Phi Phi Island tour from Phuket (2026): Which boat, which pier and which departure time?

Book an early bird speedboat. You'll be picked up around 5:00 AM, depart from the pier before 7:00 AM, and head straight to Maya Bay—well ahead of the regular tours, which all arrive between 9:30 and 11:00 AM. Early bird tours cost approximately 3,500–3,900 baht (including a 400 baht parking fee), and you'll be back at the pier around 3:00 PM. If the early 5:00 AM departure is too early for you, a regular speedboat offers the same stops for 2,500–3,000 baht: Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, lunch on Phi Phi Don, and often Khai Island on the return trip. However, you'll be sharing these stops with the other passengers on the boat.

A longer boat trip, starting at around 1,900 baht, is the calmer option if you are prone to seasickness. However, the journey takes two hours each way, and some boats never reach Maya. A sunset tour offers a more relaxed itinerary and arrives in Maya around 4:30 pm, after the day boats have departed. Below, you will find a comparison of all six tour types, the typical itinerary, your tour's departure port, parking fees, sea conditions throughout the year, and why traveling independently by ferry is more expensive than taking a tour.

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Key facts

The departure time is more important than the boat.

Maya Bay opens at 7:00 AM, with day boats from Phuket and Krabi arriving between approximately 9:30 and 11:00 AM. Pileh Lagoon fills up with boats from Krabi around 10:30 AM. An early bird tour departs first, and a sunset tour arrives after all the others have left.

The parking fee is 400 Baht, and often there are additional costs.

Foreign adults pay 400 baht and children 200 baht for entry to Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which includes Maya Bay, Pileh, and Bamboo Island. Most premium and early-bird tours include entry. For many budget and large-boat tours, the fee is collected in cash on the day of the tour.

Not every tour starts in Rassada.

Large boats and public ferries dock at Rassada Pier near Phuket Town. Most speedboat tours depart from the marinas on the east coast: Royal Phuket Marina, Ao Po, and Boat Lagoon. A few also depart from Chalong in the south. Pick-up times vary depending on the pier.

Speedboats take 45–60 minutes, large boats 2 hours.

A speedboat takes 45 minutes to an hour for the crossing and crashes violently against the waves. A larger boat takes about two hours and rolls considerably less. Those prone to seasickness have to accept this.

The season lasts from November to April.

From December to March, it rains on only 2 to 8 days per month, and the crossing is calm. From May to October, some trips are cancelled due to rough seas, and Maya Bay is closed to landings from August 1st to September 30th, but tours still operate.

Strict age restrictions apply to the speedboats.

Most speedboat tours are suitable for children aged 3 or 4 and adults up to 70 or 75 years old. Pregnant women and people with back or heart problems are not permitted. Tickets for children cost approximately 1,800–2,900 baht.

All Phi Phi tours from Phuket compared

Prices are taken from the tour operators' websites and include hotel pick-up in the main beach areas, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. Pick-up from Rawai, Kamala, Bang Tao, and Laguna often incurs an additional charge of 200–400 baht. The parking fee is 400 baht for foreign adults and 200 baht for children, unless included in the entrance fee, and must be paid in cash. Maya Bay is closed to landings from August 1st to September 30th.

Which Phi Phi tour should I book?

All tours departing from Phuket cover roughly the same waters. The choice therefore depends on three things: the arrival time in Maya Bay, the desired level of comfort, and the number of passengers. Here is a comparison of the six boat types.

Early bird speedboat, that's what I would book.

These tours depart before 7:00 AM and first head to Maya Bay, then to Pileh Lagoon, before the boats arrive for Krabi. For example, Siam Adventure World's early bird tour picks you up around 5:00 AM, departs from Royal Phuket Marina before 7:00 AM, and returns around 3:00–3:15 PM. The price is 3,900 baht including parking, or 2,900 baht for children aged 4 to 12. Other tours cost around 3,500 baht. You trade an early start to the day for two relaxing hours and return in the afternoon.

Standard speedboat, the classic day

This is the most popular tour. You'll be picked up around 7:00 AM, the crossing takes less than an hour, and you'll visit Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, with a snorkeling stop and a buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don. On the return trip, you'll stop at either Khai or Bamboo Island. The entire tour takes 8 to 11 hours from hotel to hotel. Standard speedboats start at around 2,400 baht, but most cost between 2,500 and 3,000 baht. Parking fees are included in some prices, but not in others. The catch is the departure time, as almost all boats arrive at Maya Bay at the same time.

Bigger boat, smoother ride

The boat tours on larger vessels use ships similar to ferries, with cabins, an upper deck, and a significantly smoother ride in choppy seas. They cost approximately 1,900–2,200 baht per adult, depart around 8:30 a.m. from Rassada or a nearby private dock, and last about two hours. This allows for fewer stops and a longer lunch break. Read the itinerary carefully before booking. At least one of the boat tours I've described only offers Maya Bay from outside the bay and requires a speedboat transfer there as an additional service. The parking fee is also usually not included.

catamaran

A speedboat catamaran falls between the two in terms of performance: it's smoother than a motorboat and faster than a large boat, taking about one to one and a half hours for the crossing. One operator in Phuket sells its catamaran day trip for around 2,900 baht, with space for 40 to 55 people – larger groups than on a motorboat. It's particularly suitable for families and anyone who dislikes the jerky movements of a motorboat.

Sunset tour

The opposite of the early bird tour and another way to experience Maya Bay without the crowds. Phuket Sail Tours picks you up around 9:00 AM, departs from Ao Po at 10:30 AM, heads to Bamboo Island, stops for lunch and snorkeling. Around 4:30 PM, after the day boats have left, you'll reach Maya Bay and enjoy the sunset from the boat before going ashore around 6:30 PM. The tour costs from 4,400 Baht, including parking, for up to 18 people. Plankton swimming is not included. However, the Phang Nga Bay guide offers a nighttime paddleboarding tour with Hong by Starlight.

Private charter

A private speedboat is charged per boat, so the cost only adds up for a group. A price list for Phuket starts at around 40,700 baht for a boat with up to 20 people, including parking. In return, you determine the departure time, the order of stops, and the duration at each location. This means, for example, visiting Maya Bay shortly after it opens and Pileh during a quieter hour. Agree on the price, fees, and each stop in writing before boarding.

How the day unfolds, hour by hour

The times listed are taken from the published timetable of a tour operator for the respective tour (Siam Adventure World, Phuket Hot Deals, and Phuket Sail Tours) and are based on a typical daily schedule with a speedboat. The order of stops varies depending on the tides, weather, and regular park tours and is determined daily by the crew. An empty space indicates that the boat is between stops or has not yet departed.

The stops and what you can do at each one

Most of the route runs on Phi Phi Leh, the uninhabited island where nobody lives, and the rules there are stricter than the photos suggest.

Maya Bay

Your boat will drop you off at the pier in Loh Samah Bay on the far side of the island. From there, it's about 300 meters along a wooden walkway to the beach. Tours are conducted in one-hour groups with a maximum of 375 people. You may wade in up to your knees, but swimming is not permitted. Violations are subject to a fine of 5,000 baht. From August 1st to September 30th, tours either offer a visit from the water or omit the beach entirely. The Maya Bay guide will inform you about the history and other applicable rules.

Pileh Lagoon

Green water between steep cliffs, with no beach and no access to land. The boats dock at a buoy, you jump into the water wearing a life jacket, and after 20 to 30 minutes the tour continues. Getting up early is especially worthwhile here, because by 10:30 am the lagoon is full of boats.

Viking Cave

A brief photo stop from the boat, nothing more. The cave is closed to visitors because swallows' nests are being harvested there. The boat therefore slows down to allow a glimpse of the collectors' scaffolding and then continues on its way.

Monkey Beach

On Phi Phi Don, you can snorkel right off the coast over shallow coral reefs. The macaques bite, and a bite requires medical attention due to the risk of rabies. Therefore, do not feed the animals and keep your bags closed at all times. Some tours offer the opportunity to observe the animals from a boat, which is also suitable for children.

Lunch on Phi Phi Don

A buffet dinner at a beach restaurant in Tonsai, the island's only village, followed by a 30- to 40-minute walk through the narrow streets. It's the busiest hour of the day in Tonsai, as all the tourists arrive at once.

Bamboo Island and Khai Island

Bamboo Island is a shallow, ring-shaped white sand beach about 5 km north of Phi Phi Don and is included in the same park ticket. Many tours use it for a longer swim. Khai Nok is a small island off the east coast of Phuket where many speedboats stop on their return journey. The shallow, clear water offers the easiest swim of the day. Feeding the fish is prohibited there.

From which pier does your tour start?

Most offers state "from Phuket" and only mention the pier in the fine print. This is important because the pier determines the pick-up time. Large boats and public ferries depart from Rassada Pier, 3.5 km from Phuket Town and about 18 km from Patong. Most speedboat and catamaran tours, however, depart from the marinas on the east coast: Royal Phuket Marina, Ao Po, and Boat Lagoon. A few depart from Chalong Pier in the south. From Patong, the van ride takes 25 to 45 minutes to Rassada and about 45 minutes to Ao Po. Therefore, pick-up should begin at least one hour before the boat's departure.

If you are staying in Rawai, Kamala, Bang Tao or Laguna, expect a logging surcharge of approximately 200-400 Baht per person on cheaper tours and inquire about this before comparing prices.

The parking fee is 400 baht

Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park charges an entrance fee of 400 baht for foreign adults and 200 baht for children. This ticket grants access to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Bamboo Island for the entire day. Premium, early bird, and sunset tours usually include the fee. It is often not included on cheaper speedboats and larger boats; the tour guide will then collect it in cash on board or at the pier. A 2,500 baht tour without the fee and a 2,900 baht tour with the fee cost the same—so compare apples to apples.

Sometimes a price of 200 baht for adults is quoted. This is the amount the boat operators in Krabi requested from the National Park Authority, which, however, kept the price at 400 baht. All the operators' websites and all the news reports I've read still state 400 baht.

The best-rated hotels in Phuket

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The sea, seasickness, and the month

From November to April, the wind blows offshore, and the Andaman Sea is as calm as glass. From December to March, it only rains in Phuket on 2 to 8 days per month. During this time, the crossing is smooth, and all tours operate as scheduled. From May to October, the southwest monsoon brings rougher seas. September and October are the wettest months, with approximately 350 mm and 336 mm of rainfall respectively, occurring on around 19 days each. On days with heavy rain, tour operators cancel tours, usually with a phone call the evening before and a refund or rescheduling. During these months, I would recommend booking a tour with free cancellation and allowing an extra day as a buffer.

If you are prone to seasickness, take a tablet before departure. These cost about 30 baht at any 7-Eleven. From Chalong, the first 20 minutes past Cape Panwa are usually the roughest. On a speedboat, sit towards the back where the ride is smoother, rather than at the front to take photos. If you know boats can be problematic, book the larger boat.

Children, pregnancy and age limits

Speedboat operators have strict age limits. Most accept children from 3 or 4 years old and adults up to 70 or 75, do not transport pregnant women, and advise against the trip for people with back or heart problems. Children's tickets cost approximately 1,800–2,900 baht, depending on the tour, plus a 200 baht parking fee if it's not included. Age groups vary by operator, from 3–11 to 4–12 years. For a more relaxed ride with young children, I would recommend the larger boat or the catamaran.

What you should bring

Use reef-safe sunscreen, as sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC, or butylparaben are prohibited in marine protected areas, and violations can result in fines of up to 100,000 baht. Some tour operators enforce this rule. Bring cash for the park fee (if not included), fins (approximately 100 baht rental), and drinks on Phi Phi Don. Remember to bring a towel, as many tours do not provide one. Pack a waterproof bag for your phone, a hat, dry clothes for the return trip, and seasickness medication if needed. Do not book the tour on the same day as your flight, as weather-related delays or cancellations cannot be rescheduled.

DIY by Ferry

While this is possible, it won't save you any money, and you'll arrive at Maya Bay at the worst possible time. A round-trip speedboat from Rassada costs around 1,500–1,700 baht (the ferry costs about 1,000–1,400 baht but takes two hours each way). The half-day longtail boat tour from Tonsai then costs about 1,200–1,500 baht per person, plus 400 baht for parking and 20 baht for landing in Tonsai. That's a total of about 2,600–3,600 baht before the taxi to the pier arrives, which costs about 700 baht each way from Patong. The first boats reach Tonsai around 9:30 a.m., so you'll arrive at Maya Bay in the late morning along with the tourist boats. The last ferry back leaves at 3:30 p.m., and speedboats run until about 5:00 p.m.

The ferry is especially advantageous if you're staying overnight. An overnight stay on Phi Phi Don allows you to take a longtail boat to Maya Bay at 7:00 AM, before any boats arrive from Phuket. The "Phuket – Phi Phi" guidebook lists all departure times, and the "Koh Phi Phi" guidebook provides information on accommodations.

Plan to spend the rest of the day on Phi Phi or stay overnight on the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about the day trip to Phi Phi from Phuket.

An early bird speedboat departs before 7:00 AM and is the first to head to Maya Bay, long before the regular tours arrive between approximately 9:30 and 11:00 AM. The trip costs around 3,500–3,900 baht (including a 400 baht parking fee) and returns you to the pier around 3:00 PM. If you are prone to seasickness, a larger boat offers a smoother ride starting at around 1,900 baht.

Approximately 1,900–2,200 baht for a large boat, 2,500–3,000 baht for a standard speedboat, 3,500–3,900 baht for an early bird speedboat, and from 4,400 baht for a sunset tour, all per adult including hotel pick-up and lunch. A parking fee of 400 baht (200 baht for children) is extra if not included in the price.

The speedboat journey takes 45 minutes to an hour, while the larger boat or ferry takes about two hours, plus an additional 25 to 45 minutes from the west coast beaches to the pier. A day trip from hotel to hotel takes 8 to 11 hours.

Yes, if you book the early departure. Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay are worth the boat trip, but a standard tour arrives between approximately 9:30 and 11:00 AM, just like all the other tourists. If you have a night to spare, taking the ferry and then staying overnight on Phi Phi Don is the better option.

A speedboat offers more stops and an earlier arrival (approximately one hour each way). A larger boat provides a smoother ride and a lower price (approximately two hours each way) with fewer stops. Make sure a tour with a larger boat actually docks at Maya Bay, as some tours only view the bay from the water.

The fee is usually included in premium, early bird, and sunset tours. For cheaper speedboats and larger boats, it is often not included and is paid in cash on the day of the tour. It costs 400 baht for foreign adults and 200 baht for children.

Large boats and ferries depart from Rassada Pier near Phuket Town. Most speedboat and catamaran tours depart from the marinas on the east coast: Royal Phuket Marina, Ao Po, and Boat Lagoon; a few also depart from Chalong. Hotel pick-up is included in the main beach areas.

No. You can wade up to your knees, and the park fines swimmers 5,000 baht. Swimming is better in Pileh Lagoon, at Bamboo Island, and Khai Island; snorkeling is also possible there.

Yes, on most days. However, tour operators cancel tours in rough seas. This usually happens after a phone call the evening before, during which they offer either a refund or a new date. Maya Bay is closed to landings from August 1st to September 30th. During this time, tours offer a view from the water, allowing time for visits to other landing sites.

Children aged 3 or 4 and older can participate; child tickets cost approximately 1,800–2,900 baht. Pregnant women are not permitted on the speedboat tours, and the organizers advise against them for people with back or heart problems. The larger boat offers a smoother ride.

A day trip is recommended for Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, and the snorkeling stops. For the viewpoint, the beaches after the day boats depart, and Maya Bay (departing Phi Phi Don at 7:00 AM), two overnight stays are better.

This is not a day trip where you are picked up from your hotel early in the morning. The Rassada ferry port is about 35 km from the airport and can be reached by car in 40 to 55 minutes. From there, ferries depart at 11:00 AM or around 1:30 PM.

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