Sail out of Phuket on a speed catamaran – a twin-hulled boat that rides noticeably steadier than a conventional speedboat at the same pace, with one wide, open main deck and roomy forward-facing seats. This full-day Phi Phi Island tour from Phuket takes in Maya Bay, the beach made famous by the film The Beach, the emerald water of Pileh Lagoon, the towering Viking Cave, snorkelling off Phi Phi Leh, beach time on Khai Nok Island and a water-sports finish at Maiton Island, where dolphins are sometimes spotted offshore. Breakfast at the pier, a beachside buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don and round-trip hotel transfers are all part of the day.
Times are approximate. The order of the stops may change without prior notice depending on weather, tide and sea conditions.
Your pick-up window depends on your hotel zone – see the pick-up schedule below. Transfer to Jian Wanich Pier, then check in over a light breakfast of snacks, bakery, coffee and tea.
Leave the pier and head out across the Andaman Sea towards Khai Nok Island.
Around 45 minutes of free time to relax on the powder-soft beach or snorkel over the shallow coral reef, which is alive with colourful tropical fish.
A short stop of 10 to 15 minutes to watch the monkeys that live along this stretch of shoreline in their natural habitat.
About an hour at a beachside restaurant, with a vegetarian option available, plus free time to relax or stroll along the beach.
Roughly 40 minutes snorkelling over the coral reefs off Phi Phi Leh, followed by a 10-minute stop at Viking Cave, an ancient cavern said to have sheltered seafarers and still used today by local collectors harvesting edible bird’s nests from its walls.
About 45 minutes in a natural pool of emerald water ringed by sheer limestone walls. Swim, float, or take the plunge straight off the boat.
Around an hour at the iconic beach made famous by the film The Beach. Walk the white sand and take in the towering cliffs that enclose the bay. The captain may bring the Maya Bay stop forward in the day if weather, tide or park conditions make it the better call.
About 40 minutes of inflatable slides, clear kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling. Keep an eye on the water along the way – this is prime dolphin territory.
Arrive at Jian Wanich Pier and transfer back to your hotel.
Round-trip hotel transfer is free of charge from the zones marked below. A few outlying areas carry a round-trip surcharge or require a private vehicle, which is added to your booking total when you book.
| Pick-up zone | Pick-up window | Transfer charge (round-trip) |
|---|---|---|
| Kamala, Karon | 07:30 – 07:45 | Free |
| Kata | 07:45 – 08:00 | Free |
| Kalim, Tri Trang | 07:45 – 08:00 | Free |
| Patong | 08:00 – 08:15 | Free |
| Kathu | 08:15 – 08:30 | Free |
| Chalong | 08:15 – 08:30 | Free |
| Phuket Town | 08:30 – 08:45 | Free |
| Siray | 08:45 – 09:00 | Free |
| Cape Panwa | 08:00 – 08:15 | 200 THB per person |
| Boat Lagoon, Koh Kaew | 08:15 – 08:30 | 200 THB per person |
| Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Phuket Airport | 07:45 – 08:00 | Private vehicle only – 1,800 THB per vehicle, up to 12 passengers |
| Nai Thon, Thalang | 08:00 – 08:15 | Private vehicle only – 1,800 THB per vehicle, up to 12 passengers |
| Ao Por | 08:00 – 08:15 | Private vehicle only – 1,800 THB per vehicle, up to 12 passengers |
| Pasak, Koktanod, Bang Tao, Laguna, Layan, Surin, Cherng Talay | 08:00 – 08:15 | Private vehicle only – 1,800 THB per vehicle, up to 12 passengers |
| Rawai, Nai Harn | 08:00 – 08:15 | Private vehicle only – 1,800 THB per vehicle, up to 12 passengers |
All charges above cover the return journey as well. The private-vehicle rate is charged per vehicle, not per person, so it is the same price whether you are travelling alone or as a group of twelve. Pick-up windows are a guide and may shift slightly with traffic and the day’s hotel list; your exact time is confirmed with your booking.
A speed catamaran is a powered boat built on two parallel hulls instead of the single V-shaped hull of a conventional speedboat. The extra beam spreads the boat’s weight across a much wider footprint, so it sits flatter in the water and slams far less when it meets a swell – while still travelling at speedboat pace. On a long open-water day like the Phuket to Phi Phi crossing, that combination is the whole point: you cover the same distance just as quickly, but arrive feeling considerably fresher.
| Speed catamaran | Conventional speedboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Hull | Twin hull | Single V-shaped hull |
| Ride in choppy sea | Flatter and steadier, much less slamming | Bounces and pounds more in waves |
| Seating | Roomy forward-facing seats on a wide open deck | Tighter bench seating, less space per guest |
| Speed | Fast – comparable crossing times | Fast |
| Motion sickness | Generally easier on sensitive stomachs | Livelier, harder going on rough days |
| Best for | A calmer, roomier day at speedboat pace | Travellers who do not mind a bumpy ride |
This tour is operated on a speed catamaran, not a standard speedboat. The boat has a single spacious main deck and no upper sun deck.
We run four day trips from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands. This is the only one that uses a speed catamaran – the others travel by conventional speedboat and visit a slightly different mix of islands.
| Tour | Boat & departure pier | Islands & stops | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| This tour – Phi Phi, Maya & Khai Island | Speed catamaran Jian Wanich Pier |
Khai Nok, Monkey Point, Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh reefs, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, Maiton Island | The steadiest, roomiest ride, plus free water sports at Maiton and a chance of dolphins |
| Phi Phi, Maya & Bamboo Island | High-quality speedboat Royal Phuket Marina |
Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay, Bamboo Island | Departs from the luxury Royal Phuket Marina; the only one of the four that visits Bamboo Island |
| Phi Phi, Maya & Khai Island – higher standard | Higher-standard speedboat Royal Phuket Marina |
Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Khai Nai Island | Departs from the Royal Phuket Marina with free transfer; visits Khai Nai rather than Khai Nok |
| Phi Phi, Maya & Khai Island | Speedboat Chalong Pier |
Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay, Khai Island | Our most budget-friendly way to see Phi Phi and Maya Bay in a day |
Itineraries are subject to weather, tide and national park conditions on the day. Please check each tour page for its current price, inclusions and pick-up zones.
Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave all sit inside Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, so foreign visitors pay a national park entrance fee of 400 THB per person. It is not part of the tour rate itself – it is added to your booking total when you book, so there is nothing to pay at the park on the day.