Phi Phi Islands + Bamboo Island by Speedboat

The Phi Phi Islands + Bamboo Island speedboat tour is a full-day trip departing Royal Phuket Marina at 09:30 after hotel pickup from 07:00, returning 17:30–18:00. It visits Bamboo Island’s reef, Monkey Beach, a buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don, Viking Cave, Pileh Cove, Loh Samah Bay and Maya Bay — arranged by Chang Thai Tour & Travel, a TAT-licensed family agency at Chalong, Phuket.

Pileh Lagoon or Maya Bay — where do you actually swim?

The photo everyone wants is Maya Bay. The swim everyone remembers is Pileh. Since Maya’s restoration you visit its beach on foot and swimming inside the bay is not allowed — rangers see to that. Pileh Cove, one bay around the corner, is the opposite: a limestone-walled lagoon of calm emerald water where the boat idles and you simply drop in. This tour gives you both, plus the coral reef off Bamboo Island — which many guests rate the best snorkelling of the day, with what some visitors describe as a dazzling array of tropical fish just off the sparkling beach.

So set expectations this way: Maya for the photograph, Pileh for the swim, Bamboo for the fish.

How does the day run?

Times are approximate and for guidance only — the sea decides the rest:

• 07:00–08:30 — Pickup from your hotel by air-conditioned minibus.
• 09:30 — Departure from Royal Phuket Marina by speedboat.
• Bamboo Island — beach time, swimming and snorkelling over the coral with its colourful fish.
• Monkey Beach — sightseeing and photos of the wild monkeys.
• Phi Phi Don — buffet lunch.
• Viking Cave — sightseeing and photos from the water.
• Pileh Cove — swimming and snorkelling inside the emerald lagoon between towering cliffs.
• Loh Samah Bay — sightseeing and photos.
• Maya Bay — the world-famous cove from “The Beach”, visited under the current park rules.
• 17:30–18:00 — Return to Royal Phuket Marina and transfer to your hotel.

What is included — and what will cost extra?

Included: round-trip hotel transfer from the free pickup zone (Patong, Karon, Kata, Chalong, Phuket Town and nearby areas), injury insurance, mask, snorkel and life jacket, refreshments at the marina and on board, buffet lunch, and an English-speaking guide.

Not included, and this catches people out: the Phi Phi national park fee, paid in cash during the tour, and a transfer surcharge if your hotel sits outside the free zone (the far north and some east-coast areas). We list every such extra honestly in our guide to what a Phi Phi tour price includes in 2026 — read it before comparing prices anywhere.

Who should — and shouldn’t — take this trip?

We send snorkellers, families with school-age kids and first-timers who want the complete Phi Phi set plus a quiet island. Note the operator’s hard rules: pregnant women, children under 1 and guests over 70 are not allowed on this speedboat — no exceptions. If that rules you out, the Phi Phi Cruiser big boat is the comfortable alternative. Also plan around the calendar: Maya Bay and its beach close annually from 1 August to 30 September for recovery — the tour still runs with the other stops. Prefer fish-filled Khai over Bamboo? See the Phi Phi + Khai Island version, or everything on our Phi Phi Islands tours page.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim at Maya Bay on this tour?

No — swimming inside Maya Bay is prohibited since the reopening. You visit the beach on foot. The real swimming happens at Pileh Cove and Bamboo Island, both on this itinerary.

When is Maya Bay closed?

Maya Bay and Maya Beach close every year from 1 August to 30 September for environmental recovery. The tour runs the rest of the itinerary during those months.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The mandatory Phi Phi national park fee is paid in cash during the tour, on top of the tour price. Message us on WhatsApp for the current amount.

Are there any restrictions on who can join?

Yes — pregnant women, children under 1 year old and guests over 70 are not allowed on this speedboat tour. For those guests we recommend the Phi Phi Cruiser big-boat tour instead.

How do I book?

Message our shop on WhatsApp at +66 93 687 1999 with your date and hotel. Boat prices in Phuket change daily, so we confirm today’s best price and your pickup time — no online payment.

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