Phi Phi Private Tour from Krabi

Phi Phi’s best-known bays and beaches are spread across several islands, so a private speedboat makes this a practical way to see a lot in one day. You travel with your own group, not a boatload of strangers, and can spend more time swimming or snorkeling instead of waiting for a larger group to move on.

I like two things in particular: you can set the pace with your guide, and lunch, drinks, fruit, and snorkeling gear are included. The itinerary also mixes beach time at Bamboo Island with quick photo stops at famous sights such as Maya Bay and Viking Cave.

The trade-off is the price, especially for a small group. The tour is listed at $651.93 for a group of up to 12, but the pricing details also specify extra charges for additional adults and children, payable in cash. Confirm exactly what your booking covers before you go.

• Your own speedboat: The tour is private, so the boat is for your group alone.
• A full island circuit: Stops include Bamboo Island, Nui Bay, Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, and Viking Cave.
• Time to swim and snorkel: Bamboo Island and Nui Bay each have about an hour scheduled, and gear is provided.
• Food is part of the day: Thai lunch on the beach, water, soft drinks, and fresh fruit are included.
• Pickup depends on your base: Ao Nang and Railay transfers are free; other listed areas carry an extra charge.
• You can adjust the pace: The guide can help shape your stops, but the day still has a fixed overall duration of about 7 to 8 hours.

A private boat changes the pace of the Phi Phi day

The main advantage here is control. With a private boat, your group can talk through how long to stay at each stop rather than fitting every swim and photo into a larger tour’s timetable. The trip is described as customizable, so you can plan with the guide or let the guide suggest a route.

That flexibility matters on a day with several different kinds of stops. You have time for a longer swim at Bamboo Island and Nui Bay, then shorter visits to Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, and Viking Cave. If your group would rather linger in the water than take a long photo break, tell your guide early and discuss what the route allows.

Speedboat travel helps connect the islands within a 7 to 8 hour outing. The benefit is more time at the destinations than you might get on a slower trip, though the journey itself can be choppy. One person described feeling safe in rough water with the boat driver, but conditions vary, and the tour requires good weather.

The boat is private, but that does not mean every stop is empty. Maya Bay and Monkey Beach are well-known sights, and other boats may be there. The guide can try to avoid crowds, as guides have done on past trips, but you should treat that as a skillful effort, not a promise of solitude.

Bamboo Island gives you the first long swim

The first stop is Bamboo Island, scheduled for about an hour. Its clear water is described as suitable for snorkeling, and this is one of the best chances in the itinerary to get into the sea without feeling rushed. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own set to take part.

An hour gives you options: swim, snorkel, or spend time on the beach. The tour includes a local fish identification resource, which can make snorkeling more engaging if you like knowing what you are seeing. The details do not specify which fish you might spot, so think of this as a useful extra rather than a promise of particular marine life.

The island stop is also a good early test of what your group wants from the day. If everyone is eager to snorkel, let the guide know. If some people would rather stay on shore, the private format makes it easier to coordinate a pace that works for the group.

Nui Bay is another chance to slow down

Nui Bay, on Phi Phi Don, is scheduled for roughly an hour of relaxing and snorkeling. Pairing it with Bamboo Island gives the day two substantial water stops, rather than making every destination a quick hop off the boat.

The two stops offer a useful contrast in the day’s rhythm: time in the water, then a series of shorter visits to famous sights. If you are most interested in swimming and snorkeling, these hour-long pauses are likely to be the highlights. If your priority is seeing every named place, keep in mind that time at the later stops is much shorter.

Monkey Beach calls for care with your belongings

Monkey Beach is a 15-minute stop, known for the monkeys found there. The tour information specifically warns you to watch personal items such as phones, backpacks, and sunglasses. That is sensible advice at a stop where curious animals may come close.

This is not the place to leave your belongings loose on the beach or unattended. The tour description mentions that monkeys may be waiting for food, but it does not spell out a feeding policy. Follow your guide’s instructions on site, and keep your things secure while you take photos.

The short visit means you should not expect a long beach break here. Think of it as a quick look at a distinctive Phi Phi sight, then back aboard for the next stop.

Maya Bay is a brief look at a famous shoreline

Maya Bay is one of Thailand’s best-known coastal scenes, made famous by the film The Beach. The tour allots about 15 minutes here, with the focus on taking photos of the white sand and surrounding cliffs.

That short window is worth understanding before you book. Maya Bay is included, but it is not a long beach stay in this schedule. If you want time for a swim or a leisurely visit, ask the operator what is possible on your date, since the supplied itinerary describes a photo stop rather than a longer visit.

Even a brief stop can be memorable because the setting is so distinctive. The cliffs frame the bay, and the contrast between the pale sand and water makes it one of the day’s signature views. Take your photos, but do not expect this one stop to define the whole trip: the longer swims are at Bamboo Island and Nui Bay.

Pileh Bay brings the boat into a cliff-ringed lagoon

At Pileh Bay, the boat passes through and stops for about 40 minutes in a lagoon surrounded by cliffs. This is one of the more atmospheric parts of the route, with the steep rock walls creating a very different setting from an open beach.

The itinerary describes a passage and stop, but does not promise a specific activity here. Ask your guide what the conditions allow on the day and whether there will be time to swim. The private format gives you a chance to discuss preferences, though weather and the day’s route still matter.

Forty minutes is enough to take in the setting without turning this into a full beach stop. I would keep your camera ready, then enjoy the view rather than treating every minute as a photo session.

Viking Cave is a short photo stop

The visit to Viking Cave lasts about 10 minutes and is described as a brief stop to photograph the cave. It is the shortest scheduled stop, so expect a look from the boat rather than a lengthy visit.

The tour describes the cave as home to Sea Gypsies, but gives no further detail about access or what you will see inside. Treat this as a quick visual stop on the route, not a guided visit through the cave. It adds variety to a day otherwise built around beaches, swimming, and snorkeling.

Lunch and included extras make the day easier

Lunch is described as Thai food served on the beach. Water, soft drinks, and fresh fruit are also included, along with snorkeling equipment and a professional local guide. Having food and basic refreshments covered means fewer things to arrange before departure.

The tour also includes national park fees of 400 THB per person and insurance listed at 1,000,000 THB. The price details say these are included, but also specify extra charges for additional people. Since the same information describes the price as $651.93 per group up to 12 and as a price for two people, clarify the exact total for your group before booking.

For extra participants, the stated charge is 1,500 THB per additional adult and 1,300 THB per child aged 4 to 12. These charges include park fees, lunch, and extras, and are payable in cash during the tour. Build those costs into your comparison, especially if you are booking for a family or a group larger than two.

The price makes most sense for a group

At $651.93 per group, this is a premium day trip compared with sharing a boat. The value comes from having the speedboat to yourselves, setting a more personal pace, and covering several Phi Phi stops in one outing. For a larger group, the cost may feel easier to justify when spread across the party, though the added-person charges still need to be checked.

For two people, the listed price is a substantial expense for a day tour. I would weigh it against what matters most to you: privacy, flexibility, and time at selected stops. If you are content with a fixed schedule and a shared boat, a private trip may not be worth the extra cost. If sharing a boat sounds like a poor fit, this option buys meaningful control over the day.

The inclusion of lunch, refreshments, gear, guide, transfers from some areas, and park fees makes the price easier to assess. Still, do not assume every cost is covered for every group size. Ask for the total in writing, including any cash payment due on the day and any transfer charge for your hotel area.

Pickup times and practical details to check

The stated start time is 8:00 am, but pickup timing varies by location. Free hotel transfers are listed from Ao Nang between 7:30 and 7:45 am and from Railay between 8:20 and 8:30 am. Transfers from Krabi Town, Khlong Muang, and Tub Keek cost an additional 1,000 THB.

Because the pickup windows differ, confirm the exact meeting point and time with the operator before the tour. One past group coordinated its pickup the day before and found the agreed plan straightforward. That is a good habit, particularly if you are staying outside Ao Nang or Railay.

The tour recommends a moderate level of physical fitness. The available details do not specify walking distances or the type of boat access at each stop, so ask the operator if you have mobility concerns or need particular assistance. The experience is private to your group, and confirmation is provided at booking.

It is typically booked about 49 days in advance, a useful signal that you should not leave planning until the last minute if your dates are fixed. The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund; you can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Who should choose this Phi Phi trip

This tour suits a group that wants the major Phi Phi sights without sharing its boat. It is especially appealing if you care more about swimming and snorkeling than spending long stretches on land, since the itinerary gives about an hour each at Bamboo Island and Nui Bay.

Families and friends may also value the ability to agree on a pace together. The private format can make the day feel less hurried, and past trips have included guides named Fatin, Hat, and Leo. Those names are not a guarantee for your departure, so ask who will lead your trip if having a particular guide matters to you.

It is less compelling if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget and do not mind a shared tour. The price is a real commitment, and several famous stops are brief. Also consider your tolerance for speedboat travel: the ride can be choppy, and good weather is essential.

Should you book the private speedboat?

Book it if having your own boat and some say over the schedule are worth paying for, and if you want to combine beach time, snorkeling, and Phi Phi’s best-known sights in one day. The strongest case is the mix of two longer water stops with quick visits to Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, Pileh Bay, and Viking Cave.

Before paying, confirm the total price for your exact group size, any cash charges, and the pickup cost for your hotel. If those details fit your budget, this is a well-rounded way to see the islands at your own group’s pace. If not, look for a shared trip and put the savings toward more time in Krabi.

FAQ

How long is the Phi Phi private tour?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Which islands and stops are included?

Stops include Bamboo Island, Nui Bay on Phi Phi Don, Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, and Viking Cave. Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lee are also named among the places visited.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Thai lunch on the beach, water, soft drinks, and fresh fruit are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Which hotel transfers are included?

Transfers from Ao Nang and Railay are listed as free. Transfers from Krabi Town, Khlong Muang, and Tub Keek cost an additional 1,000 THB.

What are the extra charges for additional people?

The stated charge is 1,500 THB per additional adult and 1,300 THB per child aged 4 to 12. These charges are payable in cash during the tour.