One long day, six unforgettable stops, and about 50 minutes of open Andaman Sea between you and paradise.
A phi phi island day trip from phuket by speedboat is a full-day tour, usually running roughly 07:30 to 18:00, that reaches Phi Phi Leh in about 50 minutes and packs Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, a beachside lunch on Phi Phi Don and snorkelling at Khai Island into one itinerary.
What the day trip includes
This is Phuket’s most popular full-day island tour, and for good reason: it combines the postcard scenery of Phi Phi Leh with the calm, family-friendly beaches of Khai Island in a single outing. A good operator handles round-trip hotel transfers, the boat, a guide, snorkelling gear, lunch and the national-park fee, so you can focus on the day itself.
The route at a glance
- Maya Bay — the beach made famous by the film The Beach
- Pileh Lagoon — a sheltered turquoise lagoon ringed by cliffs
- Viking Cave — viewed from the boat; known for swiftlet nests
- Monkey Beach — resident macaques along the shoreline
- Phi Phi Don — beachfront lunch and free time at Tonsai Bay
- Khai Island — shallow, clear water that suits families and first-time snorkellers
Who it suits
The itinerary works well for first-time visitors, couples and families who want to see the headline sights in one day. It does involve a fast boat over open water, early starts and a fair amount of sun, so travellers who are prone to seasickness or prefer a slower pace may prefer a catamaran or an overnight stay — see our note on choosing the best Phi Phi tour for your style below.
How the day unfolds, hour by hour
Timings shift with the tides, the season and your pickup location, but a typical day looks like this:
- Early morning — hotel pickup and transfer to the pier
- ~08:30 — speedboat departs; roughly 50 minutes to Phi Phi Leh
- Mid-morning — Maya Bay first, to beat the busiest slots
- Late morning — Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach
- Midday — snorkelling, then buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don
- Early afternoon — Khai Island for swimming and beach time
- Late afternoon — return to Phuket and hotel drop-off
Reaching Maya Bay early matters more than ever. The national park sets a cap of a few hundred visitors at a time and runs timed slots, so late arrivals can wait for the next window during peak season.
The stops you’ll visit
Maya Bay
Maya Bay sits on uninhabited Phi Phi Leh inside the national park. Boats no longer enter the bay; you land at Loh Samah Bay behind the island and walk a short boardwalk to the beach. Swimming inside Maya Bay is not allowed — visitors wade only ankle- to knee-deep — which protects the recovering coral and the blacktip reef sharks that breed there. You can read the park background on the Tourism Authority of Thailand site.
Pileh Lagoon
Many travellers rate Pileh Lagoon above Maya Bay itself: a sheltered emerald pool enclosed by tall limestone walls, where swimming and snorkelling are permitted. The water is usually calm, making it a highlight for photos.
Viking Cave and Monkey Beach
Viking Cave is viewed from the boat and is known for its swiftlet nests and old wall markings. At nearby Monkey Beach, macaques gather along the shore — enjoy them from a distance and keep food out of sight, as they can be assertive.
Khai Island
On the way back toward Phuket, Khai Island offers powder-soft sand and shallow, clear water with plenty of tropical fish. The gentle conditions make it a favourite last stop for families and anyone new to snorkelling.
Speedboat vs ferry: why day-trippers choose the speedboat
If your goal is to see Phi Phi and return to Phuket the same day, the speedboat is the practical choice. The ferry is cheaper and calmer but far slower, and it lands only at Phi Phi Don, so it suits travellers staying overnight rather than day-trippers.
| Option | Phuket → Phi Phi | Best for | Reaches Maya Bay area | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared speedboat | ~50 minutes | Seeing the most in one day | Yes (day-trip route) | From ~1,900 THB/adult |
| Speed catamaran | ~60–90 minutes | Smoother ride, families | Yes | From ~2,000 THB/adult |
| Passenger ferry | ~2 hours | Overnight stays on Phi Phi Don | Not directly | From ~400–500 THB one way |
| Private charter | ~50 minutes | Groups wanting their own schedule | Yes | From ~14,000 THB/boat |
Prefer to keep your own schedule or travel as a group? See our private speedboat charter guide.
What’s included and what to bring
Typical inclusions
- Round-trip hotel transfers within the standard pickup zones
- Speedboat, life jackets and an English-speaking guide
- Snorkelling equipment
- Thai buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don
- National-park entrance fee (on most complete tours — always confirm)
- Drinking water and fruit
What to pack
- Reef-safe sunscreen (oxybenzone-free), a hat and sunglasses
- Swimwear worn under your clothes, plus a quick-dry towel
- A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag
- Motion-sickness tablets if you’re sensitive to fast boats
- Some cash for extras and any fees not pre-paid
Best time to go: seasons, weather and the Maya Bay closure
November to April (high season)
This is generally the calmest, clearest window, with the best sea conditions and visibility for snorkelling. It’s also the busiest, so early departures pay off.
May to October (green season)
The monsoon months bring more rain and occasionally rough seas; trips still run on many days but can be adjusted or postponed for safety when conditions are poor.
The annual Maya Bay closure
Maya Bay closes for conservation each year, most recently from 1 August to 30 September, reopening on 1 October. Exact dates are confirmed by the national park and can shift slightly, so check close to your travel date. During the closure the wider Phi Phi day trip still runs — you simply view Maya Bay from the water. See the Department of National Parks for official notices.
Rules and conservation you should know
Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay are protected, and rangers enforce the rules:
- No swimming inside Maya Bay — wading only, in the shallow zone
- Boats land at Loh Samah Bay, not on Maya Bay beach
- Reef-safe sunscreen only; oxybenzone and octinoxate harm coral
- Don’t touch coral, feed fish, or take shells or sand
- Drones require special permission inside the national park
- A national-park fee applies: about 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children (foreign visitors)
Independent overviews are available from Lonely Planet and Wikipedia if you want more background on the park.
Tips for a smooth trip
A few small choices make a big difference to your day:
- Choose the earliest departure to reach Maya Bay in a quieter slot
- Sit toward the middle-rear of the speedboat if you’re prone to seasickness
- Confirm whether the park fee is included or collected on the day
- Keep valuables in a dry bag; the ride can be splashy
- Travelling with young children or grandparents? A catamaran is gentler in swell
If you’d rather spend a night on the islands and see Maya Bay at sunrise, consider an island overnight package instead of a day trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the speedboat ride from Phuket to Phi Phi?
About 50 minutes each way to Phi Phi Leh, depending on your pier and sea conditions. A ferry takes roughly two hours, so the speedboat is the usual choice for a single-day trip.
Can you swim at Maya Bay in 2026?
No. Swimming inside Maya Bay is not permitted; visitors may only wade in the shallow water. You can swim and snorkel at nearby Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay and Khai Island instead.
How much is the Phi Phi national park fee?
The Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi park fee is about 400 THB for adult foreign visitors and 200 THB for children. Many complete tours include it; some collect it on the day, so confirm at booking.
Is a Phi Phi day trip suitable for children?
Yes, families join these tours regularly. Khai Island has shallow, calm water that suits younger swimmers. Speedboats can be bumpy in swell, so a catamaran may be more comfortable for very young children.
When does Maya Bay close each year?
Maya Bay closes annually for environmental recovery, most recently from 1 August to 30 September, reopening on 1 October. Dates are set by the national park and can vary slightly, so check before you book.
What should I bring on the tour?
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a quick-dry towel, a waterproof pouch, and some cash for extras. Motion-sickness tablets help on the fast boat if you’re sensitive to open water.
Plan with confidence
Phi Phi trips involve sea travel and adventure activities, and itineraries can change with tides, weather and national-park conditions. Departures may be adjusted or rescheduled when the sea is rough. For a smoother experience, book with a TAT-licensed operator (License No. 34/02294), choose an early departure, and confirm current prices, inclusions and availability at the time of booking. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and follow ranger guidance inside the national park.
Book your Phi Phi trip with Phuket Thailand Travel
Phuket Thailand Travel is operated by True Design Holidays Co., Ltd., a TAT-licensed travel agency (License No. 34/02294) based in Kathu, Phuket. We run island tours, private charters, transfers and packages across the Andaman.
- Address: 113/297, Soi 10, M A, 7 Vichitsongkram Rd, Kathu, Phuket 83120
- Phone: +66 (0) 96 469 0456 · WhatsApp · LINE
- Book this tour: view the tour & enquire or contact our team