Phi Phi Islands Tour by Luxury Big Boat from Phuket
Description
This tour offers the perfect blend of comfort, scenery, and premium service—making it one of the most relaxing and luxurious ways to explore the Phi Phi Islands. Unlike speedboat tours, our luxury ferry yacht provides a smooth, stable ride with sea view seating, private rooms, and VIP upgrades available. Enjoy a delicious lunch, guided sightseeing at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Viking Cave, plus snorkeling in emerald waters and a beachfront lunch at Phi Phi Don. Choose from Standard, Silver (VIP), or Gold (Super VIP) packages with exclusive perks like onboard soft drinks, private lounge access, electric seats, and hotel pickup in premium minivans. Every guest is treated to personalized service, stunning views, and a well-paced itinerary with zero rush. Whether you're a couple, a family, or a solo traveler, this tour offers unforgettable memories in a world-class setting with full comfort and care.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Maya Bay is one of Thailand’s most iconic destinations, globally recognized after featuring in the movie The Beach. Framed by 100-meter-high limestone cliffs and sparkling turquoise waters, this breathtaking bay is a symbol of the Phi Phi Islands. On this luxury yacht tour, you will admire Maya Bay as we pass by without stopping, since access is restricted to preserve its fragile ecosystem. From the spacious deck, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of the white sandy shoreline and emerald waters, perfect for capturing stunning photographs. The timing of this visit in the morning enhances the magic, with soft sunlight reflecting off the limestone walls and tropical sea. While we do not stop here, the panoramic sight of Maya Bay is an unforgettable highlight, setting the tone for the day’s adventure as you cruise in comfort toward the next scenic attraction of the Phi Phi Islands.
Just behind Maya Bay lies the peaceful Loh Samah Bay, a small but enchanting cove surrounded by steep cliffs and emerald waters. This hidden treasure is often praised for its crystal clarity and lush underwater scenery, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. On this itinerary, the yacht will pass by without stopping, offering guests the chance to admire its tranquil beauty while enjoying the gentle sea breeze on deck. The dramatic limestone formations that frame the bay create a postcard-perfect view, especially in the morning light. As part of the sightseeing route, Loh Samah Bay adds a serene contrast to the grandeur of Maya Bay, showcasing the softer, more intimate side of Phi Phi’s natural wonders. Though we won’t disembark here, travelers can enjoy fantastic photo opportunities and a glimpse into the hidden charm of this secluded lagoon as we cruise past on our way to Pileh Lagoon.
Known as the “Emerald Lagoon,” Pileh Bay is one of the most spectacular sights of Phi Phi Lee. Enclosed by towering limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea, the lagoon is a serene pocket of emerald-green water that shimmers under the sun. During the morning portion of your tour, the yacht will approach and pass by without stopping, allowing guests to witness the lagoon’s incredible beauty from the water. The sheltered setting, with its calm surface and dramatic karst landscape, creates an otherworldly atmosphere, perfect for capturing photos and soaking in the magic of the Andaman Sea. The timing in the early day ensures optimal light for photography, with the cliffs reflecting hues of green and blue across the water. Although swimming inside is not part of the program, viewing Pileh Lagoon from the boat is a breathtaking experience and a highlight of your Phi Phi sightseeing adventure.
The journey continues with a pass by the fascinating Viking Cave, also called Tham Phaya Nak. This natural and cultural site is famous for centuries-old wall paintings resembling Viking ships and is also an important location for the harvesting of edible bird nests, prized in traditional cuisine. The dramatic entrance of the cave, set into sheer limestone cliffs, makes it an unforgettable sight as the yacht cruises past. Guests will pass by without stopping, but the guide will share stories about the cave’s history, cultural significance, and its role in local traditions. The timing of this visit in the morning ensures great visibility of the cliff walls and the paintings they protect. Although entry is restricted, observing Viking Cave from the sea is both educational and visually captivating, adding a cultural dimension to the day’s itinerary and balancing the natural beauty with a touch of Phi Phi’s unique heritage.
Approaching Phi Phi Don Island, the tour passes the famous Monkey Beach, a small yet picturesque stretch of white sand framed by cliffs and tropical greenery. True to its name, the beach is home to a colony of monkeys that often roam freely along the shoreline, entertaining visitors with their playful antics. On this yacht tour, travelers will experience Monkey Beach as a pass by without stopping, providing a safe and comfortable way to enjoy the sight of both the monkeys and the natural beauty. The crystal-clear waters and vibrant coastal scenery make this a highlight for photography, with the chance to spot monkeys against the stunning backdrop of limestone cliffs. This attraction blends fun and beauty, adding a sense of adventure to the late-morning sightseeing before guests enjoy snorkeling in nearby waters. While we don’t go ashore, the view from the deck guarantees a memorable and unique Phi Phi experience.
After a morning of sightseeing and snorkeling, the yacht anchors at Tonsai Bay, the bustling heart of Phi Phi Don Island. This scenic pier area is surrounded by towering cliffs and serves as the island’s vibrant hub, with shops, cafes, and restaurants dotting the shoreline. Here, guests will disembark to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a local restaurant, followed by free time to relax on the beach, explore the lively village, or simply soak up the tropical island vibes. Unlike the earlier attractions, Tonsai Bay is the main stop of the tour, giving travelers a chance to stretch, dine, and wander at leisure. The itinerary includes approximately two hours here, ensuring a balance between sightseeing and relaxation. At 15:15, the yacht departs Phi Phi Don, allowing you to reflect on a day of breathtaking scenery before returning to Phuket by 17:00.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup is from 07:00–07:15 AM at your hotel lobby. Free pickup: Patong, Kata, Karon, Phuket Town Extra fee: Rawai, Panwa, Kamala (200 THB/person), Surin, Bangtao, Laguna (300 THB/person) Ao Po & Airport Zone: Private transfers available on request
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(24)
The tour takes 3 hours to get to the island, so got there by 12, we only did about 40mins of snorkeling then it was lunch time(late). By the time we finished lunch, it is about 3pm which was the scheduled departure going back. So the whole day excursion with only 40 mins activity. The whole trip is not worth it, we got picked up from our hotel around 7am and it is about 45 mins drive to the pier, so the whole day was wasted in traveling. The food is not good too, no selection for westerners, we end up not eating at all except for the watermelon. There was one chicken dish but that’s about it. I understand that tourist needs to see the island but not with that set up where more time are spend for transport than to actually do some activities in the island. We did took some pictures from the boat though… final opinion, not worth it and it’s a waste of one whole day. Go at the nearby beach instead . The only positive about it is that the crew are amazingly friendly.
Dear Stephanie, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We are very sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations, especially regarding the long travel time, limited activity time, and lunch experience. We understand how disappointing it can feel when most of the day is spent in transfers rather than enjoying the island. Phi Phi Island trips by big boat can involve a longer journey from Phuket, and the schedule may sometimes feel tight depending on sea conditions, pier transfers, and group timing. However, your comments are completely valid, and we appreciate you highlighting where the experience felt unbalanced. We are also sorry that the food selection was not suitable for your preference. Your feedback about lunch variety and clearer expectations around activity time will be shared with the concerned team so improvements can be made. We are glad to know that you found the crew friendly, and we truly appreciate you mentioning that positive point. Thank you again for your honest review. We hope to have another opportunity to provide you with a smoother and more enjoyable experience in the future.
We had a lovely day trip to PhiPhi island and back. The ferry was smooth. Our guide (Jack) was friendly and knowledgeable and he made sure we were all looked after. Excellent buffet lunch was served at the restaurant. We had a couple of hours to spend which I thought was enough. Overall, this was a lovely trip.
Thank you for your lovely review and for choosing our Phi Phi Islands Tour by Luxury Big Boat from Phuket. We’re delighted to hear you had such an enjoyable day trip and that the journey was smooth and comfortable. It’s especially wonderful to know that Jack made a great impression with his friendly and knowledgeable guidance while making sure everyone was well looked after. We’re also happy you enjoyed the buffet lunch and felt the time on Phi Phi Island was just right for a relaxed visit. Your feedback means a lot to us. Thank you again for your kind words, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable island tour in Phuket soon!
Nice visit but spoiled by a very long return for Patong and that is not in the description! So it ruins one day
Merci pour votre retour. Nous sommes ravis que la visite des Phi Phi Islands vous ait plu, mais nous sommes sincèrement désolés que le trajet retour vers Patong ait été trop long et ait impacté votre journée. Nous prenons votre remarque très au sérieux et allons améliorer la description pour indiquer plus clairement la durée/variabilité du retour selon le trafic et la logistique. Merci encore pour votre commentaire.
We booked Gold Class for this trip our recliner seats were broken. One would not function at all and the other reclined but the footrests stayed down. The people next to us had footrests that were stuck semi raised which made it a challenge to get in and out of the seats. Snacks provided were a few mini cakes , watered down orange juice and a few bananas. If you are going on a speedboat to go snorkelling, scuba diving or to monkey beach you had better not have any mobility issues. The pier front was destroyed hurting a tsunami and has collapsed you have to make your way over the broken slabs to get to a boat to then climb into it. The buffet was at Pineapple not as advertised mostly consisted of rice, fish, and curry. It did not look very good so we found a Burger King. The trip is about 2 hours each direction so you will have a limited time on Phi Phi Don. The first part is a cruise around Phi Phi Lay (you need to go by speedboat to land on Phi Phi Lay). It was great prosper some time on Phi Phi Don but if you want to spend time there either go by speedboat OR stay overnight.
Thank you for your detailed feedback, and we’re truly sorry the Gold Class experience did not meet expectations. The broken recliner seats and footrests are unacceptable, and we’re escalating this to the operator for immediate inspection and maintenance. We also appreciate your comments on the snacks and the buffet location/menu, and we’ll work to ensure the listing matches what’s actually provided. Thank you as well for highlighting the accessibility concerns at the pier and during speedboat boarding—this is important information, and we will push for clearer mobility guidance in the product details. We’re glad you still enjoyed some time on Phi Phi Don, and we appreciate you sharing practical tips for future travelers.
I booked the Gold Class VIP ticket (nearly €65) expecting a quiet and premium experience, but it was disappointing. The VIP cabin included two to three Indian families with young children, who appeared to be under five years old, even though this age group is not supposed to be allowed in the VIP area. Loud crying and shouting happened frequently. When the guide Jack was present, the Indian parents generally tried to control their children; when he was not, the noise continued and the VIP experience felt no different from standard seating. Around 90% of the passengers were Indian, and lunch on board was almost entirely Indian food. If you are not Indian and are looking for a calm or international-style tour, this may not be a good choice. Jack was professional and spoke excellent English, but the VIP upgrade was not worth the price.
Thank you for your detailed feedback, and we’re sorry the Gold Class VIP experience didn’t feel quiet or premium. We take your comments seriously—especially regarding age policy in the VIP area and maintaining a calmer cabin atmosphere. We’ll raise this with the operator to ensure rules are consistently followed and the VIP section is managed as advertised. We also appreciate your note about the onboard meal style and passenger mix, and we’ll work to set clearer expectations in the listing. Thank you for recognizing Jack’s professionalism and excellent English.
The beach time was very short and it was in a very crowded beach. I feel like my whole day was waisted.
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re truly sorry the tour felt like a wasted day. We understand how disappointing it is when beach time feels too short and the area is overcrowded. We’ll share this with the operator to review the schedule and stop selection, and we’ll work to set clearer expectations about beach duration and peak-time crowds in the listing.
Mainly it has been a disappointing tour. The pick up driver came with nearly one hour late of the scheduled time although the tour operator asked us to be at the hotel lobby 15mins earlier than scheduled time. No apologies received for the delay. The service on board was acceptable and crew member have been helpful. The “English speaking” guide was actually not as expected and incomprehensible (the company should assess the level of English spoken by their guides). The restaurant assigned by the tour operator at Phi Phi islands “Pineapple restaurant” was filthy, the food was garbage and the toilets were disgustingly dirty and broken. The beaches in Phi Phi island were full of garbage and unpleasant objects. The smell all around was of burned petrol due to the huge traffic of any kind of boats. This is the typical example of how the human beings can destroy the natural environment. What a sad experience!
Thank you for your detailed feedback, and we’re truly sorry the tour was so disappointing. The late pickup with no apology is unacceptable, and we’ll escalate this with the transport team immediately. We appreciate your note that the crew on board was helpful, but we agree the guide’s English level must match what’s advertised—this will be reviewed with the operator. We’re especially concerned by your comments about the cleanliness and food quality at Pineapple Restaurant and the poor restroom conditions, and we will report this for urgent action. We also understand your frustration about crowding and environmental impact in the Phi Phi area, particularly during peak traffic. Thank you again for raising these issues—they will help drive improvements.
There could have been more included on this tour. First of all, I was treated quite poorly by the operator when I explained why I might be a few minutes late. I couldn't control the traffic and I had ordered a taxi well in advance. I wasn't met with polite comments. I was blamed for it. And after all the back and forth, the boat didn't even leave until a half hour after I got there! The boat was freezing cold inside, and everything was an added cost except for the one coffee on the boat, and a lunch at the island. The trip was long, it would have been nice if there was more included. I would have paid more for it.
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry the experience didn’t meet expectations. The way you were spoken to regarding a traffic delay is not acceptable—especially when the boat departed later anyway—and we’re addressing this with the operator to ensure respectful communication at all times. We also appreciate your comments about the cabin being too cold and the feeling that most items were extra; we’ll review what’s included and make the listing clearer so travelers can choose the right option.
The overall experience was good. The views were beautiful and the stop at Phi Phi islands was a nice experience. The downside is the amount of screaming kids in the gold seating area (when it is meant to be a quiet and relaxing area). Maybe not allowing children in this area to enhance the experience more would be a definite suggestion. The staff were nice and the free food on board was a nice touch. The restaurant was not good as a small election of us weren’t from India and did not like Indian food so we went else were. Would recommend but prepare for some rude and ignorant passengers.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback and for recommending the tour We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful views, the stop at Phi Phi Islands and the service on board, including our staff and the complimentary food. We’re very sorry that the Gold seating area did not feel as quiet and relaxing as it should. Your suggestion about limiting this area to adults only is very valuable and we will share it with the boat operator to see how we can better preserve a calm ambiance there. We also appreciate your comments regarding the restaurant and food selection. We understand that not everyone enjoys the same cuisine and we’ll pass this on so that more international options can be considered in future. Unfortunately, we cannot always control the behaviour of other passengers, but we truly regret if this affected your experience in any way. Thank you again for travelling with us – we hope to welcome you back for an even smoother and more relaxing trip next time.
Booked gold class (most expensive) tickets with an understanding that it will be a special experience. It turned out to be quite ordinary as the offerings of the cruise is flawed. The AC was uncomfortably cold. They skipped a few beaches and showed Maya Beach only from a distance. Food was just about ok - the kind catered for the masses. Every class had the same access to same facilities - nothing special about gold class. Staff was good and they were helpful in giving a great snorkeling experience. Best to take the cheapest class ticket on this Tour or take a faster speedboat Tour.
Thank you for sharing your feedback and for choosing the Gold Class option on this tour. We’re glad to hear that you found the staff good and that you enjoyed the snorkeling experience. We’re sorry that the overall experience did not feel special or premium compared to what you expected, especially considering the very cold air-conditioning, the mass-style buffet food, and the lack of clearly differentiated benefits for Gold Class. Regarding the skipped beaches and seeing Maya Bay only from a distance, this is often due to national park rules, sea conditions, or safety reasons, but we understand this should be explained much more clearly in advance. We will share your comments with the boat operator to improve communication about the exact inclusions for each class, the route and beach stops, onboard comfort (like AC temperature), and food quality where possible. Your feedback is very valuable to us and will help improve the experience for future guests.
