About this tour
When Em from our team booked this private speedboat charter out of Phuket, we got the run of the Phi Phi Islands for eight hours with just our group and a dedicated crew. The boat hits three standout stops—Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, and Piley Lagoon—with snorkelling gear sorted and lunch thrown in at a resort. It's the kind of outing that lets you set your own pace without the usual tour-group shuffle, though you're banking on decent weather and calm seas to make the most of it.
Highlights
- Private speedboat means no competing for deck space with other tourists
- Piley Lagoon's calm, sheltered water perfect for nervous snorkellers
- Monkey Beach delivers exactly what the name promises—playful interaction
- Lunch at a proper 4.5-star resort beats typical packed meals
- Hotel pickup and drop-off cuts out transport hassles from Phuket
- New snorkel mouthpiece included—small touch, but hygiene matters
- Captain and crew handle navigation so you just relax and look around
- Max six people per charter keeps things intimate
What to expect
Your day starts with collection from your Phuket hotel, then you're heading out to the Andaman in a proper speedboat with a skipper who knows the waters. The first stop—often Bamboo Island—gives you time to wade in and snorkel the reef. Then it's over to Monkey Beach, which lives up to its name with troops of macaques hanging around the shoreline; they're curious but used to visitors, so it's more novelty than unnerving. Piley Lagoon, with its limestone walls and glassy water, feels like a hidden pocket—good for calmer snorkelling if the open sea's rough.
Midway through, you'll motor back to shore for a proper sit-down lunch at a resort rather than eating on the boat. Coffee and tea are laid on. The afternoon repeats the snorkel-and-float routine at whichever spot suits the conditions and your crew's call. By late afternoon, you're heading back to Phuket, usually arriving around sunset. The pace is unhurried—no rushed schedules—but weather and sea state will shape what's actually swimmable on the day.
What travellers say
- Private boat setup—no queuing or fighting for snorkel spots
- Crew flexibility to adjust stops based on conditions and your mood
- Piley Lagoon's sheltered water suits nervous swimmers and families
- Resort lunch on a proper table, not cramped boat benches
- Hotel pickup and drop-off saves the Phuket traffic headache
- Max six people keeps the group intimate and crew attentive
- Sea state dictates which spots are swimmable—bad weather limits options
- Speedboat bounce can be uncomfortable for those prone to motion sickness
- Early hotel pickup and sunset return—long day for young children
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or those with mobility challenges
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you're after a quieter, more flexible way to see the islands without a packed tour boat, this ticks the box. Families with older kids and mixed swimmers will appreciate the calm lagoon option and the fact you can ask the crew to linger or move on to suit your group. The inclusions are solid—snorkel kit, lifejackets, waterproof pouch for your phone, national park fees, and a proper lunch all bundled in. Small groups (max six) mean the crew actually engage rather than herd.
You're entirely at the mercy of the weather and sea conditions. A choppy day means more bobbing about on the boat and rougher snorkelling spots. Not suitable if you're pregnant, have spinal issues, or poor cardiovascular health—the speedboat's a bouncy ride and snorkelling takes effort. Infants and toddlers are allowed but must sit on an adult's lap, which is awkward on a moving boat. Wheelchair accessible transport and site amenities are available, but getting in and out of the speedboat itself requires mobility. Early start (pickup time varies but assume 7–8 a.m.) and you'll be done by late afternoon. No alcohol included, though you can BYO. Book dietary needs upfront. Peak season (Nov–Feb) books fast.
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.