Phi Phi – Maya – Khai Island – Phuket Best Friends

The Phuket Best Friends Phi Phi – Maya – Khai tour is a full-day speedboat trip from Phuket with hotel pickup from 07:30 and return between 17:00 and 18:00. The route takes in Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave on Phi Phi Leh, Monkey Beach and a snorkelling stop at Phi Phi Don, lunch on the island, and a long beach stop at Khai Island — arranged by Chang Thai Tour & Travel, a TAT-licensed family agency in Chalong.

Backpacker or family — which traveller is this trip built for?

Honest answer from our counter in Chalong: both, and that is unusual. Best Friends runs the classic three-island day on time windows rather than a drill-sergeant clock — pickup 07:30–08:30, Phi Phi Leh around 11:00–11:30, Khai between 15:00 and 16:00. Backpackers like that it never feels like a school excursion; families like that nobody is sprinting between stops with a toddler under one arm.

Solo travellers and pairs of friends also mix easily on this boat — the name is not an accident. If instead you want a tightly-timed crowd-beating run, the Smile Tour Maya-first departure is the sharper tool.

How does the day unfold?

• 07:30–08:30 — Pickup from your hotel by air-conditioned minibus.
• 09:00–09:30 — Arrive at the pier; briefing from your tour guide.
• 09:45–10:30 — Speedboat departure for Phi Phi.
• 11:00–11:30 — Phi Phi Leh: sightseeing at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave.
• 12:30–13:00 — Phi Phi Don: photo stop at Monkey Beach, then snorkelling among the reef fish.
• 13:30–14:00 — Lunch on Phi Phi Don.
• 15:00–16:00 — Khai Island: swimming, snorkelling or pure beach-chair idleness.
• 17:00–18:00 — Return to the pier and transfer to your hotel.

What do you need to know about Maya Bay?

Since its restoration and reopening, Maya Bay is a look-and-walk stop: boats moor at the back of Phi Phi Leh, you follow the boardwalk in, and swimming inside the bay is not allowed. Rangers enforce it, and honestly, the recovered water is beautiful precisely because they do. Your actual swim time on this trip comes at Pileh Lagoon, the Phi Phi Don snorkel stop and Khai Island. And keep cash aside: the national park fee is collected on the day, on top of the tour price — same for every operator in Phuket. Our 2026 Phi Phi price guide covers what is and isn’t included, line by line.

What should you bring — and when should you go?

Pack light: swimwear worn under clothes, towel, sunscreen, hat, dry bag, motion tablets if boats bother you, and cash for the park fee and drinks. November to April gives glassy seas and the postcard colours. June to October, the monsoon’s west swell can make the hour-long crossing bouncy and occasionally reorder the stops — we will tell you frankly on WhatsApp what the sea has been doing before you commit. Prefer a steadier ride in those months? Compare the Phi Phi Cruiser big boat, or browse everything on our Phi Phi Islands tours page.

Frequently asked questions

Is this tour good for families with children?

Yes — the time-window pacing keeps the day relaxed, and Khai Island’s shallow, calm water in high season is ideal for kids. Life jackets are provided; tell us the children’s ages on WhatsApp so we can advise honestly.

Can you swim at Maya Bay?

No. Swimming inside Maya Bay has been prohibited since the reopening. You visit the beach on foot; swimming happens at Pileh Lagoon, the snorkelling stop and Khai Island.

Is the national park fee included in the tour price?

No. The Phi Phi national park fee is paid in cash during the tour, on top of the ticket price — standard across all Phuket operators. Ask us for the current amount.

How rough is the speedboat ride?

About an hour of open water each way. Calm from November to April; bumpier June to October during the monsoon. If you are prone to seasickness, take a tablet 30 minutes before departure and sit toward the back.

How do I book without paying online?

Message us on WhatsApp at +66 93 687 1999 with your date and hotel, or visit our family-run shop near Chalong Circle. We quote today’s best price and arrange your pickup — no online payment.