Phi Phi Boat Tour Guide: Types, Prices & How to Choose

Featured image: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Phi Phi Boat Tour: Quick Answer

Choose your departure port first, then your boat. From Phi Phi Don, operators list shared longtail trips from ฿499 for a half day and ฿695 for a full day. Shared speedboats from Phi Phi Don are listed at ฿1,200 to ฿1,500. Krabi operators list a Phi Phi and Bamboo Island speedboat day at ฿1,400. Phuket catamaran and speedboat days run roughly ฿2,500 to ฿4,300. Private longtails start near ฿8,500 for two people. All figures are operator-listed as of November 2026, so confirm them before you pay.

Types of Phi Phi Boat Tours Compared

Boat type shapes cost, comfort and crowd exposure. Prices below are operator-listed ranges, not fixed rates. Check the date on any quote you receive.

• Sunset and plankton trips from Phi Phi Don are listed at ฿1,200 by a speedboat operator and ฿499 by a longtail operator.
• Early-bird sunrise speedboat trips from Phi Phi Don are listed at ฿1,200 for four hours with snorkeling.

Which Departure Port Is Best

Phi Phi Don gives the shortest transit and the most time at the sites. Ton Sai is the main pier and town, and operators run shared longtails and speedboats from there. Krabi tours leave from the Ao Nang area, about 34 km from the islands by one operator's figure. One Krabi operator pairs the 34 km run with a 7.5-hour speedboat day listed at ฿3,550. Phuket offers the widest choice but the longest transit, and prices climb accordingly. Koh Lanta and Khao Lak list some Phi Phi trips, so confirm the route before booking. Staying on Phi Phi Don? Pair a short boat trip with a land-based viewpoint walk.

What a Typical Phi Phi Itinerary Covers

Most routes link Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon with snorkel stops. Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island often fill the middle of the day. The archipelago has six islands: Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Mosquito, Bamboo, Bida Nok and Bida Nai. One operator places the Bida Nok, Bida Nai and Palong dive sites about 1.5 km south and west of Phi Phi Leh. Stop order depends on tides, weather and crowds, so treat any printed sequence as a guide. Some operators add Khai Island or Viking Cave, so compare stop lists, not only prices.

Costs and What's Included

Headline price rarely equals real price. One Krabi operator includes a ฿400 national park ticket per person, plus snorkel gear, a Thai buffet lunch, guides and liability insurance. The same operator lists hotel transfers at ฿850 to ฿1,300 round trip, depending on pickup area. Ask whether the park fee, transfer, gear, food and drinks are inside the quote. A Phi Phi boat tour that looks ฿400 cheaper may simply leave the park fee out.

• Park fee: included or extra, listed per person.
• Transfer: hotel pickup or a meeting point.
• Gear: mask, snorkel and lifejacket.
• Food: lunch, water and vegetarian options ordered ahead.
• Insurance: ask what the cover is.

Private vs Shared: Cost Per Person

Operators list a Phuket private longtail at ฿11,000 for two people. That is ฿5,500 each. A private speedboat from Phuket is listed at ฿28,000 for two, or ฿14,000 each. If a quote covers the whole boat rather than a per-person fee, four guests pay ฿7,000 each on the speedboat, and six pay about ฿4,667. Confirm the boat's capacity and whether the price changes with group size. Even at six guests, a private speedboat costs more than a ฿1,500 shared speedboat from Phi Phi Don. Private wins only when flexibility, privacy or a nervous child matters more than price.

Best Time of Year and Time of Day

Andaman monsoon weather brings rougher seas and possible cancellations, so check sea conditions with the Thai Meteorological Department before you book. Sunrise tours from Phi Phi Don are listed from ฿1,200 for four hours. Suitable for travelers who want cooler light and fewer boats. A 10:00 am Phuket catamaran start is listed at ฿3,400, a gentler option. Sunset and plankton trips suit evening plans, though bars on Ton Sai may compete for your night, as covered in our guide to after-dark options on Phi Phi Don. Build in one spare day in case a departure is cancelled for weather.

Maya Bay: What to Expect on a Boat Tour

One Krabi operator says Maya Bay closes from 1 August to 30 September for maintenance, with views from the boat only. Confirm those dates for the 2026–27 season with the Department of National Parks. Landing rules, swimming limits and visitor caps are set by the park, not by tour sellers. Read our Maya Bay landing rules page before choosing a route that promises beach time. Ask your operator whether the tour lands or only passes by.

Snorkeling: Do You Need Your Own Gear?

Many operators include a mask, snorkel and lifejacket. One lists a fish ID card as well. Bring your own mask if you wear glasses or have a small face, since rental fit varies. Non-swimmers should keep the lifejacket on and stay close to the boat. Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard cut sun exposure and reef damage.

Phi Phi Boat Tours With Kids and Beginners

Pick a shared longtail or semi-private boat for young children, since boarding from a beach is easier on a small craft. Speedboats suit older children who handle spray and chop. A private charter makes sense if a child gets seasick, because you control pace and stops. Pack a motion-sickness plan, hats and dry clothes. Ask operators about child lifejacket sizes before you pay.

How to Choose and Book a Reputable Operator

Look for a licensed operator with recent reviews and visible safety kit. One Krabi operator lists accident insurance with AIG for civil liability, which is the kind of detail to ask about. Get cancellation, refund and reschedule terms in writing. Confirm the meeting point and pickup window. One operator lists a 15-minute maximum wait at hotel pickups.

Mistakes to Avoid

Booking on headline price alone is the most common error. Others include choosing a long Phuket transit for a short stay and skipping a motion-sickness plan. Travelers also forget sun protection and a weather buffer day.

• Check the park fee before comparing prices.
• Match port to trip length.
• Book a spare day for weather.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag.