Phi Phi Islands Exclusive Tour by Speedboat from Koh Yao Yai

The best part of this small-group speedboat tour is its mix of famous Phi Phi scenery and quieter snorkeling stops. From Koh Yao Yai, you spend the day moving between Maya Bay, emerald Pileh Bay, cliff-lined coves, and white-sand beaches rather than staying in one crowded spot.

I like the personal feel of a maximum 14 people, and I like that snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and an onboard restroom are included. The main catch is the extra cost: hotel pickup and the national park fee are not part of the $113.74 price, and the trip needs good weather and at least six passengers.

Key points at a glance

• Black tip reef shark search: Koh Bida Nok is the main snorkeling stop, with a chance to look for black tip reef sharks.
• A maximum of 14 people: The small boat group should make it easier to hear the guide and avoid an impersonal day out.
• Six major stops: Maya Bay, Koh Bida Nok, Viking Cave, Pileh Bay, Wang Long Bay, and Monkey Beach fill the roughly six-hour outing.
• Lunch with a view: Your lunchbox is served on board, with Pileh Bay providing the setting.
• Igor may lead the day: The available feedback specifically praises Igor for his guiding and the relaxed group atmosphere.
• Extra fees matter: Add 100 to 400 THB per person for pickup and 400 THB for an adult national park fee, payable in cash.

Why this Phi Phi trip feels different from a standard boat tour

Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s most photographed island areas, and the famous places can feel busy. This outing tries to balance the headline sights with smaller bays, snorkeling, and beach time. You get the recognizable Maya Bay view, but you also reach Koh Bida Nok, Wang Long Bay, Ao Nui, Monkey Beach, and other coastal corners.

The small-group limit is important here. With no more than 14 people, you are not being moved around with a huge crowd. That does not mean every stop will be quiet. Phi Phi remains a popular destination. It does mean your time on the boat should feel more manageable, and a guide such as Igor can give more direct help than a guide handling a packed vessel.

The tour starts at 9:00 am from Elixir Divers and Speedboat Tours on Koh Yao Yai and ends back at the same meeting point. The stated duration is about six hours, so this is a focused Phi Phi excursion rather than a long, slow island cruise.

Maya Bay gives you the famous opening scene

Maya Bay is the obvious draw. The beach became widely known after the film The Beach, and its curved shore, pale sand, and high limestone cliffs make it easy to see why the place became famous.

You can take photos and, depending on the conditions and access at the time, enjoy an optional walk on the beach. The tour information does not promise a set amount of time ashore, so I would think of Maya Bay mainly as a scenic stop with the chance for a short beach visit, not as a long sunbathing session.

This is also one of the places where expectations matter. A well-known beach rarely feels entirely private. The value here is seeing the setting from the water and getting a chance to step onto the sand, while the rest of the day takes you to less famous coves.

Koh Bida Nok is the main snorkeling stop

Koh Bida Nok is the strongest reason to book this trip if you care more about the sea than beach photos. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and the stop focuses on coral reefs and marine life. You can look for black tip reef sharks in the water, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

The tour specifically presents this as a favored location for seeing black tip reef sharks. That gives the stop a sharper purpose than a quick swim near a scenic island. You can also expect to look around the reef for other marine life, but no full species list or underwater visibility promise is provided.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the guide for practical advice before entering the water. The tour states that most people can participate, but snorkeling still requires comfort in the sea. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Viking Cave and Pileh Bay slow the pace

Viking Cave is included as a cruise-by point or possible snorkeling stop. Its dramatic cliff setting is best appreciated from the boat, and the exact use of this stop can change with sea conditions and the day’s timing.

Pileh Bay is one of the visual highlights. The boat enters a narrow, enclosed bay framed by steep limestone cliffs and clear green water. You can swim and cruise here, and lunch is served on board with views of the bay.

I like this arrangement because lunch does not interrupt the sightseeing with a return to a pier or restaurant. You eat while surrounded by the scenery. The tradeoff is that a lunchbox on a speedboat is practical rather than leisurely. If you prefer a long restaurant meal, this will feel basic. If you want to keep moving, it saves time.

Wang Long Bay brings cliffs and monkeys

Wang Long Bay is a narrow, scenic inlet with cliff faces and monkeys hanging around the rocks. The setting is more enclosed than Maya Bay, so the boat ride itself becomes part of the experience.

You may see the monkeys from the boat or near the shoreline, but it is wise to treat them as wild animals, not photo props. The supplied information does not promise a landing here or direct contact, so expect a viewing stop rather than a guaranteed beach visit.

This is the kind of stop that gives the route variety. After snorkeling, you are looking upward at cliffs and wildlife instead of spending every hour in the water.

Monkey Beach and Ao Nui add time on the sand

Monkey Beach combines soft white sand with wild monkeys. It is another photo-friendly stop, but conditions can shape how close the boat gets and how much time you spend ashore. The tour presents the monkeys as wild, so keep your distance and avoid treating food or personal belongings casually around them.

Ao Nui is described as a tiny beach for snorkeling and relaxing. A small beach can be appealing after several boat stops, but it also means limited space. Do not book this trip expecting a long private beach break. The attraction is the change of pace: a short stretch of sand, a swim, and a quieter pause within a busy sightseeing route.

Bamboo Island is also mentioned among the day’s highlights, with crystal-clear water and a chance to dip your feet in the sea. The formal stop list names six primary stops and does not clearly state how long Bamboo Island or Ao Nui receives, so the exact sequence can be flexible.

A flexible route helps, but it limits certainty

The operator describes the itinerary as flexible, with changes made to provide the best experience. That can work in your favor when weather or sea conditions affect a planned stop. A speedboat guide can adjust the order and spend more time where conditions are pleasant.

The downside is that you should not treat every stop as a fixed promise of equal length. The tour mentions cruising by Viking Cave or making a snorkeling stop there, and it includes several beaches and bays within only six hours. Some places will necessarily be brief.

I would book this for variety, not for a guaranteed long stay at one beach. You are paying for a carefully packed circuit of Phi Phi highlights, snorkeling, and boat views.

What the $113.74 price really covers

At $113.74 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Phi Phi. Still, the price includes several useful items: lunch, beverages, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom on board. The small-group cap also adds value, especially if you dislike being one person among a very large boatload.

You need to add the national park fee in cash: 400 THB for an adult or 200 THB for a child aged 3 to 12. Hotel pickup and drop-off cost another 100 to 400 THB per person. Since the meeting point is on Koh Yao Yai, check the pickup arrangement carefully before booking and budget for both extras.

The price makes the most sense for someone who wants a direct, organized day with equipment provided. If you already have transport, snorkeling gear, and a strong preference for arranging your own route, the package may feel less attractive. If you value convenience and a limited group, the inclusions help justify the cost.

The boat setup and group size

The tour uses a speedboat and includes a restroom on board. That matters on a six-hour outing with no guarantee of frequent facilities at beaches or bays. Be ready for a faster, more exposed ride than you would get on a large ferry.

The group maximum is 14 people, and at least six passengers are needed for the trip to operate. A smaller group can make boarding, snorkeling instructions, and questions easier. It can also make the boat feel more active because everyone is sharing the same compact space.

The available feedback gives Igor special credit for creating an excellent atmosphere, with delicious food served on board. I would not assume Igor will lead every departure, but his name is useful to know if he is listed for your date.

Practical preparation for the six-hour outing

Bring cash for the national park charge. Beach towels are not included, so pack your own towel along with swimwear and sun protection.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you may still prefer to bring a personal mask if you have one that fits especially well. The information does not specify the brands or sizes of the provided gear, so the operator’s equipment is the practical default.

Keep your day flexible. The trip requires good weather, and the order or use of some stops can change. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of six passengers is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted, so make your plans before that cutoff.

Who should book this Phi Phi speedboat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact Phi Phi sampler with snorkeling at its center. It suits couples, families with children accompanied by adults, and anyone who prefers a small group over a large excursion boat.

It is also a good choice if you want a guide to handle the route while you focus on the scenery. Lunch, drinks, equipment, and the onboard restroom remove several small decisions from the day.

You may want a different experience if you need a long, quiet beach stay, dislike speedboat travel, or want to control every stop yourself. The route is busy by design. Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, snorkeling, monkey beaches, and several scenic coves all compete for time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see many of Phi Phi’s best-known sights in about six hours, with a maximum of 14 people and a real snorkeling focus. The strongest value comes from the combination of Koh Bida Nok, included gear, lunch on the water, and a guide-led route that can adjust to conditions.

Before paying, confirm the pickup cost and keep cash ready for the park fee. If you accept a brisk schedule and the chance that some stops will be brief, this is a well-packed way to experience Phi Phi from Koh Yao Yai. If you want unhurried beach time, choose a slower trip instead.

FAQ

Where does the Phi Phi Islands tour start?

The tour starts at Elixir Divers and Speedboat Tours, Operator Koh Yao Yai, 2/3 Moo 3, Phru Nai, Ko Yao District, Phang Nga 82160, Thailand.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point on Koh Yao Yai.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price. They cost between 100 and 400 THB per person.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The fee is 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children aged 3 to 12. It must be paid in cash.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and beverages are included, with lunch served on board.

What places does the tour visit?

The planned stops include Maya Bay, Koh Bida Nok, Viking Cave, Pileh Bay, Wang Long Bay, and Monkey Beach. The wider experience also mentions Bamboo Island and Ao Nui.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour requires at least six passengers to operate and has a maximum of 14 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.