Private Speedboat to Phi Phi Islands

A private speedboat charter to the Phi Phi Islands is a full-day trip from Phuket on a boat reserved only for your group, arranged by our licensed family shop in Chalong. You set the pace and the route — Maya Bay, Pileh Cove, Loh Samah Bay, Monkey Beach and Viking Cave — with a captain, crew and English-speaking guide, hotel transfer and lunch included, all without sharing the boat with strangers.

Ferry, join-in speedboat, or private charter — which should you pick?

This is the honest conversation we have with guests at the shop every day, because the “best” way to reach Phi Phi depends entirely on what you want from the day.

The ferry is the calmest and most economical way to get to Phi Phi Don, but it is transport, not a tour — it runs on a fixed schedule and doesn’t take you around the snorkelling bays. A join-in speedboat tour is the popular middle ground: you share the boat with other guests and follow a set itinerary, hitting all the famous spots at a good price. A private speedboat charter costs more, but the whole boat is yours — you choose the route, linger where you like, skip what you don’t, and avoid the crowds by timing your stops around the group boats.

We tell guests plainly: if budget is the priority and you’re happy on a set schedule, take the ferry or a join-in tour. If you’re a family, a group of friends, a couple wanting a relaxed pace, or you have small children or nervous swimmers, the private boat is well worth the extra for the flexibility and calm.

What will you actually see?

Because the boat is yours, you and the guide agree the plan on the day. A typical private route covers:

• Monkey Beach — photos of the wild monkeys along the shore
• Viking Cave — sightseeing and photos from the water
• Phi Phi Don Island — lunch and time ashore
• Pileh Cove — swimming and snorkelling in an emerald lagoon walled by limestone cliffs
• Loh Samah Bay — sightseeing and calm-water snorkelling
• Maya Bay — the beach made famous by the film “The Beach”

Want to add a sunrise start to beat the boats into Maya Bay, or spend the whole afternoon snorkelling one reef? On a private charter that is your call — just tell us and the captain in advance.

Why book a private charter ahead?

Private boats are limited and the good captains get reserved early, especially in high season and over holidays. Because we run a real shop in Chalong (TAT licence No. 34/03373) and know the local operators personally, booking ahead lets us match you to the right boat size and a crew we trust, rather than whatever is left at the pier. This tour needs to be arranged at least a few days in advance, so message us as soon as your dates are set.

What is included, and what you pay on the day

A private Phi Phi charter normally includes the speedboat with injury insurance, captain and crew, an English-speaking guide, round-trip hotel transfer, lunch, mask, snorkel and life jackets, and the national park fee. Because inclusions vary by boat and group size, message us and we’ll confirm exactly what’s covered for your party — and whether anything is paid in cash on the day.

When is the best time to go?

The November-to-April high season brings the flattest, clearest Andaman water and the best snorkelling visibility. It’s also the busiest, which is exactly why a private boat pays off — you can start early and reach Maya Bay and Pileh Cove before the join-in fleet arrives. In green season (May to October) the sea can be lumpier and trips occasionally reschedule for safety; a private charter gives you more room to shift your plan around the weather. Chat with us the day before and we’ll read the conditions for you.

Is a private charter right for you?

It suits families with children, groups celebrating something, couples who want privacy, keen snorkellers and anyone prone to seasickness who wants control over the pace. It’s less necessary for solo travellers or couples happy on a fixed schedule and a tighter budget — for them a scheduled ferry or join-in tour is the sensible pick. For safety on the fast boat, pregnant women, children under one year and travellers over 70 are not permitted on this trip.

What should you bring?

Swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and a dry bag for phones and cameras. Motion-sickness tablets if the open sea bothers you. Cash for anything settled on the day. Not sure what your group needs? Come see us at the shop near Chalong Circle and we’ll talk it through.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a private speedboat and a join-in tour to Phi Phi?

A private charter reserves the whole boat for your group, so you set the route and pace and avoid sharing with strangers. A join-in tour puts you on a shared boat following a fixed itinerary at a lower price. Both visit the famous bays.

Can we choose our own itinerary?

Yes. Because the boat is yours, you agree the stops and timing with the guide and captain. Tell us in advance if you want to add a sunrise start, extra snorkelling time, or a specific bay.

How far in advance should I book?

Please book at least a few days ahead. Private boats and good crews are limited, especially in high season, so early booking lets us secure the right boat for your group.

How much does a private Phi Phi speedboat cost?

Prices in Phuket change daily and depend on boat size and group numbers, so we don’t post a fixed figure. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group size for today’s best price.

Is Maya Bay open to visit?

Access to Maya Bay is managed by the national park authorities and can change with the season. We’ll confirm current conditions when you enquire and plan the day around what’s open.

Related trips and info: private charters · Ferry to Phi Phi, Krabi & Lanta · Krabi Islands tour · all our tours · Phi Phi tour price & what’s included.

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