Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island by Speedboat from Phuket

Short answer: yes, if you want the classic Phi Phi highlights in a single day and don't mind sharing them. Helios's Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island speedboat trip is an eight-hour day trip that starts and ends in Phuket. It is a shared tour, and the boat carries up to 70 guests. It is not a private or quiet day. You get short, efficient stops at famous places, not long solitary ones.

It suits people who want to see Maya Bay, swim in Pileh Lagoon and spend a beach afternoon on Bamboo Island without arranging separate boats. It suits you less if you hate crowds, dislike fast boats or want hours on any one island.

How the day runs, in order

Pier check-in and the crossing

The day begins with check-in at the pier, then a briefing with fruit and a soft drink. If you booked with transfer, hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket are included. Otherwise you make your own way to the pier. Confirm your pickup time when you book, because the trip details do not set one.

The speedboat then crosses to Phi Phi Leh in about 50 minutes. This is the part that tests people. A speedboat is fast and can be bumpy and wet, especially when the sea is up. Seasickness tablets are available on request, so ask before you leave the pier, not after.

Loh Samah Bay and Maya Bay

You land in Loh Samah Bay and walk across to the beach at Maya Bay, where The Beach was filmed. You get about 15 minutes. That is brief, and you will share the sand with other boats' passengers. The bay has been managed in recent years to protect its reef, so expect a walk and photographs, not a long swim. Our Phi Phi and Maya Bay guide explains the current rules in more detail.

Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach

Next is about 15 minutes of swimming in Pileh Lagoon, an enclosed pool of green water below limestone cliffs. After that the boat passes Viking Cave and stops off Monkey Beach, where you watch the monkeys from on board. You don't land there. Treat these two as scenery stops.

Lunch on Phi Phi Don

Lunch is an international buffet at a restaurant on Phi Phi Don, with a halal menu available. You have about an hour. Eating takes some of that, so you can stretch your legs nearby but you won't explore the island. Phi Phi Don needs an overnight stay to see properly.

Bamboo Island

The longest stop is about 1.5 hours on Bamboo Island, with time to swim, snorkel or rest on the sand before the ride back. This is where the day slows down and where you can do your own thing. A mask and snorkel are included.

What is and isn't covered

• Included: speedboat day trip with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket if booked with transfer, the buffet lunch, water, juice and seasonal fruit, mask and snorkel, and seasickness tablets on request.
• Not included: the national park fee, unless your booking includes it, plus towels and tips.

Bring your own towel, since none is provided. Check at booking whether the park fee is already covered, so it doesn't surprise you in cash on the day.

What you can do on your own

The day is tightly sequenced, so independence is limited. On Bamboo Island you can choose between snorkelling, swimming, walking the sand or doing nothing. At lunch you can wander briefly. Back in Phuket, a quieter evening in the old town suits a tired traveller. Our guide to the best excursions from Phuket lists other day options. If you want a different boat day, compare it with James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay or the Similan Islands.

Season, sea and what to pack

Boat days depend on the weather and the sea. Rougher months can mean a bumpier crossing or changed plans, so check the best time to visit Thailand and, for autumn, Phuket in October. Pack sun protection, a hat, swimwear, a dry change of clothes and a bag that can get splashed. What to pack for Thailand covers the rest.

Phi Phi speedboat FAQ

Is this a private tour?

No. It runs as a shared tour only, in a small-group format on a speedboat carrying up to 70 guests.

How long is the day?

The trip lasts 8 hours, from Phuket back to Phuket. The crossing to Phi Phi Leh takes about 50 minutes, and Bamboo Island is the longest stop at about 1.5 hours.

Can I swim at Maya Bay?

The trip gives you about 15 minutes to walk across to the beach at Maya Bay. Plan on seeing it on foot, and save your swimming for Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island.

Is lunch included, and is there a halal option?

Yes. An international buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don is included, and a halal menu is available.

What do I pay for on the day?

The national park fee is not included unless your booking includes it. Towels and tips are also not included.