About this tour
When Ben from our team took this seven-hour run out of Phuket, we hit Banana Beach on Koh Hey via speedboat—a slice of quiet island life with white sand stretching out and water so clear you spot fish from the shallows. The day strings together snorkelling, swimming, a decent lunch, and a sunset sail back on a catamaran. It's the kind of trip that feels less chaotic than the Phi Phi hustle: fewer crowds, more space to actually breathe. The boat's quick, the island's proper, and by day's end you've had sun, sea, and a decent feed without fighting for deckchair real estate.
Highlights
- Speedboat gets you to Banana Beach in one hit—no island-hopping detours
- White sand stretches far enough to find a quiet corner solo
- Water clarity lets you snorkel without guessing what you're seeing
- Lunch included beats paying island café prices
- Sunset catamaran cruise back feels genuinely pleasant, not rushed
- Cash voucher covers snacks and drinks on the island itself
- Wheelchair accessible throughout—ramps, paths, boat boarding sorted
What to expect
Ben found the day breaks into two clear halves. You'll be picked up and shuttled to the pier, then the speedboat cranks over to Koh Hey—about 40 minutes of spray and engine noise, so don't expect silence. Once you land, the island opens up: the sand really is that pale, the water warm. You'll have hours to snorkel (gear provided or bring your own), float about, or just sit under a parasol. Lunch arrives midday at a simple beach setup—Thai curries, rice, fruit—nothing fancy but filling. The afternoon's yours: more swimming, more lounging, maybe a walk around the island's quieter ends. As the light softens, you board a catamaran for the sail back, watching Laem Promthep's headland light up. It's leisurely and untense, which is the whole point.
What travellers say
- Less crowded than Phi Phi—actually space to relax
- Water clarity makes snorkelling worthwhile even for beginners
- Lunch and cash voucher included—fewer surprise charges on island
- Speedboat transit is quick—no drawn-out multi-stop journeys
- Sunset catamaran return is unhurried and properly scenic
- Wheelchair accessible throughout—ramps, paths, boat boarding managed
- Speedboat ride is loud, bouncy—seasickness risk for some
- Island gets busier mid-afternoon as other groups arrive
- Lunch is basic Thai; limited variety if you're particular
- Limited shade on beach—sun exposure is real, sunscreen essential
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This beats the standard Phi Phi cattle runs by a mile—Banana Beach stays relatively uncrowded because fewer operators run here. The snorkelling's solid for beginners and casual swimmers; you're not fighting currents or crowds. The catamaran return is genuinely scenic and a nice wind-down. The cash voucher (300–500 baht) covers a drink or two on the island, which saves nicotry. Wheelchair users will find the island accessible—paths are flat, boat boarding is managed, and facilities cater for it.
The speedboat ride is noisy and bouncy—not ideal if you're prone to seasickness. The beach does get busier mid-afternoon when other operators arrive. The lunch is basic Thai; if you're fussy, bring snacks. Swimming with young kids works fine, but watch them on boat transfers. The island has limited shade; bring sunscreen or accept you'll fry. Peak times are weekends and school holidays; weekdays are calmer. Pregnant travellers and anyone with serious back or heart issues should skip the boat ride.
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.