Blu Anda Catamaran to Phi Phi from Phuket

Phi Phi is at its best from the water, and this Blu Anda catamaran tour gives you a full day of sea time rather than a quick island stop. You will snorkel at a reef, pass the famous limestone formations around Phi Phi Lee, kayak near Maya Bay, and finish with time at Tonsai Bay.

I like the included equipment and meals, which save you from packing fins, beach shoes, towels, breakfast, and lunch. I also like the small maximum group of 20, plus hotel pickup and airport drop-off at no extra charge. The main drawback is that Tonsai Bay and Phi Phi Don can feel crowded, and the schedule may change during rough weather or the monsoon season.

Key points to know before booking

• Snorkeling is the heart of the day: You can swim with colorful fish at Loh Lana, or at Bamboo Island and Monkey Bay depending on the operating schedule.
• The catamaran keeps the day comfortable: Freshwater showers, beach shoes, a small towel, a sarong, snacks, and drinks are all provided.
• Maya Bay is not guaranteed as a landing stop: Weather, tides, safety rules, and seasonal closures can change the plan.
• Lunch is served onboard: Choose seafood, chicken, or vegetarian food, with special dietary needs reported when booking.
• You get more than one viewpoint: The route includes swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, beach time, and sightseeing from the boat.
• The group is capped at 20 people: That is a useful limit for a long day on the water, though at least six people are required for the trip to operate.

Why this Phi Phi boat day works

The usual Phi Phi day trip can feel like a race from one famous viewpoint to the next. This outing gives you a broader taste of the islands. You get active water time, scenery from the catamaran, a meal, and a final chance to swim or browse at Tonsai Bay.

The strongest part is the snorkeling. The supplied fins and mask make it easy to get into the water without renting equipment in Phuket. At Loh Lana, also called Lana Bay, you walk from the catamaran’s steps into the cove and spend much of the morning among coral and colorful fish.

I also like the boat-based format. You are not constantly getting in and out of long-tail boats or hauling your gear across several beaches. You can dry off in the sun, eat lunch while looking toward Camel Rock and Nui Bay, and use the freshwater shower before the ride back.

Still, this is not a quiet island escape. Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s most popular day-trip areas. Tonsai Bay can be crowded, and the main island may feel less special than the open water and snorkeling sites. One useful piece of advice is to treat the beach stop as a short final visit, not the main reason to book.

From Phuket to Ao Po Grand Marina

Pickup is offered from your Phuket hotel in an air-conditioned minivan. The published schedule gives a morning departure, with one timing showing 8:30 a.m. from Ao Po Grand Marina and another showing a 9:00 a.m. tour start. The detailed plan has you reaching Pier 88 Seafood Terminal at about 9:30 a.m., so confirm your pickup time after booking.

At the pier, you receive a light canapé breakfast with hot or cold drinks. This is a small but useful touch. You can have something in your stomach before the boat ride without needing to find food early in the morning.

The trip uses a Blu Anda premium catamaran, with the group limited to 20 people. That limit matters on a long excursion. You have a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit, getting help with equipment, and hearing the English-speaking guide than you would on a much larger boat.

The catamaran is non-smoking. That will please most people, but smokers should know there is no smoking onboard. Travel insurance and the Marine National Park fee are included in the listed price, which makes the $128.95 cost easier to assess. You are paying for transport, food, equipment, transfers, and a full day on the water rather than only a boat ticket.

Bamboo Island, Koh Yoong, and the first swim

The itinerary lists Koh Pai, also called Bamboo Island, as an early stop for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. It also includes a cruise past Koh Yoong, Leam Tong, and Camel Rock at Nui Bay. The exact order can change with the tide, sea conditions, and weather.

This section sets the tone for the day. You are not simply looking at Phi Phi from a distance. You get a chance to enter the water, use the provided fins and mask, and relax on a beach before the later sightseeing stops.

Do not assume every listed site will receive the same amount of time. The tour description also identifies Loh Lana as the main snorkeling stop at Phi Phi Don. Conditions determine where the catamaran can safely anchor and where the guide takes you.

For you, the practical point is simple: bring swimwear under your clothes and protect anything you do not want wet. The operator supplies a small towel and beach shoes, but you will still want to keep phones, cameras, and spare clothing in a dry bag or other waterproof container.

Loh Lana Bay and the best water time

Loh Lana, on the northwest side of Phi Phi Don, is described as the main reef stop. You can walk directly from the catamaran steps into the cove, put on the provided snorkeling gear, and spend the morning swimming with fish near the coral.

This is where the tour earns much of its price. The snorkeling and swimming are the most praised parts of the experience, and the schedule gives them real attention rather than treating them as a ten-minute add-on. If your main goal is underwater scenery, this should be your favorite part of the day.

The water experience does require basic comfort in the sea. The information provided says most people can participate, but it does not promise calm water or a particular accessibility setup. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the guide for practical advice before entering and follow the crew’s instructions closely.

The reef stop also depends on conditions. The tour operates in the Andaman Sea, where weather and tides can alter the plan. During the monsoon season, the timing, order, or even inclusion of destinations may change or be canceled for safety.

Lunch with Camel Rock and Nui Bay in view

After snorkeling, you return to the catamaran for lunch. The meal is provided onboard, with seafood, chicken, or vegetarian options. The operator asks you to report food allergies or special dietary requirements at booking so the Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel can make suitable arrangements.

The meal is more practical than romantic. You can dry off, take in the views, and avoid losing time walking to a restaurant. The route includes views of Camel Rock and the blue water around Nui Bay as you eat.

A small point is worth noting: the supplied schedule also mentions lunch around 12:30 p.m. and swimming or snorkeling at Ao Ling, known as Monkey Bay. The detailed route names several Phi Phi locations, and the exact order may vary. Think of the itinerary as a route through the islands, not a promise that every stop will receive equal time.

One past comment about the day preferred eating near a snorkeling beach rather than at a restaurant on Phi Phi. This tour’s stated arrangement is lunch onboard, which solves part of that concern. You do not need to spend the best swimming hours sitting inside, and the boat gives you a comfortable base between stops.

Phi Phi Lee, Maya Bay, and the changing rules

After Phi Phi Don, the catamaran continues to Ko Phi Phi Lee, the smaller island south of Phi Phi Don. The route includes Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Viking Cave.

Maya Bay is the headline name, but do not book this tour on the assumption that you will always walk onto its beach. The supplied information notes a closure from June 1 to September 30, 2018, for coral reef rehabilitation, when the boat could cruise past only. Because that note is tied to 2018, you should ask the operator about the current rules and dates before booking.

The kayaking portion is described as taking place around picturesque Maya Bay. It gives you a slower view of the cliffs and water than you get from the catamaran. The schedule may place this activity differently, especially in poor weather or rough seas.

Pileh Lagoon is another scenic passage, with towering rock walls and sheltered water shown from the boat. Viking Cave is a sightseeing stop rather than a guaranteed shore visit. The same goes for Loh Samah Bay. You get to see these places as part of the cruise, but the route does not promise extended time at each one.

This is a useful distinction. If you want to collect famous Phi Phi names and photographs, the route covers a lot. If you want long, quiet stops at every bay, the day may feel too busy.

Tonsai Bay and the crowded final stop

The last stop is Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Don. You can swim, sunbathe, use the provided beach shoes and sarong, or shop along the beach before returning to the boat.

Tonsai is the most developed and social part of the route. It gives you a chance to stretch your legs and see the main arrival area of Phi Phi Don, but it is not the calmest place on the schedule. If you have already had a full morning in the water, this may be a welcome change. If you prefer reefs and quiet coves, it may be the least rewarding stop.

I would keep your expectations modest here. The beach time is useful, but the standout memories are more likely to come from the snorkeling, cliffs, lagoons, and catamaran ride. You can use this stop to buy a small item, take a final swim, or simply sit in the shade if the heat has caught up with you.

The ride back to Phuket

The planned return to Ao Po Grand Marina is around 4:00 p.m., though the full experience is described as approximately 10 hours once hotel pickup and drop-off are included. During the return, you can rinse off in the catamaran’s freshwater showers.

That shower is one of those small details that changes the feel of a long boat day. You can remove salt and sand before getting back into the minivan, instead of returning to your hotel sticky and uncomfortable.

The vehicle then takes you back to your hotel. Airport drop-off is available at no extra charge, but you must provide your flight time. The operator recommends a flight no earlier than 9:30 p.m. to allow time for the return journey and airport check-in. I would not choose this as a connection plan for an earlier flight.

What the $128.95 price includes

At $128.95 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach Phi Phi. Its value comes from how much is bundled into one day.

You receive hotel transport, the catamaran crossing, an English-speaking guide, breakfast snacks, lunch, afternoon snacks, fruit, hot or cold drinks, snorkeling gear, beach shoes, a small towel, a sarong, travel insurance, and the Marine National Park fee. You also get the kayaking activity and freshwater showers onboard.

That package can be good value if you want a guided day with minimal planning. You do not need to arrange a pier transfer, rent snorkeling equipment, find lunch, or work out how to move between the islands.

Professional photos are not included. The listed price for that service is 2,500 Thai baht. You can avoid that extra cost by bringing your own waterproof camera, but protect it carefully around the water.

The tour requires at least six people to operate and can carry no more than 20. If too few people book, the operator may cancel after confirmation and offer another date or a full refund. That is worth knowing if your Phuket schedule is tight.

Who should book this catamaran trip

I would choose this tour if you want a full Phi Phi sampler with a strong focus on snorkeling. It suits couples, families with children accompanied by an adult, and active adults who like mixing water time with sightseeing.

It is also a sensible option if you are staying in Phuket but want hotel transport handled for you. The airport drop-off can help if you are ending your Phuket stay, provided your flight is late enough.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet beach day. Phi Phi’s famous stops attract many boats, and the route covers several sites in one day. I would also think twice if your only goal is to spend hours on Maya Bay beach, since landing rules and weather can change.

The tour is best for someone who values variety: snorkeling at a reef, kayaking near Maya Bay, passing Viking Cave and Pileh Lagoon, swimming at a beach, and eating onboard. You will see a lot, but you will not control every stop or timing.

Should you book Blu Anda to Phi Phi?

Book it if you want the convenience of a guided, all-inclusive catamaran day and if snorkeling and swimming matter more to you than a long stay on Phi Phi Don. The included gear, meals, transfers, park fee, and small group make the price reasonable for a tightly organized day.

Skip it if you want a slow, uncrowded island experience or need a fixed schedule during monsoon season. Before paying, confirm the pickup time, current Maya Bay access rules, dietary arrangements, and airport timing.

For most people comparing Phuket boat trips, I would focus on the water stops rather than the shopping at Tonsai Bay. The best reason to go is the chance to spend a full day seeing Phi Phi from the sea, with the snorkeling at Loh Lana or the scheduled reef stops as the main event.

FAQ

How long is the Blu Anda Phi Phi tour?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours, including hotel transport. The published schedule lists a morning departure and a return to Ao Po Grand Marina at about 4:00 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided by air-conditioned minivan from your Phuket hotel.

Can I be dropped at Phuket Airport?

Yes. Airport drop-off is available at no additional cost. You should provide your flight time, and the operator recommends a flight no earlier than 9:30 p.m.

Are snorkeling and beach equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, beach shoes, a small towel, and a multipurpose sarong are provided.

Are meals included?

Yes. You receive canapé breakfast, lunch onboard, afternoon snacks, fruit, and hot or cold beverages. Lunch options include seafood, chicken, and vegetarian food. Report allergies or special dietary needs when booking.

Is Maya Bay always open for this tour?

No. The schedule can change because of weather, tides, sea conditions, and safety rules. The supplied information also records a Maya Bay closure from June 1 to September 30, 2018, when the boat could cruise past the bay only. Confirm current access before booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.