phi Phi as crowded, so set your expectations accordingly: this is a chance to see the celebrated bay, not a promise of a secluded beach.

Maya Bay closes from August 1 through September 30. During that period, the schedule extends time at other destinations instead. If visiting Maya Bay is your main reason for booking, check the dates carefully before you pay.

There is a fee question worth resolving in advance. National park fees appear among the inclusions, but the Maya Bay stop is also marked as not including its admission ticket. Ask Seven Plus Travel whether any separate Maya Bay or park payment is due on your date, and how much to bring.

Snorkeling near Phi Phi, then another session at Maithon

The tour includes two snorkeling sessions, which gives you more than one chance to get in the water. The first is scheduled near Phi Phi at about 14:40, with around an hour and a half allocated to the stop. Life jackets, masks, snorkels, and disposable mouthpieces are supplied.

The second session comes at Honeymoon Island, also called Ko Mai Thon, later in the afternoon. The different locations give the day some variety, though visibility and marine life can change with weather and sea conditions. The tour does not promise specific wildlife sightings, so think of snorkeling as time to explore the reefs rather than a guarantee of particular fish or coral.

You should be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to use the provided life jacket, but the schedule includes getting on and off boats and taking part in water activities. If you are unsure about snorkeling, tell the guide before entering the water and follow the crew’s instructions.

Honeymoon Island brings the water-play finale

The final stop is Honeymoon Island, where the boat arrives at about 16:30. You get roughly an hour and 50 minutes for the second snorkel session and included activities such as kayaks, a water slide, transparent boat or kayak, and inflatable pools. This is the most playful part of the day, especially if you want something beyond beaches and scenery.

The crew’s approach can make a difference here. Water activities are limited by time and equipment, and the tour’s feedback specifically praises the team for helping everyone get a turn. Still, with up to 40 people and several activities on offer, expect to share rather than have unlimited use of each item.

A transparent boat or kayak can offer a different view of the water without snorkeling, while the inflatable pool and slide keep the stop lighthearted. If you mainly want a quiet island visit, this activity-focused finale may be less appealing. If you like having options, it is a useful contrast to the earlier sightseeing.

What the crew and meals add to the value

The strongest part of the service is the crew. Mike is repeatedly singled out for being energetic, funny, and clear in English, while Minnie is praised for being kind and welcoming. The tour is guided in Chinese and English, which can help you follow instructions and understand the day’s schedule.

The food also gets unusually specific praise. The Thai buffet, snacks, and drinks are described as fresh and plentiful, and the boat has two toilets. One group also noted halal options, but that is not guaranteed in the formal inclusions, so contact the operator in advance if you need a particular meal.

The package includes hotel transfers across Phuket, snorkeling gear, national park fees, accident insurance, lunch, fruit, soft drinks, and the water activities. The overview also advertises five edited photos, towels, breakfast sandwiches, and afternoon tea. As some of these extras are not repeated in the formal included-items list, confirm them with the operator if they are important to your decision.

Is $162.94 a fair price?

At $162.94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Phi Phi. But the price covers a full-day boat outing with hotel transfers, meals and snacks, snorkeling gear, two water sessions, the long-tail ride at Pileh Bay, and several activities at Honeymoon Island. Those inclusions can make it good value if you plan to use them.

The catamaran also gives you a more comfortable base than a basic transport boat, with air conditioning, open-air seating, and two toilets. You are paying for a day that combines transport, guiding, food, and activities, rather than simply a ride to one beach. The 4.8 rating from 48 ratings and 92 percent recommendation rate are encouraging, though they cannot guarantee that the sea, weather, or crowd levels will suit your day.

The main value question is whether you want a full schedule. If you would rather spend most of your time on one quiet beach, this tour asks you to move on frequently. If you want to see several well-known places and have meals and gear handled for you, the inclusions make the cost easier to justify.

Who should book this Phuket day trip?

I would consider this tour if you want to fit Phi Phi highlights into one organized day without arranging transfers, meals, snorkeling gear, and separate boat rides yourself. It suits couples, families, and active visitors who enjoy a mix of sightseeing and water play, and who are happy to share the boat with a group of up to 40.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a slow, private island day or a guaranteed quiet visit to Maya Bay. The early pickup and long return window also matter if you have limited energy or plans later that evening. Good weather is required; if poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of people to run.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour is listed as approximately eight hours, but the full day can run longer when you include hotel pickup. Pickup is scheduled between 8:00 and 9:30, and the boat is expected back at the pier around 18:10 to 18:30.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are offered across Phuket. Your exact pickup time is provided with the confirmation.

What meals and drinks are included?

A Thai-style buffet lunch, fruit, and soft drinks are included. Breakfast sandwiches and afternoon tea are also described as part of the tour.

How many times can I snorkel?

The schedule includes two snorkeling sessions, one near Phi Phi and another at Honeymoon Island. Life jackets, masks, snorkels, and disposable mouthpieces are supplied.

What water activities are available at Honeymoon Island?

The included activities listed are a water slide, kayaks, a transparent boat or kayak, and inflatable pools.

Is Maya Bay open all year?

No. Maya Bay is scheduled to close from August 1 through September 30. During the closure, the tour extends time at other destinations.

Are Maya Bay’s entry fees included?

The fee information is unclear. National park fees are listed as included, but the Maya Bay stop is also marked as not including admission. Confirm with Seven Plus Travel before departure.