Day Boat tours are one of the most popular tourist activities for visitors to Phuket Island in Thailand. Phuket is one of the biggest Islands in Thailand located in the Andaman Sea and a gateway to some very exotic locations for visitors from across the world. 3-Engine boat tours to Phi Phi Island are very popular and more affordable for most tourists traveling solo or with family.
How to book a Phi Phi Island Tour and how much does it cost?
There are plenty of tour operators working on commission across all major tourist areas in Phuket including Bangla Road on Patong Beach and Old Phuket Town etc. You can also book tours through your tour desk at the hotel you are staying at. The prices will be a bit higher as every operator charges a commission on bookings.
Therefore, the best option is to go with a reputed tour operator and book through KLOOK which is one of the best tour and activity engines providing thousands of quality experiences in Phuket.
I booked my ticket online for a day tour of Phi Phi Island. October is the off-peak season and prices can be as low as half the original prices offered in the peak season in December-January.
What kind of different tours are offered for Phi Phi Island?
There are various type of tours offered based on boat size, number of Island covered and service offered etc. Here is a list of most popular tours and prices offered on Klook.
- 3 Khai Islands, Phi Phi, or James Bond Day Tour from Phuket by Speedboat – 700 BHAT
- Phi Phi, Maya & Khai Islands Speedboat Tour by PNT – 600 BHAT
- Phi Phi Islands Premium Speed Catamaran Day Tour from Phuket – 1670 BHAT
- Phi Phi Island, Pileh Lagoon, Khai Island or Bamboo Island Day Tour from Phuket with Speedboat by Seastar Andaman – 2200 BHAT
I booked a Three Island Tour including Phi Phi Don, Khai Noi, Phi Phi Lay and Maiton Island costing around 700 BHAT online.
Private Charters and Customized Tours are provided by a number of tour operators and the prices can range from somewhere between 800 BHAT and 30,000 BHAT. The price depends on the group size and itinerary.
A private tour of a group size of 7 individuals can cost around 3900 BHAT/person. The duration of such a tour is normally six hours and conducted in a single-engine long-tail boat.
HOMESTAY is a very economical way of staying at private homes which offers a very cheap alternative to homes. You will also get to experience local culture by staying with a local family.
What is the itinerary of a typical Koh Phi Phi Island day Tour?
If you have booked a day tour online. Make sure to get up early in the morning and be ready for the pickup van around 8am. Most hotels and resorts serve breakfast from 7-10 am, which gives you enough time to get ready for your day tour.
- 8-830 am pick up from the hotel
- A brief orientation at the Wharf (Jetty area in Old Phuket Town). You can shop for waterproof bag, water shoes or covers for mobile phone. You can also rent fins from the shop.
- Arrive at Mai Ton Island fro snorkelling and swimming
- Sightseeing at Phi Phi Lay Island, take pictures or take pictures of Pileh Lagoon , Maya Bay and Viking Cave from the Boat
- Stop at Phi Phi Don Island for Lunch (Halal food served in buffet style)
- Arrive at Khai Island, sunbath, swimming and snorkelling
- 5pm arrive at the pier in Phuket
If you are staying at any other locations other than Patong Beach, following pickup charges are applied:
- Kamala – 200 Bhat
- Surin, Bang Tao, Laguna, Naiham, Cape Panwa – 300 Bhat
- Naiyang, Layan – 300 Bhat
- Mai Khao – 400 Bhat
Tours normally inlcudes:
- Round transfer from the hotel in air-conditioned van
- Water and juices provided on arrival and during the trip
- Life Jacket and snorkel provided on boat
- English Speaking Guide
- Speedboat with full insurance
Things to bring with you :
- Towel
- Shoes to walk in water (optional) – Aqua Socks [Shop online]
- Some cash as no ATMs are available
- Sunscreen & a hat
- Waterproof bag and water-proof cover for the mobile phone [Shop online]
How does a typical phi phi island tour start?
All the visitors are assembled at an assembly point near the jetty where a brief 15-minute orientation is given to the visitors for safety and security tips during the visit.
A small shop provides basic supplies including waterproof bags, towels, swimming costumes, and slippers, etc. I suggest shopping for these essentials in Phuket towns as the prices are very cheap in stores near Bangla Road.
A qualified and often “funny” tour manager accompanies you on most tours to ensure safety and comfort of all passengers. Fruit, snacks and water is provided on boat as this is included in your ticket price.
A 3-engine boat carries up to 50 passengers and travel at 45-55 knots. Boats are equipped with 3-Engine 225 HP engines.
Once the participants board the boat, the first stop is after 20 minutes with clear and deep water ideal for a 15-minute swim and snorkeling. Make sure to keep your jacket on while swimming or snorkeling.
The next stop is a cruise around Maya Bay, which is opened to public in 2022. This beautiful location was captured in Leonardo Di Caprio’s novie “The Beach”.
A Stopover at Phi Phi Don Island is approximately 1.5 hour stop to enjoy lunch at a buffet style halal restaurant. The Island has a number of shops and stalls selling drinks and snacks.
The trip resumes with a brief stopover at Monkey Island where plenty of monkeys can be spotted clinging to the cliffs. Birds nest harvesting is a popular activity that is conducted by licensed individuals. The “Birds Nest Soup” is a specialty in Asian cuisine.
khai nAi island stopover
Another interesting stop along the way around 3 pm is Khai Nai Island. The beautiful sandy Island with some rock formations is a popular stopover for many boat tours. The shallow water along the beach is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Alternatively, chill out and enjoy cool beer or drinks at one of the many shacks on the Island.
A volleyball net is also available on the island. Plenty of half-day tours visit Khai Nai Island as it is located halfway between Phuket and Phi Phi Islands. Khai Island is also popular for a half day tour from Phuket for less adventurous as Phi Phi Island tours can be very demanding for elderly people because of the distance from Phuket mainland to Phi Phi Islands.
Khai Island offers a great relaxed environment for entire family to chillout on this lovely Island. The cafes and bars over light food and drinks. The shallow water around the Island is ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
On the way bay back the boats ride the waves as the sun is going down in the horizon.
Phi Phi Island tours are definitely a unique experience and must be on your list for this year!!!
What are some other interesting places to visit near phi phi island?
The famous Maya Bay, made famous by the movie “The Beach” is open to the public. The pristine blue water and clear sands on the Island do make it a magical place to visit. Phi Phi Don is the largest Island, while Phi Phi Le is the second largest Island visited by many boat tours from Krabi and Phuket. A number of smaller islands including Bamboo Island, Monkey Island, and Khai Noi are also popular stopovers for day tours.
Customized tours make it easier to explore the Islands at your own pace as most 3-Engine boat tours have set routes and offer 20-30 minute stopovers at these Islands. There is accommodation available on Phi Phi Don Island which is good for jungle trekking and exploring Phi Phi View Point overlooking the Phi Phi Archipelago.
This lookout is located at an altitude of 186m and can be easily reached by a 30-minute walk. The Phi Phi Bay as well as Tonsai Bay are visible from the vantage point where you can relax in hammocks and enjoy light snacks from a shack near the lookout.
Other Interesting beaches on the Island are also accessible by an easy walk on the trails used by locals to save the cost of catching longboats for travelling too and forth.
Planning to stay at Phi Phi Don? Compare best hotel rates online with hotelscombined network.
Other recommended activities during your stay in phuket
Enjoy a massive 42% discount on a number of activities in Phuket with Klook Pass
Phang Nga Bay and James Bond – Sea Canoe Day Trip from Phuket by Chic Chic
A very popular activity and a must-visit location around Phuket offering pristine waters for swimming and canoeing – Price : 1575 BHAT
Phuket Discovery Half Day Tour by Travstore – Explore some of the best lookouts, temples and farms in a day trip in Phuket –
Price : 500 BHAT
planning a holiday in phuket Thailand?
Phuket is one of the top tourist destinations in Thailand with hundreds of quality hotels. Compare best hotels online using Hotelscombined Network.
I personally prefer staying in the Patong Beach Area which is the heart of the activity in Phuket. Karon, Kata Yai, and Bang Tao are more suited for family holiday travelers planning a longer-term stay in Phuket.
Patong Beach is ideal for night-life, eating out and shopping as well. Patong beach also offer quality water sports and beach activities. Bangla Road has a number of world-class clubs and bars. Patong is also the center of adult entertainment offering live sex shows and massage parlours.
Banzaan Fresh Food Market and Robinson Malls offer a mix of local and western food. If you are planning to stay for a longer period in Phuket, Banzaan Fresh Food Market is a great place to shop for fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables.
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