Phuket Catamaran Tour to Phi Phi, Maya Bay & Maiton

A double-deck catamaran, rather than a speedboat, is what separates this Phuket-to-Phi-Phi day out from most of the fleet: more deck space, a shaded lounge, and calmer motion across open water. Check-in is at the Long V office at Chalong Pier, before 9:30am, with hotel transfers included from central Phuket areas.

The day covers Maya Bay, a longtail-boat detour into Pileh Lagoon, a stop at Maithon Island, and a Thai buffet lunch at Phi Phi Don. Onboard, the package includes a light breakfast, drinks, tropical fruit, ice cream and fresh coconut, plus water toys (a transparent kayak, water slide, floating pool and inflatable toys) with snorkel gear and towels on loan. A photographer takes 5 edited digital photos per guest, included in the price.

Watch out: gratuities, alcoholic drinks and any photos beyond the included five aren’t part of the package, and the operator flags this trip as unsuitable for travellers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, or who are pregnant. It calls for at least moderate fitness.

Because national park and island entry fees are prepaid, there’s little to hand over at the pier beyond personal spending money. Compare it with the sister Indigo catamaran to Phi Phi and Maithon, which sails a shorter route from the same Chalong Pier office, or see more of Koh Phi Phi.