Phi Phi Islands Exclusive Tour by Speedboat from Koh Yao Yai

The best part of this trip is its small size. With no more than 14 people aboard, you get a better chance to hear your guide, move around the boat, and enjoy Phi Phi’s famous coves without the feel of a floating crowd. The day mixes Maya Bay’s movie-famous beach with quieter snorkeling stops such as Koh Bida Nok and Ao Nui.

I like the included snorkeling gear and lunchbox, which keep the day simple and help the $113.74 price feel reasonable. I also like the focus on Koh Bida Nok, where you may spot black tip reef sharks. The main thing to consider is the extra cost: hotel pickup is 100 to 400 THB per person, and the national park fee is another 400 THB for adults or 200 THB for children ages 3 to 12.

Key points to know before you book

• Small speedboat group: The boat carries a maximum of 14 people, with a minimum of six needed for the trip to run.
• Six hours on the water: The 9:00 a.m. departure returns to the Koh Yao Yai meeting point after a full series of Phi Phi stops.
• Koh Bida Nok snorkeling: Included equipment lets you snorkel above coral reefs, with black tip reef sharks a possible sight.
• Maya Bay and Pileh Bay: You get time for photos and a possible beach walk at Maya Bay, plus swimming in Pileh Bay’s emerald water.
• Lunch with a view: A lunchbox and beverages are included, and you eat aboard the boat near scenic Pileh Bay.
• Extra fees matter: Bring cash for the national park charge, and arrange hotel pickup separately if you need it.

Why this Phi Phi trip works well from Koh Yao Yai

Phi Phi is famous for its limestone cliffs, bright water, and small beaches. It can also feel busy, especially at the best-known stops. This tour makes a useful compromise: you travel by speedboat from Koh Yao Yai, cover several classic sights in about six hours, and stay with a small group rather than a large boatload.

The route is built around short visits and time in the water. You are not spending the day at one beach. Instead, you move between Maya Bay, Koh Bida Nok, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, Wang Long Bay, Monkey Beach, and possibly Ao Nui, depending on the day’s conditions and the guide’s timing.

That flexible approach matters. Sea conditions, crowds, and local access can change the best order of stops. The crew can adjust the plan rather than forcing the same schedule in every situation. The trade-off is that each stop may feel brief, so this is better for seeing several highlights than for settling into one quiet beach for hours.

Elixir Divers runs the trip from its meeting point at 2/3 Moo 3, Phru Nai, Ko Yao District, Phang Nga. The listed departure is 9:00 a.m., and the activity ends back at the same point. Hotel pickup is available for an added 100 to 400 THB per person, so check the pickup arrangement before you set your morning plans.

Speedboat size and the feel of the day

A maximum of 14 people is one of the strongest features here. On a small boat, you spend less time waiting for a large group to board, find masks, or gather on a beach. You also have a better chance of receiving direct help with snorkeling equipment and questions about the route.

The boat has a restroom, which is useful on a six-hour outing. Beverages are included, along with snorkeling equipment and lunch. Beach towels are not included, so bring your own.

The speedboat gives you a close view of the islands from the water. You can watch the cliffs and coves appear as you move between stops, rather than seeing only the beach where the boat lands. The ride can also be lively, so anyone who prefers a slow, quiet cruise should keep the boat style in mind.

The group needs at least six people for the trip to operate. If that minimum is not reached, the provider offers another date or experience, or a full refund. The tour requires good weather as well. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose a new date or receive a full refund.

Maya Bay, Phi Phi’s famous first impression

Maya Bay is the headline stop. Its white sand and steep limestone cliffs made it famous as the setting for the film The Beach. You can take photographs here and, depending on access and conditions, walk along the beach.

This stop is best for scenery rather than a long swim. The bay is the kind of place where a few minutes spent looking around can be worthwhile, even if you do not stay long. The cliffs create a dramatic frame, and the beach gives you the classic Phi Phi image many people hope to see.

Maya Bay can also be the busiest part of the day. If you want solitude, this will not be the most reliable stop. The small-group boat helps with the overall feel of the tour, but it cannot make a famous beach private. Bring patience, use your time for photographs, and listen closely for instructions about where you may walk.

Koh Bida Nok and the chance to see reef sharks

Koh Bida Nok is the main snorkeling stop, and it gives the day its strongest marine focus. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a mask and fins separately. The water around the island offers coral reefs and the possibility of seeing black tip reef sharks.

A possible shark sighting is exciting, but it is not a guarantee. Wildlife moves on its own schedule. The value of this stop is the chance to look below the surface in a place selected for marine life, rather than simply stopping at a photogenic beach.

If snorkeling is your priority, this part deserves your attention. Keep your mask fitted properly, follow the guide’s instructions, and use the available time in the water. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour says most people can participate, but you should be comfortable getting into the sea and swimming or floating with snorkeling gear.

The trip description also highlights snorkeling near Viking Cave and at Ao Nui. The exact time at each water stop can change because the itinerary is flexible. That gives the crew room to respond to conditions, but it also means you should not expect a fixed number of minutes at every location.

Viking Cave and the cliffs of Phi Phi

Viking Cave is included as a cruise-by point or possible snorkeling stop. From the boat, you can see the dramatic cliff setting without needing a long shore visit. The name is familiar, but the real appeal here is the combination of limestone walls and clear sea.

This stop helps break up the beach and snorkeling sections. You may simply pass by, or the guide may include time in the water near the cave if conditions suit the group. Since the plan is flexible, treat Viking Cave as an important part of the route but not as a guaranteed long stop.

For photography, keep your camera ready while approaching the cliffs. The best views are often from the boat, where you can see the rock face rise directly from the water.

Pileh Bay, emerald water, and lunch afloat

Pileh Bay is one of the most scenic parts of the route. The boat enters a narrow, cliff-lined bay with clear emerald water. You can swim here, cruise inside the bay, and enjoy the setting from the boat.

Lunch is served as a lunchbox aboard the boat, with scenic views around Pileh Bay. That arrangement saves time and avoids losing part of the day to a restaurant transfer. It also gives you a simple meal with the water and cliffs in front of you.

The meal is practical rather than a major food event. Still, it is useful to have lunch, drinks, and a restroom included in the price. A previous booking described the food as delicious and praised the atmosphere, with guide Igor singled out for excellent service. That points to the personal side of a small group, although the exact guide on your departure may vary.

Wang Long Bay and Monkey Beach

Wang Long Bay is a narrow, scenic inlet with cliffside monkeys. The setting is tighter and more enclosed than Pileh Bay, so the boat ride itself is part of the attraction. Keep your eyes on the cliffs and shoreline as you pass through.

Monkey Beach adds a different kind of wildlife encounter. You may see wild monkeys near the cliffs and soft white sand along the beach. This is a viewing stop, not a cue to feed or approach the animals. Wild animals can behave unpredictably, so follow the crew’s instructions and keep food safely stored.

The beach may look tempting, but the purpose of the stop is to see the setting and monkeys as part of the island route. If you want a long, peaceful beach stay, Monkey Beach may feel too short. If you enjoy seeing several distinct places in one outing, it adds variety.

Ao Nui and the value of a flexible route

Ao Nui is described as a tiny beach with time for snorkeling and relaxing. It offers a quieter contrast to Maya Bay and the better-known Phi Phi stops. A small beach can be especially appealing after a morning of moving between larger sights.

The flexible itinerary is useful here. The crew can decide how Ao Nui fits into the day based on time, sea conditions, and the group’s pace. You may get a chance to snorkel, sit near the sand, or simply enjoy a short pause.

Do not book this tour expecting every stop to receive equal time. The route includes more places than can support long visits during a six-hour outing. Think of Ao Nui as a bonus stop within a broad Phi Phi circuit, not as a guaranteed beach afternoon.

What the $113.74 price includes

At $113.74 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Phi Phi, but the price covers several useful items: a speedboat trip, snorkeling equipment, lunch, beverages, and a restroom aboard. The small group also adds value, especially if you prefer personal service over the lowest possible fare.

You should add the national park fee to your budget. Adults pay 400 THB, while children ages 3 to 12 pay 200 THB. This fee must be paid in cash. Hotel pickup costs another 100 to 400 THB per person if you do not make your own way to the Elixir Divers meeting point.

The price makes the most sense for someone who wants a compact, organized day with many major stops. It is less attractive if you mainly want a long beach stay or already have snorkeling gear and transport arranged. The included meal and equipment reduce the number of extras you need to organize, while the small passenger limit gives the tour a more personal feel.

Practical details for a smoother morning

Confirmation is provided when you book. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the activity returns to the starting point at the end of the outing. Plan around the meeting point unless you have arranged the separate hotel pickup option.

Bring a beach towel, since towels are not supplied. You should also bring cash for the national park fee. Snorkeling equipment, lunch, and beverages are provided, so your day bag can stay fairly light.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the key physical requirement is being able to manage a boat day with snorkeling and time in the sea. If you are unsure about your swimming ability, ask the operator before booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Cutoff times follow local time in Thailand.

Who should book this Phi Phi experience?

I would choose this trip if you want to combine famous sights with real time in the water. It suits you especially well if Koh Yao Yai is your base and you want a single organized excursion rather than arranging several transfers yourself.

The tour is also a good match for couples, families with older children, and small groups who value a calmer boat atmosphere. The included equipment and lunch make the planning easy, while the small passenger limit gives the crew more room to help.

I would think twice if you dislike speedboats, need a slow pace, or want to spend most of the day on one beach. Maya Bay may be busy, wildlife sightings are never certain, and the six-hour schedule means some stops are short. The itinerary gives you breadth, not long, unhurried stays.

Should you book the Elixir Divers Phi Phi trip?

Book it if your ideal Phi Phi day includes Maya Bay photographs, reef snorkeling, cliff-lined bays, monkeys, and several island stops without a large group. The chance to see black tip reef sharks at Koh Bida Nok, plus lunch and equipment included, gives the outing more substance than a simple sightseeing cruise.

Before paying, check the pickup cost, set aside cash for the park fee, and accept that weather and sea conditions can change the order. If those points suit you, the small boat and flexible route make this a strong value for a compact Phi Phi visit from Koh Yao Yai.

FAQ

Where does the Phi Phi tour start and end?

The tour starts at Elixir Divers & Speedboat Tours, 2/3 Moo 3, Phru Nai, Ko Yao District, Phang Nga 82160, Thailand. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour depart?

The listed departure time is 9:00 a.m. The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price. Pickup can be arranged for an additional 100 to 400 THB per person.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes beverages, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and use of a restroom on board. Beach towels are not included.

How much is the national park fee?

The fee is 400 THB for each adult and 200 THB for each child ages 3 to 12. Payment must be made in cash.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If fewer than six people book and the minimum is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.