Krabi: Phi Phi Islands Full-Day Private Speedboat Charter

The best thing about this private Phi Phi Islands charter is control. You are not tied to a large group’s every stop, so your guide can adjust the pace, linger at a swim site, or move on when a beach feels too crowded. The day covers the classic sights, from Maya Bay to Bamboo Island, in one fast-moving loop.

I like the small private group, especially for families or a party of up to 10. I also like the thoughtful crew service: recent trips with guides including Payu, Tangmo, Beauty, Mimi, and Nee included drinks, fruit, snacks, and attentive help with children. The main drawback is the price if only two or three people book, plus the extra national park fee and optional lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Maya Bay comes early: You reach the famous movie location around 9:00 AM, when an early start may help you avoid some of the day’s heaviest crowds.
• You get a full Phi Phi circuit: The route includes Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island.
• Bamboo Island is the long beach stop: You have about 75 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on white sand.
• The boat stays private: The $707 rate covers a group of up to 10, making the per-person cost much better for a full family or friend group.
• The water time is active: Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, but the boat is not suited to wheelchair users or people with serious medical conditions.
• Extra costs matter: Add 400 THB per adult or 200 THB per child for the national park, plus 280 THB per person if you choose the buffet lunch.

Why a private Phi Phi charter changes the day

Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s most photographed island areas, and the standard sights can feel busy. A private boat does not make the islands empty, but it gives you more say in how the day unfolds. That matters when one person in your group wants to snorkel longer while another would rather sit in the shade.

The advertised price is $707 for up to 10 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $70.70 per person before the park fee and lunch. For a family or group of friends, that is a reasonable price for a private boat, hotel transfers, guide, equipment, and an eight-hour outing. For a couple, the same price is a much bigger commitment.

The boat leaves from the Krabi area, with pickup options in Nong Thale, Krabi, and Ao Nang. Pickup is included, and the operator confirms the meeting time at least one day before departure. Be in your hotel lobby 15 minutes early and look for staff wearing a Blue Sea Eagle Tour shirt.

The stated schedule begins with morning pickup, check-in at Nopparattara Beach, and departure toward Phi Phi. The route includes a short hop at Railay Beach and about 45 minutes by speedboat before the islands come into view. Exact timing can change with weather, sea conditions, and the group’s preferred pace.

Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay before the crowds build

Maya Bay is the headline stop. It became famous as the filming location for The Beach, and the setting is easy to understand once you arrive: pale sand, steep island walls, and clear water enclosed by the surrounding cliffs.

You have about 50 minutes for sightseeing and walking at Maya Bay. That is enough time to take in the beach and follow the path through the island toward Loh Samah Bay. Do not expect a long, quiet beach day here. Maya Bay is protected and managed as part of the national park, so this stop works best as a scenic visit rather than a place to settle in for hours.

The early arrival is one of the smarter parts of the plan. One family group chose a 6:00 AM departure and found Maya Bay far more peaceful, with better access to the natural setting. The listed standard pickup begins around 8:00 AM, so you should ask the operator about the actual departure time if avoiding crowds is a priority. The schedule can vary, and the supplied trip information also warns that Maya Bay usually closes for about two months during the low season, often in August and September.

Loh Samah Bay offers a different view. The small green island and surrounding sea make a fine photo stop, but the real reason to spend time here is underwater. The snorkeling area is known for tropical fish in yellow and blue tones, and the water can be clear enough to make the short swim feel like an aquarium visit.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. You should still bring water shoes, swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the guide early. A private boat makes that conversation easier than it would be in a large shared group.

Pileh Lagoon and the dramatic Phi Phi Le coast

After snorkeling, the boat cruises toward Pileh Lagoon. The itinerary allows about 15 minutes for the boat ride and views, followed by more time around Ko Phi Phi Le for swimming and snorkeling. Pileh is enclosed by tall limestone walls, so the approach is part of the attraction.

This is a place where the speedboat itself helps. It can move close to the shoreline, allowing a simpler transfer onto beaches and stopping areas. Still, the ride can be fast and exposed, so this is not the best choice for anyone with serious back problems or a strong sensitivity to rough water.

A short long-tail boat ride is also included around Ko Phi Phi Le. The schedule lists roughly 30 minutes for this part of the route. It adds a slower, more traditional way to see the coast after the quick speedboat ride. You will want your camera ready, but keep it protected from spray.

The route then passes Viking Cave. This is a photo stop rather than a full visit. The cave is associated with the collection of bird nests used in bird’s nest soup, and the boat allows you to see the site from the water. Do not plan on walking inside or spending a long time ashore here.

Monkey Beach is a passing view, not a beach break

Monkey Beach sits on the southwestern side of Tonsai Bay. It is a short stretch of white sand backed by green-covered cliffs, and monkeys may be visible along the shore at low tide.

The key detail is that this is mainly a viewing stop. The boat cruises past and gives you a chance to take photographs. You should not count on getting off the boat, feeding monkeys, or spending time on the sand. That limitation is worth knowing because the name can suggest a longer visit than the schedule provides.

After Monkey Beach, the route passes through the Tonsai Pier area and includes a short stop on Ko Phi Phi Don. The island is the main inhabited center of Phi Phi, so it provides a change from the protected bays and uninhabited beaches. You may have time to walk and look around, but the schedule keeps this portion brief.

Lunch at Arida Restaurant 2

Lunch is scheduled at Arida Restaurant 2 for about 30 minutes. The buffet costs 280 THB per person and is not included in the charter price.

Thirty minutes is enough for a practical meal, but it is not a leisurely restaurant visit. That is fine on an island-hopping day, where most of your time is better spent in the water or beside the coast. Bring cash for the lunch and park charge, as both are listed as extra costs.

If you are traveling with children or have dietary needs, confirm the meal arrangements before departure. The available details identify a buffet but do not specify the menu or special-diet options.

Bamboo Island gives you the longest beach stop

Bamboo Island is the day’s best chance to slow down. You have about 75 minutes for free time, swimming, snorkeling, and sightseeing. The island is uninhabited, covered in low vegetation, and ringed by a strip of white sand.

The reef extends well out from shore, reportedly as far as 500 meters. That creates a broad area for swimmers wearing masks and fins, and the clear water can give you the sensation of swimming inside a large aquarium. The island lies about 5 kilometers from the northern tip of Ko Phi Phi Don, so it feels separate from the busier main island stops.

This is also the stop most likely to please children. One family found that their children did not want to leave the water. That makes Bamboo Island a strong finish for groups who want swimming time rather than another quick photo stop.

Seventy-five minutes goes quickly. If you want to swim, snorkel, take photographs, and dry off before boarding, avoid spending the whole stop in one activity. The island has no stated wheelchair access, and the boat itself is not wheelchair accessible, so mobility needs should be considered before booking.

What the crew and guide add

The guide speaks English or Thai, and the private format allows the guide to shape the day around your group. Payu is specifically praised for being informative, helpful, and willing to let a group of 10 spend the day as they wanted. Tangmo, Beauty, Mimi, and Nee are also named in recent trip accounts for warm service and careful attention.

The strongest pattern is hospitality. On one family trip, the crew regularly offered drinks, fresh fruit, and snacks, and helped care for young children. These small details matter on a hot day when you are moving between beaches, boats, and snorkeling stops.

Do not confuse a private charter with a fully empty schedule. The route still has a lot to cover in eight hours, including long boat transfers, lunch, and several brief viewing stops. Your guide can help with pacing, but weather and sea conditions can also force changes.

Costs, timing, and what to pack

The $707 group price includes the private speedboat, hotel transfer, English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, life jacket, and insurance. It does not include the Phi Phi Islands National Park fee, which is 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children ages 3 to 10. Lunch is another 280 THB per person if you choose the buffet.

For a group of 10, the value is clear. You are buying privacy, transport, a guide, and the ability to keep your own group together instead of sharing a boat with strangers. For a small party, compare the cost with a shared excursion before committing.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, breathable clothing, water shoes, biodegradable sunscreen, and cash. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and drones are not permitted. Keep cameras and phones protected from spray during the speedboat and long-tail boat sections.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful when your Krabi plans depend on weather, but they do not remove the need to check the Maya Bay closure period or the forecast.

Who should book this private Phi Phi day

I would choose this charter for a family, a group of friends, or a mixed-age party that wants the classic Phi Phi route without sharing every minute with a large crowd. It is especially appealing if your group values swimming, snorkeling, and photo stops more than long cultural visits.

It is less suitable for a couple on a tight budget, anyone seeking a quiet island retreat, or anyone who needs wheelchair access. The day includes fast boat travel, boarding and leaving beaches, and several transfers, so it suits people who can manage an active outing.

Children under 3 are not permitted. The tour is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems, serious medical conditions, or back problems. Ask before booking if anyone in your party has a health concern that could make speedboat travel or snorkeling difficult.

FAQ

How much does the private Phi Phi speedboat charter cost?

The price is $707 for a private group of up to 10 people. The national park fee and optional buffet lunch cost extra.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts eight hours. Pickup is listed from around 8:00 AM, with the return journey from Ao Nang scheduled for about 2:40 PM.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup is available in Nong Thale, Krabi, and Ao Nang. Drop-off is available in Ao Nang, Krabi, and Nong Thale.

Is the Phi Phi national park fee included?

No. The compulsory fee is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child ages 3 to 10.

Is lunch included?

No. A buffet lunch at Arida Restaurant 2 is available for 280 THB per person.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Thai.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The schedule may change because of bad weather or other events. Maya Bay also usually closes for about two months during the low season, often in August and September.

Who cannot join this tour?

Children under 3, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back problems, people with heart problems, and people with other serious medical conditions should not book this trip.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you have a full group and want one efficient day covering Phi Phi’s major sights, with real time for snorkeling and swimming. The private boat, flexible pacing, and attentive crew service make the price easier to justify for up to 10 people.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple, dislike fast boats, or want to spend most of the day on one quiet beach. For families and friend groups who want Maya Bay, underwater time at Loh Samah, and a long final stop at Bamboo Island, this is a strong, practical way to see the islands.