About this tour
When Alex from our team took this longtail boat tour around Phi Phi, it hit the sweet spot between action and chill. You're on a traditional wooden longtail zipping between spots like Maya Bay (yes, that Beach film location) and Monkey Beach, with snorkeling breaks in clear water and chances to see tropical fish. The half-day and full-day options mean you can pick your pace — morning, afternoon, or dawn-to-dusk with the bonus of night plankton swimming. It's the kind of tour where you're moving between picture-postcard spots without feeling rushed, and most folks doing it are based on Phi Phi itself.
Highlights
- Longtail boat ride itself — wooden hull, proper traditional feel
- Maya Bay snorkel with visibility that actually lets you see the reef
- Monkey Beach encounter without the chaos of big tour boats
- Loh Samah Bay views from the water are genuinely striking
- Full-day option includes Bamboo Island, quieter than main spots
- Sunset plankton swim (afternoon/full-day tours) — genuinely eerie and cool
- Life jackets and snorkelling gear provided, no extra rental hunt
- Lunch included on full-day; fruit and water throughout
What to expect
The boat leaves early or mid-morning depending on your option, and you're cruising straight into the postcard version of Thailand — limestone cliffs, turquoise shallows, the works. Alex found the pacing relaxed; you're not being herded. At each stop — whether it's the famous bay or a quieter anchorage — you get genuine time to snorkel or swim rather than a quick dunk. The water is clear enough that you'll spot parrotfish and schools of smaller reef fish without squinting. Monkey Beach is busier because tour groups pile in, but the guide knows when to linger and when to move on.
On the full-day run, you're out from dawn and catching the light change across the water. The plankton swim at dusk (when they're active) is the oddball highlight — water glows faintly as you move, which sounds cheesy until you're actually in it. Lunch (full-day only) is basic but decent. The boat ride itself is the real star; there's something about the longtail's shallow draft and open design that makes you feel properly connected to the place rather than sealed in a tour ferry.
What travellers say
- Longtail boat beats huge group ferries — feels like proper exploration
- Snorkelling gear included and functional — no rental upselling
- Flexible timing options suit different energy levels and schedules
- Plankton swim at dusk is a genuine standout, not gimmicky
- Guides know the rhythm — unhurried at good spots, moving when needed
- National park fee (400 THB) charged separately at entry point
- Monkey Beach swarms with tour groups mid-morning despite small boats
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or those with spinal/heart issues
- Early starts and boat ride make it rough for seasickness sufferers
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 mega-tour-boat experience by miles — longtails are smaller, nimbler, and feel less like a tourist cattle-run. If you're staying on Phi Phi, the logistics are dead simple. Snorkelling gear is decent quality and included. The choice between half and full-day means you're not locked into nine hours if you've got other plans. The plankton swim is genuinely memorable, not touristy filler.
The national park fee (400 THB per adult, 200 per child) isn't included in the price — you pay at the jetty, so factor that in. It's a boat ride, so rough seas happen; if you're prone to seasickness, the half-day might suit you better. Monkey Beach gets crowded with other tours mid-morning. The tour isn't suitable if you're pregnant, have spinal issues, or heart conditions — operators are strict about that for safety reasons. Early starts (especially full-day) mean an alarm clock. Bring sun protection and a rashguard; the sun bounces off water like mad. Water shoes help on rocky entries.
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.