About this tour
When Noah from our team booked this private speedboat charter out of Khao Lak, we got the Phi Phi Islands mostly to ourselves for eleven hours. The route takes you to Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, and Pileh Lagoon—spots that get rammed on group tours but feel quieter when you've got your own boat and skipper. You're picked up from your hotel, kitted out with snorkeling gear, and spend the day island-hopping across the Andaman Sea. It's the kind of trip where you set the pace: linger at a beach, skip a stop if the water's calling, or just drift and read. Max ten people per boat keeps it intimate.
Highlights
- Private speedboat means no queuing with coach tours at each island.
- Bamboo Island's white sand and shallow reefs caught us off-guard—genuinely pristine.
- Monkey Beach lived up to its name; we watched them forage metres away.
- Pileh Lagoon's turquoise water and limestone cliffs are as dramatic as photos suggest.
- Hotel pickup from Khao Lak saves the pre-dawn scramble to a pier.
- Small group cap (ten max) lets you actually talk to your guide and crew.
- Snorkeling gear provided; coral gardens teemed with parrotfish and anemones.
What to expect
You'll be collected from your Khao Lak hotel early morning and driven to the speedboat in air-conditioned comfort. Once you're aboard—usually a sleek fiberglass hull—the skipper charts a course toward the islands. The ride's quick but bumpy in any swell; Noah found the first twenty minutes of throttle a bit full-on, but once you reach the calmer waters around the islands, it settles. You'll typically spend two to three hours at each main stop: Bamboo Island for swimming and a bit of beach time, Monkey Beach to watch the resident troop (they're habituated but unpredictable), and Pileh Lagoon for snorkeling. The water's warm and clear, and visibility is usually five to ten metres depending on the season.
Pacing feels unhurried. There's time to float, explore, sit with a cold water, chat with other guests. The crew keeps an eye on weather and currents, and they'll anchor in spots that suit the conditions. By mid-afternoon, you're heading back toward the mainland, arriving back at your hotel by late afternoon or early evening. It's not relentless sightseeing—more a full day of being on the water with proper downtime built in.
What travellers say
- Private boat avoids the packed group-tour experience at each island.
- Hotel pickup removes the early-morning logistics stress.
- Small group (max ten) means genuine interaction with crew and guides.
- Snorkeling gear included; reefs are healthy and fish-rich.
- Flexible itinerary—skipper adapts to weather and group preferences.
- Bamboo Island and Monkey Beach feel less trampled than on bigger tours.
- Lunch costs extra (around 400 baht per adult); not a hidden cost but worth budgeting.
- Speedboat ride is bumpy in swell; seasickness meds advised.
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or those with spinal/heart conditions.
- Peak-season islands still crowded, though your boat provides refuge.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
You get the Phi Phi Islands without the cattle-market feel of big tour boats. The private setup means the skipper can adjust stops based on conditions or your group's mood. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel is genuinely convenient, and the included water and hot drinks cover the basics. Small groups (max ten) mean the guide can chat properly and remember who wants photos versus who wants peace and quiet. It suits families, couples, and groups of mates equally.
Lunch isn't included—you'll pay around 400 baht per adult (200 for kids) for a buffet ashore, so budget for that. The boat ride itself isn't gentle; if you're prone to seasickness, take tablets before you board. Speedboats aren't suited to pregnant travellers, anyone with spinal or serious heart issues. Young kids need to be on an adult's lap, and prams are technically permitted but impractical on a moving boat. Peak season (November to February) means the islands are busier, though your private boat still beats the crowds. Bring sun cream and a rash vest—the Andaman sun is relentless. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but getting aboard with a chair requires some planning; confirm accessibility needs when booking.
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.