About this tour
When Charlie from our BugBitten team took the Arisa Speed Boat trip around Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don, we got the full Andaman experience without the queues. Eight and a half hours of limestone cliffs, turquoise shallows, and snorkelling reefs — plus a sunset run and the slightly mad thrill of night swimming through bioluminescent plankton. The crew knows the angles and timing, and they've clearly sussed how to hit the highlights before the day-tripper masses swamp the same spots. It's the kind of trip that actually feels like discovering something, rather than ticking boxes.
Highlights
- Sunset from the water — no filters needed, genuine pink sky
- Night snorkel with glowing plankton; eerie and genuinely unique
- Crew steers clear of peak crowds at major anchoring spots
- Lunch box and snorkel kit included; minimal faffing around
- Vertical cliff scenery frames every angle — camera-ready without trying
- Small-group feel; guide speaks English and knows the reefs
- Speed boat pace lets you cover both islands without slog
What to expect
The day kicks off with a briefing and life jacket check, then you're pointed toward the first anchorages — sheltered bays where the water's clear and the corals are still intact. Charlie's crew timed the stops smartly: popular spots like Maya Bay early before peak foot traffic, quieter reef stretches mid-afternoon for actual snorkelling peace. Lunch is a simple box on board; nothing fancy, but it does the job and keeps things moving. The real surprise is the evening pivot. As light drops, you motor to a new site for a sunset float, then after dark it's into the water for the bioluminescent plankton swim — genuinely eerie, your hands glow as you move them through the water. The boat's compact and feels purposeful rather than cramped; the crew moves you along without rushing it.
What travellers say
- Timing and routing avoid the worst crowds at famous spots
- Night plankton snorkel genuinely rare; most tours don't offer it
- Compact group size; crew and guide feel like actual people, not robots
- Inclusions are comprehensive — gear, food, park fee upfront
- Sunset and full daylight snorkels cover the visual spread
- Speed boat pace means you see two islands properly in one day
- Maya Bay closed May–June; check dates before booking
- Boat motion and night snorkelling aren't suitable for nervous swimmers
- No hotel pickup included; extra logistics to arrange transport
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 based on Koh Phi Phi and want to actually explore the islands rather than join a cattle-herding tour, this covers the essential scenery and throws in a night snorkel that most other tours skip. The inclusions are solid — park fee, lunch, snorkel gear, and basic insurance mean no surprise costs. Small groups mean your guide can actually pitch the commentary at the right level.
Maya Bay closes for two months annually (low season, roughly May–June) to let the environment recover, so check your dates. The boat moves fast, which is brilliant for covering ground but means minimal downtime if you want to linger on a beach. Night snorkelling isn't for everyone — if you're nervous in dark water, flag it early. Spinal, pregnancy, or serious heart conditions aren't a fit for the boat's motion and activity level. Hotel pickups aren't included, so budget transport to the pier. Infants must sit on an adult's lap.
sunscreen (you're on water all day), a waterproof bag, cash for any extras, and a towel. Weather and sea state can shuffle the itinerary, so go flexible.
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.