REVIEW · KO LANTA
Ko Lanta: Phi Phi Day Trip by Speed Boat
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Phi Phi from Ko Lanta feels fast and full. You get a speed boat day to Maya Bay, Monkey Bay, and Bamboo Island, plus snorkeling gear and a beach buffet. I like the smooth, organized flow and the chance to cool off with snorkeling instead of only sightseeing. One watch-out: the itinerary is packed, and the boat can feel very crowded on busier days.
If you want a classic Phi Phi highlight day without the hassle of planning ferries, this tour does that. The crew and guide (often including Anoh) keep things clear and friendly, and you still get breathing room at the stops. Just note the national park fees are not included, and the parks are closed for part of the year (more on that below).
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Plan Around
- The Value Pitch: What You’re Really Buying for $55
- Start Time, Pickup Reality, and Getting to the Boat
- Stop 1: Maya Bay Photo Time and the Reality of Crowds
- Stop 2: Monkey Bay Snorkeling, Fish, and How Timing Affects It
- Stop 3: Bamboo Island Lunch Buffet and the Best Beach Break
- Stop 4: Phi Phi Don Relaxing, Sightseeing, and Shopping Time
- The Boat Back and How the Day Feels End-to-End
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)
- Included Extras That Make the Day Easier
- What to Know About the National Park Closure Dates
- Should You Book This Ko Lanta to Phi Phi Speed Boat Day Trip?
- FAQ
- What time does pickup start, and when does the boat leave?
- How long is the tour, and when do you return to Ko Lanta?
- Are snorkeling masks and snorkels included?
- Is lunch included?
- Are national park fees included?
- What happens to Maya Bay and Bamboo Island in August and September?
Key Things I’d Plan Around
- Shared hotel pickup means you might wait a bit before the 10:00 departure from Ko Lanta.
- Maya Bay is mostly a photo-and-scenery stop, and it can be crowded.
- Monkey Bay snorkeling is the best “water time,” but what you see depends on conditions and timing.
- Bamboo Island is where the lunch + white sand + swim/float combo happens.
- Phi Phi Don is shorter and leans more toward relaxing, walking, and shopping than secluded beach time.
- Park closures (Aug 1–Sep 30) can change the Maya Bay and Bamboo Island parts of the day.
The Value Pitch: What You’re Really Buying for $55
This is a one-day speed boat circuit that strings together the big-name Phi Phi stops in a 7-hour window. For many people, the value is not just the islands—it’s having hotel pickup, a guide, and the gear handled for you. You pay for convenience plus a tight schedule that keeps you from burning a half-day on logistics.
At $55 per person, it’s a reasonable deal if you’ll use the included snorkeling kit and actually eat the lunch on the beach. The lunch buffet is included, and so are soft drinks and seasonal fruits, which helps you avoid extra spending once you’re out on the water. The one extra cost you should budget for is the national park entry fee (adults 400 baht, children 200 baht), which is not included.
The tour also comes with accident insurance, a live guide (English and Thai), and life vests. That matters because a day like this is not a slow stroll—it’s a bunch of boat time plus water time, with people getting in and out of the ocean.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ko Lanta.
Start Time, Pickup Reality, and Getting to the Boat
Pickup runs from 08:00–09:00, and the boat doesn’t leave until about 10:00. That means you can end up with some waiting time because this is a shared transfer. The key practical tip is simple: plan to be ready in your lobby at least 10 minutes early, since delays can happen with shared pickup.
Once you’re collected, you head to the speed boat dock and ride out toward Phi Phi. The boat ride itself is part of the experience—fast, scenic, and energetic—so if you’re sensitive to motion, you’ll want to take that seriously. This tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, pregnant travelers, people with back problems, and anyone with mobility impairments.
On the positive side, some guests describe the boat as comfortable. On busier days, others mention it can feel packed, even shoulder-to-shoulder. If you know you hate tight seating, arrive early, hydrate, and keep expectations realistic about comfort.
Stop 1: Maya Bay Photo Time and the Reality of Crowds
Your first Phi Phi stop is Maya Bay, around 10:00–11:00 for sightseeing and pictures. This is the classic “The Beach” fame zone, and it’s famous for a reason: the view is instantly dramatic.
But here’s the practical trade-off. Maya Bay is a photo-driven stop, not a long soak-in-the-bay stop. The set-up has a one-way flow feel, with boardwalk-style paths and heavy tour traffic, which means you’ll likely spend more time positioning for views than wandering freely.
Still, the short timing can work in your favor. You get the big moment without having your whole morning swallowed by lines. If you want photos without stress, keep your camera charged, and be ready to move when your group does.
Stop 2: Monkey Bay Snorkeling, Fish, and How Timing Affects It
Next up is Monkey Bay for about an hour of sightseeing plus swimming and snorkeling. This is where the day shifts from “look at the islands” to “join the ocean.”
The snorkeling is one of the most praised parts of this kind of day trip. Guests talk about seeing pretty fish and enjoying the coral and underwater life. You get snorkeling equipment included—snorkel and mask—so you don’t need to pack your own.
Here’s the downside you should plan for: snorkeling quality can change. One guest noted arriving at Monkey Bay at high tide meant there wasn’t much beach to see. What that means for you is not that snorkeling will fail, but that the shoreline vibe and easy entry spots can vary with conditions. If you’re the type who gets frustrated when plans aren’t perfect, keep an open mind and focus on the water, not the exact beach edge.
Stop 3: Bamboo Island Lunch Buffet and the Best Beach Break
Bamboo Island is the heart of the relaxing part of the day. You arrive around 11:30 and get about an hour for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and general beach time.
This is where the “why speed boat” logic makes sense. You don’t lose hours getting there; you land, eat, swim, and reset. The white sandy beach is the highlight, and you’ll have time to enjoy the setting rather than just snap a quick picture and leave.
Lunch is a beach buffet, and the included extras are what make it feel worthwhile: water/soft drinks are available, plus seasonal fresh fruits. One review calls the buffet lunch okay, not amazing, but still decent enough to satisfy you without searching for food. For me, that’s the point: on a day like this, the real win is not gourmet—it’s not having to figure out lunch at all.
Quick practical tips:
- Use your snorkeling time earlier if you tend to rush when spots are busy.
- Keep your sun protection ready. This is open-sky beach time.
- Don’t overpack your schedule in your head; the stop is short by design.
Also pay attention to a seasonal closure detail: from 1 August to 30 September, the national park is closed for visitors to Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. If you’re traveling during those dates, ask how the itinerary adjusts, since those stops may not happen as described.
Stop 4: Phi Phi Don Relaxing, Sightseeing, and Shopping Time
After Bamboo Island, you head back to Phi Phi Don for about 50 minutes. This is your “slow down for a bit” break—relaxing, sightseeing around the island, and shopping.
It’s also the stop where expectations matter most. Phi Phi Don is not a private retreat. It’s the main hub, so you’ll see people moving around and businesses taking advantage of the foot traffic.
Some guests liked Phi Phi Don as a change of pace, while others felt it was more of a shopping stop than a standout nature moment. I’d treat it as a bonus window: walk a bit, browse if you want, take a final look at the island, and then enjoy the fact that the day is almost wrapped up.
This stop also serves a practical purpose. You’re finishing water activities and repositioning before the return boat. If you’re tired, this is a good time to sit, drink something, and let the day’s pace catch up with you.
The Boat Back and How the Day Feels End-to-End
You typically leave Phi Phi Don around 14:00 and arrive back to Ko Lanta around 16:00. That gives you a final stretch of transit where you’ll feel the day’s effort. The good news is that this is still a manageable length—7 hours total—so you’re not paying for an all-day “travel marathon.”
On the way back, expect more water and refreshments to help you recharge. Reviews mention water and cola on the return trip. When the heat hits all day, these small included items make the whole experience feel less like a chore and more like a well-run outing.
When you get back to Ko Lanta, you’re transferred to your resort. Plan for an easy evening afterward. You’ve done a lot of moving, a lot of sun, and some water time—your body will appreciate downtime.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)
This is ideal for you if:
- You want a classic Phi Phi highlights day without planning multiple transfers.
- You’re excited to snorkel, and you like having equipment included.
- You want hotel pickup and a guide handling the flow.
It’s not a match if:
- You’re prone to seasickness, or you’re uncomfortable on faster boats.
- You have pregnancy, back issues, mobility concerns, or any situation where getting on/off a speed boat could be risky or painful.
If you’re the type who hates crowds, you may feel the pressure here. Phi Phi is popular, and this tour is run for convenience and efficiency, which means you’ll share spaces with lots of other people at key photo points.
Included Extras That Make the Day Easier
One of the strongest “value” points is what you don’t have to organize yourself:
- Roundtrip hotel transfer
- Buffet lunch
- Snorkeling equipment (snorkel and mask)
- Life vest
- Soft drinks and seasonal fresh fruits
- Accident insurance
- Live guide in English and Thai
For a day that includes multiple water moments, the included snorkeling kit and life vest are big practical wins. You’re less likely to end up with ill-fitting gear or forget something. And the included food and drinks reduce the temptation to spend again once you’re out there.
The national park fee is the one notable “not included” item. If you know you’ll go, budget for it so there’s no surprise at the gate.
What to Know About the National Park Closure Dates
From 1 August to 30 September, the national park is closed for visitors to Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. If your travel dates fall in that window, don’t assume the stops will still be available the way they’re described.
If you’re traveling then, it’s worth confirming what replaces those parts of the route and how the timing changes. Otherwise you might show up expecting the beach and end up with a different schedule.
Should You Book This Ko Lanta to Phi Phi Speed Boat Day Trip?
Book it if you want the best-known Phi Phi sites in one go, and you’re happy to trade some solitude for strong organization and clear structure. The included lunch, drinks, fruit, and snorkeling gear make it easier to commit without stress, and the guide style (often friendly and funny, like with Anoh) can turn a busy day into something fun rather than chaotic.
Skip it or pick a different style of trip if you:
- Want long, quiet beach time at multiple locations
- Hate crowds and fast group movement
- Are likely to struggle with speed boat rides or water conditions
My bottom line: this tour is a solid value for a high-impact highlights day. You’ll come away with the Phi Phi name-check moments—Maya Bay and Bamboo Island especially—plus real snorkeling time at Monkey Bay, as long as you’re okay with an organized, somewhat crowded, time-tight day.
FAQ
What time does pickup start, and when does the boat leave?
Pickup runs from 08:00 to 09:00 AM, and the departure from Ko Lanta is around 10:00 AM. Because it’s a shared transfer, you might wait a bit before departure.
How long is the tour, and when do you return to Ko Lanta?
The total duration is about 7 hours. You typically transfer back to your resort around 16:00 PM.
Are snorkeling masks and snorkels included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment (snorkel and mask) is included, along with life vests.
Is lunch included?
Yes. You get a buffet lunch served during the Bamboo Island stop, along with soft drinks and seasonal fresh fruits.
Are national park fees included?
No. National park entry fees are not included: adults 400 baht and children 200 baht.
What happens to Maya Bay and Bamboo Island in August and September?
From 1 August to 30 September, the national park is closed for visitors to Maya Bay and Bamboo Island, so those stops may not be available during that period.
