Phi Phi – Maya – Khai Island by Speedboat – SeaStar

The SeaStar Phi Phi – Maya – Khai Island speedboat tour is a full-day trip from Phuket departing SeaStar pier at Laem Nga around 10:00 and returning about 18:00. It covers Monkey Beach, snorkelling at Phi Phi Don, beach lunch at Ton Sai Bay, Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Khai Nai Island — arranged for you by Chang Thai Tour & Travel, a licensed local agency in Chalong, Phuket.

Why do we like SeaStar’s later departure?

Most Phi Phi speedboats leave Phuket between 8:00 and 9:00, which means they all arrive at the same bays at the same time. SeaStar flips the day around: you board at their own pier at Laem Nga at 10:00, when the morning rush is already out at sea. By the time you reach Maya Bay in the mid-afternoon, the biggest wave of boats has moved on. Guests tell us the afternoon light on the limestone cliffs is also kinder for photos than the harsh midday glare.

The trade-off is honest and simple: you get back to the pier around 18:00, so it is a longer day, and afternoon seas can be a touch choppier than early morning, especially between May and October. If you would rather beat the crowds at dawn instead, look at the early-style Smile Tour Phi Phi – Maya – Khai trip.

What will you actually see and do?

This is the itinerary SeaStar runs, with times approximate as always on the sea:

• 10:00 — Welcome at SeaStar pier, Laem Nga, with snacks and drinks.
• 10:30 — Depart by speedboat for the Phi Phi Islands.
• 11:30 — Phi Phi Don: visit Monkey Beach, then snorkel around Monkey Bay.
• 13:00 — Lunch at a beachside restaurant at Ton Sai Bay, with free time on the beach.
• 14:30 — Loh Samah, then the walk over to Maya Bay where “The Beach” was filmed; relax on the white sand, then paddleboard inside Pileh Lagoon and see Viking Cave.
• 16:30 — Khai Nai Island for swimming, snorkelling or simply lying on the sand.
• 17:30–18:00 — Return to the pier and transfer back to your hotel.

The paddleboard stop inside Pileh Lagoon is the sleeper highlight. Maya Bay gets the fame, but since the reopening you cannot swim there — Pileh is where you actually get in the emerald water.

Is this tour right for you?

We send guests on this trip when they hate early alarms. A 10:00 pier check-in means a civilised breakfast at the hotel first — rare for Phi Phi tours. It suits couples and friends who want the full three-island day without the 6:30 hotel lobby wait.

Who is it not for? If you get seasick easily, remember a speedboat crossing to Phi Phi takes about an hour each way and afternoon returns can be bumpy — take a motion tablet 30 minutes before boarding, or consider the steadier Phi Phi Cruiser big-boat trip. Families with toddlers may also prefer the big boat’s space to move around.

What should you know before you book?

Two things we explain across the counter every day at our family-run shop in Chalong. First, the Phi Phi national park fee is not included in most tour prices and is collected in cash on the day — every operator, every boat. Second, Maya Bay has real rules since its restoration: boats moor at the back pier, you walk in, and swimming is not allowed in the bay itself. It is still worth seeing — just know what you are getting. Our guide to what a Phi Phi tour price includes in 2026 breaks all of this down.

Bring: swimwear worn under clothes, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, a dry bag for phones, and cash for the park fee and drinks. Leave drones at home unless you have checked the park rules.

When is the best time of year to go?

November to April is high season: calm seas, clear water, the classic postcard day. June to October brings the southwest monsoon and a west swell — trips still run on most days, but crossings are rollier and itineraries can change for safety. Message us on WhatsApp before you book and we will tell you honestly what the sea has been doing that week. You can compare every departure on our Phi Phi Islands tours page.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim at Maya Bay on this tour?

No. Since Maya Bay’s restoration, swimming inside the bay is prohibited. You visit the beach on foot for photos and relaxing. The real swimming and paddleboarding happens inside Pileh Lagoon, which many guests end up preferring.

Is the national park fee included?

No — the Phi Phi national park fee is paid separately in cash on the day of the tour. This is standard across Phuket operators, so bring cash. Message us on WhatsApp for the current fee amount.

What time does the SeaStar tour start and finish?

Check-in at SeaStar pier, Laem Nga is at 10:00 and the boat returns around 18:00, with hotel transfer after. It is one of the latest-starting Phi Phi speedboat departures from Phuket.

How long is the speedboat ride to Phi Phi?

Roughly one hour each way from Phuket in normal conditions. If you are prone to seasickness, take a motion-sickness tablet about 30 minutes before departure and sit near the back of the boat.

How do I book without paying online?

Message us on WhatsApp at +66 93 687 1999 or drop into our shop near Chalong Circle. Boat prices in Phuket change daily, so we quote today’s best price and confirm your hotel pickup — no online payment needed.

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