Private Phi Phi Island Tour

A private phi phi island tour puts your group alone on its own boat among the Phi Phi Islands. You set the order of stops with your captain.

The sections below cover boats, starting points, Maya Bay, other stops and the marine park. They also cover timing, safety, GetYourGuide listings and common questions. To plan trips elsewhere in the country, start from the Thailand Tours homepage.

What does a private phi phi island tour cover?

A private phi phi island tour puts your group alone on its own boat among the Phi Phi Islands. Stops include Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay. You set the order with your captain.

The Phi Phi Islands lie between Phuket and the Krabi coast, in Krabi Province. Phi Phi Don is the group’s largest island, with Phi Phi Leh in second place. If you want the shared boat version of the trip, browse our Thailand tours.

Each private phi phi island tour sets its own stops, so no route is fixed. One full-day catamaran programme runs in this order.

• Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh is the first stop.
• Pileh Lagoon is a swim stop.
• Viking Cave is an optional photo stop from the boat.
• Monkey Beach is seen from the boat.
• Tonsai Bay is the stop for a viewpoint walk or a beach break.
• Bamboo Island is a long snorkelling stop.
• Lunch is a beach picnic or a restaurant meal on Phi Phi Don.
• The boat then returns to the pier.

The order changes from one boat to the next. A six-hour longtail trip from Phi Phi starts at Bamboo Island. It ends at Maya Bay, after Shark Point, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and Loh Samah Bay.

Two more operators open with Maya Bay. A four-hour longtail tour then visits Pileh Lagoon and Monkey Beach. A snorkel spot near Loh Samah Bay and Viking Cave follow, before a return to Tonsai Pier. The other runs six to eight hours. It adds a lunch stop on Phi Phi Don, Nui Beach and Koh Rang Yai.

One operator lists Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave and Pileh Lagoon as core stops. It treats Loh Samah Bay, Shark Point, Bamboo Island and Nui Beach as optional extras. With a private phi phi island tour, you can adjust the stops and the time spent at each one.

Trip length changes the number of spots you reach. A private phi phi island tour from that operator runs three, four, six or seven hours. It says the longer you stay, the more spots you explore.

A private phi phi island tour means two things. First, only your group is on board, and one operator adds that licensed local guides lead the trip. Second, you shape the plan.

You drop the sites you do not care about. On a private phi phi island tour, you can ask the captain to linger at one spot and skip another.

Choosing what to include is not limited to the water. For evenings, see which GetYourGuide listings sell Muay Thai tickets in Patong. Inland, readers can meet the elephants of a Phuket elephant sanctuary.

Another operator promises freedom to choose your destinations and schedule. It tailors private trips to couples, families and groups of friends. Operators say a private charter offers a personalised itinerary, unlike a group tour.

Which boat suits a private phi phi island tour?

A private phi phi island tour gives your group its own boat. Listed longtail trips last three to six hours. A speedboat from Phuket reaches the islands in about 45 minutes. A yacht takes 1.5 to 2 hours each way.

A longtail runs on a car or truck engine. A long metal rod carries the propeller out behind the boat. Wikipedia lists longtails among the sightseeing boats in coastal areas. One listing says its longtail carries basic amenities.

Pick a private phi phi island tour with a longtail boat for a small group. One operator lists room for up to 14 people. Another caps its private boat at 15.

Krabi offers the same private format on a longtail. The private longtail boat tour in Krabi guide lists boats, starting piers and routes.

A private phi phi island tour by speedboat starts with a fast crossing. One operator says Phuket to Phi Phi takes about 45 minutes. Its private boats come in three sizes. Two engines carry 18 adults, three engines carry 35, and four engines carry 50. Staff ride on top of those numbers.

Another operator holds its private speedboat to a maximum of 12 guests and calls that size intimate. One charter page says its speed catamaran has twin engines, more space and more stability. Snacks and refreshments ride on board one private speedboat trip.

Rough seas can add time to a private phi phi island tour by yacht. A yacht broker’s guide lists motor yachts for 6 to 12 guests and power catamarans for 10 to 15. Day-charter capacity is fixed for each yacht.

The same guide says a motor yacht has a faster crossing and more enclosed interior space. A private phi phi island tour on a power catamaran adds twin hulls that reduce rolling at anchor. The guide calls moving between swim stops easier on these boats.

One listing for a 51-foot power catamaran names air conditioning, multiple washrooms and a sun-protected area. It includes the captain and crew.

A private phi phi island tour differs from a shared trip in three ways.

• Group: one operator built its private trip for groups that prefer not to share a 30-person speedboat.
• Timing: the private format sets the pace at each stop instead of a strict schedule. One listing lets you choose your departure time, and another says to begin your day as you wish.
• Route: the guide says the captain can shift the timing and stop order based on weather and crowd levels. Another operator says a private charter can anchor at secluded spots.

One dive operator describes a speedboat charter as your own boat for the day. It says the boat can reach areas that larger, slower boats cannot.

Where does a private phi phi island tour start?

A private phi phi island tour can start from Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi Don. One operator lists all five starting points. Its private longtail tours from Phuket and Krabi include a speedboat transfer to Koh Phi Phi.

The Phi Phi Islands lie 46 kilometres southeast of Phuket. Rassada Pier is Phuket’s main ferry terminal. One operator also says you cannot take a longtail boat all the way from Phuket to Phi Phi.

For a private phi phi island tour from Phuket, one operator collects you at your hotel in an air-conditioned minivan. The van takes you to the Royal Phuket Marina. Its itinerary lists the return to the Phuket pier at around 15:00.

In Krabi, Nopparat Thara Pier is the main hub for Ao Nang to Phi Phi ferries and speedboats. It sits about 10 minutes by road from central Ao Nang Beach. One guide puts the crossing to Tonsai Pier at 45 to 75 minutes on the water.

After the pier, questions about the crew and the boat come next. Whether the guide on board speaks English is answered in the Phi Phi island tour from Krabi guide. A separate guide answers what boat a 4 islands tour Krabi uses.

Railay is accessible only by boat, because high limestone cliffs cut off the mainland. East Railay Beach is the docking point for boats arriving from Krabi. A longtail boat reaches Ao Nang in 15 minutes. Certain boat services collect passengers at Railay before they continue to Phi Phi.

Klong Muang is 15 to 20 minutes by car from Ao Nang and the boats to the islands. Count that drive into your day on a private phi phi island tour from there. Krabi Airport is about 31 kilometres from the beach, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Koh Lanta is on the operator’s list of starting points. Its main town and port, Ban Saladan, has ferries to Phi Phi. The crossing to Tonsai Pier takes as little as 30 minutes by speedboat. A conventional ferry takes around one hour. One guide warns that a pier-to-pier ticket does not always include transport from your hotel.

A private phi phi island tour can also begin on the islands. Phi Phi Don Village has a modern government pier on Tonsai Bay. It is large and built for deep water. One operator on Phi Phi offers private longtail trips for half a day or one day.

From Khao Lak, a private phi phi island tour starts with a road transfer south. One operator lists 90 to 120 minutes by road to Rassada Pier, then 45 to 60 minutes by speedboat. Its hotel pickup is at 07:00. Another operator lists a 04:00 transfer from Khao Lak.

A ferry runs pier to pier. A guided private phi phi island tour covers the whole chain: hotel pickup, the pier transfer and the speedboat. Going alone means a transfer to a Phuket or Krabi pier, then finding a boat.

What can a private phi phi island tour do at Maya Bay?

A private phi phi island tour follows the same Maya Bay rules as every other boat. The captain cannot anchor in the bay. Guests cannot swim there. Every year, Maya Bay stays shut from 1 August until 30 September.

Crowds reached an estimated 5,000 people a day before the closure. Each day, 200 boats anchored in the bay. The first closure came in two thousand and eighteen and was set at four months. Tests during that closure found the damage was far more extensive. The closure then became indefinite.

In December of that year, blacktip reef sharks were seen swimming close to the beach. Marine biologists read this as a positive signal that the ecosystem was healing. The bay reopened in early two thousand and twenty-two, after nearly four years. Today, a private phi phi island tour that stops at the bay works within strict limits.

The reopening came with a short set of protocols:

• No boats in the bay.
• No swimming in the bay.
• No more than a one-hour visit per person.
• Only a limited number of visitors at a time.

Visitors also had to apply in advance. A captain on a private phi phi island tour cannot park on the sand. Tourist boats must use a designated dock. This keeps them clear of the coral reefs.

Ao Loh Samah Pier is the main gateway to the bay. Captains drop anchor in the deeper water of Loh Samah. Guests then walk a short section of rocks and jungle to reach the beach. When the tide is low, no boat can run straight into Maya Bay across the shallows and coral.

Each year, visitors are kept out for two whole months, and entry resumes on 1 October. The park gives two reasons: safety in the rainy season and time for nature to recover. Loh Samah Bay and Lo Ko Bay close too. The rest of the park stays open.

Trips around the Phi Phi Islands carry on through the closed window. A private phi phi island tour can still go ahead. Boats cannot enter Maya Bay, though. The park confirms the exact dates each year, and they can shift by a day or two.

An entry fee applies in the marine areas of the national park, which include Phi Phi. Foreign adults, foreign children and Thai citizens pay different rates. Rates can change, so check the Department of National Parks before you book a private phi phi island tour.

The one-hour limit counts per person. On a private phi phi island tour, your group gets the same hour as every other visitor. Ask your captain which pier stop and landing time the boat has planned.

Which stops besides Maya Bay does a private phi phi island tour visit?

A private phi phi island tour can stop at six places beyond Maya Bay. They are Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Loh Samah Bay, Bamboo Island and the Khai islands. One itinerary of about 6.5 hours lists 15 to 30 minutes at four of them.

Pileh Lagoon is a regular stop on a private phi phi island tour. It is a large inlet on Phi Phi Leh, and vertical cliffs surround the whole inlet. Boats reach the deeper water by crossing the coral reef at the entrance.

At the back of the inlet lies a pool about 100 metres wide and 5 to 8 metres deep. One operator calls it an enclosed emerald pool, ideal for swimming and paddleboarding. One itinerary calls it a brief stop. Another operator plans routes around tide times and sea conditions to avoid crowds here.

Beyond that one pool, the Andaman Sea has other island groups to compare. Readers who want to know which islands a Similan islands tour from Phuket visits will find them listed there.

One operator places Viking Cave in the north of Phi Phi Leh. It says the cave takes its name from a painting of Viking ships and animals on the wall. Edible-nest swiftlets live there, and Wikipedia calls the nest harvest a thriving industry. One itinerary allots about 20 minutes.

Monkey Beach is named after its macaques, which roam free on the sand and in the nearby trees. One travel guide says the monkeys sometimes bite, steal belongings or turn territorial near their babies. One private catamaran operator recommends watching from the boat. The same itinerary allots 30 minutes.

Loh Samah Bay is a U-shaped bay on the west coast of Phi Phi Leh. A large rock stands in the middle. The sea floor is sandy, with clams and patches of brain coral. A very small beach and small caves sit at the end of a narrow gorge. One itinerary allots 15 minutes for snorkelling.

Bamboo Island, also called Ko Mai Phai, is a small, low-lying islet north of Phi Phi Don. Ko Mai Phai Beach, with white sand and turquoise water, is the only bay for swimming. At low tide the coral sits close to the surface.

A private phi phi island tour can include a beach lunch, as one operator serves a picnic here. One longtail itinerary allots 30 minutes at the island.

The Khai group holds three islands, Khai Nua, Khai Nai and Khai Nok. Locals call Khai Nok Egg Island, and one operator calls it a shallow-water snorkelling island. Khai Nua has no beach, so people snorkel from the boat. One Khai-only private trip spends 90 minutes at each island.

A private phi phi island tour from Phuket can add Khai Island for white-sand beach time. One speedboat itinerary does this in the afternoon.

Two limestone islets, Bida Nok and Bida Nai, lie south of Phi Phi Leh. Near-vertical cliff walls rise from the sea. One operator says the private format gives flexible timing at each stop. Each private phi phi island tour sets its own stops and times.

What does the marine park mean for a private phi phi island tour?

A private phi phi island tour visits islands inside a marine national park in Krabi Province. The park covers about 388 square kilometres. Its rules on coral, litter and sunscreen apply to your group, your guide and your captain.

Authorities set up the park in nineteen eighty-three. Its name has two parts: Hat Noppharat Thara, then Mu Ko Phi Phi. Mu Ko Phi Phi is the zone of the Phi Phi Islands, further south. The other zone is a mainland coastline running east from Krabi Town. A private phi phi island tour spends its day in the island zone.

Wikipedia places the park in IUCN Category II and notes its coral reefs. Its islands are Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Bia Nok, Bida Nai, Ko Yung and Mai Phai. A dive guide’s park summary lists tree, leaf and thorn coral. It also describes diverse reefs around Ko Yung and a bank of antler coral at Ko Phai.

Decades of mass tourism damaged the reefs badly, says one Phi Phi guide. It adds that corals regrew and blacktip reef sharks returned. A private phi phi island tour visits those reefs. BirdLife International also named the park an Important Bird Area. It supports pale-capped pigeons and Christmas Island frigatebirds.

The park closes reef sites to let coral recover. After severe bleaching, it halted snorkelling and diving for about a year. Ten designated sites then reopened. The west side of Koh Kai stayed off-limits to protect fragile coral beds. Closures like these shape where a private phi phi island tour can snorkel.

Three of the ten sites are Viking Cave, the front of Pi Leh Bay and Loh Ba Gao Bay. The rest lie around Koh Kai, Koh Poda, Koh Daeng, Koh Yawasam and Railay Bay.

A private phi phi island tour follows the same park rules as every other boat. Officials urge guests, guides, operators and captains alike to follow them. The reef rules are short.

• Do not touch or step on coral or marine animals.
• Do not anchor on coral reefs.
• Do not litter or dump food waste into the sea.
• Do not feed fish or monkeys.
• Do not take coral, shells or sand from the park.
• Do not fly a drone without park permission.

The national parks department also banned four sunscreen chemicals in marine parks. They are oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4MBC and butylparaben. Studies show they harm coral larvae and cause coral bleaching. A breach can lead to a fine under the National Park Act.

Sunscreen is one question about park rules, and cameras bring another. The James Bond Island tour from Phuket guide says if drone flying is allowed.

Rangers can close areas at short notice for safety or conservation. Before you board, ask the operator of your private phi phi island tour which snorkel sites are open that day. Check your sunscreen label too.

What time of day and year suits a private phi phi island tour?

Book a private phi phi island tour for a sunrise start in the dry months, from November to April. Early boats reach the main bays before the day-trip groups, and the sea is calmer in those months.

Sunrise in Krabi falls between 6:05 and 6:44 in the morning across the year. One private operator lists sunrise boat tours at the Phi Phi Islands. A private catamaran charter lists hotel pickup in Phuket at 5:00 and a return around three in the afternoon.

On a private phi phi island tour, an early start thins out the crowd. One review on a charter page says the place had fewer people because the group started early.

One travel guide names two quiet windows at Maya Bay. The first is around 8:00 in the morning. The second is later in the afternoon, after the day trippers go back to Phuket and Krabi. The guide adds that day trippers visit in the low season too.

A private phi phi island tour lets the group fix the hour. One catamaran operator says guests choose their destinations and schedule. Another private operator plans the route around tide times and ocean conditions for a crowd-free day.

Private listings also cover sunset. One private sunset trip that names Maya Bay lasts five hours. A second trip, named for Phi Phi Leh, also lasts five hours.

The off-season, called the green season, spans the fifth month to October. In the national park, July is the wettest month and February is the driest. One climate guide counts about 20 sunny days a month in the southwest monsoon. It adds that heavy rain can fall at any time.

One Thai Meteorological Department advisory covers a strong southwest monsoon. It forecasts waves of two to four metres in the upper Andaman Sea, and above four metres in thundershowers. It tells small boats to keep ashore.

Match the boat to the sea. A yacht charter guide says a catamaran’s two hulls give it greater stability. It adds that heavy seas can bring a snapping motion. A ferry guide says speedboat trips feel bumpier in rough weather.

A private phi phi island tour by longtail needs calm water, says a Phuket guide. It calls longtails shallow-draft, open vessels. It says waves above 1.5 metres make longtail trips unpleasant.

Weather can change a private day. One operator says programmes can change because of weather, tides or sea conditions. The Phuket guide says reputable longtail operators refuse to sail in rough seas. It names July to September as peak monsoon. It says to check conditions each morning before booking a private phi phi island tour.

What do you bring and wear on a private phi phi island tour?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel and spare clothes on a private phi phi island tour. Operators supply life jackets, and Thailand’s tourism authority requires every passenger on a boat to wear one.

One operator’s bring list names sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a swimsuit, spare clothes and cash for park fees. Another adds a towel and a light layer for the ride back. A third recommends quick-dry swimwear with a cover-up, and sandals with a back strap for wading ashore.

The three lists above differ from one operator to the next. The Hong Islands tour in Krabi guide lists which gear to pack for a lagoon ringed by limestone cliffs.

One operator says the sun is significantly stronger on the water than on land. It advises reapplying high-SPF sunscreen every two hours. Wearing a hat and long-sleeved swimwear also cuts how much sunscreen you need, says the tourism authority. Ask whether your private phi phi island tour boat has a covered area, as one operator’s boat does.

One operator lists people prone to seasickness as not suited to its private longtail trip. Another says a catamaran’s stability reduces motion sickness dramatically compared with a speedboat.

Follow the NHS advice before a private phi phi island tour. Sit in the middle of the boat and look straight ahead at the horizon. The NHS lists ginger too, as tablets, biscuits or tea. Patches from a pharmacy are for adults and children over 10.

One guide asks operators to provide jackets, especially for children, before the boat leaves the pier. The tourism authority advises listening to the crew, so every safety instruction is clear.

Children are welcome on a private phi phi island tour, but age rules differ. One operator takes children from three years in life jackets. Another does not allow infants on board, for safety and insurance reasons. One guide says toddlers struggle with the rocking hull and open sides. It suggests three to four hours for children under four.

One guide says longtail boats have no ramp, so parents carry younger children on and off at each beach stop. It wants an adult within arm’s reach of any child snorkelling. One operator requires an adult to accompany every child.

Operators set their own limits on a private phi phi island tour. One private catamaran listing sets ages 4 to 75. The listing advises against the trip for a back injury, a heart condition or any serious medical issue. Another operator says guests over 70 can find the tour challenging.

One operator says its longtail is not suitable for wheelchair users or guests with significant mobility limits. One guide says a speedboat’s hard slamming can jar travellers over 60, and a catamaran rides more comfortably.

One operator says to know how to swim before entering the water, since snorkelling is included. Another says swimming ability is not required but is strongly recommended. A third says a life jacket lets non-swimmers stay near the beach and watch the fish.

What does a private phi phi island tour on GetYourGuide include?

Tour 442354 is the private phi phi island tour with the biggest review count in the GetYourGuide widget: 1,939. It is a private longtail boat with a local captain, rated 4.8 stars. Trips run 3 to 7 hours, with free cancellation.

You book every listing here through GetYourGuide. Seven of the eight listings below carry the “Private group” label. The eighth, tour 401677, carries “Private option available” instead. Check that label before you pick a private phi phi island tour.

Tour 442354 is titled “Phi Phi Private Longtail: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Snorkel”. Its card offers 3, 4, 6 or 7-hour tours. The card names Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Bay and Viking Cave, with flexible snorkelling. It asks you to book at least 5 hours ahead. The other seven listings ask for 10.

Next in review count is tour 830546, “Koh Phi Phi: Maya Bay Private Longtail Boat Tour & Snorkel”. It runs 3 to 4 hours and scores 4.8 stars from 505 reviews. Tour 607790, “Phi Phi Islands: Maya Bay Tour By Private Longtail Boat”, also runs 3 to 4 hours. It scores 4.2 from 64 reviews.

Tour 439154 is “From Phuket: Day Trip to Phi Phi with Private Longtail Tour”. It runs 11 hours and scores 4.6 stars from 450 reviews. Its card pairs private hotel transfers with shared speedboats. The longtail part lasts 4 hours and is private.

The 439154 card names snorkel and lunch. The 401677 card names a buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don Island. Hotel transfer or pick-up appears on 439154, 1258341 and 161412. The Pickup available label also sits on 401677. The other four carry no pickup label.

The cards do not list snorkel gear, drinking water or a park fee. They name snorkelling as an activity but not who supplies the gear. Read the full listing page before you book a private phi phi island tour.

Four more private phi phi island tour listings round out the set.

• Tour 845138, “Phi Phi Islands: Private Longtail Boat 6-hour Trip”: 4 to 7 hours, 4.8 stars from 201 reviews. Its card highlights snorkelling with blacktip reef sharks at Shark Point.
• Tour 1258341, “Phuket: Phi Phi Private Longtail Boat with Hotel Transfer”: 7 hours, 4.7 stars from 66 reviews.
• Tour 401677, the “From Krabi: Phi Phi Island” full-day speed boat listing: 7 to 8 hours, 4.3 stars from 69 reviews.
• Tour 161412, “Krabi: Phi Phi Islands Full-Day Private Speedboat Charter”: 8 hours, 4.8 stars from 41 reviews. Its card says you tailor your own timetable for each island.

Every private phi phi island tour above carries the Free cancellation label. Two cards add a weather rule. The 442354 card says you can reschedule or get a full refund if conditions are determined unsafe. The 830546 card says unsafe conditions declared by the government can cancel or reschedule the tour. Cancelled tours are fully refunded.

Which practical questions do travellers ask about a private phi phi island tour?

One operator says its boats carry no bathrooms, so plan toilet stops on a private phi phi island tour. Tips are not expected. Captains speak enough English to remove the language barrier. Bring a day pack or dry bag, not a suitcase.

Does the boat on a private phi phi island tour have a toilet?

One operator says there are no bathrooms on board its boats. It lists restrooms on Phi Phi Don, at the lunch restaurant, and at the Bamboo Island park station. Ask about the toilet on the boat you book.

Can you get a phone signal on a private phi phi island tour?

One travel guide says coverage on Phi Phi Don is strong from AIS and TrueMove. It adds that the signal falls to a single bar on Phi Phi Leh and vanishes around Bida Nok. True Corporation says it has launched 5G at Maya Bay. It also added an emergency alert service to its 5G and 4G network there.

Do you tip the captain on a private phi phi island tour?

A travel writer calls tipping culture in Thailand not massive. The writer still left extra for the guide and captain.

Does the captain speak English on a private phi phi island tour?

One guide says English is a second language for boat captains on Koh Phi Phi. One operator lists Thai, English and Chinese.

Can you bring food and drink on a private phi phi island tour?

One operator gives clean drinking water all day and lets guests bring their own alcohol on the boat. A guide to hiring a captain yourself suggests a packed lunch, bottled water and fruit.

Can you bring luggage on a private phi phi island tour?

One operator asks guests not to bring excessive luggage. It warns of a high chance that luggage gets wet or damaged.

Do you need travel insurance for a private phi phi island tour?

One operator says its own policy provides cover for catastrophic events only. It strongly recommends that travellers hold their own travel insurance policy.

Is snorkel gear included on a private phi phi island tour?

One operator provides mask and snorkel sets for all guests, but no fins. It says fins have been reported to damage coral reefs.

Another operator says its private catamaran carries masks and fins. Gear differs, so ask what your private phi phi island tour carries.