Review · LUXURY

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat

★ 3.0 · 2 reviews Operated by JustGoPhuket.com · Bookable on Viator
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Speed makes island hopping feel wonderfully direct. This private Phi Phi and Krabi tour gives your group its own speedboat, a professional English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and a full day among some of southern Thailand’s best-known islands. I like the private boat for up to eight people, and I like the mix of snorkeling, swimming, beaches, and scenic cruising. The main caution is that the advertised places do not fully match the detailed route, and lunch is listed as extra.

The day is designed for people who want control rather than a crowded shared boat. You can expect a planned route through Hong Island, Railay Beach, Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and the Phi Phi Islands, with drinks available throughout. At $920 per group, the price makes the most sense when eight people share it, but it is a serious outlay for a smaller party.

Key points to know before you book

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - Key points to know before you book

  • A private boat for up to eight: Your group does not share the speedboat with other passengers.
  • A long island-hopping day: The planned stops add up to about eight and a half hours, before allowing for transfers.
  • A strong snorkeling focus: Railay, Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and the Phi Phi Islands are all planned for water time.
  • Drinks are included: Tea and coffee are available before boarding, with unlimited drinks and an open bar during the outing.
  • Lunch costs extra: Thai lunch is mentioned in the overall description, but the inclusions clearly exclude lunch.
  • The route needs confirming: James Bond Island, Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, and Monkey Beach are mentioned in the general description, while the detailed schedule lists Krabi and Phi Phi stops instead.

A private speedboat day from Boat Lagoon

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - A private speedboat day from Boat Lagoon

The tour begins with private pickup from your hotel and transport to Boat Lagoon Pier. At the pier, you check in and can have tea and coffee before boarding. That 30-minute start is useful because a little time to settle in helps before the boat begins its fast run between islands.

The private transfer matters most if your group is staying in different parts of the area or carrying snorkeling gear and beach supplies. You are not arranging your own way to the pier, and you do not have to share the boat once you arrive.

The exact starting point deserves a quick check before you pay. The tour information places the experience in Ko Yao Yai, while also describing a departure from Phuket and a start at Boat Lagoon Pier. Those locations are not interchangeable, so ask the operator to confirm your hotel pickup time, pier, and expected return point.

A speedboat is a practical choice for a route this ambitious. You cover more water than you would in a slower boat, but the ride can also feel brisk and exposed. If you prefer calm cruising, a private boat still gives you control over the day, but the vessel itself remains a speedboat.

More Luxury Speedboat Tours in Thailand

Hong Island and the first hour on the water

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - Hong Island and the first hour on the water

Hong Island in Krabi is scheduled for one hour. This is a good early stop because it gives you a chance to get into the rhythm of the day without spending your first hours only on transport.

You can expect time for scenery and possibly swimming, although the supplied schedule does not specify exactly how that hour is divided. The attraction is the setting itself: clear water, dramatic island shapes, and a chance to step away from the boat for a while.

The listed admission ticket is not included, so ask what that charge covers and how it will be collected. Small extra fees can be easy to overlook when the main price is already high.

One hour is enough for a taste, not a leisurely island stay. If you want long beach time at Hong Island, you may find the schedule tight. If your priority is seeing several famous places in one day, the short stop works better.

Railay Beach for snorkeling and scenery

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - Railay Beach for snorkeling and scenery

The boat then visits Railay Bay for about an hour of snorkeling. Railay is reached by water and is known for its striking coastal setting, so arriving by speedboat makes practical sense.

I like this stop because it combines a famous beach area with a clear activity. You are not simply stepping ashore, taking a photograph, and immediately returning to the boat. The plan gives you time in the water, though conditions can affect how good the snorkeling is on the day.

The schedule marks admission as free. That does not mean every possible activity or purchase at the beach is covered, so bring a little spending money if you want anything beyond the tour itself.

An hour passes quickly once you account for getting ready, entering the water, and returning to the boat. Keep your swimming gear easy to reach rather than buried in a dry bag. That small bit of preparation helps you use the stop for snorkeling instead of changing clothes.

Two hours around Koh Poda

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - Two hours around Koh Poda

Koh Poda receives the longest single block in the early part of the trip, at two hours. The plan includes snorkeling, sightseeing, and canoeing, giving you more choice than at the shorter stops.

This is where the private format becomes especially useful. Your group can focus on the activity that suits you best rather than following the pace of a large mixed party. Some people can snorkel while others concentrate on views or canoeing.

The admission ticket is not included. Again, clarify the amount before departure. The headline cost covers a private boat, guide, transfers, and drinks, but the route includes some ticketed stops.

Two hours should feel less rushed than the one-hour visits, yet the day remains busy. If you use the time for both snorkeling and canoeing, you may not have much spare time for simply sitting on the beach. I would decide in advance which activity matters most to your group.

More Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Tours in Thailand:

Chicken Island and its famous outline

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - Chicken Island and its famous outline

Chicken Island is scheduled for two hours, with sightseeing and snorkeling. The name comes from the distinctive shape of the island’s rock formation, which gives the stop an obvious visual focus even before you enter the water.

This is a useful pause for people who enjoy a mix of photographs and swimming. You can take in the island from the boat or shore, then use the remaining time for snorkeling if conditions allow.

The itinerary marks the admission ticket as not included. The tour does not promise a particular marine life encounter, water visibility, or snorkeling conditions. Those details change with weather and sea conditions, so treat the stop as a chance to enjoy the setting rather than a guaranteed underwater show.

With two hours assigned, Chicken Island is not merely a quick pass-by. Still, the full schedule includes several major stops, so your guide will need to keep the day moving.

Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley

The final major section is a two-hour visit to the Phi Phi Islands, including Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley. This is the part of the route most closely tied to the classic southern Thailand island experience, with time for snorkeling and scenery.

Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley are different places within the Phi Phi group, so seeing both gives you more variety than stopping at a single beach. The plan is broad, however, and does not state exactly how much time is assigned to each island.

The general description also names Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, and Monkey Beach. Those locations are associated with the Phi Phi area, but they are not separately listed in the detailed stop-by-stop schedule. James Bond Island is also mentioned in the general description, even though it does not appear among the six detailed stops.

That difference is important. Before booking, ask the operator to confirm the actual route for your date. You should know if the boat will visit Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, or James Bond Island, or if the day will follow the Krabi and Phi Phi schedule instead. Do not assume every name in the broad description fits into one day.

What is included, and what is not

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - What is included, and what is not

The package includes an English guide, a professional guide, unlimited drinks, round-trip private transfer, and a private speedboat with no other passengers. The wording suggests two guide inclusions, but it does not say that you receive two separate guides. I would read this as one professional English-speaking guide unless the operator confirms otherwise.

The open bar and unlimited drinks are useful on a hot day. Tea and coffee are available at Boat Lagoon before boarding, so you can start with something familiar before the boat leaves. The information does not specify the full drink selection, so ask if you need something beyond the standard choices.

Lunch is not included. This is the clearest cost issue in the package. The general description refers to a Thai lunch onboard, but the inclusions say lunch is excluded. You should confirm if lunch can be arranged for an added fee, if you need to bring your own food, or if the route includes a purchase stop.

Vegetarian food is available if requested at booking. Mention it early, since the information specifically asks you to advise the operator in advance.

Is $920 good value for your group?

Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat - Is $920 good value for your group?

At $920 for up to eight people, the simple per-person figures look like this:

  • Eight people: $115 each
  • Six people: about $153 each
  • Four people: $230 each
  • Two people: $460 each

That price includes privacy, transfers, a guide, and drinks. For a full group of eight, the cost can be reasonable compared with arranging several separate boat seats, especially if you value having the whole boat to yourselves.

For two or four people, the value is harder to defend unless privacy is your main priority. You are paying for capacity even when you do not fill it. The tour also excludes lunch and some admission charges, so your final bill will be higher than the headline price.

The private format has real value for families, close friends, and groups with different energy levels. You can spend more time snorkeling at one stop and less time at another, within the limits of the day’s route and sea conditions. A shared boat may cost less, but it usually gives you less control.

The public rating is listed as 3 from two reviews, which is too small a sample to settle the question of quality. One available account praises the speedboat scenery, hospitality, and a staff member called Funny. That is a useful clue about the tone of the service, but it cannot confirm how every departure operates.

Timing, weather, and comfort

The stated duration is about six to ten hours. The detailed schedule alone includes 30 minutes at Boat Lagoon, one hour at Hong Island, one hour at Railay, two hours at Koh Poda, two hours at Chicken Island, and two hours at the Phi Phi Islands. That totals eight and a half hours before counting the private transfers and boat movement between stops.

You should plan for a full day, not a short half-day outing. The route tries to cover a lot of ground, and the speedboat is what makes that possible.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That policy is fair for a sea trip, where conditions affect both comfort and safety.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local time, so check the exact deadline carefully.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a private day and does not want to negotiate every seat with strangers. It suits families, groups of friends, and small celebrations where keeping everyone together matters.

It also fits people who want several famous stops in one outing. You get Hong Island, Railay, Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and the Phi Phi Islands, with snorkeling built into much of the plan.

I would be more cautious if your group wants a slow beach day. Six named stops, plus transfers and boat travel, create a busy schedule. You may spend more time moving than you would on a single-island trip.

This is also not the best match for anyone making a strict budget choice. The $920 group rate can work well with eight people, but lunch and admission charges are extra, and a smaller group pays much more per person.

Should you book the Phi Phi and Krabi private tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight seats, value privacy, and want a fast way to combine Krabi and Phi Phi highlights. The private speedboat, hotel transfer, guide, open bar, and broad route give you a convenient day with plenty of water time.

Before paying, confirm three things: the actual departure pier, the final route, and the lunch arrangement. The difference between the broad list of James Bond Island and Maya Bay and the detailed list of Krabi and Phi Phi stops is too important to ignore.

If your group has eight people and accepts a busy schedule, this can be a practical splurge. If you have only two or three people, or you want slow, unhurried island time, compare the price with a smaller private trip before committing.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The experience includes private pickup and a check-in at Boat Lagoon Pier. The information also places the tour in Ko Yao Yai and describes it as operating from Phuket, so confirm the exact pickup and departure point with the provider.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately six to ten hours. The detailed schedule totals about eight and a half hours before transfers and travel between stops.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one group of up to eight people. No other group joins your boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is listed as excluded, although the general description refers to a Thai lunch onboard. Confirm the food arrangement and any added cost before departure.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Tea and coffee are available during check-in, and the tour includes unlimited drinks with an open bar.

Which islands are included in the detailed route?

The detailed schedule includes Hong Island, Railay Beach, Koh Poda Island, Chicken Island, Phi Phi Don, and Phi Phi Ley.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you must request it when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the start time.

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