About this tour
When Sarah from our team took this private speedboat tour, we got a genuine sense of what it's like to skip the crowded tour boats and have your own vessel for the day. You're picked up from your hotel, given a pre-departure coffee, then speedboat out to Phi Phi Ley for snorkelling at Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, and Pileh Cove—the water's clear and the reef life is solid. The route also swings by Monkey Beach and wraps up at Koh Khai Nok for more swimming and lounging. It's eight hours door-to-door, split between island stops and travel time, and the pace feels unhurried despite the coverage.
Highlights
- Private speedboat means no queuing with fifty other tourists at the pier.
- Snorkelling gear and life jackets included; fish feeding at Phi Phi Ley works.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off cuts out transport stress.
- English-speaking guide on hand all day.
- Koh Khai Nok beach time to actually relax, not just tick boxes.
- Soft drinks, water, and fresh fruit throughout — no surprise thirst.
- Flexible itinerary; guides adjust for weather and tides in real time.
What to expect
You'll be collected from your hotel in the morning and driven to the pier with time for a tea or coffee before boarding. The speedboat ride to Phi Phi Ley takes a bit, but once you're there, snorkelling is the main event—the water's warm and shallow enough to see plenty without diving deep. You'll hit three or four named bays and coves; Monkey Beach is brief but fun if the monkeys show up. Lunch isn't included, so you'll stop at a restaurant on Phi Phi Don (it's your shout) where you can rest and eat properly. The final leg takes you to Koh Khai Nok, a quieter island where you can swim or just sprawl on the sand.
The eight-hour window is honest about travel time—you're not snorkelling for five straight hours. Weather and tides genuinely affect the route, so the team adapts rather than forcing a rigid plan. The speedboat's faster than the big tour catamarans, which means less sea-sickness risk and quicker hops between spots, but it's still a full day on the water.
What travellers say
- Private boat cuts out crowded snorkel-site chaos completely.
- Hotel pickup and return removes logistical faff.
- Guide speaks English and adapts to weather and tides.
- Snorkel kit and safety gear included; fins available to rent.
- Two beach stops give breathing room between water time.
- Soft drinks and fruit keep you topped up all day.
- Lunch, park fees, and fin rentals add up beyond headline price.
- Eight hours is mostly travel; expect three to four hours snorkelling.
- Speedboat motion not ideal for poor swimmers or health concerns.
- Peak season crowds still happen at famous spots like Maya Bay.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely private—your own boat, your own guide, no jostling with tour groups at the snorkel sites. The price reflects that, but if you're tired of cattle-market tourism, it's worth it. Families with kids and couples get a stress-free day without alarm-clock timing or herding.
Lunch costs extra and the national park fee (400 baht per adult, 200 per child) isn't baked in, so budget for that. Snorkelling fins are a rental add-on if you don't have your own. The tour isn't suitable if you have spinal issues, are pregnant, or have heart concerns—speedboats bounce. Eight hours is long, so seasickness meds are wise if you're prone. Koh Khai Nok is pretty quiet; if you want nightlife or shops, this isn't the itinerary. Bring sunscreen (it's relentless) and a light jumper for the breeze on the boat. The itinerary changes with weather, so flexibility is key.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.