Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay & Bamboo Island Speedboat Tour with Lunch from Phuket

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh

Maya Bay is the star of the trip. This crescent of white sand, enclosed by tall limestone cliffs on three sides, became world famous as the setting of the film The Beach. After being closed for several years to let the coral recover, it reopened in 2022 with new rules: boats no longer enter the bay itself, visitors walk from a jetty on the other side of the island, and swimming in the bay is not allowed.

Time on the beach is limited to protect the reef, so arriving early helps you avoid the biggest crowds. Many people ask is Maya Bay worth visiting after the reopening. Yes, because the cliffs, turquoise water and the young reef sharks that often patrol the shallows are still striking, and the rest of the route makes up for the swimming rule.

Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave

Close to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon is a sheltered green pool surrounded by cliffs, where the water is calm and clear. On many Phi Phi Islands tours the boat stops here so guests can swim or snorkel while cliff walls rise above them, and it is a favourite for photos.

Nearby, Viking Cave is a large sea cavern on the coast of Phi Phi Leh, named for its ancient wall paintings of ships, and it is known as a place where swiftlets nest. You view it from the boat, since collecting birds' nests is regulated. Stops and their order can vary with the sea state, tides and other boat traffic, so your guide will adjust the plan on the day.

Phi Phi Don and Monkey Beach

Phi Phi Don is the larger, inhabited island and the base for most visitors, with its famous double bay, Tonsai Bay and Loh Dalum. Boats often pass or stop by the beaches on its edge, where limestone cliffs plunge into blue water, and the view of the twin bays from the island's viewpoint is one of the best in Thailand.

On the coast, Monkey Beach is a small cove where macaques come down to the sand. Keep your distance, do not feed the monkeys and keep bags closed, because they are quick to grab food. This part of the day gives you a first look at the island's beaches, with time for photos and a swim before lunch.

Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Phai)

Bamboo Island, or Koh Mai Phai, is a small uninhabited island north of Phi Phi with a long strip of very fine white sand and shallow water in shades of turquoise. It lies within the national park and is a good place for a lunch stop, a swim and a walk along the beach in the middle of the day.

The shallow reef near the shore makes easy snorkelling, so bring your own swimwear, a towel and a rash vest if you have one. If you are searching for the best islands near Phuket for a day trip, Bamboo Island is the relaxed end of this route, where you can slow down after the busier stops.

From Phuket to the Islands: Pier, Pickup and Timing

The day trip starts from Phuket. On the hotel pickup options you are collected in a shared vehicle between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and taken to the boat, while on the pier options you check in at the Boat Ramp Pier before 8:15 AM by your own means. The speedboat crossing takes about an hour, and you return to Phuket in the late afternoon.

The national park fee is included on the options that say so, including the default option. On the options without it, the fee is paid in cash at the check-in point. Sea conditions matter: in the monsoon months, from around May to October, some stops can be changed or cancelled for safety, so book with flexible plans in that season.