Phiphi Islands: Private Sunrise Speedboat & Pool Club Lunch

Private sunrise boat to Phi Phi, swim in emerald lagoons and relax with Thai lunch

You’ll start before sunrise from Phuket on a private speed boat charter to Phi Phi Islands—arriving at Maya Bay before crowds or heading to Bamboo Island if it’s closed. Swim in Pi Leh Lagoon’s emerald waters, spot monkeys from your boat near Monkey Beach, and end with a relaxed Thai lunch at a marina pool club. Expect quiet moments—and maybe a little salt left behind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Phi Phi Islands speedboat tour

• Depart from Boat Lagoon Marina
• Visit Maya Bay or Bamboo Island
• Explore Pi Leh Lagoon if tide allows
• Snorkel at first underwater stop
• View macaque monkeys and Viking Cave
• Snorkel at second underwater stop
• Relax at Bamboo Beach or Koh Rang Yai
• Enjoy lunch at luxury pool club

The Experience

I’ll be honest, I almost bailed when my alarm went off at 4:30am. But we’d promised ourselves this sunrise speed boat trip to the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket—so there we were, bleary-eyed at the marina, sipping instant coffee and watching the crew load up breakfast baskets. Our guide, Nok, grinned and handed us pineapple slices. “No sleep? You’ll wake up on the water,” she said. She was right. The air felt different as we sped out—salty and cool, not sticky yet—and the sky was just starting to turn that weird lavender color you only get before dawn.

We reached Maya Bay before anyone else—literally no footprints but ours in the sand. I didn’t expect it to be so quiet; just the sound of our feet crunching on shells and Nok humming some old Thai pop song under her breath. She told us about how Maya Bay closes for a couple months every year now so the coral can recover (if you’re here in August or September, they take you to Bamboo Island instead). The light was soft enough that I could actually see little fish darting near shore—Nok pointed out a baby blacktip shark and I nearly dropped my snorkel mask. The main keyword here is “private speed boat charter phi phi”—because honestly, being alone in that bay felt like cheating time.

After that we floated into Pi Leh Lagoon (tide was perfect), surrounded by cliffs so high they blocked out half the sun. The water looked fake—emerald green but clear enough to see your toes wriggling under you. There’s something about swimming there before breakfast that makes you feel like you’re getting away with something. Later, we stopped by Monkey Beach and watched macaques picking through driftwood while we stayed safely on board (Nok joked about monkey thieves and I believed her). We cruised past Viking Cave too—couldn’t go in but saw guards waving from the mouth of it, which made me wonder what it’s like inside.

I’m still thinking about lunch at their pool club back at the marina—spicy papaya salad and grilled fish with rice, eaten barefoot by the pool while our hair dried out in the sun. Not fancy-fancy but real food after all that saltwater swimming hits different, you know? If you’re looking for a private day trip from Phuket to Phi Phi with some actual space to breathe (and yeah, includes pickup and snacks), this one’s worth setting your alarm for—even if you hate mornings as much as I do.

Top questions

What time does the private speed boat tour to Phi Phi Islands start?

The tour departs early morning before sunrise from Boat Lagoon Marina in Phuket.

Is Maya Bay always included on this day trip?

Maya Bay is included except during August and September when it closes for ecosystem recovery; Bamboo Island is visited instead during those months.

Are snorkeling gear and life jackets provided?

Yes, all snorkeling equipment including fins and flotation aids are provided on board.

Can children join this private speed boat charter?

Yes, children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on an adult's lap.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; departure is from Boat Lagoon Marina in Phuket.

Are meals included on this tour?

A light breakfast is served onboard and lunch is provided at the pool club restaurant after returning to Phuket.

Do we enter Viking Cave or just view it?

You’ll view Viking Cave from outside; entry isn’t permitted due to conservation rules.

How many snorkeling stops are there during the tour?

The itinerary includes two snorkeling stops around Phi Phi Islands depending on tide and weather conditions.

What’s included

Your day covers departure from Phuket’s Boat Lagoon Marina with breakfast onboard, all national park fees covered, WiFi access throughout the journey, two guided snorkeling stops with equipment provided (fins, life jackets), soft drinks and snacks available all day, plus a Thai-style lunch served at their pool club overlooking the marina before heading home salty-haired but happy.