Are Phi Phi Island Tours Worth It? An Honest Look

A Phi Phi day trip is the most popular island tour from Phuket, and also one of the most debated. Some people call it the highlight of their holiday. Others come back tired and say it was too busy. Both can be true. This guide gives you an honest look at what the day involves, what it costs, the real downsides and who should choose something else.

The Short Answer

For most first-time visitors, yes. The scenery around Phi Phi Leh is some of the most striking in Thailand, and a speedboat tour lets you see the famous spots in one day without organizing anything yourself. It is less worth it if you get very seasick, are pregnant or have back problems, strongly dislike crowds, or have already been and want something new.

What the Day Looks Like

On our Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island speedboat tour, hotel pickup is between 07:30 and 08:30. You have a light breakfast at a pier on Phuket's east coast, then set off by speedboat. The stops are:

• Khai Nai: a small island with a white sand beach and a first swim.
• Monkey Beach: a short stop at a cove on Phi Phi Don where wild macaques live.
• Lunch on Phi Phi Don: a halal buffet.
• Viking Cave: seen from the boat, as visitors cannot go inside.
• Pileh Lagoon: a swim in green water enclosed by cliffs, and the chance to try a stand-up paddle board.
• Maya Bay: the boat drops you at Loh Sama Bay and you walk across on a boardwalk to the famous beach.

You also have time to snorkel during the day. The order of the stops can change, and the program may change with weather and sea conditions. You are back at around 17:30, about 10 hours after pickup.

What It Costs

Prices for your date are shown on the tour page, with a child price for ages 4 to 11. The price includes:

• Hotel transfer from standard zones
• A guide on the speedboat
• The national park fee
• A light breakfast at the pier and a halal buffet lunch
• Fruit and soft drinks on board
• Snorkel and mask, life jacket and stand-up paddle board
• Accident insurance

Beyond that, you only pay for extras you choose, such as alcohol and personal spending. When you compare tours from different sellers, check whether the national park fee, lunch, transfers and snorkel gear are included, because a lower headline price can leave you paying for these on the day. Big boat tours usually cost less than speedboat tours but take longer to get there, so you usually see fewer places.

For a group, a private Phi Phi speedboat is priced per boat, covering Maya Bay (walk-in via Loh Sama), Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island, with up to 6 hours on the water. National park fees and lunch are not included. For a larger group, the cost per person can come close to the shared tour, with your own schedule.

Why It Can Be Worth It

• The scenery. The limestone cliffs of Phi Phi Leh rising out of clear water are why people come, and Pileh Lagoon is even more striking in person than in photos.
• Maya Bay. Made famous by the film The Beach, the bay is now protected, boats stay outside it and visitors walk in from Loh Sama Bay. Stepping onto the sand from the boardwalk is still a memorable moment.
• Variety. In one day you get beaches, a lagoon swim, snorkeling, paddle boarding and lunch on Phi Phi Don.
• Easy logistics. Pickup, park fee, meals and gear are sorted. You just need swimwear and sunscreen.

The Honest Downsides

• It is a long day. About 10 hours from pickup to return, with an early start.
• The ride can be bumpy. The crossing to Phi Phi is on more open water than most trips from Phuket. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or guests with back problems, and seasickness is common on rough days.
• Crowds. Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon are popular with many boats, especially in the middle of the day and in the December to March peak.
• Limited time at each stop. A group tour follows a schedule, so you will not linger anywhere for long.
• No swimming at Maya Bay. You can walk on the beach, but swimming is not allowed. The bay also usually closes for recovery around August and September each year.
• Weather. From roughly May to October, rougher seas mean the program can change, and operators or the national park can cancel trips for safety.

Read the latest Maya Bay rules before you go.

Who Should Go, and Who Might Choose Something Else

Phi Phi is a good fit for first-time visitors, beach and lagoon lovers, swimmers who want to snorkel, and families whose children are happy on boats.

Consider an alternative if:

• You get seasick easily: the James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay tour stays in sheltered water.
• You have young children or want short boat rides: the Raya and Coral Island tour is the easiest island day.
• You have been to Phi Phi before: try Racha for clear water, or the Hong Islands or 4 Islands of Krabi on a private charter.
• You want more time on Phi Phi itself: stay a night or two on Phi Phi Don and travel by ferry. Our guide to visiting Phi Phi without a tour explains how.

We also compare this route with a standard itinerary in Phi Phi with Khai Island vs a classic Phi Phi tour.

Tips for a Better Day

• Book it early in your stay, so there is time to move it if the sea is rough.
• Eat a light breakfast, and take seasickness tablets before you board if you need them.
• Sit toward the back of the boat, where the ride is usually smoother than at the front.
• Protect yourself from the sun with reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash guard.
• Bring a waterproof phone pouch and a small towel.
• Wear water shoes for rocky entries and hot sand.
• Keep food out of sight at Monkey Beach, and never feed the monkeys.

Our Phi Phi Islands guide covers the islands in more depth.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a Phi Phi day tour?

About 10 hours. Pickup is between 07:30 and 08:30, and you are back at around 17:30.

Is the national park fee included?

Yes, on our Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour the national park fee is included. On the private Phi Phi charter it is not.

Can you swim at Maya Bay?

No. You walk in from Loh Sama Bay on a boardwalk and can stand on the beach, but swimming is not allowed.

When is the best time to do a Phi Phi tour?

Roughly November to April, when the seas are calmest. Tours also run on many days from May to October, but crossings are rougher, and Maya Bay usually closes around August and September.