6 Hours Private Tour Around Phi Phi Islands From Phi Phi

The best Phi Phi views come from the water. This private six-hour boat trip gives you a traditional long-tail boat, a local captain, and the freedom to linger at Monkey Beach, Phi Leh Bay, Maya Bay, and several quieter coves. I especially like the flexible schedule and the chance to see both famous sights and less-heralded beaches.

The price is $187.49 per group of up to two people, which is not cheap by Phi Phi standards. Still, it can make sense if you value privacy, want control over your stops, and would rather not share a boat with a large crowd. The main caution is simple but important: you must meet at McDonald’s on Phi Phi Don, not in Phuket.

The route covers a lot of ground, so this is an active day on the water rather than a slow beach outing. Weather can also change the plan, and choppy seas may make the long-tail ride uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Monkey Beach is often the favorite stop: Leave enough time for the monkeys, photos, and the bright water around the beach.
• The boat leaves from Phi Phi Don: The meeting point is McDonald’s PP Island Krabi, and the tour returns there after roughly six hours.
• You control the pace: A private boat lets you decide how long to swim, snorkel, photograph, or rest at each stop.
• Maya Bay is the famous name on the route: It is the filming location for The Beach, but it can be busy and access may depend on conditions and local rules.
• Snorkeling gear is basic but useful: A mask and life jacket are included, while fins cost extra to rent.
• The weather matters: Strong wind has caused some stops to close, though captains have redirected boats to other attractive places.

Why a private long-tail boat changes the day

Phi Phi’s scenery is easy to admire from a boat, but the way you get around matters. A traditional long-tail boat gives you an open-air ride close to the water, with the engine noise and spray forming part of the experience. It is not a silent luxury cruise, but it feels more connected to the islands than a large enclosed vessel.

The private format is the strongest reason to consider this trip. With only your group aboard, you are not tied to a fixed timetable at every beach. If Monkey Beach grabs your attention, you can stay longer. If a bay is crowded or the sea is rough, you can ask the captain to move on.

That flexibility has real value. The published route includes eight stops, but each stop is listed at about 30 minutes, with 45 minutes at Maya Bay. Travel between locations uses much of the six-hour window. A private boat gives you some control over those breaks, but it cannot remove the distances or guarantee that every place will be accessible.

The captain is also an important part of the experience. Several strong accounts describe friendly, attentive boat drivers who explained the route, found good places to enter the water, and handled choppy conditions well. One captain named Khun was praised for his warm manner. Small touches such as cold drinking water and cut pineapple have also made the trip feel more personal.

Leaving Phi Phi Don and finding the right meeting point

The tour starts at McDonald’s on Phi Phi Don, at the location listed as PQQC+F9G in Ao Nang, Krabi. You arrange your own way to this meeting point, and the boat returns there at the end.

This is the detail I would treat most seriously. A booking from Phuket might sound like a Phi Phi excursion, but this particular experience does not begin at a Phuket pier. At least one booking was missed because the departure point was misunderstood. Check the map, confirm the location with the operator, and allow enough time to reach McDonald’s on Phi Phi Don.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided at booking. Still, do not rely on a vague assumption that someone will collect you from another island. The supplied directions clearly place responsibility on you to arrive at the Phi Phi Don meeting point.

Once aboard, you have drinking water, a box with ice for chilling drinks, life jackets, a snorkeling mask, a first aid kit, and accident insurance. You can bring snacks and drinks. A packed lunch can also be arranged for an extra 100 baht per person, with Thai fried rice or a baguette sandwich, chicken or vegetarian.

Monkey Beach, where the wildlife steals the show

The first stop is Sam Had Beach, better known as Wild Monkey Beach. You get about 30 minutes to see the monkeys and take in the small strip of sand backed by steep island scenery.

This is often the most memorable part of the route. The monkeys provide an amusing photo opportunity, but they are still wild animals. Keep food and loose items secure, and do not treat them like tame pets. The beach itself can be more rewarding than a quick photo from the boat, so I would use the private schedule to ask for enough time here.

The water around Phi Phi is also part of the appeal. If conditions are calm, this can be a good place to enjoy the contrast between forested rock, white sand, and clear sea. If waves are running high, the captain may shorten the stop or choose a safer alternative.

Viking Cave and the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh

Viking Cave is a 30-minute stop on Phi Phi Leh. It is known as a major collection point for swiftlet nests, which are used in Chinese bird’s-nest soup. The cave is more about seeing the dramatic setting and learning about its purpose than walking through a developed attraction.

Do not expect a long shore visit here. The appeal is the limestone cliff, the cave opening, and the unusual story connected with swiftlet nests. It adds local character to a day otherwise dominated by beaches and swimming.

The boat route then reaches Phi Leh Bay, one of the emerald lagoons inside Phi Phi Leh. You have roughly 30 minutes to enjoy the scenery. The towering limestone walls make this a strong photo stop, especially when the water is calm enough to reflect the cliffs.

Phi Leh Bay is best appreciated from the boat or while floating in the water. Its enclosed shape can make it feel peaceful, though the same walls can amplify engine noise when several boats arrive together. Your captain’s choice of timing can make a difference, but no private tour can guarantee an empty lagoon.

Loh Samah Bay for snorkeling and a quieter pause

Loh Samah Bay provides another half-hour stop, with time for snorkeling, swimming, or relaxing near the beach. The bay is described as a good place to enjoy nature and look for fish below the surface.

The included mask makes this stop easy for casual swimmers. Fins are not included, so strong swimmers who prefer fin-assisted snorkeling should budget for a rental. The boat includes life jackets, which are useful if you want to watch the fish without spending the whole time actively swimming.

I like this part of the route because it breaks up the famous sightseeing. Maya Bay gets the headlines, but a snorkeling stop gives you something to do rather than simply take photographs. Visibility and marine life will depend on weather and water conditions, so keep expectations sensible.

Maya Bay and the fame of The Beach

Maya Bay receives the longest scheduled stop, about 45 minutes. This is the white-sand beach made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach, and it is the stop most people recognize before arriving.

The setting explains the fame: pale sand, clear water, and steep limestone walls create a natural amphitheater. You can stroll along the beach, take photographs, and rest before returning to the boat.

The drawback is that Maya Bay is no secret. It can be the busiest stop of the day, and access may be affected by weather or park management. The national park fee is not included, costing 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child, paid at the point of entry.

That extra charge should be included in your budget. You are paying for the boat and captain separately from the park admission. Rules and conditions can also affect how close you get to the water or how long you remain onshore, so listen to local instructions.

Long Beach and Loh Lana Bay

The itinerary then turns to beaches with a more relaxed feel. The stop identified near Ao Nang is Long Beach, facing southwest with views toward Phi Phi Leh. It is described as having exceptionally soft, fine white sand, and you have about 30 minutes there.

This is a useful counterpoint to Maya Bay. You get another scenic beach without relying entirely on the movie connection. The views over Phi Phi Leh also remind you how close the islands are, even as the boat carries you between coves.

Loh Lana Bay follows, on the northwest coast of Phi Phi Don. Its beach runs for about 500 metres, giving the cove a more open feel than the small enclosed bays earlier in the day.

The appeal here is space and scenery rather than a single headline attraction. Half an hour is enough for a walk, a swim, or a short rest. If your group prefers beaches to cave stops, this is another place where private timing helps. You can ask to linger if the conditions are good, though doing so may mean shortening a later stop.

Wang Long Bay and the final swim

Wang Long Bay closes the listed route. It is known for turquoise water and small fish swimming around you. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is suited to a final swim or snorkel before heading back.

This kind of stop can be the right ending for the day. After several beaches and photo locations, you get a simple chance to be in the water without needing to reach another famous landmark. Bring your mask, secure your belongings, and use the life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer.

The route promises variety: monkeys, a cave, lagoons, beaches, a film location, and fish-filled water. That variety is also why the day can feel full. You will spend time boarding, riding, swimming, drying off, and moving between sites. This is not the tour for someone who wants to sit on one beach for six hours.

Price, extra charges, and what you receive

At $187.49 for up to two people, the base price works out to about $93.75 each before the national park fee. That is a substantial cost compared with arranging a long-tail boat directly on Phi Phi Don.

The value comes from privacy and control. You avoid sharing the boat, can shape the pace, and have a captain focused on your group. For a couple celebrating a special day, photographers, or anyone who dislikes fixed group schedules, that can justify the price.

The price looks less attractive if you are comfortable bargaining locally or joining a shared boat. Some direct bookings on the island have been reported as dramatically cheaper. You are paying a premium for advance booking, a private arrangement, and the convenience of having the main plan set before you arrive.

Watch the add-ons. Each extra person costs 400 baht, and each extra hour costs 800 baht per hour. Fins are available for rent but are not included. Lunch costs another 100 baht per person if arranged through the operator.

The included drinking water and ice box are practical rather than luxurious. They mean you do not need to carry every drink yourself, though bringing small snacks remains sensible.

Weather, comfort, and who should skip it

Long-tail boats are exposed to wind, sun, spray, and waves. On calm days, that makes the ride scenic and refreshing. In rough weather, it can become tiring, and several stops may be changed or closed.

Strong wind has previously led the captain to replace inaccessible beaches with other attractive areas. That is the correct approach for safety, but it means you should not treat every named stop as guaranteed. Maya Bay and Phi Leh Bay may be the images in your head, yet the sea gets the final say.

Some people have reported seasickness when waves are strong. If that is a concern, consider appropriate medication before departure and avoid booking this as your only major plan for the day. The tour is not recommended for people who are pregnant or have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases.

Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a long-tail boat, sitting outdoors, and entering the water if you plan to snorkel. The captain can help with the route, but this is not a fully assisted mobility experience.

My verdict: book it if flexibility matters most

I would recommend this private tour to couples or small groups who want a full Phi Phi day without a rigid group schedule. Monkey Beach, Phi Leh Bay, Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Loh Lana Bay, and Wang Long Bay give you a broad look at the islands, while the private boat lets you decide where your attention goes.

I would be more cautious if price is your top concern. Ask yourself if privacy and advance organization are worth paying much more than a local island booking. Also confirm the Phi Phi Don departure point before paying, since arriving at the wrong island can ruin the entire day.

Book it if you want a personal captain, a traditional boat, and a flexible route. Skip it if you want the cheapest possible island trip, dislike choppy water, or need a fully fixed promise that every stop will be open.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. That policy helps, but it does not remove the need to check sea conditions before you leave.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at McDonald’s PP Island Krabi on Phi Phi Don. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the same meeting point on Phi Phi Don.

How many people can join for the listed price?

The listed price of $187.49 covers one private group of up to two people.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The fee is 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child, paid at the point of entry.

Are snorkeling items provided?

A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included. Fins are available to rent for an additional charge.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring snacks, drinks, or food. A packed lunch can be arranged for 100 baht per person, with Thai fried rice or a baguette sandwich, chicken or vegetarian.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour may be canceled or the route may change if conditions are unsafe. For a weather cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.