About this tour
When Lily from our team took this morning run from Phi Phi Don, we cruised out on a traditional longtail to Bamboo Island—a half-day snorkel jaunt that leaves your afternoon free. The boat ride itself is the draw: you're travelling like locals do, bouncing across warm Andaman waters with stops to spot reef sharks, wild monkeys, and schools of tropical fish. It's a busy route, so expect other boats and swimmers, but the shallow reefs around Bamboo are genuinely good for snorkelling. Lunch comes beachside—proper Thai food, not tourist fare. Four hours end-to-end, morning departure.
Highlights
- Longtail boat ride feels authentically local, not a ferried tour experience
- Bamboo Island's shallow reefs hold healthy coral and confident reef sharks
- Monkey Beach encounters—wild animals, not performed; respect distances
- Hot Thai lunch served direct on the sand, included in the price
- Morning timing leaves your Phi Phi afternoons open for other plans
- Gear provided: mask, snorkel, life jacket, so no rental drama
- Stops at Shark Point for calmer waters if visibility shifts
What to expect
You'll meet at McDonald's on Phi Phi Don in the early morning and head straight to the longtail. The boat ride to Bamboo Island takes around an hour; expect it to be warm, fairly bouncy, and shared with a handful of other groups. Once anchored, you've got time in the water snorkelling the reef—visibility varies with tides and season, but the shallow sandy bottom and scattered coral make it approachable even if you're not a confident swimmer. The water is clear and warm.
You'll pull ashore for lunch mid-morning while the island is still quieter. The food is genuinely tasty Thai—curries, rice, fresh fruit—and it sits well before getting back in the water. The return journey mirrors the outbound, with a potential stop at Monkey Beach or Shark Point depending on conditions and what the guide spots. Expect the whole thing to wrap by late morning, giving you a proper afternoon on Phi Phi proper.
What travellers say
- Longtail boat ride feels genuinely local, not theme-park tourism
- Four hours leaves your afternoon free on Phi Phi Island
- Snorkelling reef is healthy and accessible for mixed ability
- Thai lunch included and authentically tasty, served on the beach
- Gear provided removes rental hassle and extra cost
- Small groups create a less crowded feel than mega-boat tours
- National park fee (400THB) not included; budget this separately
- Popular route means multiple boats and swimmers at anchor points
- Open longtail offers minimal shade; strong sun exposure risk
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or those with spinal/cardiac issues
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works brilliantly if you're staying on Phi Phi and don't want to lose a full day. The longtail boat is the real thing—wooden, narrow, loud engine, proper local vibe—not a tourist catamaran. Snorkelling is straightforward; the reef isn't pristine but it's alive. Lunch is genuinely good Thai cooking, not a sandwich. Gear's included, so you save on rental fees. Small groups mean it feels less factory-line than some island tours.
This is a popular route, so multiple boats anchor at Bamboo on busy mornings; don't expect solitude. You're paying a 400 baht national park fee at the gate (200 for kids) on top of the tour price—add that to your budget. The longtail is open-air with minimal shade; sunburn and dehydration are real risks. It's not suitable if you're pregnant, have heart or bone issues, or spinal problems—the boat motion can aggravate these. Kids aged 4–10 have reduced tickets, but very young children may find the boat ride tedious. You need to get yourself to McDonald's on time; there's no hotel pickup. Water conditions shift with season and tide; visibility can drop after rain or in monsoon months.
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.