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

Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Bamboo Island make this a big day in a small boat. You’ll cruise from Phuket to Phi Phi Leh, swim or snorkel among limestone cliffs, stop at Monkey Beach, and eat lunch beside Ton Sai Bay. I especially like the included fins and snorkeling gear, plus the useful hotel pickup to Royal Phuket Marina.

I also like the way the route mixes famous sights with time on the sand. The main caution is cost: the $139 price does not include the 800 THB in listed park and marina fees, and a 7 to 8 hour speedboat day can feel busy if you prefer slow island time.

Key points at a glance

• Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon: See two of the Phi Phi Islands’ best-known coastal sights, with time for swimming at Pileh.
• Bamboo Island stop: Enjoy a broad white-sand beach, palm trees, and a quieter break from the cliff-lined bays.
• Snorkeling with fins included: Equipment, fins, refreshments, and a guide are covered in the tour price.
• Lunch at Phi Phi Don: Eat at a beachside restaurant overlooking Ton Sai Bay, with time for a short stroll.
• Hotel pickup in Phuket: An air-conditioned minivan takes you to and from Royal Phuket Marina.
• Small capped group: The boat group is limited to 30 people, though this is still an active shared excursion.

A full day among Phi Phi’s famous bays

This tour is built for seeing a lot in one day. You leave Phuket by minivan, switch to a speedboat at Royal Phuket Marina, and spend the main part of the outing moving between Phi Phi Leh, Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island.

That pace is useful if you have limited time in Phuket. You get major sights that would otherwise require separate planning, including Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and a beach lunch. The tradeoff is simple: this is a sightseeing circuit, not a quiet island retreat.

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m. Hotel pickup comes first, followed by an air-conditioned transfer to the marina. The transfer is included for hotels in Phuket Province, which saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi to the meeting point at Royal Phuket Marina.

Leaving Royal Phuket Marina by speedboat

At the marina, you meet the guide and boat crew, check in, and pay the required fees. The listed national park charge is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, paid to the guide at check-in. There is also a 400 THB per-person Royal Phuket Marina admission fee.

Those extra charges matter when you compare this tour with cheaper Phi Phi packages. The advertised price is $139 per person, but an adult should budget for the additional 800 THB listed on top of that amount. Lunch, refreshments, snorkeling equipment, fins, insurance, taxes, hotel transfers, and the speedboat are included.

The group limit is 30 people. That is a useful ceiling, though you should not expect a private charter or a peaceful boat with only a handful of passengers. Shared speedboat tours work best when you are comfortable with a set route and limited time at each stop.

Phi Phi Leh and the approach to Maya Bay

The first major part of the cruise is Phi Phi Leh, the smaller island known for high limestone cliffs and dramatic bays. The ride itself is part of the appeal, as the boat brings you close to steep rock walls and bright coastal water.

Maya Bay is scheduled for about 40 minutes. The cove became famous after appearing in the film The Beach, and its pale sand and steep cliffs make it one of the most recognizable places in southern Thailand.

Forty minutes is enough to see the beach and take photographs, but it is not a long stay. You may also find the area busy, since Maya Bay is one of the region’s most popular stops. Keep your expectations realistic: the setting is spectacular, but the fame means this is not an isolated beach visit.

The tour description presents Maya Beach and Bamboo Island as possible beach choices, while the listed route includes both Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. Ask at check-in how the day’s exact beach schedule will run, since weather, park rules, or operating conditions can affect the order and timing.

Swimming at Pileh Bay

Pileh Lagoon gets about 40 minutes and is one of the strongest parts of the route. Limestone walls surround the narrow inlet, giving the water the feel of a natural swimming pool.

You can swim, use a paddleboard if provided, or simply look up at the cliffs from the boat. The stop gives you a more active break after the sightseeing at Maya Bay. If you want to get in the water, bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep a dry change of clothing handy.

The lagoon stop depends on sea and weather conditions. Even on a calm day, the speedboat schedule means you will not have unlimited time. Still, the combination of cliffs, clear water, and a short swim makes Pileh Bay more than just a photo stop.

Viking Cave and snorkeling time

The boat cruises past Viking Cave, a notable rock opening with wall paintings and a history connected with the collection of edible bird nests. You view the cave from the water rather than entering it.

This section is also tied to snorkeling. The tour supplies masks, snorkeling equipment, and fins, so you do not need to rent the basic gear separately. Fins are particularly useful if you want to move around efficiently in the water, though you should follow the guide’s instructions about where and when to swim.

One child on the trip spotted a baby reef shark at the snorkeling stop. That sighting is not guaranteed, and you should not book this trip expecting to see a shark. It does show why having time in the water can be more rewarding than rushing from one viewpoint to the next.

The tour includes travel insurance, but you still need to listen carefully to the guide and crew. Snorkeling conditions can change, and the schedule may be adjusted when the sea is rough.

Monkey Beach from the water

Monkey Beach is given about 20 minutes. This is a short stop, suited more to sightseeing and photographs than to a long beach visit.

The beach is known for monkeys, but wildlife is unpredictable. Keep food and loose belongings secure, and do not assume you will get close to the animals. The value here is seeing another distinctive corner of Phi Phi, not spending an entire afternoon on the sand.

Because Monkey Beach follows several coastal stops, the quick timing helps the boat stay on schedule. If you prefer long, unhurried visits, this part of the day may feel rushed.

Lunch at Phi Phi Don’s Ton Sai Bay

Lunch comes at a beachside restaurant on Phi Phi Don, with roughly one hour allocated. The meal includes a buffet and desserts, along with beverages provided during the day.

The setting is a practical strength. You eat with a view over Ton Sai Bay, then have a little time for a stroll instead of returning straight to the boat. This break also divides the day nicely: the morning focuses on Phi Phi Leh’s coves and cliffs, while the afternoon shifts toward the beach and snorkeling side of the trip.

Do not treat this as a long restaurant visit. The meal is included and convenient, but the schedule is shared and fixed. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before departure, since the supplied information does not specify special meal choices.

Bamboo Island and its white-sand beach

Bamboo Island is scheduled for about 70 minutes, making it one of the longer stops. Its appeal is straightforward: white sand, palm trees, open sea views, and time to walk through the natural surroundings.

After the dramatic walls of Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo Island offers a different kind of beauty. The beach is more open and gives you room to stretch your legs. You can use the stop for swimming, photographs, or simply sitting on the sand.

The wording of the tour information allows for a choice between Maya Beach and Bamboo Island, yet the detailed route names both. This may reflect different operating versions of the day or adjustments based on conditions. Confirm the plan when you arrive at the marina if seeing one specific beach is important to you.

Bamboo Island is also a good reason to pack sun protection. The day includes several exposed beaches and boat rides, and the information does not indicate how much shade is available.

What the $139 price really covers

At $139 per person, this is not a bare-bones boat transfer. The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket Province, the minivan to Royal Phuket Marina, the speedboat cruise, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment and fins, lunch, refreshments, travel insurance, and local taxes.

That package can be good value if you want a single booking to handle transport, meals, equipment, and the main Phi Phi sights. You avoid arranging separate taxis, boat tickets, and snorkeling rental.

The extra fees change the calculation. Adults must pay 400 THB for the national park and 400 THB for Royal Phuket Marina, according to the supplied details. Children pay 200 THB for the national park fee, while the marina fee is listed as 400 THB per person. Alcohol is not included and is available for sale at the marina for people aged 20 and over.

I would compare the full expected cost, not only the headline price. You are paying for convenience and coverage of many sights in one day, not for privacy or a relaxed pace.

Guide service and the practical side of the day

The tour includes an English-speaking guide. One guide specifically noted in the tour information is Ohma, described as kind and helpful. The crew also receives credit for keeping the pickup on time and giving people a good amount of time at the islands.

That matters on a route with many stops. A clear guide helps you know when to return to the boat, where lunch is served, and how the snorkeling stops work. The exact guide may vary, so do not assume Ohma will lead every departure.

Hotel pickup is offered within Phuket Province. The meeting point is Amazing Canoeing at Royal Phuket Marina, and the tour returns there at the end before the minivan transfer back to your hotel.

The tour runs for about 7 to 8 hours, though the individual listed segments add up to a long day once transfers and boat movement are considered. Wear clothes that dry quickly, bring sun protection, and carry only what you need on the boat.

Who should book this Phi Phi tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see the classic Phi Phi sights in one organized day and you like mixing boat sightseeing with swimming, snorkeling, and a beach stop. Families can take part as long as children are accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate.

It is also a good fit if hotel pickup matters. Phuket traffic and marina logistics can add stress, so having an air-conditioned minivan handle the route is useful.

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is solitude, a private boat, or long stretches on one beach. The 30-person maximum is manageable for a shared outing, but the itinerary remains active and time-controlled. You should also be comfortable with speedboat travel and getting in and out of the boat at several stops.

The tour has a strong 5 rating from 90 reviews and is recommended by 99 percent of participants. The most praised details are punctual pickup, helpful crew service, the guide’s manner, and the number of sights covered. The most useful practical lesson is to budget for the separate fees and accept that the best-known places may be busy.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-organized first look at Phi Phi, with Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, snorkeling, lunch, and Bamboo Island packed into one day. The included equipment, food, minivan transfers, and guide make the price easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day or a private island experience. Before paying, confirm whether your departure includes both Maya Bay and Bamboo Island, then add the 400 THB national park fee and 400 THB marina fee to your budget.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Amazing Canoeing at Royal Phuket Marina, located at 63/402, Unit No. MC4-01, Thepkasattri Road, Ko Kaeo, Phuket 83000.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Does the tour visit Maya Bay?

Yes. Maya Bay is listed as a stop, with about 40 minutes scheduled there.

Does the tour include Bamboo Island?

Yes. Bamboo Island is listed as a stop with approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes allocated.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and fins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, desserts, and refreshments are included. Lunch is served at a beachside restaurant on Phi Phi Don near Ton Sai Bay.

What fees are not included?

The national park fee is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. A Royal Phuket Marina admission fee of 400 THB per person is also listed as not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants cancels the tour, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.