Phi Phi is a one-day show. This Koh Lanta to Phi Phi Islands speedboat trip strings together multiple islands, with snorkeling built in and hotel pickup so you spend less time organizing and more time in the water.

I really like that snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, which saves you time (and rental hassle) at the start of the day. I also like the pacing: you get a mix of viewpoints, reef time, and a proper Thai buffet lunch on Koh Phi Phi Don—not just a quick snack.

One possible drawback: Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay have been closed indefinitely, so the captain will adjust the itinerary and you may not go ashore at The Beach as planned.

Key things I’d watch for on this Phi Phi speedboat snorkel day

• Included snorkeling setup: gear and life jackets are part of the deal, so you can pack lighter.
• Hotel-to-pier routine: you’re picked up on Koh Lanta and meet the crew at Saladan Pier (Opal Travel).
• Reef-focused stops: Viking Bay and Shark Point are built for snorkeling and fish spotting.
• Real Thai buffet lunch: massaman chicken curry, fried chicken, stir-fried mixed vegetables, steamed rice, fruit, and soft drinks.
• Maya Bay closure changes: the itinerary shifts since Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay are closed indefinitely.
• A max group size of 60: usually manageable, but you can feel crowded on some departures.

Speedboat Day Trips: The Koh Lanta to Phi Phi Route in Real Time

This is a classic “get there fast, spend the day well” kind of Phi Phi tour. You’ll start on Koh Lanta and head to the pier at Saladan Pier, then you’re on a speedboat to Phi Phi Leh and nearby stops. It’s designed so you can see several bays and headlands without losing half the day on transfers.

The route matters because Phi Phi isn’t just one beach. You want limestone cliffs, coves, and snorkeling sites that are close enough to reach in a single trip. Speedboats are the only practical way to do that from Koh Lanta in about a day.

Also, the tour is built around small bits of guidance. You’ll have a professional English-speaking guide on board, plus a short briefing before you cruise. That’s useful when you’re jumping in for snorkeling and you want the “where to look” tips, not just “good luck and have fun.”

Pickup, Timing, and What the 7-Hour Schedule Feels Like

You’re scheduled to start at 9:00 am. The day begins with hotel round trip transfer, so you’re not dragging yourself to the harbor by yourself. You’ll meet the boat crew (from Opal Travel) at Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta.

From there, the boat ride moves quickly—about less than 50 minutes to Phi Phi Leh after the initial cruise. Then the day breaks into set chunks: slow passes, snorkeling time, sightseeing pauses, and a longer lunch window on Koh Phi Phi Don.

A key practical point: this itinerary is “active.” You’re not just sitting and watching from the deck. Expect time standing, walking on and off boats, and gearing up for snorkeling. If you’re the type who hates schedules, this might feel busy. If you want a full day with actual water time, it fits.

Snorkeling Gear Included: Viking Bay and Shark Point Without Extra Stops

One of the smartest parts of this tour is simple: snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. That removes the most annoying part of many Phi Phi trips—figuring out rentals, finding the right shop, and dealing with last-minute gear problems. On this one, you use the provided gear throughout the Phi Phi Island portion.

Viking Bay snorkeling stop (Viking Cave area)

After a slow pass at Viking Cave (where the boat goes by swiftlets’ nests), you reach the first snorkel opportunity in Viking Bay. The snorkeling time is about 1 hour, and the bay includes an artificial reef plus a natural sloping reef. That combination tends to make it easier to spot fish around the structure, even if you’re not a confident snorkeler.

Shark Point snorkeling stop

Later, before heading back, the tour includes Shark Point for another snorkeling session (about 1 hour). Here the focus is on coral and fish, and you might spot sea urchins along with colorful soft corals. This is the kind of stop you’ll remember because it feels less like sightseeing and more like reef time.

Quick tip you’ll thank yourself for: bring your own motion plan. Speedboats can move a bit, and snorkeling afterward makes everything feel more intense if you’re already queasy.

Viking Cave and Pileh Lagoon: Limestone Scenery That Actually Connects

Not every Phi Phi stop is about jumping in the water. Some are about seeing why the islands look the way they do—and why snorkeling works here.

Viking Cave: slow pass with real local context

At Viking Cave, you won’t be rushing. You’ll pass by slowly for about 20 minutes, and the guide/captain time is used to point out swiftlets’ nests that are harvested by locals. It’s one of those moments that gives the scenery a human connection, beyond just postcard photos.

Pileh Bay (Pileh Lagoon): emerald water and cliff walls

Then you head to Pileh Lagoon for sightseeing (about 40 minutes). The payoff is the view: majestic limestone cliffs enclosing an emerald green lagoon. Even if you’re not swimming, this is the stop where your brain goes quiet for a second. It’s the “why Phi Phi is famous” moment.

This portion also helps you reset between snorkeling sessions. You get a break from gear, then back into the day.

Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay Closures: What Changes on Your Day

Here’s the big thing to understand before you get attached to a specific shoreline photo. Thailand’s national parks department has announced that Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay remain closed indefinitely. Because of that, the tour itinerary will change: the boat won’t be able to go ashore at The Beach, and you’ll visit other places at Phi Phi Leh instead.

What this means for you:

• You may still see the area from the water.
• You should expect less shore time than the planned schedule suggests.
• Your captain will rework the plan to keep the day full, just not in the exact way the classic route is written.

If you’re traveling with “I must set foot on Maya Bay” expectations, I’d adjust your mindset now. Think of this as a Phi Phi Islands snorkeling and scenery day, with caveats around access.

Koh Phi Phi Don Lunch and Monkey Beach Rules That Matter

After the Phi Phi Leh portion, you shift to Koh Phi Phi Don. This is where the day turns from “boat-and-bay” into “island break.”

The Thai buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don

Lunch is a Thai buffet with a lineup that’s solid for an all-day tour: massaman chicken curry, deep fried chicken, stir-fried mixed vegetables, steamed rice, fresh seasonal fruits, and soft drinks. You also get drinking water and fruit included in the tour.

It’s not a tiny boxed meal. It’s long enough (about 1 hour 30 minutes) that you can actually eat, cool down, and re-hydrate. That matters because snorkeling time plus sun can sneak up fast.

Monkey Beach (Ao Ling) and the do-not-touch reality

Next is Monkey Beach (also known as Ao Ling). The stop is short—about 20 minutes—but it’s one of the most fun viewpoint interactions on the day. You’re meant to spot crab-eating macaques around Dalum Bay’s entrance, in a small cove.

Important rule: don’t feed the monkeys. The tour info is clear that feeding makes them aggressive and interrupts their normal foraging behavior. If a monkey approaches you, stay calm, keep food put away, and let nature do its thing.

Also, watch your pockets. If you carry snacks “just in case,” you might create a problem for both you and the animals.

Group Size, Comfort, and the Question Everyone Has: Will It Feel Crowded?

This tour has a maximum of 60 travelers, and there’s a minimum group size required for the tour to run. In normal conditions, that’s manageable for a day tour. But one of the real-world issues shows up on some departures: the boat can be combined with another company, which can push crowding higher and make the ride feel less comfortable.

Crowding matters most because speedboats + waves can mean more seasickness risk. If you’re sensitive, don’t gamble. Plan for it.

A practical approach:

• If you get motion sick easily, pack your usual remedy.
• Wear something you can adjust for sun and spray.
• Keep your plans simple: don’t schedule anything major later that requires perfect focus.

And if you’re calm and flexible, the day’s structure helps. You’ll have snorkeling windows, lunch, and enough scheduled pauses that the day doesn’t turn into nonstop chaos.

What You Really Pay For: Price, Park Entrance Fees, and Value

The price is $52.08 per person with included pickup, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and a Thai buffet lunch. That’s the core value: you pay one price and get the equipment and support you need for a high-effort day.

But there’s one extra cost you should plan for:

• Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park entrance fee is THB 400 per adult
• Child entrance fee is THB 200

That fee isn’t included in the tour price. If you’re comparing options, add it in so you’re making a true “apples to apples” decision.

Also note what is included on top of your main tour price: professional English-speaking guide, drinking water and fruit, plus basic accident insurance for guests aged 4 to 69. For many people, that added support is part of why tours like this are worth paying for, instead of trying to cobble together separate boats, rentals, and guides.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Day)

This is a great match if you:

• Want a single-day Koh Lanta to Phi Phi speedboat plan that covers multiple islands
• Care about snorkeling and like having gear included
• Don’t want to negotiate your own schedule or worry about transfers
• Enjoy a mix of reef time and viewpoints, not just one long beach day

This is not ideal if you:

• Only care about one shoreline stop and feel disappointed by access changes around Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay
• Hate boats and get seasick easily
• Prefer super small groups and lots of quiet time

Should You Book This Phi Phi Snorkel Tour From Koh Lanta?

Yes, if you want a well-paced, gear-included day that hits the big Phi Phi areas efficiently. The included snorkeling equipment, hotel transfers, and full Thai buffet lunch make this a solid value package for the money—especially when you’re factoring in that you’re covering several stops in one go.

Before you book, set your expectations correctly: Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay access is currently closed, so you’re buying the idea of a Phi Phi islands day, not a guaranteed land-and-walk moment at The Beach. If that’s okay with you, you’ll likely enjoy the mix of snorkeling at Viking Bay and Shark Point, the scenery around limestone cliffs and lagoon views, and the fun contrast of island time on Koh Phi Phi Don.

FAQ

How long is the Koh Lanta to Phi Phi Islands speedboat snorkeling tour?

The duration is listed as about 7 hours.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel round trip transfer, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, Thai buffet lunch, drinking water and fruit, and a professional English-speaking guide.

Do I have to pay national park entrance fees?

Yes. The Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park entrance fee is THB 400 per adult and THB 200 per child, and it is not included in the tour price.

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is 9:00 am.

Are Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay part of the plan?

They may not be visited as originally planned. Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay are reported as closed indefinitely, and the itinerary will be adjusted, with other places at Phi Phi Leh visited instead.

How does snorkeling work—do I need to rent gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided, and you can use them throughout the Phi Phi stops.

Is pickup from Koh Lanta included?

Yes. The tour offers pickup and drop-off from your Koh Lanta hotel and you meet the crew at Saladan Pier.

Are there any animal-related rules during the day?

Yes. You’re instructed not to feed the monkeys because it can make them aggressive and disrupt their normal foraging.

How big are the groups?

The tour has a maximum of 60 travelers and requires a minimum of 13 people to run.

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