Phi Phi Islands Exclusive Tour by Speedboat from Koh Yao Yai

Phi Phi in six focused hours. This speedboat trip from Koh Yao Yai packs Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, several snorkeling spots, and small-island beaches into one lively outing. I like the small group of up to 14 people, which should make boarding, swimming, and asking questions easier than on a crowded boat. I also like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and an onboard restroom are included.

The main consideration is pace. With six stops in roughly six hours, you will spend plenty of time moving between places rather than lingering at one beach. You also need to budget for the national park fee and possibly hotel transport, so the advertised price is not the final cost for everyone.

The operator, Elixir Divers, meets you at its Koh Yao Yai base at 9:00 am. The tour has a 4.9 rating from 21 reviews, with 95 percent recommending it. One especially warm review praises guide Igor, the small group, the food, and the friendly atmosphere. That combination gives you a useful clue about the tour: it aims for personal service rather than a giant party boat.

Key points at a glance

• Black tip reef shark possibility: Koh Bida Nok is the main snorkeling highlight, with black tip reef sharks specifically noted as a possible sight.
• Six famous Phi Phi stops: Maya Bay, Koh Bida Nok, Viking Cave, Pileh Bay, Wang Long Bay, and Monkey Beach shape the route.
• Lunch with a view: Your lunchbox is served onboard, including scenic surroundings around Pileh Bay rather than at a formal restaurant.
• Small maximum group: The boat carries no more than 14 people, though at least six passengers are needed for the tour to run.
• Useful onboard basics: Drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom are included, but beach towels are not.
• Extra fees matter: The national park fee is 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children aged 3 to 12, payable in cash.

Why Koh Yao Yai makes a useful Phi Phi base

Koh Yao Yai gives you a quieter starting point than staying directly on Phi Phi. You meet at Elixir Divers and Speedboat Tours, located at 2/3 Moo 3 in Phru Nai, Koh Yao District, Phang Nga. The boat then carries you toward the better-known islands, letting you see the coast from the water as you go.

I like this setup for anyone staying on Koh Yao Yai who wants a full Phi Phi day without arranging several separate transfers. The meeting point keeps the plan simple, but you should check your own transport carefully. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base fare, though pickup can be arranged for an additional 100 to 400 THB per person.

The advertised price is $113.74 per person. That is a reasonable package price if you value included equipment, lunch, drinks, and a smaller group. Still, add the national park charge in cash. An adult paying the 400 THB fee will spend more than the headline price suggests, and a child aged 3 to 12 pays 200 THB.

The tour begins at 9:00 am and ends back at the same meeting point. Its listed duration is about six hours, so this is best understood as a concentrated Phi Phi outing rather than a slow island day.

Maya Bay: famous sand and limited time

Maya Bay is the first major stop. It became widely known after appearing in the film The Beach, and its pale sand, steep cliffs, and clear water make it one of Phi Phi’s most recognizable scenes.

You can take photos and have an optional walk on the beach. That flexibility is useful because some people want to set foot on the sand, while others would rather use the time for views and photos. The drawback is simple: Maya Bay is famous, so the stop may feel more about seeing an iconic place than finding solitude.

I would treat this as a scenic introduction, not the main swimming portion of the tour. The schedule includes more suitable water time later, especially around Koh Bida Nok and Pileh Bay.

Koh Bida Nok and the best chance for marine life

Koh Bida Nok is the serious snorkeling stop. The tour provides masks and other snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring a full kit of your own. The area is highlighted for coral reefs and the possibility of seeing black tip reef sharks.

That specific wildlife focus gives this stop more purpose than a quick swim in pretty water. Black tip reef sharks are generally known for their slender shape and dark fin tips, and spotting one can be the most memorable moment of the day. The wording here matters, though: a shark sighting is a possibility, not a guarantee. Marine life does not follow a timetable.

You should be comfortable in the water to get the most from this stop. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed swimming assessment or a separate beginner program. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Viking Cave and the cliffs around Phi Phi Leh

Viking Cave gives you a different kind of stop. The plan allows for cruising past the cave or making it a snorkeling stop, depending on conditions and the flexible schedule.

The cave itself is part of the dramatic cliff scenery that makes Phi Phi Leh so memorable. From the boat, you get a better sense of the rock walls and narrow coastal spaces than you would from a beach. If conditions permit a swim nearby, it adds another chance to see the water from below.

This is also where the flexible itinerary matters. The exact balance of cruising, snorkeling, and waiting at each place can change. That is good for adapting to weather and sea conditions, but it means you should not expect every stop to follow a fixed timetable.

Pileh Bay: emerald water and lunch onboard

Pileh Bay is one of the most attractive parts of the route. Tall cliffs surround a narrow body of emerald-colored water, creating a natural pool effect when viewed from the boat.

You can swim here and cruise through the bay. The tour also highlights lunch onboard with views of Pileh Bay, which is a smart use of time. Instead of losing part of the short schedule to a restaurant transfer, you eat while the scenery remains in front of you.

The included food is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. A review specifically praised the lunch as delicious, but the supplied details do not give a menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement. Beverages are included as well.

Pileh Bay can be the point where the tour feels most scenic, but it may also be one of the busier locations on the route. Your reward is the setting, not guaranteed quiet.

Wang Long Bay and the cliffs with monkeys

Wang Long Bay is a narrow, scenic inlet with cliffside monkeys. This stop adds wildlife and close-up rock scenery to a day otherwise built around beaches and snorkeling.

Monkeys are entertaining to watch, but you should keep your distance and avoid treating them like tame animals. The tour information does not promise a particular number of monkeys or a guaranteed close encounter. Think of them as a possible sight along the cliffs, not a scheduled animal show.

The narrow shape of the bay should also make this a good photo stop. You may find the view more interesting from the boat than from the water, especially if the group is moving on quickly.

Monkey Beach and the soft white sand

Monkey Beach brings you back to the classic Phi Phi formula: pale sand, clear water, and monkeys near the shore. The itinerary includes wild monkeys and a chance to see the beach.

This stop should appeal to you if you want a quick beach experience without giving up the boat route. The sand and shallow-looking water create an inviting picture, but wild animals make it important to watch your belongings and keep food away from them.

Do not confuse Monkey Beach with a long, quiet beach break. Six stops are planned within approximately six hours, so time here may be limited. The appeal is variety: you get a beach, wildlife, and another view of Phi Phi’s cliffs.

Ao Nui and the extra snorkeling option

The tour information also highlights Ao Nui as a place for snorkeling and relaxing on a tiny beach. It is not included in the numbered six-stop itinerary, so you should see it as an additional possible part of the flexible route rather than a guaranteed stop.

That distinction is worth noting. The operator can adjust the day for weather, sea conditions, and the best available experience, but the exact route can shift. A flexible plan may let the guide spend more time at a promising snorkeling area, yet it can also mean one named location receives less time than you expected.

If Ao Nui is included, its small scale should make it feel different from the broader bays and major beaches. It is the kind of place that works well for a short swim or a quiet pause before the boat moves on.

What the small group changes

The boat holds a maximum of 14 people, with a minimum of six passengers needed for the trip to operate. That is a useful middle ground. You get more company than on a private charter, but you avoid the scale of a boat carrying dozens of people.

A small group can make a real difference during snorkeling. Gear distribution should be less chaotic, and you have a better chance of getting direct attention from the guide. It also makes the onboard lunch and seating feel more manageable.

The tradeoff is that the tour may be canceled if too few people book. If that happens, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. The same applies if poor weather forces cancellation.

The strongest praise attached to this experience focuses on the atmosphere. Igor is singled out as an excellent guide, and the small group and friendly mood are praised along with the food. I would put real weight on that if you prefer a personable outing over a silent transfer between photo stops.

What is included, and what you still need

The package includes lunch, beverages, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom onboard. Those inclusions help explain the price, particularly because you do not need to rent basic gear separately or find lunch during the short route.

You should bring or arrange a beach towel because towels are not included. You also need cash for the national park fee:

• Adults: 400 THB
• Children aged 3 to 12: 200 THB

Hotel pickup and drop-off are extra, at 100 to 400 THB per person. The meeting point itself is Elixir Divers and Speedboat Tours on Koh Yao Yai, and the tour returns there at the end.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is suitable for most people, but children must be with an adult. The information does not describe wheelchair access, special dietary menus, or detailed swimming support, so you should ask the operator directly if any of those points affect your plans.

Is $113.74 good value?

I think the price works best for you if you want one organized day that covers the main Phi Phi sights from Koh Yao Yai. The fare includes food, drinks, gear, and an onboard restroom, while the small boat size gives it a more personal feel than a mass outing.

The value is less clear if your main goal is to spend long, unhurried stretches on one beach. Six stops in about six hours means the experience favors variety. You pay for access to several famous bays and beaches, not for extended time at each one.

The extra national park fee changes the calculation. Add 400 THB for an adult, plus any pickup charge, and compare the total with other boat trips in your travel plans. Even so, the included lunch and snorkeling equipment prevent the tour from becoming a string of small add-on costs.

The 95 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 score from 21 reviews are encouraging, but the sample is not huge. I would read those numbers as a positive sign, especially alongside the specific praise for Igor, the food, and the small-group mood, rather than as a promise that every departure will be perfect.

Who should book this Phi Phi tour?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying on Koh Yao Yai, want to see several Phi Phi highlights in one outing, and like the idea of snorkeling without carrying your own equipment. It also suits people who value a smaller group and a guide-led day.

Families can consider it, since children may participate with an adult and reduced national park fees apply to ages 3 to 12. Still, the schedule is active, and the tour information does not list child-specific facilities beyond the general onboard restroom.

This is not the best match if you need a slow timetable, a private boat, guaranteed shark sightings, or a fully specified lunch menu. It is also a poor fit if you dislike flexible routes. The operator may adjust the order or balance of stops for conditions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start for a full refund. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted. If weather or the minimum group requirement cancels the trip, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-packed Phi Phi sampler from Koh Yao Yai, with snorkeling, famous beaches, lunch, and a group capped at 14. The possibility of black tip reef sharks at Koh Bida Nok gives the day a real focus, while Pileh Bay and Maya Bay supply the big scenery.

I would skip it if you want to linger in one place or avoid extra cash fees. For most active visitors staying on Koh Yao Yai, though, the included gear, food, drinks, restroom, and small-group setting make the $113.74 fare a fair starting point. Add the park fee, bring a towel, and arrive ready for a fast-moving day on the Andaman Sea.

FAQ

Where does the Phi Phi Islands tour start?

The tour starts at Elixir Divers and Speedboat Tours, 2/3 Moo 3, Phru Nai, Ko Yao District, Phang Nga 82160, Thailand.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people. At least six passengers are required for the tour to run.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price. Pickup may be available for an additional 100 to 400 THB per person.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch and beverages are included. Lunch is served onboard, with scenic views around Pileh Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

How much is the national park fee?

The fee is 400 THB for each adult and 200 THB for each child aged 3 to 12. Payment must be made in cash.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the six-passenger minimum may also lead to a refund or a choice of another date or experience.