Ko Phi Phi: Maya Bay Sunrise & Snorkel with Speedboat

Beat the Tour Groups to Maya Bay Before the Sun Gets High

You start before dawn at Tonsai pier and spend eight hours island-hopping by speedboat to Maya Bay, Phi Leh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Bamboo Island. Snorkeling gear, lunch and an English-speaking guide are included, and you're back by early afternoon, which means you avoid the afternoon crowds and still have time to rest before dinner.

Step-by-step itinerary

Phi Phi Island Sunrise and Beach Tour

• Meet at McDonald's near Tonsai pier
• Depart to Maya Bay for sightseeing
• Swim at Phileh Lagoon
• View Viking Cave from boat
• See monkeys at Monkey Bay
• Swim and snorkel with tropical fish
• Visit Bamboo Island for lunch and relaxation
• Return to Tonsai Pier

The experience

You're up at 5:45am, which feels ridiculous until you're the only boat pulling into Maya Bay while the limestone cliffs are still half-dark. The meeting point is straightforward (in front of McDonald's on Phi Phi Don, next to Tonsai pier at 6am), and from there the speedboat heads straight out. The water is glassy. Your guide, who speaks English and knows the route cold, points out which spots the big tour boats will hit later and which ones stay quiet if you time it right. By the time the sun clears the ridge, you're already in the water at Phi Leh Lagoon, the enclosed emerald lagoon ringed by those jagged limestone walls you've seen in photos. It's calmer than you expected, almost still.

The day moves fast. You're not dawdling. After Maya Bay (where swimming isn't allowed, but the photo angle from the boat is the whole point), you snorkel at Phi Leh Lagoon and then swing by Viking Cave, where the boat gets close enough for shots but you stay aboard. Monkey Bay comes next, and if you're paying attention you'll spot the crab-eating macaques in the trees. Then it's back in the water for the main snorkel session: tropical fish, coral, and if you're lucky, blacktip reef sharks cruising the shallows. The snorkel gear is included, as is the guide who'll point out what you're actually looking at instead of just handing you a mask and hoping. Around midday you pull into Bamboo Island for lunch on the white sand beach, and this is where the pace finally slows. You eat, you rest, you float. By 2:30pm you're back at Tonsai Pier.

A couple of things to know: the boat leaves at 6am sharp, so if your hotel isn't on Tonsai Beach you'll need to arrange a longtail boat to get there early. That's on you. The tour doesn't run in August and September because Maya Bay closes for conservation. Weather and tide can shuffle the itinerary, so the guide might swap stops around. And this isn't a gentle float. It's a speedboat with a moderate pace, so you need decent fitness and a spine that can handle the ride. Pregnant travelers and kids under 4 aren't permitted. Drinking water, coffee and tea are provided, and the national park fees are rolled into the price.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup arranged separately to Tonsai pier, speedboat transport to all five stops, use of snorkel equipment, lunch on Bamboo Island, drinking water, coffee and tea, national park entry fees, basic accident insurance and a licensed English-speaking guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 1): free

GroupUp to 38

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Phi Phi Local Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Maya Bay and the Phi Phi islands without spending the afternoon in a crowd of tour boats. The 6am start is what makes that possible, and the speedboat gets you back by 2:30pm so the rest of your day is free.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 1): free.

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 we meet and where exactly?

6am in front of McDonald's on Phi Phi Don Island, next to Tonsai pier. If your accommodation isn't on Tonsai Beach, arrange a longtail boat to get there early.

Can you swim at Maya Bay?

No, swimming is not allowed at Maya Bay. You can photograph from the boat and swim at other stops like Phi Leh Lagoon and Bamboo Island.

Is snorkel gear provided?

Yes, snorkel equipment is included. You'll use it at Phi Leh Lagoon and during the main snorkel session where you might see tropical fish, coral and occasionally blacktip reef sharks.

What's included in the price?

Snorkel gear, lunch on Bamboo Island, drinking water, coffee and tea, national park fees, basic accident insurance and an English-speaking guide.

When is Maya Bay closed?

Maya Bay closes August and September each year for conservation and restoration.

How long is the tour?

Approximately eight hours, departing at 6am and returning around 2:30pm.

Who shouldn't book this tour?

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or those aged 70 and over. Pregnant travelers and children under 4 are prohibited. Moderate fitness is required.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The itinerary is subject to change without notice due to weather and tide conditions. Your guide will adjust stops as needed.