About this tour
When Jake from our team ran this speedboat tour out of Krabi, we zipped across the Andaman in a proper quick boat hitting Phi Phi and Maya Islands in a single hit. The day's split between water time — snorkelling over coral gardens, spotting fish, nosing into lagoons — and beach lounging on two islands that live up to their rep. White sand, limestone walls, warm water. It's a solid eight to nine hours door-to-door from your Ao Nang hotel, with a buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don thrown in. Draws a mix of backpackers and couples after that classic Thailand island tick-box.
Highlights
- Speedboat cuts travel time — hits two islands in one morning
- Snorkelling gear included; coral and fish life genuinely colourful
- Maya Island's lagoon feels tucked away despite tourist volume
- Buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don beats paying island prices separately
- Hotel pickups from Ao Nang and nearby areas, minimal faffing
- English-speaking guide keeps things on track
- Seasonal fruit and water onboard — small touch, keeps thirst at bay
What to expect
The boat collects you early from your hotel — likely 7 to 8 a.m. — and you'll spend the first chunk churning out to Phi Phi, where you get maybe ninety minutes to snorkel. Water's warm, visibility decent if the weather's kind, and the reef's busy but not barren. You'll anchor, grab a mask, and wade in; guides point out schools of parrotfish and clownfish if you're keen. Then it's over to Maya Island for the quieter swim and a beach spell — this is where Instagram shots happen, though you're sharing sand with dozens of other speedboat groups.
After lunch back on Phi Phi Don (buffet's canteen-style, fills you up), there's more time to laze or snorkel again. The boat ride home is the longest leg, so expect a fair whack of time bouncing over the water. It's not rough, but it's consistent. By early afternoon you're back at your hotel, done.
What travellers say
- Two iconic islands in one tour, efficient itinerary
- Snorkel gear, lunch, and fruit included keeps costs tidy
- Speedboat speed cuts dead travel time versus longtails
- Early start means you're back by mid-afternoon
- English guide and hotel pickups remove logistical friction
- National park fee charged separately at the islands
- Boat crowds mean queues to snorkel and beach space
- Early morning departure not suited to late risers
- Significant time spent on the boat, not in water
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 want to see both famous islands without splitting days, this delivers. Snorkel gear's included so you don't rent separately. The buffet lunch and fruit service mean fewer decisions mid-tour. Small enough groups that the guide can actually tell you things, and hotel transfers from Ao Nang beat haggling for a longtail. Suitable for most fitness levels — the swimming and boarding are gentle.
The national park entrance fee isn't included, so budget extra. Early starts aren't for everyone. Speedboats are loud and bouncy; if you've spine issues, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns, operators flag this as not ideal — take that seriously. Weather dictates visibility and water chop; rainy season can be grimly grey. Crowds are real — both islands are major stops, so you're one of many. The boat ride itself eats about three of your nine hours, which matters if water time is all you want. Bring seasickness tabs if prone. Reef shoes help getting in and out. Sunscreen's essential and often undersold on the boat.
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.