Premium Phi Phi, bamboo island tour Speed Catamaran

Blue-water scenery comes with a faster ride. This nine-hour Phi Phi and Bamboo Island trip uses a newer speed catamaran, visits several famous sites, and aims to avoid the worst crowds by starting later than many island excursions. I like the small-group promise, capped at about 25 to 30 people, and the generous snorkeling time. I also like the included lunch, drinks, fruit, and hotel transfers.

The main catch is the sea crossing. A speed catamaran gets you across the water quickly, but the ride can be noisy and choppy, especially on the return. The advertised schedule also needs checking, since the tour details list several different departure times.

Key points before you book

• A later start aims for fewer crowds: The tour is designed to leave later than many Phi Phi trips, with the stated departure plan centered around 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
• The newer speed catamaran carries about 25 to 30 people: That is less crowded than boats carrying 45 to 50 people, at least when the group reaches its planned maximum.
• You get two main snorkeling periods: Bamboo Island and Monkey Beach receive about 40 and 30 minutes, with another 40 minutes at Pi Leh Lagoon.
• The route covers the classic Phi Phi sights: Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Pi Leh Bay, Phi Phi Don, Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island, and Koh Khai Nai.
• Lunch is a halal buffet on Phi Phi Don: You also get snacks, fresh fruit, soft drinks, and water during the day.
• The boat ride may be rough: Seasickness tablets are available, and earplugs could be useful if engine noise bothers you.

A full day from Phuket to Phi Phi

This is an ambitious island day. In roughly nine hours, you move between small beaches, limestone bays, snorkeling sites, and Phi Phi Don’s narrow streets. The reward is variety. The cost is a lot of time at sea and a schedule that leaves little room for lingering.

The tour is built around a later start than many competing Phi Phi trips. That is a sensible idea. Phi Phi’s famous bays can become crowded with boats, and arriving even a little later may improve the experience. Still, the timing is not perfectly clear in the supplied details. One section says the boat begins at 10:30 a.m., while the itinerary mentions arriving at Chalong Pier at 7:00 a.m. and the meeting point lists 9:00 a.m.

I would confirm your pickup time with The Orca Travel before the day of departure. Do not rely on the general start time alone. Hotel pickup is offered in air-conditioned minibuses, and the return to Chalong Pier is listed for about 5:30 p.m.

At Chalong Pier, the crew serves a light breakfast and snack before departure. This is useful if your hotel breakfast is early or limited, though the food is described as light rather than a full meal. The guide also explains the day’s route and marine rules. Listen carefully, since a boat-based itinerary works best when everyone follows the timing.

The speed catamaran and group size

The boat is promoted as a newly built luxury speed catamaran, with a maximum group size of 30. The operator’s target is closer to 25 people, compared with 45 to 50 on some other boats. That difference matters most when boarding, getting snorkeling gear, moving around the deck, and returning to the boat after a swim.

A smaller group does not mean you will have every beach to yourself. Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s most popular island areas, and several boats can gather at the same bay. One account of the trip describes a beautiful first snorkeling stop but crowded conditions at later locations. Keep that distinction in mind: a smaller boat can make your own tour more manageable without removing the wider crowds.

Speed is another tradeoff. The fast catamaran helps cover a long route in one day, but the ride can be rough. One particularly positive account still noted a very choppy crossing. Another found the engine noise tiring on the return trip and used earplugs for part of the ride.

If you are sensitive to motion, ask the guide for the complimentary seasickness tablets before the roughest part of the journey. Bring sun protection, but remember that a covered section of the catamaran may be more comfortable than sitting in direct sun for hours.

Koh Khai Nai: an easy first island stop

Koh Khai Nai is scheduled for about 40 minutes. It is a small island in Phang Nga Bay, known for its compact beach, swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. The crew serves fresh fruit here, giving you a quick snack before the longer series of Phi Phi stops.

This is a gentle introduction to the day. You can get into the water, test the snorkeling conditions, and settle into the rhythm of boarding and reboarding. The limitation is time. Forty minutes disappears quickly once you account for instructions, equipment, swimming, and returning to the boat.

Treat Koh Khai Nai as a warm-up rather than the main event. If you want a long, quiet beach visit, this tour will feel rushed. If you prefer seeing several different places in one day, the short stop fits the plan.

Bamboo Island and the best early swim

Bamboo Island receives another 40 minutes. It is part of the marine national park system and is known for a broad beach, clear water, and snorkeling around the island. The coral reef between Bamboo Island and Phi Phi Don, called Hin Klang, can make the water feel like a natural aquarium.

The tour description highlights the reef that extends well out from the beach, in places as far as 500 meters. That gives the site strong snorkeling potential, though conditions depend on weather, visibility, tides, and boat traffic. You should follow the guide closely and stay within the permitted swimming area.

This is one of the tour’s strongest sections because it combines a proper beach with time in the water. The operator promises twice as much snorkeling time as some competing outings, and the planned stops support that claim better than a route that only pauses for photographs.

Still, the beach may not feel empty. Bamboo Island is famous, and the late departure is an attempt to reduce crowding rather than a guarantee of solitude. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, and a shirt for the boat ride afterward.

Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay by boat

Maya Bay is the headline stop, but you should understand the current rules. The bay became famous after appearing in the 1999 film The Beach, and its white sand and steep limestone cliffs made it a major attraction long before the movie.

The beach is currently closed for ordinary tourist activity under government protection. This tour allows sightseeing and photographs from the boat rather than a beach visit. That may disappoint anyone expecting to walk on the sand, but it also reflects the effort to protect a heavily visited site.

The cliffs rise about 100 meters around the bay, making the view worthwhile even when you remain on board. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches the best angle, since the stop is for viewing rather than an extended swim.

Loh Samah Bay follows as a sightseeing stop. The water is noted for its green color and unusual geological setting. You stay on the catamaran, take photographs, and look into the bay rather than spending a full beach period there.

These two locations are scenic, but they can also be among the busiest parts of the day. The later departure may help, yet no timing strategy can fully control the number of boats around Phi Phi.

Pi Leh Lagoon and its clear water

Pi Leh Bay, also called Pi Leh Lagoon, is scheduled for about 40 minutes. High limestone walls surround the narrow waterway, creating one of Phi Phi’s most memorable settings. The water is described as clear and blue-green, with coral and small reef fish, including Nemo fish.

This is a swimming and snorkeling stop, not just a photo pause. The lagoon is protected by Thai authorities, and the required destination fee is included in the tour price. That is helpful because you do not need to handle another payment while wet, tired, and trying to keep track of your belongings.

The setting can feel dramatic, but it is not private. Boats may gather inside or near the lagoon, and a beautiful view does not remove the noise of engines and people. I would use the first few minutes for photographs, then concentrate on the water while visibility is good.

Follow the guide’s instructions about where to swim and snorkel. Protected sites have rules for a reason, and the guide is there to keep the group within safe and permitted areas.

Phi Phi Don: lunch and a short walk

Phi Phi Don is the main inhabited island in the Phi Phi group and the place where you get the longest land visit. The scheduled stay is about 90 minutes, including a halal buffet lunch.

That is a useful feature for many people. You are not left to search for food during a tightly timed day, and the buffet gives you a chance to sit down after the boat ride. Drinks and snacks are also provided during the trip, so the food plan is more generous than a basic transport-only excursion.

After lunch, you have time for a short stroll through narrow streets or a quick visit to the beach. Ninety minutes sounds comfortable, but it is not enough for a relaxed island exploration. Use it to get your bearings, stretch your legs, and enjoy the shoreline rather than trying to cover the entire island.

The lunch stop also breaks up the day. After several water stops and boat transfers, a proper meal on land can make the afternoon easier. If you value local exploration more than a long list of bays, this portion may feel too brief.

Monkey Beach and the final snorkeling session

Monkey Beach is a short strip of white sand on the southwestern side of Tonsai Bay. A steep limestone cliff rises behind it, with vegetation that provides a home for the monkeys that give the beach its name.

The boat spends about 30 minutes here. The stated plan focuses on photographs of the wild monkeys and snorkeling. You may be able to see the animals from the catamaran, but you should not feed them or approach them. Wild monkeys can behave unpredictably, and the crew’s instructions matter.

One useful detail from the trip feedback is that the group saw monkeys even while staying on the catamaran. That is a good reminder that you do not need to land on the beach for the stop to work. It also avoids adding another crowded beach landing to an already busy day.

The final snorkeling period gives the itinerary a strong finish, but thirty minutes is short. If you want time to swim, photograph the beach, and watch the monkeys, decide your priority before the boat arrives.

Food, drinks, and service from Latte’s team

The crew receives especially warm praise for its energy and care. Latte is singled out for keeping the mood upbeat, explaining the islands, checking on passenger comfort, and helping the day run smoothly. That human element matters on a long group excursion, particularly when the sea is rough or the schedule feels tight.

The crew also keeps people supplied with snacks, fresh fruit, cold drinks, and water. The halal buffet at Phi Phi Don adds real value, since the $119.61 price covers more than the boat ride and sightseeing.

Service quality can vary with the day’s conditions and the number of people aboard. The maximum is 30, not an intimate private charter. The operator’s promise of 25 people is appealing, but I would treat the smaller number as a target rather than something guaranteed unless confirmed at booking.

Is $119.61 good value?

At $119.61 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Phi Phi. But the price includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned return transfer, the speed catamaran, national park and lagoon-related fees listed for the route, food, drinks, fresh fruit, snorkeling time, and a guide.

The value is strongest if you want a packed day with many included costs. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Chalong Pier or buy lunch on Phi Phi Don. The route also covers the major sights in one outing, which can make sense if Phuket is your base and your schedule is short.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a quiet beach day. You spend much of the day moving between locations, and Maya Bay is a sightseeing stop rather than a beach landing. Crowds can still appear, despite the later start and smaller boat.

The tour is commonly booked about 29 days ahead, so advance planning is sensible during busy periods. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but missing the scheduled departure does not qualify for a refund.

Who should book this Phi Phi trip?

I would recommend it for you if you want a broad first look at the Phi Phi area, prefer included meals and transfers, and enjoy snorkeling more than spending hours on one beach. It also suits people who like an active day with a clear route and a guide managing the details.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the snacks, drinks, lunch, and hotel transfer, though everyone should be comfortable with a fast boat and possible chop. Most people can participate, but pregnant people are not permitted under the insurance policy.

I would hesitate if you dislike engine noise, get motion sick easily, or want a slow and quiet outing. The boat ride can be long and rough, and some bays may be crowded even with the later departure.

Final call: book it if the route matters more than solitude

This is a strong choice for a one-day Phi Phi sampler. Bamboo Island, Pi Leh Lagoon, and the snorkeling time give the day more substance than a trip built around photographs alone, while the included lunch and hotel transfer make the price easier to justify.

Before paying, confirm the exact pickup and departure time. Ask whether the group is expected to be near 25 people or closer to the 30-person maximum. If you accept a busy schedule and a lively speedboat ride, The Orca Travel’s Premium Phi Phi and Bamboo Island tour offers a practical way to see many of the area’s famous sights in one day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about nine hours. The itinerary lists arrival back at Chalong Pier at approximately 5:30 p.m., followed by hotel transfers.

What time does the tour begin?

The supplied details list a 9:00 a.m. start, a 7:00 a.m. arrival at Chalong Pier, and a later departure plan around 10:30 a.m. Confirm your exact pickup and departure time with the operator before the tour.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the return transfer to hotels uses air-conditioned minivans.

Is Maya Bay open for swimming and beach visits?

No. The tour describes Maya Bay as open for photographs and sightseeing only because the Thai government has closed it to regular tourist activities.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A halal buffet lunch is provided on Phi Phi Don. Snacks, fresh fruit, cold drinks, and water are also served during the day.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, shorts, sunblock, sunglasses, a beach towel, a T-shirt, and a camera. Seasickness pills are available free from the guide.