Phi Phi
The most well-known island in southern Thailand, bays, limestone cliffs and clear water. This is the main stop of the day.
Phi Phi, Maya and Koh Khai from Phuket
A full day at three islands, and for the same price you can choose between a fast catamaran and a speedboat that adds Maiton.
Check availability and pricePrices
From 3,200 THB, booked in advance.
What is the difference between the options
| The option | Vessel | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat · Phi Phi and Koh Kai | Speedboat | 3,200 THB | 2,500 THB |
| Fast Catamaran · Phi Phi and Koh Kai | Catamaran | 3,800 THB | 2,900 THB |
| Speedboat · includes Maiton | Speedboat | 3,800 THB | 2,900 THB |
| Sunset at Maiton · longtail | Longtail | 4,400 THB | 3,500 THB |
All the details in the table are taken from the cards below it.
Important information:
- The two more expensive options cost exactly the same price, 3,800 THB. With one you get Fast catamaran to the same two islands, and in the second Speedboat and a third island (Maiton). This is a choice between comfort and an extra stop, not between cheap and expensive.
- This is a shared tour, not a private one. That is how the operator sells it.
- National park entry fees, in the Phi Phi and Maya area they are usually collected separately, in cash at the entrance. Write to us with the date and we will get back to you with the exact amount before you book.
- The pickup time and point are given with the booking confirmation, and they are set according to your hotel's location.
- Maya Bay is closed every year from August 1 to September 30 for restoration. During this period the route changes, and we will update you before booking.
- Booking in advance.
Same price, two different experiences
and this is the real decision on this page
The two more expensive options cost exactly 3,800 THB, and what they buy is completely different:
The fast catamaran gives you two islands with a more stable ride. It has a wide deck, less jostling, and is preferable for those who suffer from seasickness.
The speedboat with Maiton Gives Third island for the same money, but with a bumpier ride.
In other words, the choice here isn't between cheap and expensive, but between comfort and an extra stop. Those who have only one day in Phuket and want to see as much as possible, the speedboat. Those traveling with young children or who suffer from seasickness, the catamaran.
The four tickets: what's really the difference
Just two axes: which vessel, and how many islands
Seems complicated, but the difference between the tickets rests on Just two things: which vessel you travel on, and how many islands the route includes.
The basic speedboat It is the cheapest, Phi Phi and Koh Kai, full day. This is the core, and it's what most people take.
The catamaran costs more and follows exactly the same route. What you're buying with the difference is Stability, a twin-hull catamaran rocks much less than a speedboat, and that matters a lot for those sensitive to the sea.
The speedboat with Maiton costs exactly the same as the catamaran, and instead of stability it gives Another island. This is a clean choice: comfort versus an extra stop, at the same price.
The sunset ticket It is the only one that ends at sunset and not in the afternoon, and it also includes a longtail. It is a different route, not an upgrade.
the three islands
and what does Maiton add
Maya Bay
The bay from the movie, inside a wall of cliffs. Closed every year from August 1 to September 30 For rehabilitation.
Koh Kai
A small island with shallow, clear water, and the stop most people remember as the most comfortable for snorkeling.
Maiton: the add-on
A quieter island, closer to Phuket, only in the speedboat option. It adds a fourth stop to the day.
Maya Bay, what's important to know in advance
The most photographed island in Thailand, and that comes at a price
Maya Bay is The place most associated with the Phi Phi Islands, and it is also the most crowded place on the route. There's no way around it: all the boats arrive there, and all at roughly the same times.
The bay was closed in the past for an extended period for reef restoration, and since then it has operated under stricter rules than in the past. The practical meaning is that the stay there is limited and regulated, and expecting an empty beach isn't realistic.
What is realistic is the scenery itself, Cliffs surrounding a white sand bay on three sides, and it really does look like the photos.
One practical tip: to take photos right upon arrival. The groups rotate, and the first moments after docking are the least crowded.
Speedboat or catamaran, how to decide
This is a question of the body, not the budget
The crossing from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands is Open sea, and it takes time. In calm seas the difference between the two vessels is barely noticeable.
In choppy seas the difference is significant. The speedboat is light and bounces on the waves; the catamaran is wider and more stable, and its motion is much gentler.
Those who know they suffer from seasickness, or who travel with young children or with elderly people, The difference between the two tickets is insurance for the whole day, not a luxury.
Those who have no problem with the sea will enjoy the speedboat just as much, and will save the difference or use it to buy Maiton.
and in any case: The monsoon season changes the answer. In stormier months, stability is worth more than it is in the calm season.
Who this suits
and who should take a different tour
For those who want Phi Phi and Maya in one day, and don't insist on a private tour. This is Phuket's classic shared tour.
and for those looking for comfortable snorkeling, Koh Kai is shallow and clear, and it is the easiest stop to enter the water at.
Less suitable in the season when Maya Bay is closed, if the bay is the reason you're traveling. In those months it's worth considering Similan or Phang Nga Bay.
What to bring for a full day on the water
A short list that changes the quality of the day
Motion sickness tablet
The crossing to Phi Phi is open sea. Those who are sensitive should take it before departure, not after they start feeling it.
Reef-friendly sunscreen
A full day in the sun, with reflection off the water that doubles the exposure.
Waterproof camera
The best stops are in the water. A phone without protection is an unnecessary risk.
English-speaking guide
On the shared tickets the guiding is in English and there is no Hebrew-speaking guide.
Gallery
Photo gallery
Frequently asked questions
What to know before you book
How much does the trip to Phi Phi and Koh Kai cost?
By speedboat ฿3,200 for an adult and ฿2,500 for a child. On the fast catamaran ฿3,800 and ฿2,900. The option that adds Maiton also costs ฿3,800 and ฿2,900.
What's the difference between the catamaran and the speedboat?
Both reach the same two islands. The catamaran is more stable and comfortable for those who suffer from seasickness; the speedboat is bouncier. And for the same price as the catamaran, you can take a speedboat that adds Koh Maiton.
What is Maiton?
A relatively quiet island close to Phuket, added as a fourth stop, and only in the speedboat option.
Is Maya Bay open?
Maya Bay closes every year from August 1 to September 30 for restoration. During this period the route changes, and we will update you before booking.
Is the tour private or shared?
shared. This is a Join Tour, a shared group for several families, and this is what makes this price possible.
Are the park entry fees included?
In the Phi Phi and Maya area they are usually collected separately, in cash at the entrance. Write to us and we will get back to you with the exact amount for your date.
What is the pickup time?
The pickup time and areas are given to you with the booking confirmation.
What's the difference between the four tickets?
Just two things: which vessel and how many islands. The basic speedboat is the cheap one; the catamaran costs more and gives stability; the speedboat with Maiton costs the same as the catamaran and gives an extra island instead of comfort; the sunset ticket is a different route.
Speedboat or catamaran?
This is a question of sensitivity to the sea, not of budget. In calm seas the difference is barely noticeable; in choppy seas the catamaran is much more stable. For those who suffer from seasickness or travel with young children, the difference is worth it.
Is Maya Bay crowded?
Yes. This is the most photographed place in the Phi Phi Islands and all the boats arrive at roughly the same times. It operates under stricter rules since the restoration, and expecting an empty beach isn't realistic. It's worth taking photos right upon arrival.
Which ticket includes Maiton?
the speedboat with Maiton, and also the sunset ticket by longtail. The basic speedboat and the catamaran include only Phi Phi and Koh Kai.
Is the guide in Hebrew?
No. In the shared tickets, the guide speaks English.
Which ticket ends at sunset?
Only the sunset ticket at Maiton, which also includes a longtail. The other tickets return in the afternoon.
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