Premium Phi Phi, Maya Bay & Khai Islands Speedboat Day Trip Phuket

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh

Maya Bay sits on Ko Phi Phi Leh, the uninhabited island of the Phi Phi group, about 45 minutes by speedboat from Phuket. Limestone cliffs close around a short beach of fine white sand and turquoise water, which made it the most photographed cove in Thailand. To let the coral and sea life recover, the national park closed the bay completely from 2018 to 2022, and reopened it with new rules that keep it protected.

Today boats moor at a pontoon on the far side of the island, and you walk a short boardwalk through the forest to the beach. Swimming is not allowed, but from the shore and the viewing platform you often see young blacktip reef sharks in the shallows. This is how to get to Maya Bay now, and the visit lasts about an hour. Is it worth visiting? Arriving early in the day, as this tour does, gives the calmest light and fewer people.

Pileh Lagoon: Snorkelling in an Emerald Pool

On the east side of Phi Phi Leh, Pileh Lagoon is a narrow inlet almost completely walled in by sheer limestone cliffs, with water that changes from jade to deep emerald as the sun moves. The speedboat noses through the entrance, the engines go quiet and the cliffs rise straight above you, one of the most dramatic sights of the Andaman Sea.

The boat stops here for about an hour of swimming and Pileh Lagoon snorkelling. Life jackets are provided and the guide points out where the water is calmest; small reef fish gather around the rocks at the edges. Guests who prefer to stay dry can enjoy the view from the deck. Bring a waterproof pouch for your phone, because the colours are hard to believe even when you are looking at them.

Viking Cave and Monkey Beach from the Boat

At the northern tip of Phi Phi Leh, Viking Cave is a large sea cave whose walls carry old paintings of sailing ships, left by seafarers who sheltered here centuries ago; some of the boats resemble longships, which gave the cave its name. Bamboo scaffolding climbs into the darkness, used to collect the nests of swiftlets that breed on the high ledges. The cave is closed to visitors to protect the birds, so you see it from the boat during a stop of about 15 minutes.

Across the water on Ko Phi Phi Don, Monkey Beach is a small cove where long-tailed macaques come down from the cliffs to the sand. The boat stops offshore for about 15 minutes so you can watch and take photos. For your safety, guests do not land on the beach: the monkeys are wild and can bite or snatch belongings.

Ko Phi Phi Don: Lunch on the Main Island

Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest island of the archipelago and the only one with villages. Its shape is famous: two curving bays, Ton Sai and Loh Dalum, are joined by a narrow strip of sand where most of the island's life happens. There are no cars, only footpaths and bicycles, and the whole island is part of the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi Province.

The boat stops here for about an hour. Lunch is served first, then there is time for a short walk along the lanes of the village, a look at the small shops or a rest in the shade by the water. Many visitors ask whether a Phi Phi Islands day trip from Phuket is better than staying overnight; this one-hour stop gives a real taste of the island without carrying luggage across the sea.

Khai Islands: White Sand Close to Phuket

The Khai Islands are three small islands, Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui, off Phuket's east coast, about 30 minutes by speedboat from the marina. They are known for powder-white sand and very clear, shallow water where shoals of striped fish swim around your feet, which makes them a favourite with families and first-time snorkellers.

The Khai Islands are the last stop of the day, with about an hour to swim, paddle in the shallows or relax on the beach before the short ride back. Sun loungers and parasols may be available on the beach from local vendors. From here the speedboat returns to the marina, where light refreshments wait, and our driver takes you back to your hotel in Phuket.