About this tour
When Sarah from our team booked a private speed boat charter to Phi Phi Island, she got exactly what she wanted: a fully customisable route without the cattle-herd crowds. You're looking at 5–9 hours zipping between Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Maya Bay, and Monkey Island on a twin-engine speedboat with an English-speaking guide. The boat's roomy, air-conditioned, and feels genuinely premium compared to the packed tour ferries clogging these waters. It's Thailand's limestone drama — turquoise shallows, jungle-clad cliffs, and seabirds — but on your own schedule.
Highlights
- Fully customised itinerary; you call the shots on timing and stops
- Private boat means no jostling with 200 other tourists at Maya Bay
- Twin 200 HP engines cut transit time between islands sharply
- Air-conditioned cabin and attentive English-speaking guide included
- Specialised infant seats available for families with small children
- Roaming Monkey Island without the package-tour rush felt genuinely peaceful
- Water clarity at Phi Phi Ley was stunning — mask and snorkel ready
What to expect
Sarah's day started early with hotel pickup, then a steady cruise out to the islands. The speedboat cuts through the Andaman in under an hour depending on your first stop — much faster than the sluggish public ferries. You'll anchor at Phi Phi Don's quieter coves, snorkel in spots the big tours skip, and if you time it right, catch Maya Bay without elbowing through thousands. The guide reads the swell and crowds, pivoting the route if a spot feels rammed. Mid-morning, Monkey Island delivered — genuinely chaotic, genuinely funny, and genuinely monkey-filled.
One thing: the boat's built for comfort but speed comes with saltwater spray and engine noise. If you're motion-sensitive, take ginger or dramamine before departure. Lunch isn't included, so either pack snacks or budget for a beachside meal on Phi Phi Don. The national park fee (400 THB per person) catches many off guard — it's paid on the day, not upfront.
What travellers say
- Complete schedule freedom — you design the day, not a clipboard
- Avoids the tourist crush at Maya Bay and Monkey Island entirely
- Spacious, air-conditioned boat with attentive trained crew
- Fast twin-engine cruising saves hours versus public ferries
- Infant seats supplied; families with small kids well catered
- Water and hot drinks included; respectful guide pacing
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers due to boat vibration and motion
- Motion sickness a genuine risk in choppy swells or rough seas
- Lunch and national park fee (400 THB) cost extra; budget accordingly
- Noise and saltwater spray unavoidable — ear plugs and towel wise
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 the anti-tour experience. You're paying for control — timing, route, pace, and zero stranger-chat. It suits families wanting to skip screaming crowds, couples after romance, or anyone motion-sick of organised tours. The boat's genuinely nice: air-con, clean, safe. The guide earns his keep, not just ticking boxes.
Speed boats hammer — if you're pregnant, the operator flags it as unsuitable, and honestly, the jostling could be rough. Motion sickness is real out here; rough swells in the dry season are tame, but rainy season (May–October) can get choppy. Walking includes jetties, boat steps, and shallow-water wading — nothing extreme, but anyone with mobility issues should confirm conditions first. Lunch is on you; budget 200–400 THB for street food or 600+ THB for restaurant standards. The boat sleeps 8–10 comfortably, so scale your group accordingly.
Sunscreen (reef-safe), hat, swimmers, dry bag, cash (for park fee and lunch), and sea-sickness tablets if you're prone. Bring your own snorkel gear or hire on the boat. Peak season (November–February) books fast — reserve weeks ahead.
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.