About this tour
When Lily from our BugBitten team took this private speed boat tour, it was a full-day hit of Phi Phi Islands and Bamboo Island without the cruise-ship crowds. You're picked up from your hotel in an air-conditioned minibus, then bundled onto a nimble speed boat that zips between the limestone cliffs and turquoise bays. The pace is brisk—snorkeling at Phi Phi Ley, a pass through the famous Maya Bay, Viking Cave sightseeing, and time to swim and laze on Phi Phi Don's beaches. It's the kind of day where you're in the water, then back in the shade, then back in the water again. Most tours like this run full and rowdy; going private keeps it intimate.
Highlights
- Speed boat cuts through Andaman waters with just your group aboard
- Snorkelling at Pileh Cove and Loh Samah Bay—fish feeding included
- Maya Bay stop (the Leonardo DiCaprio beach, if that matters to you)
- Viking Cave viewpoint without the scramble of guided walks
- Afternoon beach time on Phi Phi Don to actually decompress
- Air-conditioned minibus both ends beats the songthaew shuffle
- Snorkel gear and bottled water sorted—no nickel-and-diming
What to expect
You'll be collected around 8 am and driven to Lagoon Pier, where the speed boat waits. The run to Phi Phi Ley takes under an hour; the boat moves fast but stays stable in typical Andaman conditions. Once there, you're straight into snorkeling—the water is clear, fish are friendly if you've got squid or bread (usually provided), and the limestone backdrop is genuinely striking. You'll anchor off Pileh Cove and Loh Samah Bay, both solid snorkel spots with decent coral and schooling fish. Then Maya Bay—it's photogenic, famous for the film, and packed with other boats, but you're on your own vessel so you can pick your timing. The Viking Cave is sightseeing only (no climbing involved), just a scenic pass. Lunch is on you at a beachfront restaurant on Phi Phi Don; the team suggests eating early to claim a good table. Afternoon is beach time—swim, sunbathe, or wade. You're back at your hotel by 5 pm, salt-crusted and tired.
What travellers say
- Private vessel cuts out the mass-tour cattle-herding experience entirely
- Snorkel spots are well-chosen; fish and coral justify the trip
- Door-to-door hotel pickup and drop saves transport headaches
- Flexible timing on each island—not locked to whistle-blowing schedules
- All snorkel kit and water provided upfront; no surprise costs
- Lunch and national park fees add 400–800 baht to the actual cost
- All-day sun exposure demands serious sunscreen discipline
- Speed boat ride is rough in choppy seas; motion-sickness prone need caution
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Private boat means no herding through crowded tour groups, your own pace through the islands, and guides who actually notice if someone's getting cold or tired. It suits anyone from fit thirty-somethings to families with kids (infant seats are available). Snorkel gear and water are supplied, so no hidden gear costs. The Andaman is most calm and clear May to October, though it's swimmable year-round; rough seas in monsoon (November–March) can make the ride choppy but rarely cancel it.
Lunch is not included, and food at island restaurants isn't cheap (budget 200–400 baht). The national park fee isn't included either (typically 200–400 baht per person—they'll collect it). You're in the sun for most of the day, so sunscreen is non-negotiable. The speed boat ride is bumpy if the sea's up—not dangerous, but worth knowing if you get motion-sick. Early pickup (8 am) is standard for these tours. Group size is small but not specified here—ask the operator for exact numbers.
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.