Private Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat

The Andaman Sea packs a lot into one day. This private speedboat trip from Phuket links Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island in about seven to eight hours. I especially like the private boat format, which gives your group more say over the pace, and the included hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, snacks, paddleboard use, and guide.

I also like the personal service shown by guides such as Tony and Jip. Tony’s flexibility, including turning the boat around for a lost hat, is exactly the sort of small help that can save a family day. The main drawback is the price, listed at $1,386.10 per group of up to 12, plus national park fees and possibly lunch. A speedboat day is also bumpy, so anyone prone to seasickness should plan carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group does not share the activity with strangers, and the guide can adjust the day to your interests when conditions allow.
• Nine-hour-looking schedule in a seven-to-eight-hour tour: The stated stop times add up generously, so expect the exact plan to shift with tides, weather, and boat conditions.
• Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon are the visual stars: You get limestone cliffs, calm water, and time for swimming near the famous Phi Phi scenery.
• Two snorkeling stops are advertised: Equipment is supplied, but fins cost an extra 200 THB at Royal Phuket Marina.
• The speedboat ride can be rough: One group with seasick-prone people managed well, but the boat is still expected to bounce.
• Lunch details need confirmation: The tour information both says lunch is included and lists lunch as not included, so ask the operator before departure.

Starting at Royal Phuket Marina

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Phuket Province, using an air-conditioned minivan. The listed start time is 9:30 a.m., although private pickup is described as being arranged at the best possible time for your group.

You then ride to Amazing Canoeing’s meeting point at Royal Phuket Marina. The transfer is a useful part of the package, especially if you are staying away from the marina and do not want to arrange a taxi for a large group. The marina is also where you can rent fins for 200 THB if you want them. Snorkeling equipment is included, but fins are not.

The marina stop is scheduled for about 20 minutes. Alcoholic drinks are available for sale there, but they are not part of the tour. You will also pay the national park charge to the guide at check-in: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child.

That extra fee matters when you work out the final price. It is not a surprise if you read the details closely, but it can catch a family off guard at the dock.

The speedboat ride to Phi Phi Leh

Once aboard, you head toward Phi Phi Leh, the smaller and more dramatic of the main Phi Phi islands. The trip is built around steep limestone cliffs, broad bays, and clear-water stops rather than a single beach visit.

A speedboat makes the route possible in a single day, but comfort depends on the sea. The boat ride is expected to be bumpy, and one group specifically noted that even people prone to seasickness did well. That is encouraging, but it is not a guarantee of a smooth crossing. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the crew advises, keep your eyes on the horizon when possible, and bring any personal medication you normally use. Those are practical precautions, not signs that the trip is unsafe.

The private setup helps here. You can ask the guide about the next stop, request a slower pace when practical, or make small adjustments for your group. You should not expect complete control, since the crew must work around tides, weather, and park conditions.

Maya Bay, the famous cove

Maya Bay receives about 40 minutes on the schedule. It became famous after appearing in the film The Beach, and its curved cove, pale sand, and high cliffs are the reason many people book a Phi Phi trip in the first place.

I would treat this as a scenic visit rather than a long beach afternoon. Forty minutes passes quickly once you account for getting off the boat, walking, taking photographs, and following any local access rules. The bay is one of the most heavily sought-after sights in southern Thailand, so you should expect other boats and visitors around the general area. A private tour gives your group its own boat, not a private version of the entire bay.

That distinction is important. The private arrangement improves your comfort and control between stops, but it cannot remove the crowds from a famous public attraction. Still, the timing is sensible if you want to see Maya Bay and also have room for swimming and snorkeling later.

Pileh Lagoon and the limestone cliffs

The next Phi Phi Leh stop is Pileh Lagoon, scheduled for about 40 minutes. This enclosed body of water is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and is presented as a place for swimming, paddleboarding, and enjoying the views.

Pileh is likely to be one of the most satisfying stops for people who want time in the water. The calmer setting makes it easier to swim or try the included paddleboard. If you prefer not to get wet, the cliffs and narrow entrance still provide a strong sightseeing moment from the boat.

The 40-minute visit is enough for a focused stop, but not for a leisurely beach session. You may need to choose between swimming, paddleboarding, and photography. On a private tour, your guide may be able to shape the stop around your group, but the itinerary remains subject to tide and weather changes.

Viking Cave and the snorkeling stops

The boat then cruises past Viking Cave, a cliffside site known for wall paintings and the harvesting of edible bird nests. The scheduled visit lasts about 40 minutes and includes snorkeling in the surrounding waters.

The cave itself is mainly a sightseeing stop from the boat. The underwater portion is the more active part of the visit, and snorkeling equipment is supplied. Two snorkeling stops are included in the overall tour, although the supplied details do not clearly identify every stop by name. Ask your guide at the start of the day where both sessions will take place.

That small question can help you manage expectations. If you want a full snorkeling-focused outing, this trip also gives considerable time to beaches, cliffs, and sightseeing. If you want a broad Phi Phi sampler with snorkeling included, the mix makes more sense.

Paddleboard use is included as well. Equipment is available for the activity, but fins cost extra, and lunch and refreshments should be checked carefully because the information gives conflicting details about what is included.

Monkey Beach and Phi Phi Don lunch

Monkey Beach receives about 20 minutes. The appeal is straightforward: you may see macaques near the beach while the boat pauses for a short sightseeing visit.

This is not a long wildlife encounter. The stop is brief, and the monkeys are wild animals, so keep your distance and follow the guide’s instructions. Do not treat the beach as a petting area or assume an animal wants contact. The point is to see the setting and the macaques, not to chase a photograph.

After Monkey Beach, the group heads to Phi Phi Don for about one hour and 10 minutes. This is the day’s main meal and walking break, with beachside restaurants overlooking the island scenery. The supplied details say lunch will be served at a Phi Phi Don restaurant, but the inclusion list later says lunch is not included.

I would confirm this in writing before you pay. If lunch is not included, you should be prepared to buy your own meal at the restaurant. Snacks and onboard refreshments are listed as included, but that does not settle the restaurant bill. This is the one part of the package that needs a clear answer from Amazing Canoeing.

The Phi Phi Don stop gives the day a useful change of rhythm. After several short boat and water stops, you can sit down, eat, and walk on land. For families and larger groups, that pause may be as valuable as another swim.

Bamboo Island for sand and open space

Bamboo Island gets about one hour and 10 minutes, making it the longest beach stop of the day. The description focuses on white sand, palm trees, animals, and sea views.

This is the place to slow down. You can walk, swim, rest, or simply enjoy the shore after the more tightly timed Phi Phi stops. The island setting also gives you a final chance to use the day for relaxation rather than collecting one more photograph.

The tradeoff is the same as at Maya Bay: a private boat does not make the island private. Conditions, other boats, and park rules shape the experience. Still, more than an hour gives your group enough time to settle in instead of stepping ashore only long enough to look around.

The return cruise leads back to Royal Phuket Marina, followed by the air-conditioned minivan transfer to your hotel. The final marina-to-hotel transfer is listed at about one hour and 10 minutes, though actual timing depends on traffic and your drop-off location.

What the private format is really worth

The listed price is $1,386.10 for a group of up to 12. If you fill all 12 places, that works out to about $115.51 per person before national park fees, any fin rental, and possibly lunch.

That is a different value proposition from a cheap shared excursion. For a large family, wedding group, cruise party, or group of friends, the cost can be reasonable because you are buying the boat, guide attention, hotel transfers, and flexibility for the entire party. A smaller group of four or five will pay much more per person.

The reviews give useful examples of what the private format can deliver. Tony and his crew adjusted the day to suit a group that included five teenagers and even turned the boat around when a hat blew away. That does not mean every request can be granted, but it shows why a private trip can feel less rigid than a mass tour.

The strongest praise centers on the crew. Jib, also referred to as Jip in the guide response, received specific credit for a special day with a father and child. Another group highlighted the team’s skill and care. The high overall score, 5 out of 5 from 112 ratings, supports the idea that service is a major strength.

The 99 percent recommendation rate is also impressive, but you should match that enthusiasm to your own priorities. If you dislike bumpy boat rides, crowded famous sights, or a schedule with several short stops, the private boat will not solve every issue.

Food, equipment, and practical comfort

The package includes a speedboat cruise, hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket Province, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard use, an English-speaking guide, local taxes, onboard refreshments, and travel insurance.

It does not include alcoholic drinks. Fins are available for 200 THB at the marina. National park fees are paid separately to the guide at check-in.

The lunch wording is inconsistent. One part says lunch and snacks are free, while another specifically excludes lunch. Since this affects the value calculation, contact Amazing Canoeing before departure and ask exactly what meal is covered, at which restaurant, and whether drinks are separate.

The tour is marked as suitable for most people, but no detailed accessibility information is supplied. If someone in your group has mobility, medical, or swimming concerns, ask the provider before booking. A private format may help with personal attention, but it does not change the physical nature of a speedboat and island day.

Who should book this Phi Phi tour?

I would choose this experience for a group that wants the classic Phi Phi sights in one organized day and values privacy over the lowest price. It fits families, groups of friends, cruise passengers, and people who want an English-speaking guide with the ability to make small adjustments.

It is especially attractive when you can fill much of the 12-person capacity. At full size, the per-person cost becomes easier to defend. For two or three people, compare the price with smaller shared tours before committing.

You should also book with realistic expectations. Maya Bay and Bamboo Island are not secluded simply because your boat is private. The sea can be rough, the schedule can change, and the lunch charge needs clarification. In exchange, you get a broad route, hotel transport, two snorkeling stops, and a crew praised for being attentive and adaptable.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not met.

FAQ

What is the price of the private Phi Phi and Bamboo Island tour?

The listed price is $1,386.10 per group, with a maximum of 12 people. National park fees are additional.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours. Exact timings can change because of tide and local weather conditions.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m. Hotel pickup is offered in Phuket Province.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is Amazing Canoeing at Royal Phuket Marina, 63/402, Unit MC4-01, Thepkasattri Road, Ko Kaeo, Phuket 83000. The activity ends back at the same meeting point before hotel drop-off.

Are snorkeling equipment and fins included?

Snorkeling equipment is included. Fins are not included, but they can be rented at Royal Phuket Marina for 200 THB.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Paddleboard use is also included.

Are national park fees included?

No. The fee is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, paid to the guide at check-in.

Is lunch included?

The tour information gives conflicting details. One section says lunch is included, while another lists lunch as not included. Confirm the meal arrangement with Amazing Canoeing before the tour.

Should you book it?

Book this private trip if your group wants a full Phi Phi sampler, personal guide service, hotel pickup, and time for both snorkeling and beach stops. It offers good value when shared among many people, and the crew’s flexibility is its most praised feature.

Skip it if you want a quiet, uncrowded island escape, a guaranteed smooth ride, or a low per-person price for a small group. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded day on the water, provided you budget for park fees, possible lunch costs, and the occasional speedboat bounce.