Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands & 4 Islands from Krabi: Early boat

Maya Bay at sunrise, snorkeling on coral reefs, a sandbar walk, and lunch on Phi Phi Don

An early-morning snorkeling tour from Krabi visits Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo Island and the four-island group (Chicken Island, Thale Waek sandbar, Koh Tup and Koh Poda) on a 40-seat speedboat with a professional English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup starts as early as 6am, and the boat departs at 7am to reach the islands before the afternoon crowds. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, a Thai buffet lunch at Phi Phi Arida restaurant, drinking water, seasonal fruit, life jackets and basic accident insurance. Maya Bay closes every August and September for marine park restoration.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Maya Bay50m
2. Ko Phi Phi Le45m
3. Viking Cave15m
4. Monkey Beach15m
5. Tup Island20m

Phi Phi and 4 Islands Sunrise Tour

• Hotel pickup in Krabi early morning
• Check in at Nopparat Thara Pier
• Depart at 7am by speedboat
• Stop at Railay Beach to pick up guests
• Speedboat to Phi Phi Leh
• Climb to Maya Bay beach via wooden trail
• Enjoy 50 minutes at Maya Bay
• Visit Phileh Lagoon and optional longtail boat ride
• Snorkel on east side of Phi Phi Leh
• Cruise past Viking Cave
• View Monkey Beach from boat
• Stop at Ton Sai Pier and walk to lunch
• Thai buffet lunch at Phi Phi Arida restaurant
• Swim and relax at Bamboo Island beach
• Photo stop at Chicken Island rock formation
• Walk on sandbar at Thale Waek
• Swim at Koh Tup island
• Relax and swim at Koh Poda beach

The experience

The boat leaves Krabi at 7am after a minibus collects you from your hotel as early as 6am. You'll check in at Nopparat Thara Pier, grab a light breakfast box, and board a comfortable speedboat with up to 40 seats. A quick stop at Railay Beach picks up other guests before the boat heads to Phi Phi Leh in less than 45 minutes. The first stop is Loh Samah Bay, where you climb from a floating pier over rocks to an elevated wooden trail that leads to Maya Bay: one of Thailand's most photographed beaches. You get roughly 50 minutes there to walk the white sand and wade into the turquoise water. If you're lucky, black-tip reef sharks drift through the shallows. Swimming isn't allowed, and reef-safe sunscreen is required.

After Maya Bay, the boat cruises to Phileh Lagoon, where a 600-meter canyon framed by 100-meter limestone cliffs makes for spectacular photos. You then snorkel on the east side of Phi Phi Leh on coral reefs with clear water, and pass Viking Cave while the guide explains the history of bird's nest harvesting. Monkey Beach comes into view next: a 150-meter strip of white sand on Tonsai Bay where a colony of monkeys forages at low tide, though the boat doesn't stop there. Lunch is a Thai buffet at Phi Phi Arida restaurant on Koh Phi Phi Don. Vegetarian options need to be ordered before departure.

The afternoon takes you to Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Phai), a heart-shaped island ringed by white sand with shallow coral reefs ideal for snorkeling. The boat then moves to the four-island group: you photograph the bizarre rock formation at Chicken Island, walk across the sandbar at Thale Waek that connects three offshore islands, swim at Koh Tup (a tiny island topped with vegetation and circled by sand), and finish at Koh Poda for a final swim and relaxation on white sand. The whole day runs nine hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Hotel round-trip transfer from Krabi.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• snorkeling equipment and life jackets.
• Thai buffet lunch at Phi Phi Arida restaurant.
• drinking water and seasonal fruit.
• basic accident insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 18.21

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trip Store Krabi

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour on a speedboat, so you're traveling with up to 40 other people and following a fixed itinerary and schedule. The early 7am departure is what beats the afternoon crowds at Maya Bay and the coral reefs. If you want the islands less packed and the snorkeling less chaotic, the early start is the trade-off that makes it possible. Children from age 3 are welcome, though the boat ride and snorkeling require comfort in the water and the ability to wear a life jacket for extended periods.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup from my Krabi hotel?

Hotel pickup starts as early as 6am depending on where you're staying in Krabi. The minibus brings you to Nopparat Thara Pier for a 7am boat departure.

Can I swim at Maya Bay, or is it just for photos?

You can wade into the turquoise water and dangle your feet, but swimming is not allowed at Maya Bay. You get roughly 50 minutes there to walk the sand and enjoy the view. Snorkeling happens at other stops, including the coral reefs on the east side of Phi Phi Leh.

What's included in the lunch, and can I request vegetarian food?

Lunch is a Thai buffet served at Phi Phi Arida restaurant on Koh Phi Phi Don. Vegetarian options are available but must be ordered before you depart, so mention any dietary preferences when you book.

Is snorkeling equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included with the tour. Life jackets are also provided and strongly recommended for the entire boat ride and while snorkeling.

When is Maya Bay closed, and what happens if I visit during that time?

Maya Bay closes every August and September for two months while the Mu Koh Phi Phi Marine Park undergoes restoration. If you're traveling during those months, the tour will visit the other islands and snorkeling sites instead.

How many people are on the boat, and is this a shared tour?

The speedboat holds up to 40 passengers and operates as a shared group tour. A minimum of 6 people is required for the tour to run.