Small Groups of 20 people – Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands with Lunch

The best part of this Phuket day trip is the sheer variety packed into one boat ride: Bamboo Island’s beach, Phi Phi’s limestone cliffs, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, and Maya Bay. You spend much of the day swimming or snorkeling rather than simply looking at scenery from the boat.

I like the small-group format, which gives you more room than the bargain boats, and I like the steady supply of water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks. Guides such as Ray, Goodes, Sunny, Anton, and Alan have earned strong praise for clear instructions and good humor. The catch is the speedboat ride: it can be noisy and very bumpy, especially in rough weather.

Key points to know before booking

• A full island-hopping day: The roughly 9.5-hour schedule covers Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi, Pileh Bay, the Viking Cave area, and Maya Bay.
• Snorkeling is a major highlight: Life jackets, masks, snorkels, fins, and a new mouthpiece are supplied at no extra charge.
• The boat is intended for up to 20 people: One account reported 28 people on board, so confirm the expected group size when booking.
• Lunch comes with a sea view: The buffet includes Thai and international food, with special diets available if requested in advance.
• The ride can be rough: The trip to the first island may take about an hour, and motion-sickness medicine is a sensible precaution.
• Budget for the park fee: National park charges are listed separately at 400 Thai baht for adults and 200 baht for children.

Leaving Phuket from Royal Phuket Marina

Your day begins with hotel pickup and a transfer to Royal Phuket Marina. Pickup is offered, but the drive can take time, particularly from Patong and when other passengers are collected. One account put the journey from Patong at around an hour.

At the marina, you receive light refreshments and attend a short information and safety session. This is a useful start, not wasted formalities. You learn what to expect on the speedboat, how the day is arranged, and how to handle the swimming and snorkeling stops.

The marina can feel busy before departure, with several groups gathering at once. Staff direct people to the correct boat, but allow a little patience while you get your bearings. Tea, coffee, and water are available at the marina according to the tour details and firsthand accounts.

The transfer, marina check-in, guide, accident insurance, and return hotel drop-off are included. For a day that involves several moving parts, that takes away much of the usual Phuket trip planning.

Bamboo Island gives you the classic beach start

Bamboo Island is the first major stop and usually lasts about an hour. It is part of the marine national park and offers the postcard combination of pale sand, clear water, and open space.

The island is described as big and barren, which is useful context. You are not coming here for shade, shops, or a long cultural visit. You come to swim, snorkel, and sit on the beach. Bring sun protection and use the supplied beach towel, because the sun can feel strong even when a breeze is blowing.

This is a good place to get comfortable in the water before the busier Phi Phi stops. Snorkeling equipment includes a life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, and a brand-new snorkel mouthpiece. The equipment is included, so you do not need to rent it separately.

The main drawback is crowding. Bamboo Island is a popular stop, and the beach may not feel private. Still, the hour gives you enough time for a swim and a look below the surface without turning the visit into a rushed photo stop.

Monkey Beach is a quick boat-side encounter

At Monkey Beach, the boat pauses for around 10 minutes so you can see macaques in their natural setting. They swim, climb, and jump around the shore, making this one of the more entertaining stops for families and photographers.

You do not go ashore. The monkeys are wild, and the group views them from the speedboat. That rule is worth respecting. It protects both you and the animals, and it prevents the stop from becoming a feeding session.

Because the visit is short, think of Monkey Beach as a wildlife sighting rather than a full activity. Keep your phone ready, but do not expect a long walk or close encounter.

A resort buffet provides a proper break

Lunch is served at Phi Phi Holiday Resort and lasts about an hour. The setting is one of the stronger features of the schedule: you eat at a resort with a sea view instead of balancing a plate on a crowded boat.

The buffet includes Thai and international dishes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs can be accommodated if you request them ahead of time. I would make that request during booking rather than hoping it can be arranged on arrival.

Food quality appears to be one of the less consistent parts of the day. Some people found the meal excellent and plentiful, while another described it as merely decent and another was not impressed. The safe way to judge it is as a convenient included buffet with a pleasant setting, not as a destination meal.

The boat also carries snacks, seasonal fruit, bottled water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Water and refreshments are offered throughout the day, which matters in the heat and saves you from buying drinks at every stop. Alcohol is not included, though it can be purchased.

Pileh Lagoon is the day’s strongest swim

Pileh Bay, also called Pileh Lagoon, is one of the most memorable parts of the trip. You swim in green water enclosed by high limestone cliffs, a striking change from the open beach at Bamboo Island.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim and some photographs, but many people will wish for more time here. If you want to jump from the boat, the crew helps organize it and keeps an eye on safety.

The water can look especially dramatic when the cliffs are reflected on its surface. This is also one of the better places to appreciate why the Phi Phi islands are so popular. The setting is not just a beach. It is a natural bowl of rock and water.

Conditions affect the experience. Rain can arrive suddenly, and wind can make the water choppy. One poor-weather account described heavy monsoon rain lasting through the day, while another still found the snorkeling worthwhile despite rain. The tour operates only in suitable conditions, but weather can change after departure.

The Viking Cave stop is brief but interesting

The itinerary includes sightseeing near a cave known for the island’s swallow birds. The birds’ nests are valued for bird’s nest soup, a specialty dish associated with the area.

This is a sightseeing stop rather than a walk into the cave. The supplied schedule does not give a separate duration, so expect a short explanation and a view from the boat. It adds a bit of local context to a day otherwise focused on swimming and scenery.

Do not book this trip mainly for cultural interpretation. The guide provides information, but the heart of the experience is the sea, the beaches, and the cliffs.

Maya Bay is famous, beautiful, and regulated

Maya Bay is the final major sightseeing stop and lasts about an hour. Its white sand and bright blue water became famous after the 2000 film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The fame is both the attraction and the problem. This is one of the most sought-after stops in southern Thailand, so it can feel busy. The area is also subject to environmental controls. The tour details state that Maya Bay is scheduled to close from August 1, 2025, with the reopening date not specified there. Check the current status before booking if Maya Bay is essential to your plans.

The Maya Bay admission is not included in the tour price. The separate national park fee is listed as 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child. Ask how the fee is collected when you book, since the listing separates it from the tour price.

Even with restrictions and crowds, Maya Bay is worth seeing if you want the famous view. Just keep your expectations realistic. You are visiting a well-known national park site, not finding an empty beach.

What the small-group promise means on the water

The advertised maximum is 20 people. That is a meaningful advantage on a speedboat. You get more space for your legs, less jostling when moving to the swim platform, and a better chance of hearing the guide’s instructions.

Several accounts praised the clean boat, the available space, and the crew’s attention to safety. The boat is fitted with a restroom, though using it while the boat is moving fast over rough water may not be practical. Shore stops offer better opportunities when available.

There is one important qualification: one account said the boat carried 28 people despite the small-group promise. That person still found it comfortable, but the difference matters if personal space is a top priority. Confirm the expected group size and boat arrangement before paying.

The speedboat saves time compared with a slower vessel. The trip to the first island may take about an hour, and the boat can reach the islands quickly once underway. The tradeoff is noise, wind, and a hard ride in choppy conditions. Sit where the crew directs you, hold on when the boat accelerates, and consider motion-sickness medicine before leaving Phuket.

Guides and crew make a practical difference

The guide changes by departure. Names praised in the available feedback include Ray, Goodes, Sunny or Sonny, Anton, Alan, P, and Gonese. The strongest pattern is not one particular person, but a crew that gives clear instructions, manages the schedule, and helps people in the water.

Some guides also take photos or videos with your phone. A floating waterproof phone case is included, which is handy for swimmers who want to capture the lagoon or snorkeling stops without risking their device.

A separate photography upgrade was praised by people who used it, including underwater images. It is optional, so you can decide if professional pictures are worth the extra cost. If you are happy taking your own photos, the included case should cover the basic need.

The crew also hangs towels to dry and folds them back up, according to one detailed account. That is a small service, but it matters on a long day when you are repeatedly getting wet.

Snorkeling, safety, and weather

Snorkeling is a central reason to choose this tour. You may see plenty of tropical fish, and the underwater views can remain worthwhile even in rain. The quality of coral is less certain: one account described lots of fish but little live coral.

The crew supplies the main equipment and provides safety instructions. Life jackets may be required in some areas under national park rules, even if you are a confident swimmer. Expect the crew to prioritize regulation and safety over giving you complete freedom in the water.

Weather is the biggest variable. Strong wind can make the sea very rough, and one account raised a concern about life-jacket availability on board. The operator states that equipment and safety are provided, and that trips canceled for poor weather can be moved to another date or refunded. Still, ask questions if you feel unsure, and tell the crew if you are uncomfortable in the water.

Most people can participate, but the day involves a long speedboat ride, beach walking, swimming, and getting in and out of the water. It is not a quiet sightseeing cruise.

Is $108.43 a fair price?

At $108.43 per person, this is not Phuket’s cheapest island tour. The value comes from what is bundled together: hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, accident insurance, lunch, snorkeling equipment, towels, fruit, snacks, drinks, bottled water, and a waterproof phone case.

You are also paying for a smaller boat and a more structured schedule. Cheaper local options may carry more people and offer a less comfortable lunch setup. If you want the lowest possible price, this will not be the obvious choice. If you want a smoother full-day package with less need to organize transport, food, and equipment yourself, the price is easier to justify.

Remember to add the 400 baht adult or 200 baht child national park fee. Alcohol is extra. Special photography services may also cost more.

The free cancellation rule allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Poor-weather cancellations offer a new date or full refund. Cruise ship passengers must provide ship and docking details at booking, and a missed tour caused by a late or non-arriving ship is not refundable.

Who should book this Phi Phi day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want to see many of the major Phi Phi sights in one day and prefer a boat with a limited passenger count. It works especially well for first-time visitors to Phuket, families who want staff support, and people who value included drinks, lunch, towels, and gear.

It also suits active sightseers. You will swim, snorkel, sunbathe, watch macaques, and move between several locations. The schedule is full, not leisurely.

I would hesitate if you dislike rough water, loud engines, crowded famous beaches, or tightly planned days. You might prefer a slower boat, a private charter, or a tour with fewer stops. Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon are beautiful, but neither guarantees solitude.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is a well-organized day that covers Bamboo Island, Phi Phi, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, and Maya Bay with transport and meals handled for you. The crew service, steady refreshments, snorkeling equipment, and smaller boat are the strongest reasons to pay more than bargain operators charge.

Before booking, confirm the group size, Maya Bay’s operating status, the park fee, and dietary arrangements. Take sun protection, a waterproof phone case, and motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to nausea. If the forecast looks rough, keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes, including hotel transfers, the marina briefing, island stops, lunch, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour offers transport to and from Royal Phuket Marina.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour is advertised with a maximum of 20 travelers. One account reported 28 people on a boat, so confirm the expected number when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch at Phi Phi Holiday Resort is included. The meal includes Thai and international dishes, and special diets can be requested in advance.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The package includes a life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, and a new snorkel mouthpiece. Beach towels are also supplied.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Bottled water, seasonal fruit, snacks, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The listed fee is 400 Thai baht per adult and 200 baht per child.

Can I visit Maya Bay on this tour?

Maya Bay is included as a sightseeing stop when it is open. The tour information states that Maya Bay will be closed from August 1, 2025, with the reopening date not provided, so check its current status before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason offers a new date, another experience, or a full refund.