Koh Phi Phi Boat Tours 2026 — Speedboat & Longtail Day Trips
The complete guide to day-tripping around the Phi Phi islands: private longtail charters, shared speedboat island tours and big-boat cruises. Compare 4-island, 6-island and sunrise Maya Bay itineraries, learn the current Maya Bay rules, and find out how to book from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang or Khao Lak.
Why Take a Phi Phi Boat Tour?
Koh Phi Phi is really two islands — the party hub of Phi Phi Don and the uninhabited, movie-famous Phi Phi Leh — surrounded by a ring of smaller islands, lagoons and reefs. There are no roads between the sights: every beach, lagoon and viewpoint is reached by boat. The day-trip circuit takes you to the highlights in a single day: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach and Viking Cave.
Most travellers run the Phi Phi circuit as a day trip from Phuket, Krabi or Ao Nang, or as a private longtail tour from Phi Phi Don itself if they're staying overnight. Three main boat options cover almost every budget:
🛶 Longtail (Private)
Your own traditional longtail boat. ~1,500–2,500 THB per boat. Flexible, personal, no fixed schedule.
🚤 Speedboat (Shared)
Fast group tours, 900–1,400 THB per person. 4–6 island itineraries with lunch and snorkelling stops.
⛴️ Big-Boat Day Trip
Slower, steadier cruisers from ~1,200 THB. More deck space and shade — best for families and rough days.
Prices are indicative online rates for 2026. Confirm the exact inclusions (park fees, lunch, snorkel gear) before you book.
Types of Tours Compared
| Tour Type | Price (2026) | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longtail private | ~1,500–2,500 THB per boat | Couples, small groups, photographers | Seats up to 6–8. Hire at Ao Nang or Phi Phi Don beach; you set the pace and stops. No Maya Bay permit included. |
| Speedboat shared | 900–1,400 THB per person | Most day-trippers | 4–6 island itineraries with lunch, snorkel gear and Maya Bay entry included. Departs Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang and Khao Lak. |
| Big-boat day trip | from ~1,200 THB per person | Families, nervous boaters | Larger, slower vessels with more shade and space. Smoother ride in chop, but fewer stops and longer travel time. |
Indicative 2026 online advance rates. High-season prices run at the top of these ranges; low season (May–Oct) is usually cheaper but weather risk is higher.
Itinerary Comparison: 4-Island vs 6-Island vs Sunrise Maya Bay
Speedboat tours come in three main flavours. The classic 4-island tour hits the big four (Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach); the 6-island tour adds extra snorkel stops; and the sunrise Maya Bay tour leaves before dawn to catch Maya Bay's first timed entry slot — worth it if you want the famous bay nearly to yourself.
| 4-Island Classic | 6-Island Explorer | Sunrise Maya Bay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departure | ~09:00 | ~08:30 | ~06:00–06:30 |
| Maya Bay | Standard timed slot | Standard timed slot | First slot — quietest |
| Pileh Lagoon | Swim stop | Swim stop | Swim stop |
| Bamboo Island | Yes (~1 hr) | Yes (~1 hr) | Yes (~1 hr) |
| Monkey Beach | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Viking Cave | Sail-by | Sail-by | Sail-by |
| Extra stops | — | Khai Nok, Hin Klang reef, Loh Samah Bay | Loh Samah Bay |
| Meals | Buffet lunch | Buffet lunch | Light breakfast + lunch |
| Return | ~17:00 | ~17:30 | ~14:00 |
| Price from | ~1,000 THB | ~1,200 THB | ~1,400 THB |
Indicative shared-speedboat rates. Sunrise tours carry a premium because the first Maya Bay entry slot is limited — and worth it for the light and the crowds (or lack of them).
Maya Bay Rules 2026 — What You Need to Know
Maya Bay (Phi Phi Leh) is a protected zone inside Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, and the rules are strict. Here's the current situation:
🛡️ Annual closure
Maya Bay closes 1 August – 30 September every year for coral rehabilitation. Tours substitute Loh Samah Bay — the bay is currently closed during this window.
🎟️ Entry permit
National park fee: 400 THB adult / 200 THB child for foreign visitors (40/20 THB for Thais). Most speedboat tours include it — confirm before paying.
⏰ Timed slots
Visits run in ~1-hour timed entry rounds with a capped number of visitors per round. Your tour operator books the slot; sunrise tours take the first one.
🚫 No swimming in the bay
Swimming has been banned in Maya Bay since 2018. Boats land at the Lo Sama / Viewpoint side; you walk the elevated boardwalk to the beach. Swim at Loh Samah Bay or Pileh Lagoon instead.
Other park rules: no boats anchor inside the bay itself, no drones, no reef-touching or standing on coral, and reef-safe (oxybenzone-free) sunscreen only. Respect the rangers' directions — violations carry fines and the bay closes entirely when rules are flouted.
The Classic Stops: Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Pileh Lagoon & Viking Cave
Beyond Maya Bay, the standard Phi Phi circuit takes in four other signature spots:
🏝️ Bamboo Island (Koh Phai)
Powder-white sand and calm, shallow water. The main lunch-and-snorkel stop (~1 hour). No overnight stays.
🐒 Monkey Beach
A small cove on Phi Phi Don where longtails land so you can watch (not feed!) the resident macaques. Keep food and loose items secured.
💚 Pileh Lagoon
The emerald limestone lagoon between sheer cliffs. Boats wait at the entrance; you swim into the still, glowing water. The most photogenic stop on the tour.
🦅 Viking Cave
Sail-by only — the cave holds ancient paintings and swiftlet nests harvested for birds'-nest soup. No landing permitted.
How to Book from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang & Khao Lak
Phi Phi day tours depart from four main bases, each with different crossing times and pier options:
| Base | Departure Pier | Crossing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phuket | Rassada Pier (Phuket Town) | ~1 hr speedboat / 2 hr ferry | Biggest choice of operators; combines with a Phuket stay. |
| Krabi Town | Klong Jilad Pier | ~1 hr 15 min speedboat | Less crowded departure than Ao Nang; easy from Krabi hotels. |
| Ao Nang | Nopparat Thara Pier | ~45 min–1 hr speedboat | Shortest crossing from the mainland; also hires private longtails. |
| Khao Lak | Thap Lamu / Pak Weep Pier | ~2–2.5 hrs | Longest day trip; premium small-group operators run direct boats. |
Crossing times are indicative for speedboats in good weather; ferries run slower, bigger and steadier. If you're staying on Phi Phi Don itself, hire a longtail from the beach — no permit or pre-booking needed for the classic circuit.
Booking tips: book at least 1–2 days ahead in high season · check whether national park fees are included · pick operators with licensed speedboats and life jackets · sunrise tours need an early hotel pickup (05:30–06:00) — confirm your pickup point when booking.
Phi Phi Boat Tour Prices at a Glance
| Option | Price Range (2026) | What's Usually Included |
|---|---|---|
| Longtail private charter (per boat) | ~1,500–2,500 THB | Boat + captain; stops and duration negotiable. Park fees and snorkel gear extra. |
| Shared speedboat 4-island | ~1,000–1,400 THB | Lunch, snorkel gear, hotel pickup (Phuket/Krabi), park fees. |
| Shared speedboat 6-island | ~1,200–1,500 THB | Extra snorkel stops, lunch, transfers, park fees. |
| Sunrise Maya Bay speedboat | ~1,400–1,900 THB | First Maya Bay slot, breakfast + lunch, transfers, park fees. |
| Big-boat day trip | from ~1,200 THB | Lunch, more deck space, park fees; fewer stops. |
Maya Bay national park entry (400 THB adult / 200 THB child for foreign visitors) is generally bundled into speedboat and big-boat tour prices. Low season (May–Oct) rates trend to the bottom of these ranges.
When to Go: Seasons & Sea Conditions
☀️ November – April (best)
Dry season on the Andaman coast: calm seas, clear water, reliable departures. December–March is peak — book tours and Maya Bay slots well ahead.
🌧️ May – October (choppy)
Southwest monsoon brings rain and rougher seas. Some speedboat departures are cancelled on bad days, and Maya Bay is closed 1 Aug – 30 Sep for rehabilitation. Prices drop, but so does the itinerary.
🌅 Best time of day
Mornings are calmest and clearest. Sunrise Maya Bay tours get the best light and the quietest bay; afternoon seas can get bumpy in shoulder months.
Planning the full Andaman circuit? See the Phuket → Krabi route guide for ferry and transfer options, and the Phuket → Phi Phi guide if you're crossing to stay on the island.
Safety on Phi Phi Boat Tours
🦺 Life jackets
Mandatory on licensed speedboats — kids are always fitted. On longtails, jackets are available but often not enforced; take one anyway for open-water crossings.
🌊 Weather cancellations
In monsoon season operators cancel or reschedule when seas are unsafe — usually with a refund or rebook. Don't push for a sailing in a storm; the Andaman can turn quickly.
🤢 Seasickness
Speedboats pound the waves. Take motion-sickness meds 30–60 min before boarding, sit at the back, and skip the big breakfast. Big boats are the gentler option.
🪸 Reef etiquette
Don't stand on coral, touch marine life, or feed monkeys (they bite and snatch bags). Use reef-safe sunscreen — oxybenzone products are banned in Thai marine parks.
FAQ — Koh Phi Phi Boat Tours
Q: How long does it take to get to Koh Phi Phi by boat?
A: From Phuket (Rassada Pier): about 1 hour by speedboat or 2 hours by ferry. From Ao Nang: roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour by speedboat. From Krabi Town (Klong Jilad Pier): about 1 hour 15 minutes by speedboat. From Khao Lak (Thap Lamu Pier): 2 to 2.5 hours.
Q: Can you swim at Maya Bay?
A: No. Swimming in Maya Bay itself has been banned since 2018 to protect the coral. Boats land at the Lo Sama side and you walk the boardwalk to the viewpoint and beach. Swimming is allowed at nearby Loh Samah Bay and Pileh Lagoon instead.
Q: How much do Koh Phi Phi boat tours cost?
A: Shared speedboat day tours cost roughly 900–1,400 THB per person depending on the itinerary (sunrise Maya Bay tours cost more). A private longtail charter is around 1,500–2,500 THB per boat, and big-boat day trips start at about 1,200 THB. National park entry fees for Maya Bay (400 THB adult, 200 THB child for foreign visitors) are usually included in the tour price — confirm when booking.
Q: When is the best time of year for Phi Phi boat tours?
A: November to April is the best time: dry season, calm Andaman Sea and clear water. From May to October the monsoon makes the sea choppy, some speedboat tours are cancelled on bad days, and Maya Bay is closed every year from 1 August to 30 September for coral rehabilitation.
Q: Do I need to book Phi Phi boat tours in advance?
A: Yes, especially in high season (November–April) and for sunrise Maya Bay tours, which have a limited number of timed entry slots. Book at least 1–2 days ahead online, or through your hotel or a tour desk in Phuket, Krabi or Ao Nang. Last-minute walk-ups in high season often sell out.