Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands from Phuket

Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach in one day from the water

A full-day catamaran snorkeling tour from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands, departing at 6am or 8am, with stops at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach. The early departure gets you ahead of the 10,000 daily visitors; both options include hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling gear and a guide in English, German or Thai. Tides may shift the itinerary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay

• Pick up from hotel in Phuket
• Transfer to Royal Phuket Marina lounge
• Depart from pier to Phi Phi Islands
• Arrive at Loh Sama Bay and see islet
• Visit Maya Bay, movie filming site
• Relax on white sand beach at Maya Bay
• Explore Pileh Lagoon and limestone cliffs
• Relax on hidden beach by lagoon
• Visit Viking Cave and learn about swiftlet nests
• Stop at Monkey Beach and observe monkeys
• Enjoy freshly prepared meal
• Return to marina and transfer back to hotel

The Experience

The boat leaves Royal Phuket Marina at either 6am or 10am depending on which departure you choose, and the early one matters: most tour operators leave later, so an early start means you're in the water at Maya Bay before the crowds arrive. The catamaran is built for speed, cutting travel time so you get more hours at the islands themselves. Hotel pickup from anywhere in Phuket is included, and the ride to the marina is part of the day.

Maya Bay is the first major stop—the beach where The Beach was filmed, now restored after years of closure. You get time to walk the sand and swim, then the boat moves to Pileh Lagoon, an enclosed national park with emerald water ringed by limestone cliffs that rise straight up from the sea. This is where you do most of the snorkeling, in water clear enough to see the reef and the fish moving through it. Snorkeling gear, life jackets and floating aids are provided; the guide is there to point out what's below and keep an eye on the group.

Viking Cave comes next—a historic site where workers harvest swiftlet bird nests, a trade tied to Chinese culinary tradition for centuries. Then Monkey Beach, where the limestone cliffs are steep and the monkeys are real: they climb the rock, rest on the sand and swim in the shallows. Breakfast arrives early (light, before departure), and lunch—Thai and international options—is served in a calm spot during the middle of the day. The boat returns to the marina by 5pm or 4pm depending on your start time, and the transfer back to your hotel is included. Soft drinks, water and seasonal fruit are unlimited throughout.

The itinerary can shift based on tides, and the operator notes that timing is approximate—traffic to the marina and the time of day both affect how the morning unfolds. The tour runs every day, and guides speak English, German or Thai. Accident insurance is included in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from anywhere in Phuket.
• light breakfast before departure.
• snorkeling gear, life jackets and floating aids.
• Thai and international lunch served on the boat.
• unlimited soft drinks, water and seasonal fruit.
• guide in English, German or Thai.
• accident insurance.
• return transfer to your hotel.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MY Holiday Centre

Is this one for you?Choose the 6am Early Bird if you want the islands before the daily surge of visitors—most operators depart later, so an early start is what gets you quiet water and uncrowded beaches. The 8am departure works if you prefer a slower morning and don't mind sharing the sites with more people; both tours visit the same stops and include the same meals and gear.

Traveler reviews

4.33★★★★★★★★★★

92 verified traveler reviews

5 ★57

4 ★21

3 ★7

2 ★1

1 ★6

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between the 6am and 8am departures?

The 6am Early Bird tour departs the pier at 6am and reaches the islands by 11am, arriving well before the bulk of daily visitors. The 8am Normal Departure leaves the pier at 10am, so you get to the islands later in the morning. Both tours follow the same route and include the same stops and meals; the early one simply gives you quieter water and fewer people on the beaches.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment, life jackets and floating aids are all included with the tour. You don't need to bring your own or rent separately.

What is Pileh Lagoon like for snorkeling?

Pileh Lagoon is an enclosed national park with bright emerald water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. It's an uninhabited site, so the water is clear and the reef is active. This is where most of the snorkeling happens during the day.

Is lunch included, and what are the options?

Yes, lunch is included and served during the tour in a calm setting. Both Thai and international options are offered. Breakfast is also included before departure, along with unlimited soft drinks, water and seasonal fruit throughout the day.

Will I see monkeys at Monkey Beach?

Monkey Beach is a natural habitat where wild monkeys live on the cliffs and beach. You'll see them climbing the rock formations, resting on the sand and swimming in the shallows, though the exact number and activity varies by day.

How long is the full day, and what time do I get back to my hotel?

The Early Bird tour runs roughly 10 hours from pickup to return; the Normal Departure is similar. The early tour returns to the marina by 5pm, and the 8am departure by 4pm, followed by hotel transfer. The exact timing depends on traffic and time of day.