Private Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat

Phi Phi’s great appeal is packed into one long day: towering limestone cliffs, clear bays, a famous film location, macaques on the beach, and white sand on Bamboo Island. A private speedboat lets your group move at its own pace, with guides such as Tony and Jib praised for thoughtful help and quick adjustments.

I like the private format for families and groups who want flexibility, and I like that hotel pickup, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, snacks, and insurance are included. The main drawback is the ride itself: a speedboat can be bumpy, and the day includes several popular sites where you will not have the sea to yourself.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 12: You share the speedboat only with your own group, rather than joining a large public excursion.
• A full Phi Phi circuit: The route includes Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island.
• Two snorkeling stops: Equipment is included, but fins cost an extra 200 THB to rent at Royal Phuket Marina.
• Guides can adjust the day: Tony and Jib are named as guides who have helped groups with practical needs and changing preferences.
• Expect a bumpy ride: The speedboat saves time but is not the calmest way to reach the islands.
• Check the lunch wording: The tour information both describes lunch as included and later lists lunch as excluded, so confirm this before paying.

A private start at Royal Phuket Marina

The day begins with hotel pickup in Phuket Province, generally timed for a 9:30 am start. An air-conditioned minivan takes you to Royal Phuket Marina, a polished departure point with a short transfer listed at about 20 minutes.

The marina is more than a simple dock. It is where you check in, meet the guide, collect equipment, and can buy alcoholic drinks if you want them. Fins are available here for 200 THB, while masks, snorkels, and other listed snorkeling gear are included.

I like the private pickup because it removes one of the usual headaches of Phuket boat trips: figuring out how to reach the pier. The return transfer is also included, so you do not need to arrange a taxi after a tiring day on the water.

The total outing lasts about seven to eight hours, though the schedule can shift with tides and weather. That flexibility matters around Phi Phi, where lagoon access, swimming conditions, and beach stops are not always fixed.

The speedboat ride to Phi Phi Leh

The first major stretch takes you across to Phi Phi Leh, the smaller and more dramatic of the main Phi Phi islands. The route is built around broad bays and steep limestone cliffs, so even the boat transfers are part of the sightseeing.

A private speedboat helps fit several major stops into one day. You are not tied to a large group’s exact pace, and your guide can respond to small issues. One group described the crew turning back for a hat blown overboard, which tells you something useful about the private setup: the day can include small favors that would be harder on a rigid shared tour.

Still, do not mistake private for peaceful. Speedboats are fast and practical, but the ride can be rough. One group had people prone to seasickness and found the journey manageable, though the same account plainly noted that bumps are expected. If you know you get motion sick, bring whatever remedy you normally use and choose a seat with care.

Maya Bay after its film-star fame

Maya Bay is the first major beach stop, with about 40 minutes listed for the visit. Its fame comes from the film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, but the reason it remains popular is easy to understand: pale sand, dramatic cliffs, and a narrow Thai island cove.

The short stop gives you time to see the setting and take photographs, but it is not a long beach day. Conditions and access rules can change, so your guide may adjust the exact timing. The national park fee is also separate: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, paid to the guide at check-in.

Maya Bay is one of the places where you should set realistic expectations. It is a famous natural sight, not a private castaway beach. The private boat gives your group more control over the schedule, but it does not remove the popularity of the bay.

Swimming and paddleboarding at Pileh Lagoon

Pileh Lagoon is listed as a 40-minute stop and is one of the strongest parts of the route for active water time. Limestone walls surround the sheltered water, creating a striking place for swimming and paddleboarding.

Paddleboards are included, which adds variety to the snorkeling stops. You can swim, stand on the board for a view across the lagoon, or simply stay aboard and take in the cliffs. The guide can help organize the stop, but the time is limited, so do not expect a full watersports session.

I like this part of the route because it gives you something different from a beach stop. Maya Bay is mainly about scenery and fame. Pileh is about getting into the water and seeing the cliffs from below their high walls.

Viking Cave and the first snorkeling time

The boat then cruises past Viking Cave, a notable cliffside site with wall paintings and a connection to bird nest harvesting. The cave is treated primarily as a scenic cruise stop rather than a place for a long visit ashore.

A snorkeling stop follows as part of the Phi Phi Leh circuit. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment and promises two snorkel stops in all. You will have a chance to see the underwater side of the islands rather than only their beaches and cliffs.

The equipment inclusion is useful, especially for a group of 12, since renting a full set for everyone can become expensive. Fins are not included, though, and cost 200 THB to rent at the marina. If fins matter to your comfort or swimming style, add that cost before you compare the tour with other private boats.

Water conditions and visibility can change with weather and tide. The operator can alter the timing and route without notice, so treat the listed stops as a plan rather than a guarantee of exact minutes.

Monkey Beach and Phi Phi Don lunch stop

Monkey Beach gets about 20 minutes. The attraction is straightforward: macaques near a scenic beach. It is a short sightseeing stop, not a long wildlife encounter, and you should follow the guide’s instructions around the animals.

The route then moves to Phi Phi Don for about an hour and 10 minutes. Here you can eat at a beachside restaurant overlooking the island and take a walk along the shore. This is the day’s main pause from the boat, giving you time to stretch your legs and have a proper meal.

There is an important booking detail here. The overview says lunch and snacks are served free of charge, but the included and not-included sections list lunch as excluded. That is a direct conflict. Snacks and onboard refreshments are listed as included, but you should ask Amazing Canoeing to confirm whether lunch is covered, available for purchase, or paid directly at the restaurant.

This stop also appears under Ko Phi Phi Lee in the supplied schedule, though the description clearly refers to Phi Phi Don. Use the actual destination description, not the heading, when planning your expectations.

Bamboo Island for sand, palms, and open water

Bamboo Island is allotted about an hour and 10 minutes, making it the longest beach stop of the day. You can walk through the natural setting, spend time on the white sand, and enjoy the palm-lined shore and surrounding sea views.

After the cliffs and crowded-name attractions of Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo Island offers a simpler finish. The emphasis is on beach time rather than a famous film location or cave. You may find this is the place where the day finally slows down.

It is still part of a popular island route, so do not expect complete isolation. The advantage of the private tour is that your group can decide how to use the time within the guide’s schedule. You can swim, walk, rest, or take photographs without needing to follow strangers from one activity to the next.

What the private format is really worth

The listed price is $1,386.10 for a group of up to 12. That is a substantial total, but the fair comparison is not with a per-person public boat ticket. Divide the cost across 12 people and it works out to about $116 per person before the national park fee and any lunch or fin rental. With a smaller group, the per-person price rises quickly.

The value comes from space, control, and convenience. Your group gets hotel pickup, a private boat, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, refreshments, and the return transfer. For a family reunion, cruise-ship group, or party with different ages and energy levels, that can be worth more than the lowest possible fare.

The private setup also gives the guide room to help with individual needs. Tony and Jib are specifically associated with highly praised outings, and one group with five teenagers appreciated how the crew adapted to their tastes. That kind of attention is a useful advantage when your group does not all want the same thing at every stop.

The cost is harder to justify for two or three people unless privacy is the main goal. You are also paying for a busy schedule, not a slow private charter where you can spend the whole afternoon in one quiet cove.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour suits a group that wants the major Phi Phi sights in one outing and values private transport. Families, groups of friends, and people arriving from a cruise ship can make especially good use of the included pickup and flexible format.

It also works well for groups with teenagers. The day moves between boat sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, wildlife viewing, lunch, and beach time, so there is little chance of one long stretch becoming dull.

You should think twice if you dislike rough water, need a slow pace, or want an uncrowded beach experience. You should also confirm the lunch arrangement before booking and budget for the national park fee, which is not part of the advertised tour price.

Most travelers can participate, according to the supplied booking information, but the day still involves boat transfers, swimming, and walking on beaches. Anyone in your group with special physical needs should ask the operator for current details before reserving.

Practical details that affect the day

The experience starts at Amazing Canoeing’s meeting point at Royal Phuket Marina, 63/402, Unit MC4-01, Thepkasattri Road, Ko Kaeo, Phuket 83000. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered within Phuket Province, so confirm that your hotel falls inside the service area.

The activity ends back at the marina after the speedboat return. The final transfer is listed at about one hour and 10 minutes, though all times are approximate and can change for tide, weather, or local operating conditions.

The tour includes local taxes, travel insurance, an English-speaking guide, onboard refreshments, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboards. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase at Royal Phuket Marina.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a different date or a full refund. A cancellation caused by an unmet minimum number of participants also brings the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day that covers the classic Phi Phi route without arranging separate transport. The strongest reasons are the private group format, included hotel transfers, several different kinds of stops, and guides who appear willing to solve small problems and adjust the pace.

Skip it if you want a quiet island escape, dislike bumpy speedboat rides, or are comparing only by the lowest price. Before booking, get written confirmation about lunch, then add the 400 THB adult or 200 THB child national park fee and the optional 200 THB fins rental to your budget.

For a full group of up to 12, the price can be reasonable for the convenience and privacy. For a small group, the value depends on how much you care about having your own boat. The itinerary is ambitious, but it gives you a broad and memorable look at Phi Phi and Bamboo Island in a single Phuket day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Amazing Canoeing’s meeting point at Royal Phuket Marina, 63/402, Unit MC4-01, Thepkasattri Road, Ko Kaeo, Phuket 83000, Thailand.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan are included for hotels in Phuket Province.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours. Individual stop times and the route can change because of tides and local weather.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity, with a maximum group size of 12 people.

Which islands and sights are included?

The route includes Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour provides two snorkeling stops. Fins are not included and can be rented for 200 THB at Royal Phuket Marina.

Is lunch included?

The supplied tour details conflict on this point. One section says lunch is included, while another lists lunch as excluded. Confirm the current lunch arrangement with Amazing Canoeing before booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor-weather cancellations and cancellations caused by an unmet minimum number of participants offer a different date or a full refund.