REVIEW · PHUKET
Small Groups of 20 people – Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands with Lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by V. Marine Tour · Bookable on Viator
Phi Phi and Bamboo is a full-speed sea day. I love the snorkeling stops with provided gear, and I also like the sea-view buffet lunch. The main drawback to plan for: the ride can be choppy, and weather can turn wet fast.
This tour is built around classic Andaman Sea highlights, but what makes it feel good is the pacing and the “nobody worries alone” support. You get hotel pickup to Royal Phuket Marina, a short info and safety session, then you’re off on a speedboat with plenty of snacks, cold drinks, and a waterproof floating phone case so you can actually bring your phone near the water.
You’ll also see Phi Phi’s more memorable moments—Monkey Beach macaques watched from the boat, emerald lagoon swims, and the famous Maya Bay viewpoint (with an important note since Maya Bay has a scheduled closure starting August 1, 2025). If you like structure, time-saving logistics, and real sea time, this is the kind of day that works.
In This Review
- Key things you’ll notice right away
- What you’re really buying: Phi Phi and Bamboo in one long, rewarding day
- Price and value for $108: what’s included and what costs extra
- Getting there smoothly: pickup, Royal Phuket Marina, and your first 15 minutes
- Bamboo Island: a big sand-and-water stop that’s built for swimming
- Monkey Beach: see macaques in their habitat, from a safe distance
- Lunch with a sea view: Phi Phi Holiday Resort buffet and diet options
- Pileh Bay and the emerald lagoon swim that usually steals the show
- Bird-nest cave and the Maya Bay viewpoint: big fame, tight timing
- The speedboat reality: choppy water, motion sickness, and how to handle it
- Snorkeling gear you can actually use: what’s included
- Small-group size (and why it affects your day)
- Who should book this Phi Phi and Bamboo day—and who should pass
- Should you book this tour?
- FAQ
- What’s the duration of the Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands tour?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- What snorkeling gear is included?
- Is lunch included, and do you have diet options?
- Are national park fees included in the price?
- Will Maya Bay be part of the trip?
Key things you’ll notice right away
- Small-group format (max 20) keeps the speedboat experience from turning into a cattle-herd day
- Provided snorkeling kit includes mask, snorkel, fins, and a brand-new mouthpiece, plus a life jacket for safety
- Sea-view buffet lunch at Phi Phi Holiday Resort with dietary options available if you request them
- Monkey viewing from the speedboat means no risky on-land monkey encounters
- Pileh Bay swim time is short but sweet and often the favorite stop of the day
- Maya Bay is a sightsee stop (and check current access status because of the 2025 closure)
What you’re really buying: Phi Phi and Bamboo in one long, rewarding day
This is a day trip that tries to squeeze in a lot of coastline without rushing you through every moment. You’re based out of Phuket, then you spend the bulk of the day on a speedboat hopping between islands, beaches, and snorkeling water.
The tour’s “value” isn’t only the destinations. It’s the way the day is managed: pickup and drop-off, guide support, snacks and drinks during the ride, and all the gear you need to get in the water. It’s a good fit if you don’t want to wrestle with boats, timing, or finding the right snorkel spot.
You’ll still be dealing with a few realities: it’s long (about 9 hours 30 minutes), the sea can get rough, and some famous areas can be busy when multiple boats arrive. If you’re the type who wants a perfectly private beach, this won’t be that kind of trip.
A few more Phuket tours and experiences worth a look
Price and value for $108: what’s included and what costs extra
At $108.43 per person, the headline value is that your core day is already covered. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, accident insurance, lunch with seasonal fruit, snacks, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment (life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins).
Two items often catch people off guard:
- National park fees are not included: 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children
- Alcohol isn’t included (you can buy it onboard)
There’s also a small “timing” kind of value: you don’t just get transferred to islands and left on your own. You get a safety briefing, guide-led stop timing, and onboard support like a restroom and a way to keep your phone safe in the water.
If you’re comparing to doing this kind of day yourself, the big savings is time and stress. You’re paying to outsource the boat logistics and the gear hunt.
Getting there smoothly: pickup, Royal Phuket Marina, and your first 15 minutes
Your day starts with hotel pickup and drop-off, so you don’t have to organize a ride to the marina. After you’re collected, you head to Royal Phuket Marina for a short 15-minute info and safety session.
That early session matters more than it sounds. You’ll get the rundown on how the day works, what to do for water time, and how to stay safe when you’re getting in and out of the boat. It’s also when you’re typically eased into the schedule before the pace ramps up.
Once you’re onboard, you’ll notice small comfort touches that make the day easier: restroom on board, snacks and drinks moving along through the day, and a floating waterproof phone case so you can take pictures without worrying about a quick swim turning into a phone funeral.
Bamboo Island: a big sand-and-water stop that’s built for swimming
Bamboo Island is the kind of place where you stop, put your feet down, and quickly realize why this area is famous. You’ll have about 1 hour there, with time to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe.
This stop is especially worthwhile if you like a straightforward beach day. There’s no “one scenic moment then you’re gone” feeling here. It’s more like: arrive, enjoy the water, get in the snorkel, then relax.
One practical note: the sea conditions can decide how enjoyable snorkeling feels. If it’s a bumpy day, your “best plan” is to treat snorkeling like a bonus, not a guarantee. The gear is provided, but the ocean still sets the mood.
Monkey Beach: see macaques in their habitat, from a safe distance
At Monkey Beach, you’re not walking up to macaques. You only see them from the speedboat, and there’s no on-land access.
That might sound like a limitation, but it’s also the sensible part. It keeps the focus on wildlife viewing without putting animals—or people—in a close-quarters situation.
If monkeys are part of your dream day, this stop hits it, just in a safer, calmer way. You’ll get the spectacle of macaques climbing and jumping near the shoreline while you stay in your boat viewing zone.
Lunch with a sea view: Phi Phi Holiday Resort buffet and diet options
Lunch is served at Phi Phi Holiday Resort, and you get about 1 hour. The food is a buffet lunch with both Thai and foreign cuisine, and the big plus is that vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and gluten-free options (and other restrictions) can be arranged if you request them.
In real terms, this is where most day trips either feel organized—or feel like a long wait. Here, lunch is built in as a proper stop, not just a quick snack break, and it comes with more than just plates of food. You also get seasonal fruits, coffee and/or tea, plus snacks and bottled water during the day.
One balanced way to think about lunch: it’s filling and designed for variety, but it’s still buffet food on an island schedule. If you’re picky about taste or looking for restaurant-level cooking, you might need to adjust expectations. If you want “good enough, convenient, and relaxing,” this works.
Pileh Bay and the emerald lagoon swim that usually steals the show
Pileh Bay is a favorite-style stop for a reason. You swim in emerald green waters with tall limestone cliffs around you, and you get about 30 minutes there.
Thirty minutes sounds short until you’re in that water. It’s usually the sweet spot where you can swim, float, and do a snorkel pass without feeling like you’re burning the clock.
This is also where seasickness matters. If the boat ride leaves you feeling off, the best move is to take it easy on the swim. Hold onto your life jacket, get your breathing under control, and treat the water time as time to enjoy the view first and the underwater second.
Bird-nest cave and the Maya Bay viewpoint: big fame, tight timing
After lunch and the lagoon, the day turns into sightseeing and quick landmark time. There’s a stop where you learn about a cave connected to swallow birds, which are used for the specialty dish bird’s nest soup. It’s a short “context stop” that adds a local-food storyline to the day.
Then comes Maya Bay for the postcard scene. You’ll get about 1 hour of sightseeing, including the bright blue water and the white sand beach that became famous through the movie The Beach.
Important heads-up: Maya Bay will be closed from August 1, 2025 onward (the exact end date isn’t listed here), so your best move is to check current access if you’re traveling around that window. If it’s closed, expect the operator to adapt the schedule as needed.
Also, Maya Bay is a major draw. Even on well-run tours, expect other boats and people around. You’ll still get the view, but you won’t be alone out there.
The speedboat reality: choppy water, motion sickness, and how to handle it
Let’s talk honestly about the boat ride. Speedboats are fast, and speed is fun—until the water gets rough. Multiple guides and captains do their best to make it comfortable, but you can still get choppy travel, especially when the weather shifts.
If you’re sensitive to motion sickness, plan ahead. Bring medication if you know it’s an issue for you. Then, once you board, sit where you feel most stable—usually mid-boat is best on a speedboat, but your best seat is the one that lets you keep your eyes on the horizon.
Good news: the tour includes real comfort support. You’re not just on the ride with nothing to do. Snacks and cold drinks keep you powered up, and towels are handled for water time (you’ll often find them set out and managed so you can warm up after getting back onboard).
Snorkeling gear you can actually use: what’s included
Snorkeling here is supported like it matters. You’re given:
- Mask, snorkel, and fins
- A life jacket
- A brand new snorkel mouthpiece (a small detail, but it helps with comfort)
- Beach towels and gear handling for the water stops
That “life jacket included” detail is important. It keeps things standardized and safer during boat transfer and entry. It also means you’re not hunting for a size that fits or dealing with gear that’s been sitting for a while.
Underwater time will vary with conditions, but the design is clear: Bamboo Island, then lagoon water at Pileh Bay. If you like clear water and lots of fish, this kind of day is built for that.
Small-group size (and why it affects your day)
This tour caps at 20 travelers, which is one of the best reasons to pick it. Less crowding means smoother boarding and easier movement when you’re getting in and out for snorkeling or beach time.
Even better: the pace feels less chaotic. You spend more time looking at the water and less time waiting in line for the next photo.
One practical note: on some departures, the count can run a bit higher than the ideal small-group number. If you’re very space-sensitive, keep that in mind at check-in. Still, the tour is designed to avoid the worst “sardines on a bench” feeling that can happen on other island hopping days.
Who should book this Phi Phi and Bamboo day—and who should pass
Book it if you:
- Want speedboat island hopping with a snorkeling focus
- Like the classic Phi Phi scenery without planning a boat day yourself
- Appreciate a sea-view buffet lunch with dietary accommodations
- Get value from included gear, drinks, snacks, and phone protection
Consider a different option if:
- You’re highly sensitive to choppy rides and want a calmer boat experience
- You prefer fewer stops and longer time at just one beach
- You’re traveling specifically for Maya Bay access during the post–August 1, 2025 closure period
It’s also a good pick for couples and small families who want a structured day with guided timing. You’ll have a guide and crew handling the flow, not just ferrying you between dots on a map.
Should you book this tour?
Yes, if your priority is a well-run Phi Phi and Bamboo day with snorkeling gear in hand, included meals, and a sea-view lunch stop that breaks up the long schedule. For the price, you’re not just paying for boat transport—you’re paying for the whole system: pickup, safety briefing, onboard support, and organized island time.
No, if you know you’ll hate rough water or you’re chasing a private, uncrowded beach experience. This is about famous places and lots of sea time, not quiet.
If Maya Bay matters most to your trip, double-check current access before you book, especially if you’re traveling after August 1, 2025.
FAQ
What’s the duration of the Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands tour?
It runs for about 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.).
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are provided.
What snorkeling gear is included?
You get snorkeling equipment including a life jacket, mask, snorkel, and fins, plus a brand new snorkel mouthpiece. Beach towels are also provided.
Is lunch included, and do you have diet options?
Yes. Lunch is included and served as a sea-view buffet at Phi Phi Holiday Resort. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and gluten-free options are available on request.
Are national park fees included in the price?
No. National park fees are not included: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child.
Will Maya Bay be part of the trip?
The tour includes a sightseeing stop at Maya Bay, but it’s noted that Maya Bay will be closed from August 1, 2025 onward. You should confirm the current plan for your travel dates.
