Small Groups of 20 people – Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands with Lunch

The best reason to book this day is the variety. In about nine and a half hours, you swim at Bamboo Island, see macaques from the boat, snorkel near Phi Phi, float in emerald Pileh Lagoon, and visit the beach made famous by The Beach. Guide-led organization keeps a busy route moving.

I especially like the small-group format, which gives you more room on the speedboat than bargain island trips, and the steady supply of water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks. The sea-view buffet at Phi Phi Holiday Resort is another welcome pause. The tradeoff is the ride: the speedboat can be loud, rough, and uncomfortable in strong wind or rain, and popular stops can feel crowded.

Key points to know before booking

• A full Phi Phi circuit: Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, and Maya Bay are all covered in one long day.
• Small boat, advertised for 20 people: This is roomier than many low-cost island trips, though one booking reported 28 people onboard, so confirm the current group size.
• Snacks and drinks throughout the day: Water, soft drinks, fruit, coffee, tea, and light snacks are included.
• Lunch with a sea view: The buffet includes Thai and international dishes, with special diets available if requested in advance.
• Useful water extras: Life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, towel, waterproof floating phone case, and onboard restroom are included.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can change the feel of the day, and poor-weather cancellations qualify for a new date or full refund.

Why this Phi Phi tour works as a full-day sampler

Phi Phi is not one single beach stop. It is a cluster of islands, limestone cliffs, lagoons, reefs, and famous coves spread across the Andaman Sea. From Phuket, the fastest practical way to cover the main sights is by speedboat, and this outing uses that advantage well.

You leave Phuket for a sequence of short scenic stops and water breaks. The plan is active rather than leisurely. You will spend time swimming, snorkeling, taking photographs, and climbing back aboard several times, so I would think of this as an island sampler rather than a quiet beach day.

The advertised maximum is 20 people, a useful difference from budget boats that pack passengers tightly. A smaller group also helps when you need instructions, equipment, or help getting into the water. Still, the actual group size may vary. One booking described 28 people on the boat, though it still felt comfortable to that person. If space is a major concern, ask the operator to confirm the number before paying.

The tour costs $108.43 per person. That is not the cheapest way to reach Phi Phi, but the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, accident insurance, food, drinks, equipment, towels, and a phone case. You also pay the national park fee separately: 400 Thai baht for an adult and 200 baht for a child.

Royal Phuket Marina gets the day organized

The morning begins at Royal Phuket Marina, where you receive light refreshments and a short briefing about the route and safety. The scheduled briefing lasts about 15 minutes.

Hotel transfers are offered, which removes one of the tiresome parts of a Phuket day tour. Pickup can take time because the vehicle collects people from different hotels. One account described roughly an hour from Patong to the marina, including other pickups. Build patience into the morning rather than expecting a quick taxi transfer.

The marina can have many boats and groups gathering at once. Clear directions from the crew help, but the first few minutes may feel busy as people check in and find their boat. Once you are aboard, the small-group setup becomes more noticeable.

The speedboat gets you across open water quickly, but there is a price for that speed. Several sections can be bumpy, especially when wind picks up. If you are prone to seasickness, take suitable medication before departure, as one rough ride can affect the rest of your day.

Bamboo Island gives you the first real swim

Bamboo Island is scheduled for about one hour. It is part of the marine national park system and offers the classic combination of pale sand, clear water, swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

The island is described as big and barren, which is useful to understand before you go. You are coming for sea and sand, not shade, shopping, or cultural sights. Bring sun protection, and use the free towel after swimming. The bright open setting can be beautiful, but it can also feel exposed during the hottest part of the day.

This first water stop helps you settle into the rhythm of the tour. You can test the mask and snorkel, take a swim, and get comfortable with the boat crew. The snorkeling gear includes a life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, and a new snorkel mouthpiece.

The marine scenery is not guaranteed to look the same every day. One account described plenty of fish but little live coral, while others found the snorkeling excellent. Water quality, weather, and boat traffic all affect what you see. I would come expecting a pleasant reef stop, not a specialist coral expedition.

Monkey Beach is a quick wildlife sighting

At Monkey Beach, the boat pauses for roughly 10 minutes so you can watch macaques in their natural setting. You might see them swimming, climbing, or jumping around the shoreline.

You do not go ashore. The monkeys are wild animals, and the viewing is from the speedboat. That rule is sensible for both animal welfare and personal safety. This is a short photo stop, not a long wildlife visit, so enjoy the scene without expecting close contact.

The no-land-access rule also means you avoid one common problem at famous monkey beaches: people crowding around animals with food and cameras. Keep your hands and belongings secure while watching from the boat, and follow the guide’s instructions.

Sea-view lunch at Phi Phi Holiday Resort

Lunch is scheduled for one hour at Phi Phi Holiday Resort. The buffet includes Thai and international food, with vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and other dietary options available if you request them ahead of time.

I like this part of the schedule because it gives you a proper break from the boat. You can sit down, eat, and look out over the water instead of trying to manage a packed meal between swimming stops. The meal has received mixed but generally favorable feedback. Some people found it excellent and plentiful, while one person thought it was only decent and another found the food underwhelming.

That is a fair expectation for a resort buffet. You are paying for convenience, variety, and a scenic setting rather than a carefully prepared restaurant meal. If you have a strict diet, tell the operator when booking rather than relying on last-minute arrangements.

The boat also carries snacks and drinks during the day. Water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, coffee, and tea are included. Several accounts specifically praised the steady supply, which matters in Thailand’s heat. Alcohol is not included, though it can be purchased.

Pileh Lagoon is the strongest water stop

Pileh Bay, also called Pileh Lagoon, is scheduled for about 30 minutes. Tall limestone cliffs surround the green water, creating one of the most memorable settings on the route.

This is a swimming stop rather than a beach landing. You can enter the lagoon from the boat, float among the cliffs, and take photographs with the provided waterproof floating phone case. The crew may also help take pictures with your phone, a small service that is useful when everyone wants a shot in the water.

Pileh is likely to be a highlight for you if you enjoy swimming more than sightseeing from the boat. Some people wished they had more time here, so the 30-minute schedule can feel short. The advantage is that the tour keeps enough time for several other locations, including Maya Bay.

Conditions can change quickly. Strong wind and rain may make the water rough, and the speedboat ride between stops can be more demanding than the lagoon itself. On calm days, the contrast between the enclosed cliffs and open sea makes Pileh especially striking.

Viking Cave offers context, not a landing

The route includes a sightseeing stop at Viking Cave, where the guide explains the cave’s importance to swallow birds and the bird’s nest soup trade.

You do not need to expect a long visit here. The attraction is viewed from the boat, and its value comes from the explanation of local resources and traditions. The cave is part of the island story rather than a swimming or walking stop.

This short pause is a good reminder that Phi Phi is more than a collection of postcard beaches. The guide’s commentary adds meaning to what you are seeing, especially when the boat is close enough to appreciate the limestone walls.

Maya Bay is famous, beautiful, and tightly managed

Maya Bay is scheduled for about one hour. Its white sand and bright blue water became internationally famous after the 2000 film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The visit is primarily for sightseeing and beach scenery. National park rules can affect access, swimming, and how close you can get to the water. Listen carefully to the guide, since the rules are designed to protect a fragile place that receives enormous attention.

The bay can be crowded. Even with a smaller boat, you are sharing a famous national park site with other tour groups. That does not make it worthless, but it changes the mood. You should expect a major attraction with many cameras, not an empty tropical cove.

There is also an important date issue. The supplied tour details state that Maya Bay is scheduled to close from August 1, 2025, with the rest of the closure information cut off. If your date falls near or after that period, confirm the current status before booking. The tour may substitute sightseeing elsewhere or adjust the route, but you should not assume entry is available.

The national park admission fee is separate from the tour price. Adults pay 400 baht and children pay 200 baht according to the supplied details. Keep this extra cost in your budget.

What the crew adds to a fast-moving day

A good guide makes a big difference on an outing with this many stops. Guides named in the supplied information include Goodes or Goodies, Ray, Anton, P, Sunny, Alan, Gonese, and Wy Wy. Individual assignments change, but the repeated pattern is clear: the guide explains the schedule, gives safety instructions, and helps the group move from boat to beach to water.

Ray received especially warm praise, as did Sunny for helping a family with two children. Goodes was noted for clear English, humor, and professionalism. The boat crew also helps with towels, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and photographs.

You should still pay attention during every briefing. A speedboat, moving water, slippery steps, and repeated swimming stops require care. The operator provides life jackets, but one account raised concern about whether enough were immediately available. The company stated that jackets are stored for quick emergency access. If you have any safety concern, ask the crew directly before leaving the marina.

The practical realities of the speedboat

The speedboat is the tour’s main advantage and its main weakness. It cuts down travel time between Phuket and the islands, allowing the itinerary to include Bamboo Island and the main Phi Phi sights in one day.

It is also noisy and can be rough. One report described a very bumpy first hour, while another found the return trip choppy. A monsoon affected one outing from start to finish, yet the trip continued. The operator says tours depend on favorable weather and offers an alternative date or full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.

Do not treat the weather policy as a promise of perfect conditions. A tour may operate in rain or wind if the captain considers it safe. Pack sun protection and a waterproof layer, and secure loose belongings. The supplied floating phone case is helpful, but it is wise to protect your phone before boarding rather than testing the case for the first time over open water.

There is an onboard restroom. Shore stops also offer restroom opportunities, but using the boat toilet while it is bouncing across waves may not be comfortable. Plan around the land stops when possible.

What is included, and what is not

The inclusions are generous for a group boat tour:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Professional guide and accident insurance
• Life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, and new snorkel mouthpiece
• Beach towel
• Buffet lunch and seasonal fruit
• Bottled water, coffee, tea, snacks, and soft drinks
• Waterproof floating phone case
• Restroom onboard

Alcohol costs extra. The 400 baht adult or 200 baht child national park fee also costs extra. The tour details refer to a photography option in some bookings, but professional photography is not listed among the standard inclusions, so ask about any upgrade before you assume it is part of the price.

Who should choose this tour?

I would recommend it to you if this is your first Phi Phi visit and you want the major sights handled in one day. Families can benefit from the organized transfers, food, equipment, and crew assistance. The guide support is also useful if you want clear instructions rather than figuring out each stop yourself.

It suits active people who are happy to swim, snorkel, climb in and out of a speedboat, and spend much of the day moving. You will have beach time, but this is not a slow beach retreat.

I would hesitate if you dislike rough seas, loud engines, or fixed schedules. I would also look for a quieter option if your main goal is solitude. The small group reduces crowding on the boat, but it cannot prevent other boats from arriving at Maya Bay, Pileh, or Bamboo Island.

The tour may also be a poor fit if you have very limited time in Phuket. With hotel collection, marina check-in, the outbound crossing, multiple stops, lunch, and the return trip, the day lasts about nine and a half hours.

Booking, cancellation, and final advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Poor-weather cancellations qualify for a different date or full refund, and the same type of alternative or refund applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. If you miss the tour because your ship arrives late or you fail to return on time, the supplied terms say no refund will be issued.

Should you book the Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands tour?

Book it if you want maximum scenery and activity in one well-supported day. The combination of Bamboo Island, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, snorkeling, lunch, snacks, and hotel transfers gives the $108.43 price reasonable value, especially compared with cramped low-cost boats.

Skip it if your ideal island day means silence, empty beaches, or long stays in one place. Also check Maya Bay’s operating status for your date, budget the national park fee, and prepare for a bumpy ride. For most first-time Phuket visitors who want the headline sights without handling the logistics themselves, this is a strong choice, provided you accept the crowds and the sea conditions.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes, including hotel transfers, the marina briefing, boat travel, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour offers a mobile ticket.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour is advertised with a maximum of 20 travelers. One booking reported 28 people onboard, so confirm the current group size if space is especially important to you.

What islands and locations does the tour visit?

The route includes Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Holiday Resort, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, and Maya Bay, subject to weather and local operating conditions.

Is the national park entrance fee included?

No. The national park fee is separate. The supplied price is 400 Thai baht per adult and 200 Thai baht per child.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

You receive a life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, and a new snorkel mouthpiece. Beach towels are also included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet at Phi Phi Holiday Resort, with Thai and international food. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and other dietary requests are available when requested in advance.

Is Maya Bay always open during the tour?

No. Maya Bay can close under national park rules. The supplied details state a closure beginning August 1, 2025, but do not provide the full end date. Confirm the current status for your travel date.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather. You can also receive an alternative or refund if the minimum number of participants is not met.