About this tour
When Charlie from our team booked this private Phi Phi Islands tour, we got a full-day speedboat experience tailored to our pace — no massive tour groups, just our crew, an English-speaking guide, and the Andaman Sea. You're picked up from your hotel, whisked to the pier, then it's snorkelling at Loh Samah Bay, a detour to the dramatic Pileh Cove and Viking Cave, and time on Monkey Beach. There's a long stretch at Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Don for lunch (your shout), swimming, and messing about in the water. The whole thing runs about 8.5 hours, and you're back at your hotel by late afternoon.
Highlights
- Private speedboat — smaller groups than standard island tours
- Loh Samah Bay snorkelling was clear and colourful
- Pileh Cove's limestone cliffs genuinely dramatic from the water
- Guide steers the day; can adjust pace to your mood
- Tonsai Bay's long beach break beats rush-hour island stops
- Snorkelling gear included; fins not, so budget for rental
- Monkey Beach worth the stop, though don't hand-feed
- Early pickup suits early risers; back by 4:30 p.m.
What to expect
Charlie headed out at 8 a.m. and was picked up promptly in an air-con minivan — no faff. The pier's busy but functional. Once the speedboat launches, the ride to Phi Phi Ley takes about 45 minutes; it's bumpy if the sea's up, so take it easy on breakfast. Loh Samah Bay is genuinely good for snorkelling — parrotfish, clownfish, decent visibility — and you'll have time to potter around. Pileh Cove and Viking Cave are a quick photo stop, scenic but brief. Monkey Beach is chaotic-ish (lots of day-trippers) but a fun poke around. Then you're anchored at Tonsai Bay for hours, which is the tour's strength: no hurrying, just beach time, swimming, and snorkelling at your own rhythm.
Lunch at the on-site restaurant is your cost; food's decent, prices fair by island standards. The trip back is the same speedboat chop, arriving hotel-side around 4:30 p.m. Physically, it's moderate — mostly sitting and snorkelling, but the boat ride itself can jar folks with back issues.
What travellers say
- No massive tour groups — pace is yours, not a timetable
- Snorkel gear included, multiple decent spots visited
- Long beach time at Tonsai instead of rushed stops
- English-speaking guide steers; can adjust itinerary
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Flexible group size suits couples and small parties
- Lunch and snorkel fins add unexpected costs
- Speedboat ride rough if seas are choppy
- Not suitable for travellers with back or pregnancy issues
- Monkey Beach crowded; not a quiet experience
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
A private tour means no megaphone commentary or 50-person queues at snorkel spots. The guide's flexible and the pace is yours. Snorkel gear's sorted; the bay's swimmable and fairly sheltered. Long beach time at Tonsai means you're not clock-watching. Hotel pickup and drop-off saves faffing with taxis.
Lunch and snorkel fins aren't included — budget for both. The national park fee isn't mentioned upfront but will be added (usually 400 baht per person). The speedboat's bumpy in swells, rough for spinal issues or pregnant travellers. Monkey Beach draws crowds. Sunburn is real; reef shoes help on rocky entry points. Best bring a rash vest and waterproof bag.
Small private group (usually 2–6 people). Peak times are dry season (Nov–Apr); book ahead then. Moderate fitness needed. Infants can sit on an adult's lap; infant seats available on request. Go easy on alcohol the night before — hangovers and boat rides don't mix.
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.