Premium Tour to Phi Phi & Bamboo Island Tours by Speed boat

Phuket’s best island day starts before breakfast. This nine-hour speedboat trip packs Phi Phi Ley, Pileh Bay, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island into one busy outing. I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, and I like that the price includes snorkeling gear, lunch, an English-speaking guide, and photos from the guide. The catch is a serious one: the ride can be very bumpy, and popular stops may feel crowded.

The tour costs about $109.12 per person, which is fair if you want a full day with transport handled for you. I also like the clear morning organization at Royal Phuket Marina, where colored wristbands help you find your group. Still, you should be comfortable with a fast boat, a long day, and limited quiet time at the most famous sites.

Key points to know before you book

• Royal Phuket Marina is the real starting point: Expect about 40 minutes for check-in, safety information, equipment, and group organization.
• Maya Bay is viewed from a distance: It is currently closed for close access, so do not book this trip expecting to walk onto its famous beach.
• Bamboo Island gives you a longer beach and snorkeling stop: The schedule allows about two hours there, making it one of the day’s more relaxed sections.
• The speedboat ride can be rough: Motion sickness tablets may be offered, but they can make you sleepy.
• The group can reach 35 people: Colored wristbands and clear English instructions help keep the operation organized.
• Lunch, hotel transfers, gear, and photos are included: That makes the price easier to justify than a bare boat ticket.

A full day among Phi Phi’s limestone islands

This is a classic Phuket island-hopping day with a premium label and a packed route. You leave early, spend much of the day on the water, stop for swimming and snorkeling, and return after roughly nine hours.

The appeal is variety. Instead of visiting only Phi Phi Don, you see several well-known coastal scenes and add Bamboo Island, which is less famous and usually gives the schedule a little more breathing room. You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are paying for transport from your hotel, equipment, food, a guide, and a route that would be awkward to arrange independently.

The schedule is also demanding. If you prefer slow mornings, long lunches, or one quiet beach, this will feel rushed. If you want to see a lot in one day and do not mind a little logistical fuss, it makes good use of your time in Phuket.

Starting at Royal Phuket Marina

Pickup begins around 7:30 a.m., with round-trip hotel transfers included. The exact pickup timing depends on your hotel and the day’s transport arrangements, so keep your morning flexible rather than planning a tight breakfast reservation.

Royal Phuket Marina is the staging point for the boat trip. Allow roughly 40 minutes here for check-in, safety instructions, equipment, and group sorting. The operation uses colored wristbands so you know which boat or group you belong to. That small system matters when several groups are leaving from the same pier.

One account also describes a light breakfast at the pier while groups were being gathered. Lunch is the clearly listed meal, so treat any morning food as a useful extra rather than the main reason to book.

The safety briefing is given in English, and the crew supplies snorkeling equipment. This is helpful if you do not want to pack fins, a mask, or related gear. The guide also takes photos during the day, giving you a chance to enjoy the water without constantly reaching for your phone.

The boat can carry up to 35 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but the wristband system and clear instructions should make the morning easier to follow. The crew has been praised for being friendly and organized, which is especially valuable when the day involves several stops.

The speedboat ride: fast, useful, and sometimes rough

A speedboat lets you cover a lot of sea in one day. That is the main reason this trip can include Phi Phi Ley, Pileh Bay, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island rather than stopping at just one island.

The tradeoff is comfort. The ride may be bumpy, especially if the sea is unsettled. One account describes the motion as severe enough to spoil the outing, even after motion sickness medicine helped with nausea. The crew may offer tablets, but those can make you sleepy.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is the part to take seriously. Eat lightly before departure, ask about the boat ride before boarding, and avoid assuming that a premium tour means a smooth ride. The word premium here appears to refer mainly to service, equipment, and organization, not to a private yacht or a calm crossing.

The crew’s attitude is a plus. Friendly service and clear directions can make a rough crossing easier, but they cannot remove the movement of the boat. I would choose this trip for scenery and efficiency, not for a leisurely cruise.

Phi Phi Ley: swimming, snorkeling, and dramatic coastlines

The first major water time comes around Phi Phi Ley, with about an hour set aside for swimming and snorkeling. This is where the tour shifts from transport to active sightseeing.

The water around Phi Phi Ley is known for its clear appearance and marine life. You can expect time in the sea rather than a long land visit. The supplied gear means you can take part without bringing your own mask and snorkel, although personal equipment may fit more comfortably if you already have it.

The schedule then gives another roughly two-hour section around Phi Phi Ley for snorkeling and exploring the surrounding coves. The timing listed for the route separates these activities, so think of them as multiple water sessions in the same island area rather than a single quick stop.

This part suits you if you enjoy swimming and want to spend real time in the water. It may disappoint you if you prefer walking around island villages or photographing architecture. The focus is coastal scenery and marine viewing, not cultural sightseeing.

Because Phi Phi is one of the most popular areas near Phuket, crowd levels can affect the mood. You may find several boats sharing the same attractive water spots. The scenery remains impressive, but the experience is less private than the photographs often suggest.

Maya Bay from a distance

Maya Bay is included in the route, but close access is currently closed. You view it from a distance rather than walking onto the beach or swimming inside the bay.

That distinction is important. Maya Bay became famous through its movie setting and dramatic cliffs, so many people book Phi Phi tours mainly for that one image. Here, you get the surrounding scenery and a distant look, but not the full beach visit.

I would treat Maya Bay as a passing viewpoint, not the centerpiece of the day. If standing on the famous sand is your main goal, this is not the right time to book this particular route. If you mainly want the Phi Phi coastline and are happy to see Maya Bay from offshore, the limitation is easier to accept.

The closure also shows why you should check current conditions before booking any island tour. Marine protections and access rules can change, and a printed route does not always mean every stop is open for close exploration.

Pileh Bay and its bright water

Pileh Bay receives about 45 minutes. The focus is swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered-looking coastal setting, with steep rock walls and clear water creating the classic Phi Phi view.

This is a good stop for a quick swim. You will have enough time to get into the water, look around, and enjoy the setting, but not enough for a slow half-day visit. Bring your swimwear under your clothes and keep your personal items simple so you can move quickly when the boat arrives.

Pileh Bay can be one of the most photogenic sections of the route. The limitation is that a beautiful cove with a short schedule can feel busy when several boats arrive together. You may need to share the water and wait your turn near the boat.

Still, the stop adds variety after the longer Phi Phi Ley sessions. Rather than spending the whole day at one beach, you get a series of different coastal views and swimming areas.

Bamboo Island: the day’s breathing room

Bamboo Island is scheduled for about two hours, making it the longest individual stop. The island is less visited than the main Phi Phi sights, although that does not mean you should expect solitude.

This is where the tour has time to feel less hurried. You can snorkel around the island, look for coral and fish, and spend more time in the water without watching the clock every few minutes. The guide leads you toward suitable snorkeling areas, which is useful if you do not know where to start.

The island also gives you a change of scenery. Phi Phi Ley is known for tall limestone formations and enclosed bays. Bamboo Island offers a more open beach setting and a longer pause in the schedule. That contrast is one of the strongest reasons to choose this route over a Phi Phi-only trip.

The quality of the snorkeling depends on sea conditions, visibility, and how many boats are present. The tour promises access to marine life and coral areas, but it cannot guarantee perfect water or a private patch of reef.

Lunch and what is included

Lunch is included, so you do not need to carry a full meal. Food has been described positively, and the crew is also praised for friendly service. That combination helps on a long day when you are swimming, riding in the sun, and moving between stops.

Alcoholic drinks are not included, and personal expenses are separate. Plan to pay for anything outside the stated package. The useful part of the package is that the major practical costs are already covered: lunch, air-conditioned ground transport, round-trip transfers, snorkeling gear, an English guide, and guide-taken photos.

The air-conditioned vehicle matters most at the beginning and end of the day. Phuket’s heat can make a hotel transfer uncomfortable, so having a cooled vehicle is a practical benefit rather than a luxury detail.

Is $109.12 a fair price?

At about $109.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Phi Phi. It can still be good value if you want an all-day package rather than a basic transfer.

You receive hotel pickup and return, a speedboat route, equipment, lunch, a guide, and photography. You also visit several major locations in one day. Arranging all those parts separately would take time and could make the cost less predictable.

The value drops if you dislike group tours or plan to skip snorkeling. You are paying for the boat, the route, and the included services, not for a private experience. A group of up to 35 people can feel busy at popular stops, and the speedboat is built for coverage rather than comfort.

I see the price as reasonable for an active first visit to Phi Phi and Bamboo Island. It is less attractive for someone who wants a quiet, slow island day.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want to see several Phi Phi sights in one day
• Like swimming and snorkeling
• Need hotel pickup from Phuket
• Prefer a package with lunch and equipment included
• Are comfortable with a fast boat and a full schedule
• Want Bamboo Island added to the usual Phi Phi route

I would be cautious if you:

• Get motion sickness easily
• Need a calm, spacious boat
• Want to walk on Maya Bay
• Dislike crowds at famous coastal sites
• Prefer private guiding or a flexible schedule
• Want a long, quiet beach stay

The tour is suitable for most people, and children aged eight and above are specifically represented in the supplied family account. Still, every participant should be comfortable with swimming, snorkeling, boat movement, and a long day away from the hotel.

Practical booking advice

Confirm your pickup details and keep the morning open. The stated start time is 7:30 a.m., but hotel transfers can involve coordination before you reach the marina.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and only the personal items you need. Your most important choice is whether you can handle the speedboat. If you already know that rough water causes trouble, ask about motion sickness support and understand that the available medicine may cause drowsiness.

The tour offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so watch the local cut-off time.

Should you book this Phi Phi and Bamboo Island tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, well-organized day with several famous islands, included lunch, hotel transport, and snorkeling gear. The friendly crew, clear English instructions, punctual pickup, and good food add real value.

Skip it if you are mainly coming for a quiet beach or a walk on Maya Bay. The rough ride and possible crowds are the two biggest concerns. For an active first look at Phi Phi with Bamboo Island added, I think the route is worthwhile, as long as you accept that the day is busy and Maya Bay is only viewed from offshore.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle, round-trip transfers, snorkeling gear, an English-speaking guide, and photos taken by the guide during the tour.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 7:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transfers are included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 35 people.

Is Maya Bay open for a close visit?

No. Maya Bay is currently viewed from a distance because close access is closed.

How much time is spent at Bamboo Island?

The schedule allows about two hours at Bamboo Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included. One account also describes a small breakfast at the pier, but lunch is the meal clearly included in the package.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.