Krabi: Phi Phi, Maya Bay & Bamboo Island Speedboat Tour

Maya Bay & Four Island Speedboat: What the Film Made Famous, Plus the Reefs

You're picked up from your hotel and taken by speedboat to four stops: Maya Bay (the famous beach, 50 minutes on shore), snorkeling at Phi Phi Leh's coral reefs, a pass by Viking Cave and Monkey Beach, Thai lunch on Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island for a final snorkel in shallow, clear water. The tour includes all snorkeling equipment, life jacket, guide, and lunch; the boat ride is smooth and the group stays small. Book early if you're traveling in July or earlier, since the marine park closes in August and September.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Hotel pick-up in Krabi area
• Meet tour team at Nopparat Thara Pier
• Speedboat ride to Koh Phi Phi Leh
• Visit Maya Bay and beach walk
• View Phileh Lagoon and limestone cliffs
• Snorkel at eastern coast of Phi Phi Leh
• Pass Viking Cave by boat
• See Monkey Beach from boat
• Lunch and sightseeing on Phi Phi Don
• Visit Bamboo Island for snorkeling

The Experience

The boat leaves Nopparat Thara Pier after a morning pickup from your Krabi hotel—Ao Nang, Krabi Town, or one of the nearby beaches—and the 45-minute ride to Koh Phi Phi Leh gives you time to settle in and watch the limestone cliffs rise out of the water. When you reach Loh Samah Bay, you climb a wooden path over the rocks and step onto Maya Bay's white sand, the beach that became famous after "The Beach" filmed there. You get about 50 minutes to walk the shoreline, photograph the 100-meter cliffs, and wade in the turquoise water—though swimming is prohibited to protect the marine park. The bay closes for two months each year (August and September), so check your dates before booking.

After Maya Bay, the speedboat takes you to the eastern side of Phi Phi Leh for snorkeling in the coral reefs, where the water is clear enough that you can see the seabed. You'll pass Viking Cave, where the crew points out the bird's nest collection sites built into the rock face, and then cruise past Monkey Beach on the southwestern tip of Tonsai Bay—a 150-meter stretch backed by jungle where a troop of monkeys forages during low tide, though the boat doesn't stop there. Lunch is a Thai buffet served at a restaurant on Phi Phi Don, with vegetarian options available, and you get 30 minutes to walk around the island after eating.

The final stop is Bamboo Island, a small, flat island about 5 kilometers north of Phi Phi Don, ringed by white sand and a reef that extends 500 meters offshore. The water is so clear and shallow that snorkeling feels like swimming in an aquarium. The whole day runs long—the duration includes your hotel pickup and drop-off—so you're not back until late afternoon. Life jackets, snorkeling gear, and an English-speaking guide are included; the crew also helps with underwater photos. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (required by park regulations) and a rash guard if you burn easily, because the sun reflects hard off the water and sand.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, or nearby beaches.
• snorkeling equipment and life jacket.
• Thai buffet lunch with vegetarian options on Phi Phi Don.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• seasonal fruits and water on the speedboat.
• underwater photography assistance.
• entry to Mu Koh Phi Phi Marine Park.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Yo Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see Maya Bay and snorkel the Phi Phi reefs in one day without arranging your own boat, timing multiple stops, or figuring out which islands have the best coral—the fixed itinerary and small-group format handle all three, and the pickup from your hotel means you don't need to navigate to the pier yourself.

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Top questions

How long is the speedboat ride to Phi Phi Islands from Krabi?

Approximately 45 minutes to reach Koh Phi Phi Leh, where Maya Bay is located.

Can you swim at Maya Bay?

No, swimming is prohibited at Maya Bay to protect the marine park. You can wade in shallow water and walk the beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, snorkeling gear is included free of charge, and the guide can assist with underwater photography.

What's included in the lunch?

A Thai buffet served at a restaurant on Phi Phi Don; vegetarian options are available.

When is Monkey Beach included as a stop?

Monkey Beach is not an official stopping point, but you'll pass it by boat and may see monkeys during low tide.

Is the tour affected by monsoon season?

The tour runs year-round, but jellyfish are more common May to October due to water currents. The marine park closes in August and September for two months.

What happens if weather is bad?

The tour program can change due to weather and sea conditions without prior notice.

Are there pickup options outside Ao Nang?

Yes, pickups are available from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. An extra fee applies if your hotel is outside the free pickup area.