From Phi Phi: 6 Hrs Private Phi Phi Islands Boat Tour

Maya Bay is the star here, but the real pleasure is having a private longtail boat to shape the day around the sea, the cliffs, and the islands. You’ll see Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Phi Leh Bay, Loh Samah Bay, and several quieter beaches in a single six-hour outing.

I like the freedom to spend more time at a favorite stop, and I like that the route includes both famous sights and less-visited corners such as Loh Moo Dee Beach and Log Lana Cove. The main drawback is comfort and consistency: some boats may have hard seating, and the short boarding ladder can make getting back aboard difficult.

Key points to know before booking

• Maya Bay is the headline stop: Expect dramatic cliffs and soft sand at one of Thailand’s best-known beaches.
• The route covers a lot: You may visit Tonsai Bay, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Phi Leh, Loh Samah, Long Beach, Loh Moo Dee, Loh Ba Kao, Log Lana, and Wang Long Bay.
• Private means more control: The boat is for your group of up to two, with the captain adjusting the pace and stops where possible.
• Snorkeling is included, fins are not: You receive a mask and life jacket, while fins can be rented separately.
• The water stops are the highlight: Phi Leh Bay, Loh Samah Bay, and Wang Long Bay offer time for snorkeling or swimming.
• Bring patience for basic boat comfort: A past passenger found boarding strenuous and reported a short ladder, so this is not an effortless outing.

A private boat day around Phi Phi

This six-hour tour gives you a broad look at the Phi Phi Islands from the water. You meet the captain near McDonald’s by Ao Ton Sai Pier, then set off by longtail boat. The private format is important. You are not locked into the pace of a large group, and you can tell the captain where you most want to linger.

The advertised price is $188 for up to two people. For a couple, that works out to $94 each before the national park fee. You also pay 400 THB per adult or 200 THB per child for that fee. Compared with paying for two separate seats on a group trip, the price can make sense if you value privacy and flexibility.

Still, the value depends on what sort of day you want. If you mainly want a boat ride to Maya Bay and one swim, a six-hour private charter may feel like more than you need. If you want to see many parts of the Phi Phi area without sharing the boat, the price is easier to justify.

The captain speaks English or Thai, but the level of English can vary. One person had a captain who offered useful suggestions and let the group choose where to go. Other accounts describe very limited English, with little explanation about the islands. I would treat this as a sightseeing charter with a driver, not as a guaranteed guided history tour.

Leaving Tonsai Bay and spotting monkeys

Tonsai Bay is the natural starting point on Phi Phi Don. From the boat, you get views of tall limestone cliffs and coral reefs as you move away from the pier. It is a good opening scene because it gives you the classic Phi Phi combination of steep rock, clear water, and narrow strips of beach.

The route also includes Monkey Beach, where you can look for monkeys along the coast. The stop is more about watching the animals and seeing the beach from close range than about spending a long, quiet stretch of time. Monkeys are wild animals, so keep your belongings close and avoid treating the stop like a petting zoo.

This part of the tour can be crowded. A past booking specifically complained about stopping at beaches with too many people. The private boat gives you control over your own group, but it cannot make a famous beach empty. Ask the captain about timing if avoiding the thickest crowds is important to you.

Maya Bay and the cliffs of the Phi Phi Leh coast

Maya Bay is the tour’s major photo stop. Tall cliffs wrap around a pale beach, making the bay feel almost enclosed when viewed from the water. The setting is famous for good reason, but fame brings crowds and a less private feel than the surrounding coves.

You should think of Maya Bay as a scenic landmark rather than a peaceful beach escape. The timing of your visit matters, and the captain may need to work around local access rules or conditions. The supplied details do not promise a fixed amount of beach time, so do not assume you will have the bay to yourself.

After Maya Bay, the boat continues toward Viking Cave. The cave is known for swift nests, and you can view the rock face from the boat. This is a brief sightseeing stop rather than a long cave visit. It adds an unusual detail to the route and breaks up the beach and snorkeling stops.

The Phi Phi Leh coastline is best appreciated from the boat. The cliffs rise sharply from the sea, and the water around the island is described as emerald in Phi Leh Bay. Keep your phone ready, but protect it from spray. A longtail boat is open to the elements, which is part of its charm and part of its messier side.

Snorkeling at Phi Leh and Loh Samah

The tour includes snorkeling at Phi Leh Bay and Loh Samah Bay. You receive a snorkeling mask and a life jacket, while fins are available to rent for an additional charge. If you prefer to kick efficiently or are not a strong swimmer, renting fins may be worthwhile.

The water stops are where the tour becomes more than a scenic boat ride. You can look for marine life around the coral areas and take in the color and clarity of the sea. The exact conditions depend on weather, water visibility, and local traffic, so do not expect the same underwater view every day.

There is also an important point about expectations. One past passenger felt the day offered only one meaningful snorkeling stop. The advertised route names two bays, but the captain may shorten, combine, or alter stops because of conditions, timing, or crowd levels. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, make that clear at the start.

The boat’s safety equipment deserves attention. Life jackets are included, but one person reported that some jackets appeared damaged or did not fit properly. I would inspect your jacket before leaving the pier and ask for a usable size. That is a basic step, especially if you are not a confident swimmer.

Long Beach, Loh Moo Dee, and the quieter coves

The route gives you several choices after the main sights. You may walk along Long Beach, or head to Loh Moo Dee Beach for a quieter stretch. These beaches offer a change of pace after Maya Bay and the snorkeling bays.

Long Beach is useful if you want an easy beach walk and more room to stretch your legs. Loh Moo Dee is the better choice if your priority is calm and a less developed setting. The tour description does not guarantee exactly how long you will spend at either beach, so tell the captain if you would rather have beach time than another quick photo stop.

Loh Ba Kao Bay and Log Lana Cove add more out-of-the-way scenery. These stops matter because Phi Phi is not only about the famous viewpoints. The smaller bays show how quickly the mood changes once you leave the main visitor route.

At the same time, do not expect complete solitude. Phi Phi is a popular destination, and even a private boat shares the water with other boats. The advantage is not having a private island. It is having a private base from which to choose your stops.

Ending with a swim at Wang Long Bay

Wang Long Bay is the final named stop, where you can swim in clear water. It is a sensible finish to a long boat outing. After several beach views and snorkeling stops, a final swim gives you a chance to cool off before returning to Tonsai.

The bay is described as crystal clear, but swimming comfort will depend on sea conditions. If you have spent the day in the water, remember that the longtail’s boarding ladder may be short or awkward. One passenger found getting back onto the boat quite strenuous. Use the handholds, take your time, and ask the captain for help if needed.

The return to the starting point completes the six-hour schedule. The route is full, so the captain may need to keep an eye on the clock. If one place matters most to you, say so early rather than waiting until the final hour.

Boat comfort, safety, and communication

This is a practical boat charter, not a luxury cruise. A past passenger found the boat uncomfortable and noted that it lacked cushions. You may be sitting on a hard surface for part of the day, so wear clothing that allows easy movement and bring sun protection.

The boat is open, noisy, and exposed to spray. Drinking water is included, but you should still plan your own personal comfort around the six-hour duration. The supplied information does not list meals or snacks, so do not count on lunch being provided.

Communication can shape the whole day. Some people have had a friendly captain who suggested good places and allowed them to decide where to spend time. Others had difficulty communicating because the captain spoke little English and gave few explanations. If you need detailed information about the islands, ask clearly at the start and confirm the main stops.

One account also described loud music and an unpleasant vehicle transfer. The standard meeting details identify the pier area as the meeting point, not a regular transfer service. If anyone contacts you about transport, confirm what is included before relying on it.

Who should book this Phi Phi tour?

I would choose this tour for two people who want privacy, a broad route, and the freedom to adjust the day. It suits confident swimmers, couples, and independent visitors who care more about scenery and swimming than formal commentary.

It is less suitable for anyone who needs a soft, cushioned boat, detailed English guiding, or easy access in and out of the water. The tour is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, or people with high blood pressure. The boarding issue also matters if you have limited mobility.

The tour can work well for a pair who agree on priorities before setting off. Decide if you care most about Maya Bay, snorkeling, beaches, or quiet coves. A private boat is most useful when you know how you want to use that flexibility.

Meeting point, timing, and what to bring

Meet the captain at McDonald’s Phi Phi Island near Ao Ton Sai Pier. The provider confirms the exact meeting time by email. Arrive early. You may be treated as a no-show if you are more than 10 minutes late or if the captain has already left the meeting point.

The schedule lasts six hours, but a starting time is not fixed in the supplied details. Check availability for the date you want. The provider may offer a new date, another tour, or a full refund if the trip must be canceled.

Pack a swimsuit, sun protection, a dry bag for valuables, and enough personal water for the day. A mask and life jacket are included, but fins cost extra to rent. I would also bring a light cover-up for the ride back and footwear that is easy to remove at beach stops.

Do not book this tour on the assumption that you will watch sunset from the middle of the sea. One past booking expected that and instead watched sunset from a beach. The current route focuses on bays, beaches, snorkeling, and swimming, so confirm any special sunset plan before paying.

Should you book it?

Book this private Phi Phi tour if you want a full day on the water for two people and can accept a basic longtail boat. The strongest reasons are the wide route, the private setting, Maya Bay, and the chance to ask the captain to adjust the day.

I would pause if your priorities are polished service, cushioned seating, strong English commentary, or guaranteed snorkeling time at several separate sites. The $188 price is fair for a private group of two, but it is not automatically good value if the boat is uncomfortable or the captain does not communicate well.

For the best result, arrive early, inspect the life jackets, rent fins if you need them, and tell the captain your top two stops. Book with realistic expectations: this is a flexible island sightseeing charter, not a luxury cruise or a full guided lesson about Phi Phi.

FAQ

How long is the Phi Phi Islands boat tour?

The tour lasts six hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to two people.

Where do I meet the captain?

You meet the captain at McDonald’s Phi Phi Island near Ao Ton Sai Pier. The provider confirms the exact meeting time by email.

What happens if I arrive late?

You may be considered a no-show if you arrive more than 10 minutes late or after the captain has left the meeting point.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The fee is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included. Snorkeling fins are not included, but they are available to rent.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, or people with high blood pressure.