Phi Phi & Maithon: Catamaran Snorkel & Maya Bay from Phuket

The Catamaran Fits 40 People But Feels Like You've Booked Something Private

You board a new catamaran with a maximum of 40 guests, get picked up from your hotel, and spend the day at Phi Phi Islands and Maithon with two snorkel sessions, a long-tail boat cruise through Pileh Bay, and free time at Maya Bay. Lunch, snorkel gear, national park fees, and the return transfer are all included, so you show up at the pier and the rest unfolds on a set schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ko Phi Phi Le1h 30m
2. Maya Bay1h

Phuket to Phi Phi Island tour

• Hotel pickup between 8:00 and 9:30
• Depart from pier at 10:30
• Take Thai longtail boat tour of Pileh Bay
• Enjoy Thai buffet lunch on boat at 12:00
• Visit Maya Bay and free time on beach
• Snorkel near Phi Phi Island at 14:40
• Arrive at Honeymoon Island at 16:30
• Use water slides, kayaks, and inflatable pool
• Second snorkeling session at Honeymoon Island
• Return to pier at 18:10–18:30
• Driver transfers back to hotel

The experience

The boat leaves the pier at 10:30am, and by the time you're settled on the 360-degree open deck with a coffee, you realize the whole operation is built around not feeling crowded. Forty guests sounds like a lot until you're actually on a 2024 catamaran with an air-conditioned lounge, a sundeck, and enough space that you're not jostling for a snorkel spot or a place to sit. The bilingual guide meets you at your hotel between 8 and 9:30am for pickup, so there's no early scramble to find the pier or figure out transport. That's already handled.

The day splits into three main stops, and the timing is tight enough that it never drags. Around 12:30, you transfer to a traditional long-tail boat for a cruise through Pileh Bay, which is the moment the itinerary shifts from "nice boat day" to "okay, this is why people come here." The water is so clear you can see the limestone cliffs reflected in it, and the long-tail moves slowly enough that you can actually take photos without them being blurred. Then it's Maya Bay: the beach from the movies, the one that was closed for years to recover. You get free time to walk around, swim, or just stand there and confirm it's real. After that, the catamaran heads to Maithon Island (also called Honeymoon Island), where the second snorkel session happens around 16:30, and the water slides and kayaks come out. If you're the type who gets restless sitting still, there's always something: transparent kayaks if you want to see the reef without getting wet, inflatable pools, sea scooters.

Lunch is a Thai buffet served on board around midday, with fruit and soft drinks included, so you're not paying extra or hunting for a restaurant between stops. The snorkel gear (masks, snorkels, life jackets, disposable mouthpieces) is provided, and the national park fees are built in. You get towels, five edited photos from the day, and the whole thing ends with a drop-off back at your hotel around 6:30pm. The constraint is the schedule itself: everything runs on a fixed timeline, which is exactly what keeps the day from becoming a loose, half-planned thing where you're deciding at noon what to do next.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off across Phuket Island, Thai buffet lunch with fruit and soft drinks on board, snorkel equipment (masks, snorkels, life jackets, disposable mouthpieces), two snorkel sessions at Phi Phi and Maithon, long-tail boat cruise through Pileh Bay, free time at Maya Bay, water slides and kayaks at Maithon Island, towels, national park fees, bilingual guide, accident insurance, and five edited photos from the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Seven Plus Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Phi Phi highlights (Maya Bay, two reef snorkels, and Maithon) without arranging transport, park fees, or timing yourself. The fixed schedule and hotel pickup remove all the logistics, and the 40-person limit keeps the boat from feeling like a floating tour bus.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Thai and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): 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 does the boat leave Phuket?

The catamaran departs the pier at 10:30am. Hotel pickup happens between 8:00 and 9:30am depending on your location.

Is Maya Bay always open?

Maya Bay closes from August 1 to September 30 each year for environmental recovery. During those dates, extra time is arranged at other snorkel and beach locations instead.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, Thai lunch with fruit and soft drinks, snorkel gear, life jackets, national park fees, water slides and kayak access at Maithon, towels, and five edited photos from the day.

How many people are on the boat?

Maximum 40 guests per departure, which keeps the deck and snorkel spots from feeling crowded.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. Masks, snorkels, life jackets, and disposable mouthpieces are provided. You just need to bring a swimsuit and sunscreen.

How long is the full day?

Approximately 10 to 10.5 hours from pickup to drop-off, with the boat returning to the pier around 6:10pm.

Are there snorkel sessions for beginners?

Yes. The guide is bilingual and the snorkel spots are accessible. Life jackets are provided and included, so you can stay afloat while learning.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in most conditions, but the operator may adjust the itinerary or reschedule if sea conditions are unsafe. Check your confirmation for the operator's weather policy.