Phi Phi Island Tours From Phuket: 7 Ways to Do the Islands (2026)

What every Phi Phi tour has in common

Almost every route leaves from Phuket, with Phi Phi roughly 45 km south-east and about 45 minutes away by speedboat, according to Phuket101’s Maya Bay guide (updated 19 September 2026).

Our Phi Phi Islands travel guide covers the islands as a destination, and where to stay in Phi Phi Islands compares the bases.

The 7 Phi Phi tour types

1. Premium speedboat day trip — the standard route

This is the format most people mean by “Phi Phi tour”. A listing on Headout describes a 10-hour day with hotel transfers from anywhere in Phuket, an expert guide, insurance, a Thai and international lunch buffet and snorkel gear at Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island. The THB 400 park fee is included. It suits first-timers who want one booking that handles pickup, fees and food. Stops can change with weather or safety.

The downside is length. The same listing says the tour is unsuitable for children under 3, pregnant women, older travellers or anyone with a heart condition, and it is not wheelchair or pram accessible. Price: check the current listing.

Check availability on GetYourGuide →

2. Big-boat day trip — slower, cheaper, more people

Larger multi-deck boats carry more passengers at a lower price per head and ride steadier than a speedboat. They suit families and seasickness-prone travellers.

The downside is time: a longer transit and more people at every stop. Operator names and prices were not confirmed.

Check availability on GetYourGuide →

3. Power catamaran with sunset stop — the relaxed option

Catamaran day trips add deck space and, on some departures, a sunset stop before the run back. They suit couples who would rather lounge than race between beaches.

Expect a long day that finishes after dark, and read the meeting-point line, since some depart from marinas rather than hotels. Price: not verified.

Check availability on GetYourGuide →

4. Early-start sunrise speedboat — beat the crowds

Early departures aim to reach Maya Bay before the main wave of boats. That matters because the bay admits a capped number of visitors, with Tisland Travel’s summary of the park rules giving 375 people per hour and roughly one hour on the beach per group.

The trade-off is a very early hotel pickup and a tired afternoon. It suits photographers and anyone who dislikes queues. Price: not verified.

Check availability on GetYourGuide →

5. Private longtail boat — flexible, slower

A chartered longtail lets a small group set its own pace and skip stops. The same Tisland summary notes that independent visitors on private boats must bring cash and pay the park fee at the entrance booth, so carry baht.

Longtails are slow over open water, so they only suit calm seas. Confirm in writing what is included before paying a deposit. Price: not verified.

Check availability on GetYourGuide →

6. Private speedboat charter — your schedule, your stops

A private speedboat covers the whole classic circuit at the group’s pace, and it can leave early to reach Maya Bay ahead of the shared boats. It suits families and groups who can split the cost.

The downside is cost, and the price is for the boat, not each person. Confirm guest numbers and whether the park fee and lunch are included. Price: not verified.

Check availability on GetYourGuide →

7. Maya Bay, Khai and Bamboo island-hopping — the beach-focused version

Some tours skip Phi Phi Don’s lunch crowds and spend more time at Khai islands and Bamboo Island, which suits swimmers and snorkellers more than sightseers. Bamboo Island is also covered by the park fee, according to Thai Holiday Guide.

Maya Bay itself is look-and-wade only, so this format earns its keep elsewhere. Price: not verified.

Check availability on GetYourGuide →

Maya Bay rules, fees and closures for 2026

The bay is closed to landings every year from 1 August to 30 September, and Time Out Bangkok reported on 29 September 2026 that it reopened on 1 October. The article points readers to the national park’s latest notice, so confirm with your operator close to your date.

The rules, as summarised by Phuket101 and Tisland Travel:

– Swimming in the bay is prohibited, and visitors may only wade knee-deep. – Boats no longer anchor on the beach; they moor at a pontoon in Loh Samah Bay, followed by a short boardwalk walk. – Visitor numbers are capped at 375 per hour, with a stay of about one hour. – Sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4MBC or butylparaben are banned in Thai national parks, with fines of up to THB 100,000. – The national park fee is THB 400 for foreign adults and THB 200 for children, charged when landing on Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le or Bamboo Island. Many tour prices include it.

Thai Holiday Guide also notes that overnight camping at Maya Bay and Bamboo Island has been banned since 2016. These figures come from secondary sources; check the park authority’s own notice before you go.

When a Phi Phi day tour is not worth it

Skip the standard day tour if crowds ruin a trip for you. Shared boats arrive in waves, and the experience is built around a timed hour on the sand.

Think twice in rough seas, because a speedboat in a heavy swell is miserable. The August–September closure also means tours in that window offer a sightseeing pass at best, not a landing.

It is also a poor fit for very young children, older travellers and anyone with heart or pregnancy concerns, per the Headout listing. If you want a quiet beach, consider alternatives. Our guide to the best tours in Phuket compares the wider options, and the best day trips from Phuket covers destinations beyond Phi Phi.

Where to stay

Phuket hotels suit first-timers, since operators collect from across the island. Staying on Phi Phi Don skips transfers and lets you see the islands outside day-tripper hours.

Related guides: Phuket elephant sanctuary tours.