REVIEW · PHUKET
Phi Phi Islands and Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour By Speedboat From Phuket
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Speedboat snorkeling done right means you see more in one day. This Phuket tour hits the big-name sights of Phi Phi Islands and Khai Islands, with multiple water stops plus time around Maya Bay for photos. I especially like the included round-trip hotel transfers and the fact that snorkeling gear and lifejackets are provided. One heads-up: the national park fee is extra, and snorkeling time is split into several shorter sessions rather than one long drift.
The day is built for motion: an early start, fast boat rides, and a tight schedule that balances swimming, sightseeing, and a lunch stop at Ton Sai Beach. Group size is kept to a maximum of 45, and the tour includes an English-speaking guide, lunch with fresh fruit, plus unlimited soft drinks and hot drinks onboard.
In This Review
- Key Highlights to Pay Attention To
- Phi Phi and Khai in One Long Speedboat Day
- Price and Value: $84.47 Plus the National Park Fee
- Morning Logistics: 7:00 AM Start and What It Means for Your Day
- Ko Phi Phi Lee: First Snorkel Break and Big Views
- Monkey Beach and Phi Phi Don: Cute Sights, Real Time Limits
- Ton Sai Beach Lunch Stop: Where the Day Resets
- Ko Phi Phi Lee Again: A Second Look at the Same Area
- Pi Leh Bay and Maya Bay: Photos, Crowds, and Short Swim Time
- Koh Khai Nai: The Sand-and-Snorkel Finish
- Snorkeling Reality Check: What You’re Actually Buying
- Boat Comfort Tips for Rougher Seas
- Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book the Phi Phi and Khai Snorkeling Tour from Phuket?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour start, and what time?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- What snorkeling gear is provided?
- Is lunch included?
- Do I need to pay any extra fees?
- How long is the tour?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Highlights to Pay Attention To

- Hotel pickup and drop-off mean less stress before you even reach the marina
- Snorkeling gear and lifejackets included so you’re not hunting rental shops
- Multiple island stops keep the day varied (not just one beach and done)
- Maya Bay sightseeing and nearby swim time gives you both photos and water time
- Soft drinks, tea, coffee, and fresh fruit help you stay fueled on a long boat day
- Professional guidance helps you find the right spots and keep the schedule moving
Phi Phi and Khai in One Long Speedboat Day

This is the kind of trip you do when you want the Andaman Sea hits without living on a boat for days. You’ll bounce between Phi Phi viewpoints, sand-and-snorkel stops, and a Maya Bay moment that’s famous for a reason.
What makes this tour interesting is the pacing. You’re not stuck waiting for one location to be “your whole day.” Instead, you get a sequence of swim/snorkel breaks and sight stops that change the mood every couple of hours.
The tradeoff is exactly what long-day speedboat tours usually bring: short chunks of water time, and the sea state matters. If it’s choppy, you’ll feel it during the ride—and that’s when having a plan for motion sickness becomes smart.
You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Phuket
Price and Value: $84.47 Plus the National Park Fee
At about $84.47 per person, this tour is priced like a mid-range day trip once you compare what you get: round-trip transfers, an English-speaking guide, lunch, refreshments, snorkeling equipment, and lifejackets.
The catch is the national park fee, which is not included. Plan on paying 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child when you arrive, unless your booking package explicitly covers it.
So how do you judge value? I think you get good value if:
- You want the full Phi Phi + Khai “greatest hits” circuit in one day
- You don’t want to organize boat transportation or snorkel rentals yourself
- You’ll actually use the included gear and the onboard food/drinks
If you’re someone who wants long, uninterrupted snorkeling sessions, you may feel the time is tight. Some stops are more about seeing the area and jumping in briefly when conditions allow.
Morning Logistics: 7:00 AM Start and What It Means for Your Day

Your day begins early—start time is 7:00 AM—at Royal Phuket Marina (Royal Phuket Marina, Thep Krasattri Rd, Tambon Ko Kaeo, Muang, Phuket). Pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.
That early start is a value item even if it feels annoying. The faster you’re on the water, the better your odds for smoother scheduling across multiple stops. It also gives you more daylight for the later islands, especially the sand-and-snorkel finale.
One practical note: some departures can feel like you’re waiting around at the marina before the boat leaves. If you like a leisurely breakfast, consider packing something small to eat before pickup or bring a snack to hold you over.
Ko Phi Phi Lee: First Snorkel Break and Big Views

Ko Phi Phi Lee is your first real water stop (about 30 minutes). This is where the trip often “wins people over” quickly: you get a chance to swim and snorkel early, while your energy is still high and your boat legs feel fresh.
Why this stop matters: it sets the tone. You’ll see if you’re getting decent visibility and whether your gear fits comfortably right away. If you decide you want to spend extra time at a later stop, you’ll know how the conditions are working early on.
If you’re new to snorkeling, this short first session can be a friendly test run. If you’re an experienced snorkeler chasing lots of variety, keep your expectations realistic: multiple short stops are the format here, not one long underwater session.
Monkey Beach and Phi Phi Don: Cute Sights, Real Time Limits

Monkey Beach is on the route with about 30 minutes. This is the area people associate with playful wildlife, but the experience is usually more about spotting monkeys from the boat or short viewing time than hanging out on land.
Next up is Ko Phi Phi Don (about 1 hour). This is a better length stop for swimming and snorkeling than the quick pop-ins. It’s also one of the moments where you can actually slow down your breathing and enjoy the water instead of rushing.
Practical tip: bring swimwear you can rinse easily. On these tours, you’ll go through a cycle of wet suit top-ups, sandy feet, quick changes, and then back to the boat—so comfort matters.
Ton Sai Beach Lunch Stop: Where the Day Resets

Ton Sai Beach is built into the schedule as a lunch break (about 1 hour). This is where you refuel with lunch plus refreshments, and it’s often a relief if you’ve spent the morning in wind and sun.
Why I like this kind of stop: it’s not just food. It’s a chance to cool down and get your head straight before you go toward Maya Bay.
If you have dietary needs, this is the moment to plan ahead. One useful detail from real-world experience with this kind of tour: if you’re vegetarian, tell the crew when you arrive so they can arrange something for you. It’s worth mentioning right at the start of the day rather than hoping last-minute.
Ko Phi Phi Lee Again: A Second Look at the Same Area

You’ll loop back to Ko Phi Phi Lee for another short sightseeing and swim window (about 30 minutes). The second pass can feel repetitive at first, but it actually serves a purpose in a day like this.
Often, the boat traffic and water conditions shift. A place that looks great from the water early might feel even better later—or your timing might line up with a better chance to get in and out comfortably.
If you’re someone who hates repetition, focus on what you can control: rinse your face, reapply sunscreen, and use the second stop to get one more solid swim rather than trying to “do everything twice.”
Pi Leh Bay and Maya Bay: Photos, Crowds, and Short Swim Time

Pi Leh Bay gives you another swim chance (about 30 minutes). Then comes Maya Bay, with a sightseeing moment and nearby swimming time (about 30 minutes total for that stop).
Maya Bay is famous, and it’s also the kind of place where crowds can be intense. If you care most about the water, treat the Maya Bay stop as a short photo-and-swim window, not a full beach day.
Here’s how to make it work for you:
- Take photos quickly, then decide if you want to get in right away
- If water access feels crowded, step back, wait for a gap, and go when you can move without stress
- Don’t overpack this stop mentally—you’re getting a taste, not a long soak
Also, some tours sell optional photo add-ons at the end. If you hate surprise costs, decide in advance whether you want any extra photos and set a budget.
Koh Khai Nai: The Sand-and-Snorkel Finish
Koh Khai Nai is your final island stop (about 1 hour). This is usually where the day slows down a bit, because you’ve got more time to relax on the sand and get in and out of the water without feeling like you’re constantly sprinting back to the boat.
Why this end section is important: you’ll often still have energy for one last swim session even if earlier spots felt rushed. It’s a nice way to close the day with a “vacation finish,” not just another viewpoint.
If you’re serious about snorkeling, spend your time smart:
- Start with a quick check of your breathing and mask fit
- Pick a section with calmer movement where you can stay stable
- Keep an eye on the timing so you don’t lose your last window
Snorkeling Reality Check: What You’re Actually Buying
This tour sells itself as snorkeling, but the format is “snorkeling stops” rather than an hours-long underwater program. Your water time is spread across multiple sites, each one limited by schedule and conditions.
Still, it can be a great day if you want:
- Several chances to see fish and coral in different bays
- A guided day where gear and lifejackets are included
- The freedom to swim when the conditions look good
If you’re an advanced snorkeler expecting a deep, long, reef-focused experience, you may feel the snorkeling is brief. In that case, you’d want a plan built around fewer stops and more continuous water time.
Boat Comfort Tips for Rougher Seas
Speedboats are fast. Fast also means bumpy when the sea has its own ideas. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this is one of those days where you shouldn’t “tough it out.”
Simple tactics that help:
- Sit where you feel the least movement (not too close to the edges)
- Bring motion-sickness meds if you use them
- Bring something to cover your phone/passport while you’re on deck
One bit of fun guidance I’d keep in mind: some people like the rollercoaster feeling closer to the front of the boat. If you hate that sensation, choose comfort over thrill.
Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)
This tour is a good fit for many people because it’s structured, includes gear, and keeps the day efficient. It’s also set up for a range of ages—child ticket age is 4–11 years.
But it’s not for everyone. Based on the stated restrictions, skip or avoid if:
- You’re pregnant
- You have heart disease or high blood pressure
- You have asthma or a seizure disorder
- You know you struggle with rough water on boats and ferries
Also, this tour isn’t suitable for people traveling by big boat or ferry as stated in the tour rules—so if your comfort level is low on larger watercraft, take that seriously.
Who I’d recommend it for:
- First-time Phuket visitors who want Phi Phi and Khai in one shot
- People who want a guided day with lunch and drinks handled
- Families who want staff support and a clear schedule
Should You Book the Phi Phi and Khai Snorkeling Tour from Phuket?
Book it if you want a classic, well-supported Andaman Sea day: hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, included snorkeling gear, lunch, and multiple island stops ending with a sandy snorkeling finish.
Don’t book it if your top priority is long, uninterrupted snorkeling time. This is a schedule-driven day with short sessions, and Maya Bay in particular can feel crowded.
My quick decision rule:
- If you want more places in one day, book
- If you want one long snorkeling experience, look for a different format
Either way, pack sunscreen like you mean it, plan for an early start, and treat Maya Bay as photos plus a quick swim—not a full beach escape.
FAQ
Where does the tour start, and what time?
The tour starts at Royal Phuket Marina at 7:00 AM. The activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Round-trip hotel transfers are included.
What snorkeling gear is provided?
The tour provides snorkeling equipment and lifejackets that you can borrow.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch and fresh fruits are included, along with soft drinks, tea, and coffee.
Do I need to pay any extra fees?
Yes. A national park fee is not included: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 8 to 9 hours.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refundable.






























