Phi Phi Islands: Sunset Snorkeling Tour & Maya Bay Swim

Swim with fish at Maya Bay and Monkey Bay on a sunset tour from Koh Phi Phi

You’ll start right on Koh Phi Phi for a half-day tour that winds through hidden bays and bright coral gardens. Swim alongside schools of fish at Loh Samah and Monkey Bay, watch monkeys scramble along jungle cliffs, float in Pileh Lagoon’s soft turquoise water, and catch sunset colors over Maya Bay—all with snorkeling gear provided and a local boat driver guiding you along.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel), bottled drinking water, a friendly local boat driver who speaks basic English, plus all your swims between coral gardens and famous bays before returning to Tonsai pier by sunset.

Traveler reviews

4.66★★★★★★★★★★

87 verified traveler reviews

Ratings come from travelers who booked this exact experience. We never edit or filter them.

Read all the reviews ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Phi Phi Islands snorkeling and sightseeing

• Meet at McDonalds near Tonsai pier
• Boat to Monkey Bay for snorkeling
• Visit Viking Cave and observe swiftlet nests
• Snorkel at Pileh Lagoon
• Stop at Maya Bay for snorkeling or photo
• Snorkel at Loh Samah Bay

The Experience

The first thing I noticed was the slap of salty spray on my face as our long-tail boat pulled away from Tonsai pier—right in front of that McDonald’s, which felt weirdly out of place here. The air smelled like sunscreen and seaweed, and everyone was a little quiet at first, maybe sizing up the group or just letting the heat settle in. Our boat driver grinned, said something in Thai I didn’t catch, then pointed us toward Monkey Bay. I kept my bag zipped tight—someone warned me about those macaques being sneaky with snacks.

Monkey Bay itself is this little cove tangled with green jungle. You can hear the monkeys before you see them—sort of chattering and thumping around above the rocks. We watched them from the boat; one little guy stared right back at us like he was sizing up our sunglasses. The water was so clear it almost looked fake, and when I slid in with my mask (snorkeling gear’s included), there were these wild flashes of blue and yellow fish everywhere. I accidentally swallowed a mouthful of seawater—salty as hell—and came up laughing.

We floated past Viking Cave next. Our driver slowed down so we could check out the drawings on the cave walls—he called them “pirate ships,” but someone else said they were made by sea gypsies hiding from storms ages ago. There’s this whole thing with birds’ nests inside; apparently people still harvest them for soup, which sounds kind of wild to me. Didn’t expect to learn about soup ingredients out here but hey, travel does that.

Pileh Lagoon was next—a place where sunlight turns the water this crazy green-blue under huge limestone cliffs. It’s shallow enough to stand but soft underfoot, like powdered sugar sand slipping between your toes. We ended up at Maya Bay just as the light started to go gold across everything. Some folks just floated quietly; others snapped photos or tried to spot where Leo filmed that movie (I never saw it). The day trip around Phi Phi Islands felt both quick and slow—like time stretched out between swims and laughter echoing off the rocks. I still think about that last swim sometimes when I’m stuck in city traffic.

Top questions

Does this Phi Phi Islands tour include pickup from Phuket or Krabi?

No, you must make your own way to Koh Phi Phi and stay overnight due to ferry schedules.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this tour?

Yes, masks and snorkels are included for all participants.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is in front of McDonalds near Tonsai pier on Koh Phi Phi Don.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No lunch is included; only bottled water is provided.

Are national park fees included in the price?

No, you need to pay THB 400 cash per person on the day of the tour.

Can infants join this day trip around Koh Phi Phi?

Yes, but infants must sit on an adult’s lap during the boat ride.

Will we always be able to visit Maya Bay?

Maya Bay may be closed for 1-2 months annually for ecosystem recovery; if closed, more time is spent elsewhere.

How many people are on each boat?

The maximum group size is 10 participants per boat.