Phi Phi: Private 7 Islands Longtail to Maya Bay and Bamboo

The star of this private Phi Phi outing is the route: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Bamboo Island in one six-hour run. You also get a chance to snorkel near blacktip reef sharks, which adds a little edge to a day otherwise built around beaches, clear water, and big coastal views.

I like the private group format, especially for up to two people who want their own boat rather than a crowded shared trip. I also like the mix of famous stops and quieter beach time at Loh Moo Dee, Run Tee, and Bamboo Island. The main catch is logistics: you must already be on Koh Phi Phi, and the national park fee is extra.

Key points at a glance

• Maya Bay access: Walk from Loh Samah Bay’s floating pier to the famous beach, with swimming restricted for conservation.
• Private boat for two: The $192 price covers a group of up to two, making the cost more reasonable when shared.
• Shark Point snorkeling: Look for blacktip reef sharks in the water, with equipment and life jackets supplied.
• Bamboo Island beach time: Expect soft white sand, turquoise water, and unhurried time to swim and relax.
• A full six-hour route: Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, Shark Point, Nui Bay, and more all fit into the day.
• Island-based departure: You meet the captain at McDonald’s on Phi Phi Island, not at a hotel on Phuket or mainland Krabi.

A private Phi Phi day built around Maya Bay

This tour packs the best-known Phi Phi sights into a private six-hour boat trip. You will start and finish at McDonald’s PP Island Krabi, the meeting point on Phi Phi Island, and meet your English-speaking captain 20 minutes before departure.

The booking price is $192 for a group of up to two, not $192 per person. That works out to $96 each if two people share it, before the national park fee. For a couple or two friends, this is a useful advantage over paying separate seats on a private-style outing.

The tour description refers to a speedboat, while the experience title identifies a longtail boat. Since the vessel affects comfort, spray, shade, and the feel of the trip, confirm the boat type when booking. Either way, expect a boat-based day with repeated stops for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and photos.

Monkey Beach and Viking Cave set the tone

Your first stop is Monkey Beach. The appeal is simple: a scenic strip of coast where wild monkeys may be visible near the beach. Keep your distance and secure your food and loose items. This is a sightseeing stop, not a place to encourage close contact with the animals.

Next comes Viking Cave, one of Phi Phi’s recognizable coastal sites. You will see the cave from the water and may have a chance to snorkel in the area. The stop adds a bit of local intrigue to a day that could otherwise become a string of beaches. It also gives you a change of scenery before the larger swimming stops.

These early visits are fairly short in the overall schedule, so think of them as quick scenic calls rather than long guided tours. Your English-speaking captain provides the practical direction, but the main value here is seeing the coastline from the boat.

Pileh Lagoon is the best swimming stop

Pileh Lagoon is one of the day’s major highlights. Tall limestone walls surround a natural pool of clear water, creating the classic Phi Phi setting you came to see. You can swim, snorkel, and take photos from the boat or in the water.

I would bring a waterproof phone pouch if you have one, since this is the kind of stop where you will want pictures without risking your phone. The water can look calm and inviting, but conditions change with weather and boat traffic, so follow the captain’s instructions before entering.

Pileh Lagoon is also where the private format matters. With only your own group, you have a better chance of spending the stop at a pace that suits you, within the six-hour schedule. You still should not expect unlimited time here, since the route includes many other places.

Loh Samah Bay leads to Maya Bay

At Loh Samah Bay, you will use a floating pier and walk a short distance toward Maya Bay. This approach is important because boats do not simply pull up on the famous beach in the usual way.

Maya Bay became internationally famous after appearing in the film The Beach. Its white sand, steep limestone cliffs, and bright water make it one of Thailand’s most recognizable coastal stops. The fame also brings strict conservation rules. Swimming is restricted, so plan to enjoy the beach, views, and walk rather than expecting a long swim.

Maya Bay is closed every August and September for annual nature conservation. During those months, the tour gives you more time at other locations instead. If Maya Bay is your main reason for booking, check the operating dates before you pay.

This is one place where expectations matter. You will get the iconic setting, but not the old-style freedom to swim anywhere or wander without limits. The rules protect the bay and may change how long boats can remain in the area.

Shark Point adds a wilder moment

Shark Point is the most unusual stop on the route. You will snorkel in an area where blacktip reef sharks may be present. The chance to see them gives the day more character than a standard beach-hopping trip.

Blacktip reef sharks are the focus here, but marine life sightings are never guaranteed. Water clarity, sea conditions, and animal movement can affect what you see. Treat this as an opportunity rather than a promise.

Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, drinking water, and fruit are included. You will need to bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, and beachwear. Because you may enter the water several times, pack light and keep anything you do not need dry and secure.

Bamboo Island gives you time to slow down

Bamboo Island is the main relaxation stop. After the sightseeing and snorkeling, you get free time on a white sand beach with turquoise water. This is where the tour feels less like a checklist and more like a beach day.

You can swim, sit on the sand, and take in the sea without another major attraction demanding your attention every few minutes. If you prefer a balance of activity and rest, this stop helps make the packed route work.

The island is also why a towel and sun protection matter. Shade is not guaranteed, and six hours on the water can leave you more sunburned than expected. Apply sunscreen before the boat leaves and again after swimming.

Loh Moo Dee, Run Tee, and Nui Bay fill in the quieter spaces

The route includes free time at Loh Moo Dee Beach and Run Tee Beach. These stops offer more chances to sit, swim, and enjoy the coast away from the headline attraction at Maya Bay.

The schedule can vary, so you should view these beaches as flexible parts of the day rather than guaranteed long stays. Weather, waves, and local conditions may change the order or length of each stop.

At Nui Bay, you will visit a smaller beach and snorkel near the camel rock formation. This is a good final scenic call because it combines a distinctive rock shape with another chance to get into the water. It also keeps the day from feeling focused only on the most famous sites.

The plan includes watching the sunset over the Andaman Sea before returning to the starting point. Sunset timing depends on the departure time and conditions, so consider it part of the intended experience rather than a fixed guarantee.

What the $192 price really buys you

At $192 per private group of up to two, the price is easiest to justify when both spaces are filled. Two people pay $96 each, before the national park fee, for a six-hour private outing with snorkeling gear, life jackets, drinking water, and fruit included.

The biggest value is control. You are not paying for a generic transfer between islands. You are paying for a private route that combines Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Shark Point, Bamboo Island, and smaller beaches. That can make sense for a couple who wants a shared day without sharing the boat.

The price is less attractive for a solo visitor, since the full group rate still applies. You also need to budget for the national park fee, which is not included.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included either. That is more than a minor detail here. The tour starts on Koh Phi Phi, and the island can only be reached by ferry or speedboat from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang, Railay, or Koh Lanta. Because transfer options are limited, you need to arrange your own transport and stay overnight on Phi Phi after the tour.

Timing, weather, and comfort

The tour lasts six hours, but the amount of time at each stop can change. This is a busy route with at least nine named locations, so you should expect a brisk pace. If you want to spend most of a day at one beach, this is not the right design. If you want to see many of Phi Phi’s best-known spots in one outing, the schedule is useful.

Southern Thailand weather can shift quickly, especially from May through December. Rain does not automatically cancel the tour. The boat may operate in rain when conditions are considered safe, and refunds are not provided simply because it rains. Showers are often brief, but you should still bring a towel and protect electronics.

If sea conditions become unsafe, the tour will be canceled. You can then reschedule or receive a full refund. The schedule may also change based on wind and waves, so keep your plans flexible.

The private group setup makes the day more comfortable than a large shared excursion, but it does not remove the basic realities of being on the sea. Expect sun, spray, wet gear, and repeated movement between boat and beach.

Who should book this Phi Phi tour?

I would recommend it to a couple or two friends who want a private boat, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and want to see both famous and quieter parts of Phi Phi. It works especially well if Maya Bay is important to you but you also want Bamboo Island and Shark Point in the same day.

It is also a good match for people who prefer a full route over a single long beach stop. The mix of monkeys, caves, lagoons, sharks, beaches, and sunset keeps the day varied.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, cannot swim, need hotel pickup, or want a slow and highly structured cultural tour. The experience is built around the sea, and the boat route may be adjusted by weather.

It is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Oversize luggage, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Practical tips before you leave

Meet the captain in front of McDonald’s on Phi Phi Island 20 minutes before departure. Build in extra time to find the meeting point, since a late arrival could cut into your six-hour outing.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• A towel
• Beachwear
• A small waterproof bag for phones and valuables

Do not bring oversize luggage. This is a boat excursion with several water stops, not a luggage transfer.

I would also confirm the boat type before booking because the supplied details use both longtail and speedboat wording. Ask about the national park fee as well, since that cost is separate.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private day for two that combines Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Shark Point, and Bamboo Island without arranging each stop yourself. The route is active, scenic, and varied, and the per-person value is reasonable when two people share the $192 group price.

Skip it if you need mainland pickup, want guaranteed sunshine, or prefer long stretches of quiet beach time. The route is ambitious, the weather can alter the plan, and Maya Bay has conservation limits.

For the right pair, this is a strong way to see Phi Phi in one concentrated day. Just arrive on the island beforehand, budget for the park fee, pack for sun and water, and keep your expectations flexible.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at McDonald’s PP Island Krabi on Koh Phi Phi. Meet the captain in front of McDonald’s 20 minutes before departure.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts six hours.

How much does the private tour cost?

The price is $192 for a private group of up to two people.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The national park fee is not included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to Koh Phi Phi, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How do I reach Koh Phi Phi?

Koh Phi Phi can be reached by ferry or speedboat from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang, Railay, or Koh Lanta.

Can I swim at Maya Bay?

Swimming is restricted at Maya Bay for conservation. You can relax on the beach and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Is Maya Bay open all year?

Maya Bay is closed annually in August and September for nature conservation. During that period, the tour allows extra time at other locations.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour can proceed in rain when conditions are safe, and refunds are not issued for rain alone. If conditions are unsafe, the tour will be canceled, with the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.