Snorkel Tour to Phi Phi Islands by Speed Boat from Koh Lanta

The main appeal here is simple: you can see the best-known Phi Phi scenery in one long day without arranging boats, transfers, snorkeling gear, or lunch yourself. From Koh Lanta, the speedboat reaches Phi Phi Leh in under 50 minutes, then strings together reef stops, limestone cliffs, bays, and beaches.

I like the efficient route and the fact that snorkeling equipment, life jackets, drinking water, fruit, and a Thai buffet are included. I also like the mix of activities: you are not stuck on a beach all day, but you are not racing from one photo stop to the next either. The main concern is crowding, since the boat may carry as many as 60 people and has occasionally been combined with another operator during low season.

Key points to know before booking

• Phi Phi Leh comes first: Reach Viking Cave, Viking Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, and Maya Bay before lunch.
• Maya Bay access can change: The national park has announced closures for Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay, so the boat may view these places from the water or replace the shore visit.
• Three useful water stops: Snorkeling is planned at Viking Bay and Shark Point, with additional time around the Phi Phi islands.
• Lunch is included: A Thai buffet on Phi Phi Don features chicken Massaman curry, fried chicken, vegetables, rice, fruit, and soft drinks.
• Expect a full day: The tour runs about seven hours, beginning with a 9:00 am start and ending back at Saladan Pier.
• Budget for the park fee: The national park charge is THB 400 for adults and THB 200 for children, paid separately.

Why this Phi Phi tour works from Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a calmer base than the main Phi Phi tourist center, but that peace comes with a transport problem. To see Phi Phi from Lanta, you need a boat connection, a route through several islands, snorkeling supplies, food, and a return transfer. This excursion puts those pieces together for $52.08 per person, before the national park entrance fee.

That price is reasonable if you want a packaged day and would otherwise pay separately for a boat, equipment, lunch, and hotel transport. It is less appealing if you prefer a quiet boat, a flexible schedule, or long stretches on one beach.

You are picked up at your Koh Lanta hotel and taken to Saladan Pier. The boat crew from Opal Travel meets you there, with a short briefing before departure. The activity begins at 9:00 am and ends back at the meeting point after the return boat trip.

The listed maximum is 60 people. That number matters. A speedboat with a full load can feel busy, especially during boarding, lunch, and snorkeling. A low-season departure may also be combined with another tour company’s boat, so you should not assume the smallest possible group.

The speedboat ride to Phi Phi Leh

The ride from Saladan Pier to Phi Phi Leh takes less than 50 minutes. That is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose a speedboat. You get a lot of island scenery in a short window, rather than spending most of the day simply getting from Koh Lanta to the Phi Phi area.

Speedboats are efficient, but the ride can be bumpy in rough water. If you are prone to seasickness, keep that in mind before booking. One poor experience involved an overcrowded boat and several sick passengers, so group size and weather can make a real difference.

The boat provides life jackets and snorkeling equipment. Bring whatever personal items you normally need for a day around salt water, but the main kit is supplied. Drinking water and fruit are also included, which helps during a busy schedule of swimming and sightseeing.

Viking Cave and the first look at Phi Phi Leh

The first sightseeing stop is Viking Cave. The boat passes slowly by the cave, where swiftlet nests are harvested by local people. This is mainly a viewing stop rather than a place to go ashore, so expect a short look from the water.

Viking Cave also gives you a quick introduction to the vertical limestone scenery that defines Phi Phi Leh. The cliffs rise sharply from the sea, and the contrast between dark rock and bright water is part of the reason this area is so popular.

You will not spend a long time here. That is fine. The cave is interesting as part of the route, but the snorkeling and lagoon stops are more important if you want time in the water.

Snorkeling at Viking Bay

Near Viking Cave, the boat stops in Viking Bay for the first main snorkeling session. The site includes an artificial reef and a natural sloping reef, giving you a chance to see coral, fish, and other marine life.

The scheduled time is about one hour. That is enough for a proper swim rather than a quick jump overboard, though the actual time in the water can be shaped by sea conditions and the needs of the group.

This is where included equipment has real value. You do not need to find a rental shop at the pier or carry bulky gear from your hotel. The guide can also help organize the stop, which is useful if you are not a confident swimmer. Life jackets are available throughout the island portion of the tour.

Do not expect a private reef. Several boats may use popular Phi Phi snorkeling spots, and a large group can spread out quickly in the water. Still, the combination of an artificial reef and a natural reef gives this stop more substance than a simple swim beside a scenic beach.

Pileh Lagoon and the limestone cliffs

The boat then continues to Pileh Lagoon, surrounded by steep limestone cliffs. The water and rock walls create one of the most memorable views on the route, and the scheduled sightseeing time is about 40 minutes.

This is a scenic stop first. Depending on the conditions and the boat’s schedule, you may have time for a swim, but you should think of Pileh as a place to look up, take photographs, and appreciate the shape of the island.

The lagoon can feel enclosed and dramatic. That same setting also means it is a popular stop, so the calm water may not feel quiet. The boat’s timing helps, but there is no promise of an empty lagoon.

Loh Samah Bay and the Maya Bay change

At Loh Samah Bay, the boat uses a floating rubber pier. The original plan allows people to walk across Phi Phi Leh toward the famous beach associated with Maya Bay. However, the national park has announced that Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay will remain closed indefinitely.

This is the most important detail to check before you book. The boat cannot take you ashore at The Beach while the closure is in effect. The operator says the route will change and may include other places around Phi Phi Leh instead.

You may still see the area from the water. Maya Bay is enclosed by cliffs rising to about 100 meters, with several small beaches inside. But a scenic pass-by is not the same as stepping onto the famous sand, so adjust your expectations.

The closure is not a minor footnote. If Maya Bay is your main reason for booking, ask for the current route before departure. If you are mainly interested in snorkeling, cliffs, and island scenery, the change is less serious because the tour includes several other stops.

Lunch and free time on Phi Phi Don

After Phi Phi Leh, the boat heads to Phi Phi Don for a Thai buffet lunch. The meal includes chicken Massaman curry, fried chicken, stir-fried mixed vegetables, steamed rice, fresh seasonal fruit, and soft drinks.

This is practical food for an active day. You get a proper meal rather than needing to buy lunch at a crowded beach stop, and the inclusion of fruit and drinks makes the $52.08 price easier to justify.

The schedule allows about 90 minutes on Phi Phi Don for lunch and exploration. That is a useful pause after the morning speedboat ride and snorkeling. The island’s gentler beaches and lower forested areas contrast with the high cliffs of Phi Phi Leh.

Do not treat this as a full island tour of Phi Phi Don. The time is split between eating and looking around, and the schedule must keep the boat moving. You will get a taste of the island, not a long independent visit.

Monkey Beach and the macaques

Monkey Beach, also called Ao Ling, is a small cove near the entrance of Dalum Bay. The setting includes rocky, forested headlands and a mountain backdrop, while crab-eating macaques provide the main attraction.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough to look for monkeys and take photographs, but it is not a long wildlife encounter. The animals are accustomed to people, which makes them easy to see, but you should keep your distance and avoid feeding them.

Feeding macaques can make them aggressive and can stop them from searching naturally for food. Keep food packed away, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not try to attract an animal for a better photograph.

Monkey Beach is appealing because it adds wildlife to a day otherwise focused on scenery and swimming. It can also feel rushed, especially if the group is large and several people want a close look at the same animals.

Shark Point and the final snorkel

The last major stop is Shark Point, with about one hour scheduled for snorkeling. The site is known for soft corals, fish, and sea urchins. Despite the name, the main appeal described here is the underwater life rather than a guaranteed shark sighting.

This is a good final water stop because it gives you another chance to snorkel after lunch. Conditions can vary, and visibility is never something a tour can fully control, but the coral and fish make it more than a simple swim.

If snorkeling is your priority, pay attention to this stop. The tour provides several chances to enter the water, while the sightseeing stops offer variety for anyone who does not want to snorkel continuously.

After Shark Point, the boat returns to Koh Lanta. The tour ends with drop-off at the original meeting point at Saladan Pier, with hotel transfer included as part of the package.

What the $52.08 price really covers

The listed price includes more than the boat ride. You also receive round-trip hotel transfers on Koh Lanta, a guide who speaks English, snorkeling gear, a life jacket, water, fruit, and lunch.

Those inclusions make the tour good value for someone who wants a simple, organized day. A private boat would offer more control, but it would cost far more. Buying transport, food, and equipment separately can also erase the apparent savings of an independent plan.

The national park fee is extra: THB 400 for adults and THB 200 for children. Add that amount to the advertised price when comparing options.

There is also basic accident insurance, but it applies only to people aged 4 to 69. Most people can participate, though this remains an active day involving a speedboat, swimming, and climbing on and off boat access points.

Who should book this day out

I would choose this tour if you are staying on Koh Lanta, want to see several Phi Phi highlights, and prefer one organized booking. It suits people who value convenience more than privacy, especially couples, families, and first-time visitors who do not want to arrange the route themselves.

It also works well for anyone who wants a balance of water time and sightseeing. You get reef snorkeling, cliffs, lagoons, wildlife, beaches, and a Thai meal rather than a single-purpose boat trip.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowded boats, feel unwell on fast rides, or are booking mainly for a walk on Maya Bay. The park closure may remove that part of the experience, and the maximum group size of 60 is not a small-boat arrangement.

The tour requires at least 13 people to operate. If poor weather cancels the trip, or if the minimum is not reached, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. Normal cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

My booking advice

Book this Phi Phi speedboat tour if you want the islands covered efficiently from Koh Lanta and you are comfortable with a group setting. The strongest features are the well-packed route, included snorkeling gear, hotel transport, and a full lunch.

Before paying, confirm the current Maya Bay plan and ask how the boat is expected to be loaded. Those two details affect the day more than the advertised list of stops. With realistic expectations, this is a useful, fairly priced introduction to Phi Phi, not a private island escape.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You are picked up at your hotel on Koh Lanta and taken to Saladan Pier. The boat meeting point is Saladan Pier, Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District, Krabi.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am. The full activity lasts about seven hours.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transfer on Koh Lanta is included, with drop-off after the boat returns.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included for use during the Phi Phi portion of the tour.

Is Maya Bay open during this tour?

Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay have been announced as closed indefinitely by Thailand’s national parks department. The boat cannot go ashore at The Beach, and the route may include other Phi Phi Leh locations instead.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai buffet is provided on Phi Phi Don, with chicken Massaman curry, fried chicken, stir-fried vegetables, rice, fruit, and soft drinks.

How much is the national park entrance fee?

The adult fee is THB 400 per person. The child fee is THB 200 per person, and these charges are not included in the tour price.