Phi Phi – Maya – Bamboo Island by Speedboat – SeaStar

The SeaStar Phi Phi – Maya – Bamboo Island tour is a full-day speedboat trip from Phuket, departing SeaStar pier at Laem Nga at 09:00 and returning about 17:00. It visits Bamboo Island, Ton Sai Bay on Phi Phi Don for a beach lunch, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon — booked through Chang Thai Tour & Travel, a licensed local agency in Chalong.

Bamboo Island or Khai Island — which third island should you pick?

Most Phi Phi speedboat programs pair the famous Phi Phi Leh stops with one extra island, and the choice is usually Bamboo or Khai. Here is how we explain the difference across the counter of our family-run shop in Chalong. Khai is closer to Phuket, small, busy, with deck chairs and vendors — easy and social. Bamboo is inside the Phi Phi national park: a ring of white sand around low green scrub, no development to speak of, and water that goes from glass-clear to deep turquoise in a few steps.

Photographers almost always come back happier from Bamboo. The sand is brighter, the crowds thinner, and there is a clean horizon in every direction. If you want fish-feeding-frenzy snorkelling right off the beach instead, the SeaStar Phi Phi – Maya – Khai version of this trip may fit better.

What does the day look like?

Times are a guide — sea conditions set the real schedule:

• 09:00 — Welcome at SeaStar pier, Laem Nga, Phuket, with snacks and drinks.
• 09:30 — Depart by speedboat toward the Phi Phi Islands.
• 10:30 — Bamboo Island: swim, snorkel or just walk the white-sand ring.
• 12:30 — Lunch at a beachside restaurant on Ton Sai Bay, Phi Phi Don, plus free beach time.
• 13:30 — Monkey Beach, then sightseeing at Viking Cave.
• 15:00 — Loh Samah and the walkway to Maya Bay of “The Beach” fame; then paddleboarding inside Pileh Lagoon.
• 16:30–17:00 — Return to Phuket and hotel transfer.

What is the honest Maya Bay situation?

Since the bay was restored and reopened, boats no longer drive onto the beach. You arrive from the Loh Samah side, walk a short boardwalk, and enjoy the beach on foot — swimming inside Maya Bay is not allowed. Guests who know this in advance love the stop; guests who expected the 2010s free-for-all can feel short-changed. Your swimming happens at Bamboo Island and inside Pileh Lagoon, and honestly the water in Pileh is the best of the day. More detail in our guide to what’s included in a Phi Phi tour in 2026.

Who is this trip best for?

We send photographers, couples and returning visitors on this one — people who have “seen the postcard” and want emptier sand in the frame. Families with school-age kids do well too, since Bamboo’s shallows are gentle in high season.

It is not the best pick if you are very prone to seasickness: it is a speedboat, roughly an hour each way, and Bamboo sits a little more exposed to the north-east. From June to October the west swell can make crossings lumpy; on rough days the boat may skip or shorten a stop for safety. If you want maximum stability, look at the Phi Phi Cruiser big-boat tour instead.

What should you bring?

Swimwear under your clothes, towel, reef-friendly sunscreen, hat, dry bag, and cash — the Phi Phi national park fee is collected separately in cash on the day, on every operator’s boat, not just this one. A rash guard doubles as sun protection and saves your back while paddleboarding in Pileh. Compare all departures on our Phi Phi Islands tours page.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bamboo Island worth it compared to Khai Island?

If you value quiet white sand and photography, yes — Bamboo is less developed and sits inside the national park. Khai is closer, busier and better for easy snorkelling with crowds of fish. Same day structure, different third island.

Can you swim at Maya Bay?

No. Since the reopening, swimming inside Maya Bay is prohibited. You visit the beach on foot via the Loh Samah boardwalk. Swimming and paddleboarding happen at Bamboo Island and inside Pileh Lagoon instead.

Is the national park fee included in the price?

No. The Phi Phi national park fee is paid in cash on the day of the tour — this is standard for all Phuket operators. Message us on WhatsApp for the current amount so you can bring the right cash.

What happens in monsoon season (June–October)?

Tours usually still run, but the west swell can make the crossing rougher and stops may be reordered or shortened for safety. Ask us on WhatsApp what the sea has been like in the days before your trip — we will tell you honestly.

How do I book?

No online payment needed. Message our shop on WhatsApp at +66 93 687 1999 with your date and hotel, and we confirm today’s price and your pickup time. You can also visit us near Chalong Circle.

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