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

Maya Bay is only part of the story. This six-hour private boat trip links Phi Phi’s famous sights with quieter beaches, snorkeling stops, and time on Bamboo Island. I like the private group format, which gives you more breathing room than a large shared excursion, and I like the mix of major landmarks and less famous coves. The main drawback is that you must arrange your own way to Koh Phi Phi, and an overnight stay is required because the tour starts and ends on the island.

At $192 per group of up to two people, this is not the cheapest way to see Phi Phi, but it can be good value for couples or friends who want their own boat and a full six hours on the water. You will need to pay the national park fee separately, and the schedule can change with sea conditions.

Key points at a glance

• Maya Bay without the usual swimming stop: Walk from Loh Samah Bay to the famous beach, but swimming is restricted for conservation.
• A private boat for up to two people: You avoid sharing the day with a large group and can enjoy a more personal outing.
• Shark Point snorkeling: The tour includes a chance to snorkel with blacktip reef sharks.
• Bamboo Island beach time: You get free time on soft white sand with turquoise water.
• Seven distinct Phi Phi stops: The route covers Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, Maya Bay, Shark Point, Bamboo Island, and Nui Bay.
• A sunset finish: The return route includes sunset views over the Andaman Sea, conditions permitting.

Starting at McDonald’s on Phi Phi Don

The meeting point is in front of McDonald’s PP Island Krabi, where you should meet the captain 20 minutes before departure. The wording is a little confusing because the tour begins on Phi Phi Island, not on the mainland near Krabi. You need to arrange your own ferry or speedboat to Koh Phi Phi before the tour.

Phi Phi is reached by ferry or speedboat from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang, Railay, Koh Lanta, and nearby departure points. Because this outing starts on the island and transfer choices are limited, plan on staying overnight on Koh Phi Phi after the tour. That extra night is not just a minor detail. It affects the total cost and makes this trip less suitable for someone trying to fit Phi Phi into a single day from Phuket or Krabi.

The price is $192 for a private group of up to two people. For two people, that works out to $96 each before the park fee and your transport to the island. The value comes from having a private group rather than paying for a large shared boat, especially if you care about a calmer pace and personal space.

The boat type is described as a longtail experience, while the highlights also refer to a speedboat. Confirm the exact boat before booking if that distinction matters to you. Either way, expect a water-based day with sun, spray, and several stops where you will get wet.

Monkey Beach and Viking Cave

Monkey Beach is the first sightseeing stop. It is known for wild monkeys along the shore, so you may get a close look at them from the boat or during the stop. Keep food and loose items secure, and do not try to touch or feed the animals. The beach is attractive, but the monkeys are wild, not trained performers.

The stop also gives you a first look at Phi Phi’s steep coastal cliffs and clear water. If you are hoping for a long beach visit, keep expectations modest. The point here is a quick encounter with the coast and its animals before moving on.

Next comes Viking Cave, a well-known landmark with an intriguing name and an unusual setting beneath the limestone cliffs. The tour includes sightseeing and snorkeling around this part of the islands. Depending on the day’s sea conditions, you may spend more time viewing the cave from the boat than exploring close to shore.

This early section of the trip works well because it eases you into the day. You get a look at Phi Phi’s dramatic rock formations before the more famous beach and lagoon stops later on.

Swimming in Pileh Lagoon

Pileh Lagoon is one of the visual highlights of the route. Tall limestone walls surround a natural pool of clear water, creating a calm-looking space that feels very different from the open sea. The tour allows time for swimming, snorkeling, and photos.

This is a good place to bring a waterproof phone case or a small dry bag. You may want to take photos from the boat before getting in, since a swim can make handling your phone awkward. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are included, along with drinking water and fruit.

The lagoon can attract plenty of boats, particularly when conditions are good. A private tour does not guarantee solitude, but it does make it easier for you to enjoy the stop without managing a large group’s schedule. If you want to snorkel, tell the captain early so you have enough time in the water.

Walking from Loh Samah Bay to Maya Bay

Loh Samah Bay is the access point for Maya Bay. You will stop near a floating pier and walk a short distance to the famous beach. This approach matters because boats do not simply pull up on the sand at Maya Bay.

Maya Bay became famous after appearing in the film The Beach. Its pale sand, steep cliffs, and enclosed sea make it one of Thailand’s most recognizable coastal sights. The fame also brought heavy pressure, so swimming is restricted as part of the conservation rules. You can relax on the beach and take photos, but do not plan on a swim here.

I like that the tour pairs Maya Bay with other water stops. If this were the only destination, the limits on swimming might feel disappointing. Here, you can swim at Pileh Lagoon, snorkel at Shark Point, and spend beach time on Bamboo Island.

Maya Bay closes every August and September for annual nature conservation. During those months, the tour gives you extra time at other locations instead. The weather can also affect the route. Southern Thailand can see rain at any time, especially from May through December. Rain alone does not mean an automatic refund, but unsafe sea conditions can lead to cancellation, rescheduling, or a full refund.

Snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks

Shark Point is the most distinctive stop for many people. The tour offers snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks, a memorable chance to see these animals in their natural setting.

Blacktip reef sharks are usually identified by the dark markings on their fins, and the stop is meant for observation rather than close contact. Follow the captain’s instructions, keep your movements controlled, and give the animals space. The tour provides masks, snorkels, and life jackets, but you should bring your own equipment only if you prefer a specific fit.

Sea conditions affect visibility and comfort. The schedule may change if waves or currents make a stop unsafe. If snorkeling with sharks is your main reason for booking, understand that wildlife encounters cannot be guaranteed on a particular day, even when Shark Point is included in the route.

Still, this stop adds something that a standard beach-hopping day may not provide. You are not only looking at cliffs and sand. You are also given a chance to see marine life in the water around Phi Phi.

Long stretches of beach time on Bamboo Island

Bamboo Island is where the tour slows down. You get free time on white sand beside turquoise water, with room to swim and rest after the earlier stops.

This is likely the most relaxing part of the day. Maya Bay is famous and Pileh Lagoon is striking, but Bamboo Island gives you time without a short sightseeing window at every turn. You can spread out a towel, swim, eat the included fruit, and enjoy the coast at your own pace.

The tour also mentions free time at Loh Moo Dee Beach and Run Tee Beach. The exact timing can vary, but these stops add more beach choices to the day. You should bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and beachwear. There is little reason to pack bulky luggage because oversize bags are not allowed.

Bamboo Island is a good fit if you want both sightseeing and downtime. If you prefer constant activity, the beach time may feel long. If you like a break between snorkeling stops, it is one of the tour’s strongest features.

Nui Bay and the camel rock

Nui Bay brings another change of scenery. The tour visits a small beach and includes snorkeling in front of the rock formation known as camel rock. This stop is more about a short coastal discovery and a swim than a major landmark visit.

The bay’s smaller scale can make it feel more intimate than Maya Bay. You might find the water conditions better for a quick snorkel, or you may simply enjoy viewing the rock from the boat if the sea is rough. The route is flexible enough to respond to weather and water conditions.

The day is scheduled to finish with sunset views over the Andaman Sea before returning to the starting area near McDonald’s. Sunset timing depends on the season and the day’s pace, so treat it as part of the experience rather than a guaranteed photo appointment.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The tour includes a life jacket, snorkeling equipment, drinking water, and fruit. That keeps the packing list simple. Bring your own towel, sun protection, and any personal snorkeling gear you prefer.

The national park fee is not included. You should budget for that separately when working out the true price of the excursion. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, and the tour does not collect you from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang, Railay, or Koh Lanta.

English is the listed tour language, and the group is private. The captain is the key point of contact during the day, so this format suits people who want a straightforward boat outing rather than a guided cultural tour with long explanations at every stop.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and oversize luggage cannot come aboard.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

The tour lasts six hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability. Leave room in your plans before and after the excursion. Boats can be affected by rain, waves, and changing sea conditions, especially during the May to December monsoon period.

Tours normally continue in rain when conditions are considered safe. A passing shower may clear quickly, but you should protect your phone, camera, and dry clothes. If the sea is unsafe, the operator may cancel and offer a new date or a full refund.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking. These policies help if your island connections are not fully settled, though you still need to arrange your own transport to Phi Phi.

I would wear a swimsuit under light clothes and bring a towel, reef-safe sunscreen if available, a hat, sunglasses, and a waterproof pouch. Keep your day bag compact. You will move between boat, beach, pier, and water several times.

Who should book this Phi Phi tour?

This outing suits a couple or two friends who want a private day rather than a shared group trip. It also works well for people who want the classic Maya Bay visit but do not want to spend the whole day at one famous beach.

You should book it if your priorities are:

• A private boat for two
• Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon
• Snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks
• Plenty of beach time on Bamboo Island
• A six-hour route with several different stops

You may want another option if you need hotel pickup from the mainland, cannot stay overnight on Phi Phi, or want a fully guided cultural tour. The separate national park fee and transport costs also make the advertised price lower than the full cost of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can comfortably spend a night on Koh Phi Phi and value privacy, water time, and a broad route. The strongest combination is Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Shark Point, and Bamboo Island, with smaller stops adding variety.

Skip it if the logistics of reaching Phi Phi are too awkward or if you need a guaranteed schedule unaffected by weather. For the right pair, though, $192 is a reasonable price for a private six-hour outing that covers the island’s best-known sights along with quieter beach and snorkeling stops.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is in front of McDonald’s PP Island Krabi on Koh Phi Phi. You should meet the captain 20 minutes before the tour begins.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private group experience for up to two people.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $192 per group of up to two people. The national park fee is not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Do I need to stay overnight on Phi Phi?

Yes. Because the tour starts on Koh Phi Phi and transfer options are limited, an overnight stay on the island is required after the tour.

Is Maya Bay open all year?

No. Maya Bay closes every August and September for nature conservation. During that period, the tour provides extra time at other locations.

Can I swim at Maya Bay?

Swimming is restricted at Maya Bay for conservation. You can relax on the beach and take photos after walking from the floating pier at Loh Samah Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. Drinking water and fruit are also provided.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour may continue in rain if conditions are safe. If sea conditions are unsafe, the tour may be canceled, with an option to reschedule or receive a full refund.