About this tour
When Ben from our team booked this speed boat jaunt from Ao Nang, we were after a proper Phi Phi Islands hit without mucking about. You get seven to eight hours hitting multiple islands, snorkelling, lunch, and plenty of beach time — the boat leaves around 9am and ferries you straight from your accommodation. It's a group tour, so expect 20–30 people, mostly families and couples after a straightforward island day. The pace is brisk but manageable, and you're back by late afternoon.
Highlights
- Speed boat gets you to the islands fast, no slow ferry grind
- Snorkel gear included; reef life visible even during average conditions
- Buffet lunch at Phi Phi Don beats most tour operator food
- Hotel pickup and drop-off saves the hassle of finding the pier
- Multiple swim stops at different bays and reefs throughout the day
- English-speaking guide handles logistics so you don't have to
- Travel insurance built in — one less thing to arrange
What to expect
Ben's day kicked off with a 9am hotel pickup, arriving at the pier by 9:30 with about 30 other tourists. The speed boat ride itself is properly quick — you're reaching the first island in under an hour, and the boat's fast enough that the heat doesn't become a fight. You'll stop at three or four locations: snorkel at one bay (the reef had reasonable coral and small fish, not mind-blowing but solid), lounge on a quiet beach, then hit a more crowded spot near Phi Phi Don town for lunch.
The lunch buffet at a beachside restaurant was genuine Halal fare with a vegetarian spread — curry, rice, grilled fish, salads. There's time to wander the village, grab souvenirs, or just sit under a brolly before heading back out for a final snorkel or beach stop. The boat leaves around 4pm for the return journey. It's a full day but not exhausting, and the schedule gives you genuine downtime rather than a relentless tick-box routine.
What travellers say
- Speed boat cuts travel time, maximising snorkel and beach hours
- Lunch and snorkel gear included; fewer hidden costs to chase
- Hotel transfers remove logistics fuss on tour day
- Mixed island stops offer variety — reef, beach, village in one run
- English guide keeps the group on track without drama
- Moderate fitness level required; accessible for most ages
- Maya Bay closure Aug–Oct means missing the iconic shot
- Group size dilutes the quiet-island feeling
- National park fees (400 THB) are extra, not advertised upfront
- Bouncy boat rides can be rough in choppy seas
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is a no-fuss way to see Phi Phi if you're based in Ao Nang and don't want to organise your own boat. Snorkel kit, lunch, and transfers are bundled, so you're not hunting down extras. It suits families, couples, and solo travellers after a mixed island–and–reef day. The pace suits moderate fitness; no hiking or heavy activity.
Maya Bay is shut August to October for environmental rehab, so if that's your main draw, check the tour's alternate islands first. The group size means you won't get a private feel, and the busier island stops (near Phi Phi Don town) can get crowded with other tour groups. The boat ride is bouncy if the sea's rough, so inner-ear issues may flare. National park fees (400 THB adults, 200 THB kids) aren't included — paid on check-in before departure. Start time is 9am, so early risers only.
Bring towel, sunscreen (reef-safe), sunglasses, light cover-up, and pocket cash for shopping. Group size is 20–40 people. Peak season is Nov–Feb; avoid August–October if Maya Bay closure is a dealbreaker. Infants sit on an adult's lap; the tour isn't recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with spinal or heart conditions.
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.