Phi Phi Don & Phi Phi Leh Sunset Trip by Arisa Speed Boat

The best part of this Phi Phi trip comes late in the day: you stay on the water for sunset and may see bioluminescent plankton after dark. That gives you more than the usual quick photo stop at Maya Bay, though the 11 a.m. start means you spend most of the day on a boat.

I like the efficient route, which reaches Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, Viking Cave, Loh Samah Bay, and Shark Point in one outing. I also like the practical inclusions: lunch, drinking water, seasonal fruit, snorkeling gear, and the national park fee are covered. The main tradeoff is the group size, up to 35 people, and the schedule can change with sea and weather conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• The sunset finish is the special feature: You remain at sea later than most standard Phi Phi day trips.
• Maya Bay and Bamboo Island are both included: You see two of the area’s most famous beach stops in one day.
• The boat carries up to 35 people: It is spacious for a speedboat, but this is not a private excursion.
• Bioluminescent plankton may appear after sunset: The experience is mentioned as a highlight, though natural conditions affect visibility.
• National park fees are included: You do not need to budget separately for the listed park entrance charge.
• The meeting point is near Ton Sai Pier: You must make your own way to McDonald’s on Phi Phi Don, since hotel pickup is not included.

A full day from Ton Sai Pier to the Phi Phi sunset

You meet the Arisa Speedboat crew at McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier at 11 a.m. This is a simple landmark, but give yourself enough time to find it because the tour does not collect you from your hotel.

The boat carries a maximum of 35 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the speed of a small boat and access to coves that cannot be reached by land, but you should not expect the quiet, flexible rhythm of a private charter.

The first long run takes you from Phi Phi Don toward Bamboo Island. A speedboat matters here because the Phi Phi islands are spread across open water. You spend less time getting from one stop to the next than you would on a slower boat, leaving more of the day for beaches, swimming, and snorkeling.

The exact order can change. The operating team may adjust the route for weather and sea conditions, and the published stop times do not read like a strict minute-by-minute schedule. Treat the route as a full-day plan rather than a promise that every stop will happen at a fixed hour.

Bamboo Island: a strong early beach stop

Bamboo Island is one of the main reasons to choose this outing. You have about an hour here, enough time to get off the boat, look around, and enjoy the water without turning the stop into a rushed photo break.

The island is especially useful early in the day because it gives you a proper beach stop before the later sightseeing circuit. You can use this time to settle into the pace of the trip, check the snorkeling equipment, and make the most of the included water and fruit.

The practical downside is simple: an hour passes quickly. If you want a long, unhurried beach session, this schedule may feel busy. If your aim is to see several Phi Phi highlights in one day, the shorter stop is a fair exchange.

Phi Phi Leh and the famous Maya Bay

Phi Phi Leh is the dramatic centerpiece of the route. The island is not connected by road, so a boat trip is the way to reach its bays and beaches. The tour spends substantial time around Phi Phi Leh, with Maya Bay listed as one of the main highlights.

Maya Bay is allotted about 15 minutes in the stated program. That makes it a viewing and photo stop rather than a long beach afternoon. The short visit may disappoint you if you want to linger on the sand, but it also helps the boat cover more of the island group in one day.

The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation closes Maya Bay for two months each year during the low season. If your date falls during that closure, the program will need to change. Check the operating conditions before you book if Maya Bay is the main reason you want this excursion.

Because Maya Bay is a protected national park site, the entrance fee is included in your tour price. That improves the value and removes one common extra cost. The park rules and access conditions can still affect how close you get or how long you remain in the area.

Loh Samah Bay, Viking Cave, and Shark Point

The route also includes several places that are seen from the water or used for a short stop. Loh Samah Bay receives about 30 minutes, which gives the crew time to position the boat for views and possible water activities, depending on the sea.

Viking Cave is listed for roughly 15 minutes. The visit is brief, but it adds variety to the day. Instead of repeating beach stops, you get a look at one of Phi Phi Leh’s better-known coastal sights from the boat.

Shark Point is planned for about 30 minutes. The name tells you why this location is included, but the supplied details do not guarantee a shark sighting. Marine life is wild, and visibility, water conditions, and timing all matter. The tour does include snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, so you have the basic gear for time in the water.

The advertised benefit is a better chance to see local marine life by reaching several snorkeling areas. That is a sensible expectation. It is not a promise of a particular animal, and you should choose this trip for the collection of sites rather than one guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Monkey Beach and Phi Phi Don’s shoreline

Monkey Beach is a short 15-minute stop. That is enough for a quick look at the shoreline and its famous residents, but not enough for a long visit.

Keep your expectations measured here. The stop is designed as one piece of a larger island circuit, not as a standalone beach visit. You may find that the boat remains the best place to observe the area, and the crew’s timing can change with conditions.

The wider Phi Phi Don section accounts for several hours in the itinerary. This gives the day some breathing room after the faster stops, though the published schedule includes several repeated operator entries with long durations. I would read that portion as time allocated around Phi Phi Don and the boat program, not as a series of extra attractions you must fit into the day.

Sunset and the chance to see glowing plankton

The late finish is what separates this trip from a standard daytime island hop. Instead of returning soon after the afternoon stops, you remain out for sunset.

That timing can make the water feel different from the bright, crowded midday scenes. You get warm evening light over the islands, then a chance to look for bioluminescent plankton. One especially useful detail is that the plankton experience is described as real and memorable, not merely a vague promise in the sales pitch.

Still, nature sets the terms. The supplied information does not guarantee how much plankton you will see, and water clarity and conditions will affect the experience. Think of it as a strong possibility at the right time of day, not a staged show.

You should also remember that an 8.5-hour boat outing can feel long. The sunset adds real value, but it also means you return later and spend most of your day in the open air. If you prefer a short excursion with a fixed afternoon finish, another Phi Phi tour may suit you better.

Lunch, fruit, and the practical details that matter

The package includes a lunch box, drinking water, and seasonal fruit. The lunch is described as chicken and rice, a sensible meal for a long day on the water. It will not replace a relaxed restaurant lunch, but it keeps the schedule moving and saves you from arranging food during the island stops.

Fruit at the end is a small but welcome touch, especially after snorkeling and a full day in the sun. Bring any extra food or drink you personally need, since the listed inclusions are limited to the supplied lunch, water, and seasonal fruit.

Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included, along with basic accident insurance. An English-speaking guide travels with the group. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular named guide.

The tour begins and ends at the same meeting point near Ton Sai Pier. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That makes the outing easiest for you if you are already staying on Phi Phi Don or can reach the pier area without trouble.

Is $58.43 a fair price?

At $58.43 per person, this is good value if you want a broad Phi Phi sampler rather than a single beach visit. The price covers an 8.5-hour speedboat trip, lunch, water, fruit, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, an English-speaking guide, basic accident insurance, and the national park entrance fee.

The route is the real value. You are not paying just to reach Maya Bay. You are also covering Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Leh, Loh Samah Bay, Viking Cave, Shark Point, and the sunset portion of the outing.

The group limit of 35 keeps the price below a private boat charter, but it means you share boarding, swimming, and sightseeing time with other people. The boat is described as spacious, yet space on a speedboat is still limited compared with a large ferry.

This is also a trip where the price includes possibility rather than certainty. You may see marine life and bioluminescent plankton, but neither can be guaranteed. You pay for access to the right places and time of day, plus the crew’s route planning.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this outing if you have one full day for Phi Phi and want to see many of the major sights without arranging several separate trips. It suits you especially well if Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, and a sunset on the water all appeal to you.

It also works for people who like variety. In one day you can visit beaches, bays, a cave, a wildlife stop, snorkeling areas, and a protected national park site. The long duration is a benefit if you want the full island circuit.

You may want a different option if you dislike speedboats, need a private setting, or want long stretches of quiet beach time. The schedule includes many stops, and some are brief. Anyone booking mainly for Maya Bay should also check the seasonal closure dates before paying.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Arisa sunset trip?

Book it if you want the most sightseeing from a single Phi Phi speedboat day and like the idea of staying out for sunset. The combination of Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, snorkeling equipment, included park fees, and possible glowing plankton gives the outing more range than a basic island transfer.

Skip it if your ideal day means one uncrowded beach, a private boat, or a leisurely lunch with no fixed route. The 35-person maximum is reasonable for the price, but it is still a shared experience, and the shorter stops require you to keep moving.

For most people with limited time on Phi Phi Don, I think the value is strong. Just arrive at McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier before 11 a.m., confirm the Maya Bay conditions for your season, and plan for a full day on the water rather than a quick half-day outing.

FAQ

How long does the Phi Phi sunset trip last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. It starts at 11 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point near Ton Sai Pier.

Where does the tour start?

You meet the Arisa Speedboat crew at McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What places are included in the route?

The route includes Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Loh Samah Bay, Viking Cave, Shark Point, and areas around Phi Phi Don.

Is Maya Bay open all year?

No. Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation closes Maya Bay for two months each year during the low season. The program can change when the bay is closed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a lunch box, drinking water, and seasonal fruit. The lunch is described as chicken and rice.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included in the tour price.

What happens if weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The tour can also be canceled if its minimum number of participants is not reached, with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered.