Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Tour: Snorkel Khai Island

Three island stops, one snorkeling session, a beachside lunch, and the limestone cliffs of Maya Bay all in a single day

A full-day speedboat tour from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands and Khai Island combines sightseeing at Maya Bay, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach with a 40-minute snorkeling session in shallow coral reefs and a Thai lunch on Phi Phi Don. The tour departs at 10am, includes snorkeling equipment and an English-speaking guide, and returns around 5:30pm; choose the transfer option for hotel pickup or meet the boat at the pier.

Step-by-step itinerary

Speedboat tour to Phi Phi and Khai Islands

• Transfer from Phuket hotel to pier
• Register and get snorkel equipment
• Depart pier to Maya Bay by speedboat
• Sightseeing and relaxing at Maya Bay
• Sightseeing at Viking Cave from boat
• Stop for sightseeing and swimming at Monkey Beach
• Swim at Pileh Lagoon
• Snorkeling session near Phi Phi Don
• Lunch at Arida Restaurant on Phi Phi Don
• Free time to relax on Phi Phi Don beach
• Depart Phi Phi to Khai Nok Island
• Swim and relax on Khai Nok Island
• Return to pier and transfer back to hotel

The Experience

You start the day at Phuket pier with light breakfast and snorkeling gear already waiting—mask, snorkel and life jacket included. The speedboat leaves at 10am and heads straight to Maya Bay, the limestone-walled cove famous from the film "The Beach." You'll see it from the water and have time on the white sand beach itself (note: the bay closes for recovery August 1–September 30, when you'll view it from the boat instead). From there the boat moves to Viking Cave, where you see the cave opening and the historic paintings on its walls from the water, then stops at Monkey Beach—a small bay that only appears at low tide, so the stop may be viewing-only depending on conditions.

Pileh Lagoon comes next, a turquoise swimming spot where you can jump in and float in the clear water. Back at Phi Phi Don, the group splits: those skipping snorkeling head to lunch early at Arida Restaurant, while the rest do a 40-minute snorkel session in the shallow coral reefs nearby—timed before the meal so a full stomach isn't an issue. After snorkeling, everyone reconvenes for a Thai lunch (vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available) and about an hour of free time on the beach. At 2pm you board again for Khai Nok Island, where you can swim among the fish, relax on the sand or try paid water activities. The boat returns to the pier around 5:30pm.

The tour runs 8 to 10 hours depending on conditions and tides. If you booked the transfer option, a driver picks you up from your Phuket hotel (Patong, Phuket Town, Siray, Kata, Karon or Chalong) and brings you back; timing gets confirmed by email the day before. Without transfer, you meet the boat at the pier. An English guide leads the whole group, and accident insurance is included.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, life jacket).
• light breakfast at the pier.
• fresh fruit and bottled water on board.
• Thai lunch with dietary options.
• accident insurance.
• roundtrip hotel transfer from Patong, Phuket Town, Siray, Kata, Karon or Chalong (if booked with the transfer option).

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Parallel Tour

Is this one for you?Book with transfer if your hotel is in central Phuket and you'd rather not arrange your own way to the pier; book without transfer if you're staying near the pier or prefer to drive yourself. The snorkeling happens before lunch on a schedule that keeps the whole day moving—you get the islands, the reef, the beach time and the boat back by early evening without anything feeling rushed.

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Top questions

What happens at Maya Bay if I'm visiting during the August-September closure?

Maya Bay closes for environmental recovery from August 1 to September 30 each year. During this period, you'll view the bay and its limestone cliffs from the speedboat instead of landing on the beach, but the rest of the tour—Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Pileh Lagoon, snorkeling and lunch—stays the same.

Is snorkeling mandatory, or can I skip it?

Snorkeling is optional. If you don't want to snorkel, you'll be taken to Arida Restaurant on Phi Phi Don for an early lunch while the rest of the group does the 40-minute session in the shallow reefs. You'll rejoin everyone afterward for the beach time and the final stop at Khai Nok Island.

What's included in the snorkeling gear, and do I need to bring my own?

The tour provides mask, snorkel and life jacket at no extra charge. You don't need to bring your own equipment unless you prefer it. Towels are not included, so bring one or rent one separately.

How does the transfer option work, and which areas does it cover?

If you book with transfer, a driver picks you up from your Phuket hotel in Patong, Phuket Town, Siray, Kata, Karon or Chalong and brings you back after the tour. Pickup timing depends on your hotel location and will be confirmed by email one day before the tour date. Hotels in other areas like Rawai, Naiharn or Panwa can arrange pickup for an additional fee.

What's the difference between Monkey Beach and the other stops?

Monkey Beach is a small bay that only appears above water at low tide. If the tide is high when the boat arrives, you'll view it from the water only rather than landing on the sand. The other stops—Maya Bay, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and Khai Nok—are more reliably accessible, though conditions can vary.

What food and drinks are provided during the day?

Light breakfast waits at the pier before departure. During the tour, you'll get fresh fruit and bottled water on board. Lunch is a Thai buffet served on Phi Phi Don, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Halal meals can be arranged if needed.