Phi Phi, Bamboo & Maiton Islands Premium Catamaran Day Trip Phuket

Bamboo Island, the First Swim of the Day

Bamboo Island, Ko Mai Phai in Thai, is a small, flat island a few kilometres north of Phi Phi Don and part of the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. A ring of soft white sand surrounds a patch of shady forest, and the water over the fringing reef is so clear and shallow that you can see fish from the beach.

After the crossing from Phuket, with a snack box served on board, the catamaran anchors here for about 1.5 hours, the longest stop of the day. You can snorkel over the reef with the mask and snorkel provided, swim from the sand or simply relax in the shade. Many travellers search for a Phi Phi Bamboo Island day trip for exactly this moment: calm turquoise water early in the day, before the sun is at its strongest.

Ko Phi Phi Don and Monkey Beach

Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest island of the group and the only one with villages, shaped like a butterfly with two curving bays joined by a narrow strip of sand. There are no cars here, only footpaths, small guesthouses and shops, which gives the island its easy-going feel even when it is busy.

Lunch is a buffet served on the island, with about an hour to eat and take in the atmosphere by the water. Vegetarian food can be prepared if you ask 24 hours ahead. In the afternoon the catamaran cruises past Monkey Beach, a small cove where long-tailed macaques gather on the sand and rocks. The boat stops offshore for about 15 minutes for photos; guests stay on board, and touching or feeding the monkeys is not allowed.

Viking Cave: Snorkelling and Clear Kayak

Viking Cave sits at the northern end of Ko Phi Phi Leh. Its walls carry old paintings of sailing ships left by seafarers who sheltered here, some resembling longships, and bamboo poles reach up to ledges where swiftlets build their prized nests. The cave itself is closed to visitors, but the water in front of it is one of the best snorkelling spots on the route.

The catamaran stops for about an hour. You snorkel along the rocks above coral and tropical fish, then take turns in a transparent kayak that lets you watch the reef below your seat while you paddle beneath the cliffs. It is the most active part of the day and a favourite with teenagers. Remember that touching marine life is not allowed in the national park.

Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay

Pileh Lagoon is a narrow inlet on the east side of Phi Phi Leh, almost enclosed by vertical limestone walls, where the water glows emerald and the boat's engines echo off the rock. The catamaran glides inside for a short sightseeing stop of about 15 minutes, long enough for the photos most people come for.

Next comes Maya Bay, the famous white-sand cove on the island's west side. Boats moor at the back of the island and you walk a boardwalk to the beach, where swimming is not allowed but blacktip reef sharks are often seen in the shallows. Allow about an hour. A Maya Bay catamaran trip includes this walk for most of the year; the bay closes for ecosystem recovery in August and September, when you see it from the water instead.

Maiton Island and the Sunset Return

Maiton Island lies off the south-east coast of Phuket, a small private island with clear water and quiet beaches. On the return leg the catamaran slows and cruises around it for about an hour, a sightseeing and photo stop with time to scan the sea for dolphins, which are often spotted in these waters. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the calm late-afternoon sea gives a good chance.

Before reaching port, the boat stops at a scenic point to watch the sun go down over the Andaman Sea while grilled chicken, pineapple and fresh fruit are served on deck. Then you land at the pier, and our driver takes you back to your hotel in Phuket. Is a Phi Phi Islands catamaran tour worth it? For comfort, space on board and this sunset finish, many guests think so.