Phi Phi, Maya & Bamboo Islands Speedboat from Krabi

One boat, five islands, lunch included: what a Krabi speedboat day actually covers

You get picked up from your hotel, spend eight hours on a speedboat visiting five islands with a guide who knows the tides, swim and snorkel at Pileh Lagoon and Lohsamah Bay, see Maya Bay and Viking Cave, eat a proper lunch on Phi Phi Don, and return to your hotel by late afternoon. Snorkeling gear, life jacket, water and insurance are all included; the only thing you arrange is showing up at pickup time.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Pickup from hotel
• Arrive at pier and check-in
• Enjoy coffee, tea, and fruit
• Tour briefing and safety instructions
• Swim at Pileh Lagoon
• Visit Lohsamah Bay coral reefs
• Sightseeing at Monkey Beach
• Relax at Maya Bay beach
• Sightseeing at Viking Cave
• Lunch and relax at Phi Phi Don
• Explore heart-shaped island and reefs
• Return to pier and transfer back

The Experience

"The water here changes color every hour," our guide said as we pulled away from the pier at 8:30am, and he wasn't exaggerating. The speedboat tour from Krabi to Phi Phi, Maya and Bamboo Islands moves fast — you're picked up from your hotel in Ao Nang or Krabi Town between 8 and 9am, checked in with coffee and fresh fruit at the pier, then on the water within an hour. The boat itself is built for speed and comfort, not a cramped longtail; you get snorkeling gear, a life jacket, and an English-speaking guide who actually knows the tides and the currents, not just the script.

The first real stop is Pileh Lagoon, where the water sits so still and clear it looks photoshopped — limestone cliffs rise straight up from emerald shallows, and you can see the sand beneath you from the surface. After that comes Lohsamah Bay, where the coral reefs start to show themselves and the fish are thick enough that you don't have to search for them. Monkey Beach is next, though here's the thing: it only exists at low tide. If the water's high when you arrive, you see it from the boat instead. That's not a flaw in the tour — that's just how the island works, and the guide knows which way the tide is running that day. Maya Bay, the beach from "The Beach" movie, gets its own hour to swim and walk around; the bay closes every year from August through September for recovery, so during those months you'll see it from the water instead. Viking Cave comes by boat as well — the paintings inside were supposedly drawn by Captain Cook, though that's probably more legend than fact.

Lunch happens at Phi Phi Don around midday, a buffet spread that includes vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal options, and you get time to rest on the beach after eating. The whole day runs about eight hours door-to-door, which means you're back at your hotel by 4:30pm. Bottled water is constant, snorkeling equipment is included, and accident insurance comes with the ticket. The boat holds small groups, not a floating party barge, so you're not fighting fifty other tourists for a spot at the rail.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Ao Nang, Khlong Muang Beach or Krabi Town.
• speedboat transport to Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island.
• snorkeling equipment and life jacket.
• stops at Pileh Lagoon, Lohsamah Bay, Monkey Beach, Maya Bay and Viking Cave.
• buffet lunch with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal options.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• accident insurance.
• English-speaking guide.
• return transfer to your hotel.

Good to know

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

Operated by Parallel Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the main Phi Phi highlights in one day without renting a boat or arranging your own transport — the fixed schedule and included lunch mean you show up at pickup and everything else is handled.

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Top questions

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup runs from 8 to 9am depending on where you're staying in Ao Nang or Krabi Town. The boat returns to the pier by 4:30pm, and you're back at your hotel by 5pm.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included. Bring your own if you prefer, but you don't need to.

What happens if Maya Bay is closed?

Maya Bay closes annually from August 1 to September 30 for environmental recovery. During those months, you see it from the boat instead of swimming there. The rest of the itinerary stays the same.

Is lunch included, and are dietary needs covered?

Yes, lunch is a buffet at Phi Phi Don. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal options are available — let the operator know when you book.

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

Monkey Beach only appears above water at low tide. If the tide is high when you arrive, you see it from the boat. The guide knows the tide schedule and plans the route accordingly.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour runs in small groups, not large ferries. Exact group size varies by departure, but it's designed to avoid overcrowding.

Is this tour suitable for weak swimmers?

You can snorkel or simply float in the life jacket and enjoy the water. You're never forced into the sea; many people stay on the boat and watch instead.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and return, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, bottled water, lunch, accident insurance and an English-speaking guide.