Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat

Phi Phi in one day is pure momentum. You get a speedboat run through the Phi Phi cliffs, time for snorkeling with included fins, and the chance to trade the famous Maya Bay vibe for a calmer Bamboo Island beach experience, depending on the route you receive. It’s one of those full-day trips that feels like a highlights reel, but with enough time in the water to actually enjoy the scenery.

I especially like the way the day is structured around real viewpoints and swim stops, not just driving past them. The hotel pickup is on time, and the guide I heard praised most is Ohma, described as kind and helpful. One thing to plan for: the national park and marina admission fees are not included, so you’ll pay at check-in.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Small-ish group size (max 30) for a speedboat day, which helps keep time at stops from feeling like a conveyor belt.
• Snorkeling equipment and fins included, so you can show up without shopping or packing gear.
• Royal Phuket Marina is the central hub, with a short air-conditioned transfer from Phuket hotels.
• Lunch at Ton Sai Bay with desserts, giving you a proper break before the second half of the island circuit.
• A guide-led, organized route through major Phi Phi stops like Viking Cave and Monkey Beach, so you spend less time figuring things out.

Speedboat Day Value: What You’re Actually Buying

At $139 per person for a 7 to 8 hour outing, you’re paying for two big things: transport and access. This is not a casual ferry day. You’re moving by speedboat with scheduled stops and a guide, plus round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket province.

The price also bundles practical stuff that adds up if you do it on your own: snorkeling gear (including fins), an English-speaking guide, lunch with refreshments, and travel insurance. If you’re hoping for one day that covers Phi Phi’s best-known sights and still gives you water time, this tour is built for that.

Still, it’s not totally “all-in.” You’ll have extra fees on top of the base price (more on that below), and you’ll also need to handle a fairly full schedule.

Getting There Smoothly: Royal Phuket Marina and the 9:30 Start

The day kicks off at 9:30 am. You’ll meet at Amazing Canoeing – Royal Phuket Marina Meeting Point, then transfer from your Phuket hotel by air-conditioned minivan to the marina (about 30 minutes).

This matters because Phi Phi days live or die by timing. When transfers run late, everything after that gets squeezed. The reviews strongly emphasize on-time pickup, and I like that the meeting point is specific and fixed, so you’re not guessing where to wait.

You’ll also want to arrive a few minutes early. Even when things run perfectly, speedboat days have a rhythm: check-in, safety talk, then you’re out the door.

Ko Phi Phi Lee: Big Cliffs, Short Stretch of Sea Time

The first major island highlight is Ko Phi Phi Lee, reached by speedboat for about 1 hour 10 minutes total including the travel and stop time. This is the part of the day where you get the dramatic Phi Phi look: sweeping bays, limestone cliffs, and that “this coast can’t be real” feeling.

The practical tradeoff is time. You won’t linger here for hours. You’re getting a strong visual payoff, but this is still a fast itinerary. If you’re the type who wants to wander slowly, you’ll get your walking time more on Bamboo Island.

Maya Bay: The Most Famous Photo Spot, on a Time Box

From Ko Phi Phi Lee, the tour moves to Maya Bay for about 40 minutes, with admission ticket included. It’s famous thanks to being featured in the movie The Beach, but for your day-to-day experience it’s simpler than that: you’ll have a short window to see the bay, take photos, and enjoy the shoreline.

Here’s the reality check: 40 minutes goes fast. If you want wide-angle beach photos plus a calm sit-down moment, you’ll need to manage your pace. I’d treat this stop as “see it and feel it” rather than “stay and fully relax.”

One more note based on how the tour is described: the tour overview mentions a choice between Maya Beach and Bamboo Island, while the listed schedule includes both Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. Before you go, confirm what beach time you’ll actually get on your date so expectations match the day.

Pileh Bay: The Water-Friendly Stop That Fits Snorkel Swims

Next up is Pileh Bay (about 40 minutes), described as a lagoon surrounded by limestone mountains and often compared to a swimming pool in the sea. Even if you’re not a “hardcore snorkeler,” this kind of sheltered water tends to be calmer, which makes it a better stop for first-time snorkeling or just getting in for a quick look.

Since snorkeling equipment and fins are included, you can focus on enjoying the water instead of borrowing gear at the last second. This is also where wildlife spotting can happen. One review mentioned a baby reef shark seen at the snorkel spot, which is exactly the kind of moment that makes an otherwise busy day feel worth it.

A small strategy: put on your snorkeling gear efficiently and don’t rush the first minute. The water often gets clearer as you settle, and you’ll have an easier time spotting movement once you’re calm.

Viking Cave and Monkey Beach: Short Stops, Big Personality

At Viking Cave, you’ll get about 40 minutes. The tour highlights wall paintings and explains it as a bird nest harvesting site. Even if you’re mostly there for the scenery, it’s a good break in the itinerary because it shifts from beach time to viewpoint time.

Then comes Monkey Beach for around 20 minutes. Think of it as a quick sightseeing stop: you see the bay and the coastline, snap a few photos, and move on. It’s not a long hangout, so don’t plan on it being your main nature moment. It’s more like seasoning between bigger stops.

If you like your tours with steady variety—boat views, beach time, then a cave and a wildlife beach—this section keeps the momentum without turning into one long waiting game.

Ko Phi Phi Don: Lunch at Ton Sai Bay with Desserts

The schedule makes room for food at Ko Phi Phi Don, stopping for about 1 hour for lunch and dessert at a beach-side restaurant at Ton Sai Bay. This is a key “value” part of the day because lunch isn’t just included—it’s positioned to keep you from running on empty.

The menu is described as a buffet lunch plus desserts, and you’ll be eating with sea views. That matters more than people think. When your day includes multiple short stops, a proper lunch break helps you enjoy the second half instead of just surviving it.

Practical tips:

• Eat like you’ll snorkel again after, not like you’re at a festival.
• After lunch, take a moment to re-check your essentials: sunscreen, water, and a towel situation that works in a humid setting.

Bamboo Island: White Sand, Palms, and a Slower Walk

Now for the part many people think of as the “relief” stop: Bamboo Island for about 1 hour 10 minutes, with admission ticket included. The experience here is described as walking through the natural environment, with a white sand beach lined with palms, animals, and beautiful seascapes.

Compared with the faster stops, Bamboo Island is built for lower stress. You’ll have enough time to walk, take photos, and actually enjoy the beach instead of treating it like a photo booth line.

I also like the logic of placing it after lunch. By then, you’re ready for a softer pace, and you’ve already seen the major Phi Phi names. Bamboo feels like the payoff for staying on the itinerary.

Snorkeling Gear and What to Expect Under the Surface

Snorkeling is included with use of equipment and fins, which is a big practical win. You don’t have to rent gear separately or worry about whether it fits. The tour description also frames snorkeling stops around places that are naturally suited for swimming and seeing underwater.

What you should manage expectations on: snorkeling results can vary based on conditions. You’ll still get the structured opportunity to swim, and wildlife sightings can happen. The review highlight about a baby reef shark shows that the ecosystem can be active, not just scenic.

My advice: treat snorkeling as a chance, not a guarantee. If you go focused on the colors, the rocks, and the small fish movement, you’ll enjoy it even on a calmer, less dramatic day.

Crew and Guide: The Ohma Factor

The most consistent praise in the reviews is about the team running the day. One review specifically calls out guide Ohma as kind and helpful, and mentions an excellent boat crew plus a good amount of time at each island.

That’s not fluff. On a speedboat itinerary, a guide’s job is to keep the day moving while still managing safety and timing at each stop. When that runs well, you spend less time chasing schedules and more time enjoying the water and the views.

If Ohma is your guide, you’ve got a good shot at a smoother day. Even if you don’t get Ohma, the overall feedback points to crews that take the run seriously.

Cost Reality Check: Fees That Add Up on Arrival

Here’s where you should do your budgeting math early. The tour price covers the experience itself, but these aren’t included:

• National park fees: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, paid to your guide upon check-in.
• Royal Phuket Marina admission fee: 400 THB per person (also listed as not included).

On top of that, alcoholic beverages are for sale at Royal Phuket Marina, and the age requirement is at least 20 years old. No surprise charges for alcohol unless you choose to buy something.

Value-wise, the tour still looks solid because it bundles speedboat transport, snorkeling gear, lunch, a guide, and transfers. But you don’t want to arrive expecting it to be only $139 and done. Plan for the local fees so you’re not scrambling with cash right when you check in.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This tour fits best if you want:

• A one-day Phi Phi experience with a lot of variety
• Included snorkeling gear and a realistic chance to see wildlife
• Round-trip Phuket pickup and drop-off so you’re not driving or coordinating your own transport

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want a slow, unstructured day where you can linger for hours on one beach
• Get unhappy with tight stop times (some stops are 20 to 40 minutes)
• Strongly prefer “one beach only” without the schedule changing around you

Also, if you’re traveling with kids, the review highlight about a baby reef shark at the snorkel spot is encouraging. Still, kids tend to do best on tours where the day feels organized and stops are frequent—this one does that.

Should You Book This Phi Phi and Bamboo Snorkeling Tour?

I’d book this tour if you’re the type who wants maximum payoff in a single day: speedboat views, key Phi Phi stops, included snorkeling gear, and a lunch break with sea views. The praise for on-time pickup and the guide experience (Ohma specifically) is a good sign that the day runs smoothly, not just on paper.

Skip it or choose another option if you hate paying extra at check-in or you want long beach downtime. The schedule is full, and some stops are short by design.

If you do book, go in with a simple game plan: expect a busy day, use Bamboo Island time to slow down, and make snorkeling a calm, gear-on-and-enjoy moment.

FAQ

How long is the Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands snorkeling tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours total.

What time does the tour start, and where do we meet?

The start time is 9:30 am. You meet at Amazing Canoeing – Royal Phuket Marina Meeting Point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan in Phuket province.

What’s included for snorkeling?

Snorkeling equipment and fins are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You get a buffet lunch and desserts at a beach-side restaurant at Ton Sai Bay on Ko Phi Phi Don, plus refreshments.

Do we need to pay any fees on top of the tour price?

Yes. National park fees (400 THB/adult and 200 THB/child) are paid to your guide upon check-in. There is also a Royal Phuket Marina admission fee of 400 THB per person not included.

Does the itinerary include Maya Bay and Bamboo Island?

The overview describes a choice between Maya Beach and Bamboo Island, but the listed schedule includes stops at both Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. Confirm what your specific route includes after booking.

Is the tour guide English-speaking?

Yes, the guide is listed as English-speaking.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are for sale at Royal Phuket Marina, and you must be at least 20 years old.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. The experience may be rescheduled or refunded if canceled due to poor weather, and it may be canceled if a minimum number of travelers isn’t met.