Photo:Siarhei Nester — Pexels License, Pexels · Buwaneka Boralessa — Pexels License, Pexels · Siarhei Nester — Pexels License, Pexels
The Phi Phi archipelago lies about 46 km from Phuket, the speedboat takes 45–60 minutes. In one day the route covers both main islands: Phi Phi Leh – cliffs, lagoons and Maya Bay, Phi Phi Don – the only inhabited island of the archipelago, where lunch and snorkeling are offered.
Unlike a regular Phi Phi tour, this program adds a final stop. On the way back the boat calls at Rang Yai – a small island 5 km off Phuket’s east coast, no longer part of the archipelago. There's a beach, a pearl farm and, if the sea is calm, fishing.
Step-by-step route
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Pier and tea with the guide
From the hotel to the pier. Meet the guide and have tea, then set out to sea.
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Bamboo Island
An island about 600 by 700 meters: white sand around the edge, in the centre – casuarinas, almost no bamboo. No hotels, no cafés, only park rangers’ post. The island is surrounded by a reef that extends hundreds of meters from the shore.
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Viking Cave – from the boat
Tourists are not allowed inside: the cave is used to harvest swiftlet nests, and the collectors’ structures are visible from the water. The name comes from the wall drawings: European, Arab and Chinese sailing ships and even steamships. Who and when drew them is unknown.
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Pile Lagoon
A lagoon about 600 meters long almost splits Phi Phi Leh in two, surrounded by sheer cliffs about 100 meters high. The boat enters through a narrow passage; inside the water is calm and clear, the bottom is visible. Swimming is allowed here. Since 2024 the lagoon limits simultaneous visitors to 300 people and 50 boats.
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Maya Bay
A 250‑meter beach where the 1999 film “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio was shot. After a tourist surge the bay was closed for three and a half years, from 2018 to 2022, and more than 15,000 corals were replanted. Now boats dock on the opposite side of the island, at Lo Samah, and the beach is reached by a 5–10 minute walk on wooden walkways. Swimming is prohibited: black‑tip reef sharks live in the shallow water near the shore and are usually visible right from the beach.
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Lunch on Phi Phi Don
Phi Phi Don – the largest island of the archipelago and the only one inhabited: about 2,500 people.
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Monkey Beach in Yong Kasem Bay
Long‑tailed macaques live on the beach. Feeding them is prohibited, fine – 1,000 baht. Keep your bags closed: tourists report monkeys snatch bags and look for food in pockets.
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Snorkeling at Phi Phi Don
Water around the islands is 27–30 °C, visibility usually 5 to 20 meters.
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Rang Yai and fishing
A small island off Phuket’s east coast: a beach with soft sand and a pearl farm on the north side. Fishing – when the sea is calm. Reviews call it a pleasant addition to the beach rather than the main event of the day.
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Return
The boat returns to the pier, then transfer to the hotel.
Tue, Thu, Sat
- ST 2300 ฿
- Children 4–10 2000 ฿
- VIP 2500 ฿
- Children 4–10 2300 ฿
What to bring
- Swimsuit and towel
- Sunscreen without prohibited ingredients
- Water shoes: they are sold on site for twice the price
- Cash
- Motion‑sickness tablet
Good to know
- Maya Bay is closed every year from 1 August to 30 September. During these months the boat passes the bay without landing.
- You cannot swim in Maya Bay, you can only wade in the water at the shore. Swimming is allowed in Pile lagoon, at Bamboo and on Rang Yai.
- National park fee for Phi Phi for foreigners – 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child, cash.
- Pregnant women and children under one year are not allowed on the speedboat. We do not recommend riding with a back or neck injury: the boat is noticeably tossed on waves.
- If you get motion sickness, take a tablet before boarding, not during the trip.
- From May to October – monsoon. In strong waves the captain may change the route or postpone the departure.
- Sunscreen – without oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC and butylparaben: these are prohibited in marine national parks, fine up to 100,000 baht.
- The busiest time on Phi Phi is from 10 am to 2 pm.
Questions and answers
Can you swim in Maya Bay?
No. Since 2022 swimming in the bay is prohibited; you can only wade in the water at the shore. You can swim in Pile lagoon, at Bamboo Island and on Rang Yai.
Can you enter the Viking Cave?
No, nobody is allowed inside: the cave is used to harvest swiftlet nests. The cave is viewed from the boat.
How long does it take to sail to Phi Phi?
From 45 minutes to an hour on a speedboat, depending on the waves.
Can you go with children?
Yes, there is a child price for ages 4–10. Children under one year are not taken on the speedboat.
What happens if the sea is not calm?
The captain decides whether to go out to sea. In strong waves the route is changed or the trip is moved to another day.
The organiser reserves the right to make changes to the program due to weather or other conditions that prevent the excursion from taking place.
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