Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus)

REVIEW · PHUKET

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus)

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Traveller rating 3.5 (10)Price from$94.89Operated bySunleisure WorldBook viaViator

Speedboat time turns a long island dream into a real day plan. This Phi Phi and Khai tour from Phuket is built around speed: hotel pickup, a quick hop to the islands, and multiple stops where you can swim, snorkel, and snap photos of the limestone cliffs.

I like how the day is designed to maximize time on the water and on the beaches, with included snorkeling gear and park fees already handled. It’s also the kind of trip where the scenery keeps changing, from white sand bays to the famous Maya Bay area (when the plan allows).

One thing to keep in mind: the ride can feel long if your boat is full, and the overall program can be affected by weather and sea conditions, meaning parts of the schedule may shift.

Key highlights at a glance

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus) - Key highlights at a glance

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off: You start and end back at your meeting point, with transfers by air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Round-trip speedboat: More island time, less waiting around at the pier.
  • Koh Khai Nai snorkeling and beach time: White sand + fish spotting + a calm hour to reset.
  • Phi Phi Don lunch and leisure: Buffet lunch paired with a beach break.
  • Phi Phi Leh scenery stops: Maya Bay area, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, and Loh Samah Bay are part of the day.
  • Included lunch, snacks, and refreshments: Soft drinks, fruits, and snacks reduce what you need to buy on your own.

Getting to the Pier Fast: Morning timing from Patong

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus) - Getting to the Pier Fast: Morning timing from Patong
The day starts early, with pickup around 7:45–8:00am. You’ll get collected from your hotel or meeting point, then transfer to the pier in an air-conditioned vehicle. If mornings aren’t your thing, pack the energy anyway. You’ll want clear heads once the boat leaves.

Before departure, there’s a small “warm up” moment: complimentary coffee, tea, juice, and snacks. It’s not a full breakfast, but it’s enough to avoid that shaky, caffeine-later feeling while you wait to board. Then you’ll have about 30 minutes at Jungceylon (with admission ticket included), which works as a quick rest stop before the island portion.

A practical note: there’s a warning that the program may be subject to cancellation due to unfavorable weather and sea conditions. In that case, the note says no refunds, only a rain check may be issued. So if you’re trying to protect a tight schedule, keep some flexibility in your Phuket plans.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Phuket

Jungceylon stop: convenient, but don’t treat it like vacation time

That Jungceylon block is short. Think of it as a buffer: a place to stretch your legs, use restrooms, and grab anything you forgot (like sunscreen or a charging cable) without burning island time. Since it’s built into the tour with admission ticket free, it’s also one less step you have to plan yourself.

The only downside is timing. You’re on a set day schedule, so you can’t linger. If you’re the type who hates being rushed, set a goal like: bathroom, quick snack if needed, buy essentials, then move on.

Koh Khai Nai: the hour that’s all about snorkeling and white sand

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus) - Koh Khai Nai: the hour that’s all about snorkeling and white sand
Around 9:30am, you head from the pier to Koh Khai Nai Island. This is one of the easiest stops to understand: you get snorkeling, swimming, pictures with fish, and time to relax on a white beach. The overall plan gives you about one hour here, so it’s a “do-it-now” stop, not a slow wander.

This is where included gear matters. You’re provided with a mask and snorkel, plus you’ll wear a life jacket. That’s a big quality-of-day detail because it lowers the friction: you don’t need to hunt down rentals or fight with borrowed equipment.

My advice: treat this as your swim-and-snorkel window, even if you think you might do less later. The sea can calm down and wind can change, and this stop is timed early enough that you’ll get your best chance to enjoy it.

Also, keep expectations realistic. One hour goes quickly once you’re in the water and you’re busy looking for fish. If you want more time underwater, this specific tour design may feel tight.

Phi Phi Don: lunch that doesn’t steal your day

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus) - Phi Phi Don: lunch that doesn’t steal your day
Next you head to Ko Phi Phi Don, where the plan includes a buffet lunch at a top restaurant. After lunch, you get leisure time to relax on the beach, with about one hour at this stop.

This is a smart balance. Some island tours rush lunch like it’s an afterthought. Here, lunch is scheduled as a core part of the day, and you don’t have to manage finding food, paying separately, or guessing opening times.

The “leisure hour” is also important because it’s your chance to be human again. Sit, cool off, and let your snorkeling muscles stop complaining. If you’re coming in from a half-slept morning, you’ll be grateful for that breathing room.

If you’re the type who wants nonstop sightseeing, this might feel like a break. But on a day where you’re on and off boats, that kind of downtime is often what makes the trip feel enjoyable instead of exhausting.

Monkey Beach and the photo moment you’ll either love or skip

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus) - Monkey Beach and the photo moment you’ll either love or skip
At one point during the Phi Phi portions, the plan includes Monkey Beach—time for taking pictures with monkeys, plus swimming and snorkeling. It’s a classic “quick wow” stop, and it’s also the kind of thing that draws people in for the story photos.

Here’s the practical side: approach this as a photo moment, not a long hangout. Monkeys are wild animals, and you don’t want your day turning into a stressful “how close is too close” debate.

If you don’t love animal encounters, you can still enjoy the water time. The included snorkel setup means you can shift focus to swimming and sea views without feeling like you missed the whole point.

Phi Phi Leh: Maya Bay area plus lagoon and cave viewpoints

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus) - Phi Phi Leh: Maya Bay area plus lagoon and cave viewpoints
Then comes the big scenery stretch: Phi Phi Leh. You depart from Phi Phi Don and spend about one hour on this side of the route. The plan notes that this attraction is now closed for restoration, but it still describes the world-famous Maya Bay area and surrounding spots. In plain terms: this is a stop that can change day to day based on access and conditions.

When the Maya Bay section is part of your route, you’ll have time for photos and possibly swimming and snorkeling. Maya Bay is also known from the movie The Beach, and even if you’re not chasing movie trivia, the view is the whole point—dramatic cliff walls, framed water, and the kind of coastline that looks like it was staged.

From there, the day adds several viewpoint stops:

  • Viking Cave for photos and scenery.
  • Pileh Lagoon for photos and swimming.
  • Loh Samah Bay for more scenic time.

This is where a speedboat tour earns its keep. You’re not just looking at one spot. You’re moving through a chain of bays and coves that each offer a different angle on the limestone cliffs and water color.

A small caution: if sea conditions are rough or if access changes, you may not get the exact experience you expected at each named place. Still, the overall pattern—scenery + water + photo stops—tends to hold up.

Boat comfort and group size: what can make or break the day

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus) - Boat comfort and group size: what can make or break the day
Here’s the reality check that matters most. The tour caps the group at up to 35 travelers. For land transport, the maximum is noted as 15, but for water it varies by vessel size, and for speedboat it’s listed as up to 35. That lines up with why you may feel packed on busier days.

In one negative account, the complaint was about being crammed onto a boat, despite an expectation of smaller group size. Even if you don’t encounter that exact situation, it highlights the key point: speedboat tours are efficient, but they’re not always spacious.

If you’re sensitive to tight seating, bring a few comfort items: a light layer, sunglasses you can keep on securely, and something for motion like a small towel or wipe. Also, try to sit where you can control your personal comfort. Being able to look out helps more than you think.

And plan for motion. This is a long day, not a quick hop. The overall duration is listed as 8–9 hours, but between pickup, pier time, and travel between stops, you’ll feel like you’re “on the move” most of the day.

Food, snorkel gear, and the included fees that prevent surprise costs

Phi Phi Island from Phuket by Speedboat (SHA Plus) - Food, snorkel gear, and the included fees that prevent surprise costs
One reason I recommend checking what’s truly included is cost creep. This tour covers a lot up front: mask and snorkel, lunch, snacks, soft drinks and fruits, and insurance. It also includes marine national park fees and entrance fees for all sites.

That matters for value. At $94.89 per person, you’re not just paying for transportation. You’re also paying for the practical stuff that adds up if you plan independently: park fees, guide time, snorkeling gear, and a scheduled lunch that keeps the timeline moving.

If you’ve ever tried to piece together a Phi Phi day on your own, you know it can turn into a patchwork of rentals, fees, and timing headaches. Here, you’re buying a single plan that rolls those pieces into one price.

Also note: you’re with an English-speaking guide. That’s a comfort detail because island tours rely on quick instructions—where to go, when to board, and what to pay attention to in the water.

SHA Plus and what it means for your planning

This tour is labeled SHA Plus certified. The provided info says it’s tied to approved Covid-19 health and preventative protocols and that 70% or more of employees are fully vaccinated.

Even if you’re not thinking about health protocols today, it’s still a useful indicator that the operator is operating within a defined set of procedures. For day trips where you’re in groups and sharing boats and vehicles, that kind of standardization is reassuring.

Who this tour fits best in real life

This experience fits best if you want a high-impact island day with minimal planning.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

  • You want multiple islands in one day instead of choosing only one beach.
  • You care about snorkeling but don’t want to spend time arranging rentals.
  • You prefer guided structure: pickup, set stops, and a buffet lunch waiting for you.

You might want to consider alternatives if:

  • You strongly dislike crowds or tight boat seating.
  • You’re worried about a schedule changing due to weather or sea conditions.
  • You want lots of time per stop rather than quick beach and water windows.

Should you book Phi Phi and Khai by Speedboat from Phuket?

I’d book this style of tour if your main goal is variety—Khai’s calmer beach time, Phi Phi Don’s lunch-and-relax break, and Phi Phi Leh’s string of major scenery viewpoints. The included snorkeling equipment, lunch, and park fees make it easier to judge value without guessing hidden costs.

I would pause and think twice if you know you’re very sensitive to cramped seating or you’re on a fixed schedule with no wiggle room. Weather can also affect parts of the plan, and one note says unfavorable sea conditions can trigger cancellation with only a rain check.

If you do book, set your expectations around a fast day that prioritizes seeing many famous places over lingering like you’re on a slow island vacation. Then it tends to work great.

FAQ

How long is the Phi Phi and Khai speedboat day trip?

It runs about 8 to 9 hours.

What time does pickup start?

Start time is 7:45am, with pickup typically 7:45–8:00am.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with an air-conditioned vehicle for transfers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a buffet lunch, plus soft drinks and fruits and snacks.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

You get mask and snorkel, and you’ll also have a life jacket as part of the snorkeling setup.

Are entrance fees and national park fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees to all sites and the marine national park fee are included.

Is Maya Bay included?

The plan includes Maya Bay as part of the Phi Phi Leh section, but the provided information also notes that this attraction is listed as closed for restoration, so access can depend on conditions.

What happens if weather or sea conditions are bad?

There is a note that the program may be subject to cancellation due to unfavorable weather and sea conditions, and in that case no refunds will be granted, only a rain check may be issued.

How many people are on the tour?

This activity has a maximum of 35 travelers. For water transport, the vessel capacity varies, and for speedboat it’s listed as up to 35.

What cancellation terms apply?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time, with cutoff times based on local time.

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