Phi Phi Speedboat Day Trip: Maya Bay, Bamboo & Seaview Lunch

Maya Bay reopened in 2022 under strict visitor limits after years of closure to let the coral recover. This nine-hour speedboat trip from Phuket’s Panwa Pier gets you there while also covering Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island in a single day.

The morning starts with a minibus transfer from your Phuket hotel to the pier, where you meet the guide and receive a coloured wristband for your group. The speedboat runs first to Maya Bay, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film, where stricter rules now limit beach time and ban swimming. Next is Pileh Lagoon, a narrow inlet of still emerald water hemmed in by limestone walls, and Viking Cave, known for its ancient paintings and swiftlet nests. Monkey Beach in Yong Kasem bay follows, with a buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don Island itself. Snorkelling gear lets you explore reefs off Phi Phi Don before the boat arrives at Bamboo Island for final beach time, returning to Panwa around 5pm.

Suits first-timers wanting to tick the big Phi Phi sights in one go. Full day at sea can feel long if you get motion sickness, so pack tablets if you’re prone. The 400 THB National Park fee isn’t included and is payable at the pier. Morning snacks, buffet lunch, soft drinks and fruit are covered; insurance and English-speaking guide come as standard. Group size stays manageable, and the coloured wristband system helps the guide keep track during beach stops. Pickup and drop-off from any Phuket hotel or apartment is included. The operator uses Love Andaman’s fleet from Panwa Pier, generally considered one of the better-run speedboat outfits on the island.