Private Phi Phi Island Speed Boat Tour from Krabi

The best reason to book this trip is control over your day. Phi Phi’s famous bays can get busy, but on a private boat for your group of up to 12, you can ask to spend longer swimming or leave a crowded stop sooner. The speedboat links Krabi to the islands in about 45 minutes, so you can make a full day of the water and scenery.

I like two things in particular: the crew can adjust the pace to suit your group, and the tour combines well-known sights such as Maya Bay with time to snorkel and relax on Bamboo Island. Hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, water, fruit and a buffet lunch are included, which makes the day easier to organize.

The trade-off is price: at $367.67 per person, this is a substantial outing, and the national park fee is extra. Private does not mean the islands are empty, either. At popular stops, you may still share the view with many other boats.

What to know before you book

• Your group gets a private boat: The activity is for your party, with a maximum group size of 12.
• You set the pace: Ask the crew to give more time to swimming or snorkeling, or to move on when a stop feels crowded.
• Expect a full day: The tour lasts about eight hours, with a 9:00 am start and hotel pickup from several areas around Krabi.
• Bring extra cash for the park fee: The national park charges THB 400 per adult and THB 200 per child. These fees are not included.
• The itinerary can change: Weather and sea conditions can affect the route and stops.
• Maya Bay has a seasonal closure: The park closes it for two months each year during low season, so check whether it will be open on your date.

A private boat makes the busy Phi Phi circuit easier

Phi Phi is famous for pale beaches, clear water and sheer limestone cliffs. It is also a popular day trip, and the best-known stops can feel crowded, especially in busy periods. A private speedboat cannot make the crowds disappear, but it gives you a useful option: ask the crew to change the pace or spend more time somewhere quieter.

The boat is private for your group, not shared with strangers. That matters if you are traveling with children, friends with different interests, or anyone who would rather swim than follow a fixed sightseeing schedule. The tour can take up to 12 people, and the crew can help shape the day around what your group wants to do.

Past trips have been led by guides including Cookie, Mei, Gina, Beauty, Nee and Aekie. The crew names may vary, but personal attention is a central part of the experience. Families have found the crew helpful with young children, while groups focused on snorkeling have asked to spend less time on sightseeing and more time in the water.

Still, this is a sightseeing trip across a popular island group, not a secluded retreat. Some stops are famous for good reason, and other boats will be there too. The private format gives you flexibility, not exclusive access to every beach or bay.

Hotel pickup starts the day without a pier scramble

Pickup is offered from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang and Tubkaek Beach. If you are staying at Railay Beach, pickup is at a meeting point there. Your exact pickup time is provided when the booking is confirmed, so check it carefully rather than assuming it will be 9:00 am.

The listed start time is 9:00 am at Nopparat Thara Pier, where you check in with the crew and receive a short briefing. Expect instructions on the boat and current sea and weather conditions before departure. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and the overall tour lasts about eight hours.

Hotel transport is a real convenience, especially if you are staying away from the pier or would rather not arrange a taxi before a long day. The transfer is included both ways. The schedule also includes a short check-in and briefing, so pickup, pier time and the boat ride all form part of the day rather than being extra sightseeing time.

Loh Samah Bay and Maya Bay: famous views, changing conditions

The route includes a stop at Loh Samah Bay, where a floating pier connects to a rocky section and an elevated wooden trail leading toward Maya Bay. The walk is part of reaching the beach, so expect more than stepping straight off the boat onto sand. At Maya Bay, the plan allows roughly 35 minutes, with time to see the white beach and turquoise water.

Maya Bay is one of the most recognizable spots in the Phi Phi group. That fame brings a trade-off: it can be crowded, and your visit is timed. The private boat gives you some say over the broader schedule, but it does not guarantee an empty beach or an unlimited stay at the bay.

The national park closes Maya Bay for two months each year during low season. The overall program can also change with the weather and sea conditions, so treat the stated stops as a plan rather than a promise. If Maya Bay is a key reason for booking, check its status for your travel dates.

Phi Leh Bay and the snorkeling stops

Phi Leh Bay, also called Phileh Lagoon, is framed by limestone cliffs rising about 100 meters above the water. The tour allows around 45 minutes here for photos and time on the water. You can also arrange an optional longtail boat ride to explore smaller coves, but that costs extra.

A later stop on the east side of Phi Phi Leh is set aside for snorkeling. The provided equipment and life jacket make it easier to get in the water without bringing your own kit. The reefs and clear water are a major draw, although visibility and conditions can vary. Ask your guide about the day’s conditions before swimming.

The tour strongly recommends wearing a life jacket during the boat ride and while snorkeling. That is sensible advice on a day spent moving between islands by speedboat. Jellyfish can appear year-round in the Andaman Sea, with sightings more common during the monsoon season, roughly May through October. Ask the guide before swimming if you have concerns.

Viking Cave is a short, slow pass rather than a long visit. From the boat, you can see the cave where swiftlet nests used for bird’s nest soup are harvested. It is a brief look at a working site, not a stop for going ashore.

Monkey Beach and the difference between seeing and landing

Monkey Beach is included as a short scenic stop, but it is not a guaranteed beach landing. The tour information notes that monkeys may be observed when the tide is low. That distinction matters if you are picturing time on the sand: you may see the beach and its monkeys from the water instead.

Do not feed the monkeys. Feeding can make them aggressive and interfere with their normal foraging. Keep your distance, follow the crew’s instructions and treat the animals as wildlife rather than photo props.

This is also a good example of why the private format helps, but only to a point. Your crew can respond to your interests and the conditions, but tides and wildlife behavior are not under anyone’s control.

Ton Sai, Bamboo Island and lunch on Phi Phi Don

At Ao Ton Sai Pier, the schedule allows about 30 minutes of free time to explore the island path around Ton Sai and Loh Dalum Bay. This is the most developed stop on the route, with tourist facilities and a chance to stretch your legs. It is useful for a change of pace, though it is not the quietest part of the day.

Bamboo Island, also called Koh Pai, is a smaller, flat island ringed by white sand and a reef. The plan gives you about an hour there, making it a good stop for a beach break after the sightseeing and snorkeling. One useful timing detail: the island can become less crowded later in the afternoon, around 3:30 pm. The actual schedule may shift, but it is worth asking the guide whether your group can time the stop for a quieter spell.

Lunch is served at Phi Phi Arida restaurant on Phi Phi Don. It is a Thai-style buffet, with about 30 minutes allowed for the meal. The included lunch is convenient, though the setting can feel busy and the meal is not a leisurely restaurant visit. Tell the operator your meal preferences in advance.

The combination of lunch, fruit and drinking water means you do not need to plan every snack stop yourself. Still, bring any personal food or drink you know you will want, and confirm in advance if you have dietary needs. The tour asks for meal preferences ahead of time, but does not specify which dietary requests can be accommodated.

What $367.67 buys, and what it does not

At $367.67 per person, this is a premium day trip. The price is easier to justify if you are traveling with a group that values privacy and flexibility, particularly if the alternative is splitting up or spending the day on a fixed schedule with strangers. The option to adjust time at stops is the main value, not simply the speed of the boat.

The package includes round-trip hotel transfer, drinking water, seasonal fruit, buffet lunch, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, an English-speaking guide and basic accident insurance. The THB 400 adult or THB 200 child national park fee is extra, as are tips. An optional longtail boat ride in Phi Leh Bay also costs extra.

The tour is described as private and suitable for groups of up to 12, while the boat is described as having 45 seats. Ask the operator about the exact boat arrangement for your booking if the vessel itself matters to you. The central promise is that your activity is for your group, not that the boat has only 12 seats.

Some practical extras are not included. Towels and waterproof bags are not listed as provided, so bring them if you will want them. One group also found the lunch service chaotic, which is worth keeping in mind if you expect a calm, polished meal. The buffet is part of a busy island day, not a reason to book the tour on its own.

Who will get the most from this day

I would consider this tour for families, couples or friends who want to share a boat and have a say in how the day unfolds. The crew’s flexibility is especially useful when children need a different pace, or when one group would rather snorkel while another wants more time on shore. The tour has worked well for families with young children, but you should still decide whether a full day on a speedboat suits your group.

It is also a good fit if you care more about the islands and swimming than a tightly timed checklist. You can ask the guide to linger at a spot you love, or move on from a crowded one. If your priority is simply seeing the main sights at the lowest cost, a private tour may not be the right use of your budget.

Before departure, listen to the safety briefing and follow the crew’s advice about conditions. Keep in mind that the route can change with weather, Maya Bay may be closed seasonally, and Monkey Beach may only be viewed from the water. Those details do not ruin the outing, but knowing them helps you arrive with sensible expectations.

Should you book the private Phi Phi speedboat?

Book it if your group values choice, time in the water and a personal pace more than the lowest possible price. The private setup, hotel pickup, included gear and lunch make for a straightforward day, while the crew can help you balance popular sights with swimming and quieter stops.

Skip it if $367.67 per person feels too steep, or if you expect every beach to be peaceful and every stop to be a long visit. For the right group, the extra cost buys a more adaptable way to see Phi Phi. For a budget-focused trip, compare shared tours and decide how much flexibility is worth to you.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The listed start time is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is offered from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang and Tubkaek Beach. For Railay Beach, pickup is from a meeting point there. Your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private activity is for your group, with a maximum of 12 participants.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The fee is THB 400 per adult and THB 200 per child, paid separately.

Is Maya Bay open every day?

No. The Department of National Parks closes Maya Bay for two months each year during low season. The tour program can also change because of weather and sea conditions.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes round-trip hotel transfer, drinking water, seasonal fruit, buffet lunch, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, an English-speaking guide and basic accident insurance.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund.