Phi Phi Islands by Private Boat
Planning a private boat trip to the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket? Expect a full day, since the crossing is long and open-sea. Learn typical stops like Maya Bay, Pi Leh lagoon and Bamboo Island, how to choose a speedboat, catamaran or motor yacht, the best months for calm seas, and why swimming at Maya Bay is not allowed.
A private boat lets you see the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket on your own schedule. Plan a full day, leave early, and pick a boat that handles open sea, because the islands lie across the water in Krabi province, not along Phuket's coast.
What does a Phi Phi day usually look like?
Most private boats leave from the marinas and piers on Phuket's east and south coast, such as Chalong Pier, Rawai Pier, Royal Phuket Marina and Ao Po Grand Marina. The exact order of stops depends on the tide, the crowds and the captain, but a typical day covers the same core places.
Crossing | The longest leg of the day, across open sea to Phi Phi Leh. Calm water makes it pleasant, swell makes it the part people remember least fondly. |
Maya Bay | Boats stop at a pier on the far side of Phi Phi Leh, and guests walk a short path to the beach. You visit the beach, you do not swim there. |
Lagoon stop | A sheltered lagoon on Phi Phi Leh, such as Pi Leh, is where boats usually stop so guests can swim. |
Monkey Beach | A short stop off Phi Phi Don. Watch the monkeys from a distance and keep food and bags closed. |
Bamboo Island | A white sand island north of Phi Phi Don, popular for a long swim and a quieter beach. |
Khai Island | A small island closer to Phuket that some boats add on the way back, for a last swim before the marina. |
Not every boat goes to every stop. Each listing shows its own list of destinations, so check that Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay or Bamboo Island appear there before you book.
Which boat handles the Phi Phi crossing best?
The crossing decides the boat. A speedboat covers it fastest, which leaves more time at the islands, but the ride is bumpy when there is swell. A catamaran is slower and steadier, with shade and room to move, which suits families and groups. A motor yacht adds an indoor salon and a proper bathroom, which matters on a long day at sea.
Look at the cruising speed in each listing, shown in knots. A slow boat can still reach Phi Phi, but it spends more of the day in transit and less of it at the beaches. For most boats this is a full day trip, not a half day.
You can compare boats with Phi Phi on their route on the boats available in Phuket page.
When is the sea calmest for Phi Phi?
Thailand's weather follows two monsoons. According to the Thai government's summary based on the Meteorological Department, the southwest monsoon covers the country from mid-May to mid-October and brings cloudy, rainy weather, especially on the coasts. The northeast monsoon follows from mid-October to mid-February and is drier. The exact dates shift from year to year.
For an open-sea crossing like Phi Phi, that makes the months outside the southwest monsoon the easier choice. Boats still go in the rainy season, but more days come with swell, and some trips get moved. Check the waves and wind for your date in the sea weather forecast before you choose between a speedboat and a steadier boat.
Park rules
Maya Bay is part of Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Since it reopened in 2022, swimming in the bay is not allowed and boats cannot enter it. The park also closes Maya Bay for part of the rainy season. In 2024 it closed Maya Bay, Loh Sama Bay and Loh Ko Bay from 1 August to 30 September, according to Thailand's Public Relations Department. Checked October 2026.
What do visitors get wrong about Maya Bay?
The most common mistake is planning the whole day around a swim in Maya Bay. The bay is a place to see, not a place to swim. Guests who expect the scene from the film often arrive in swimwear, find out at the pier that the water is off limits, and feel the main stop let them down.
Plan the swimming elsewhere. Let Maya Bay be the short walk and the view, and save the long swim for a lagoon stop or Bamboo Island. If Maya Bay is closed for the season on your date, ask which stops the boat will cover instead, so the day is planned around what is actually open.
What costs are not in the boat price?
National park fees are paid separately for each guest, and many Phuket listings put them under Not included. The same goes for some boats' transfer to the marina and lunch. Read the What's included and Not included lists in each listing before you compare prices, because two boats with a similar price can differ a lot once these are added.
Current park fees are set by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Rates have changed over the years, so check them close to your trip instead of relying on an old figure.
FAQ
Can I swim at Maya Bay?
No. Since Maya Bay reopened in 2022, swimming in the bay is not allowed and boats cannot enter it. Guests land at a pier on the other side of Phi Phi Leh and walk to the beach. Most private boats plan the swimming at another stop, such as a lagoon on Phi Phi Leh or Bamboo Island.
Is a half day enough for Phi Phi from Phuket?
For most boats, no. The crossing to Phi Phi is one of the longer legs among Phuket day routes, and a half day leaves little time at the islands. A full day is the usual choice. A fast boat makes the day less rushed, so check the cruising speed in the listing before you decide.
Is Maya Bay open all year?
No. The national park closes Maya Bay for part of the rainy season to let nature recover and to keep visitors safe. In 2024 the closure ran from 1 August to 30 September, together with Loh Sama Bay and Loh Ko Bay. Dates can change, so check the park's announcement before you travel in late summer.
Which boat is best for Phi Phi with children?
A catamaran or a motor yacht is usually the more comfortable choice. Both are steadier than a speedboat on the crossing and have shade, and a motor yacht adds an indoor space and a bathroom. Ask the operator in advance whether life jackets in children's sizes are on board.
Do I pay national park fees on a private boat?
Yes, every guest pays the park fee, whether you join a tour or charter a private boat. Many Phuket listings show it under Not included, which means you pay it on the day. Check the current rate on the Department of National Parks website, because the fee has changed several times.
What should I bring for a Phi Phi day trip?
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a dry bag for your phone and cash for park fees. Wear sandals that are easy to take off for the walk to Maya Bay and the beach landings. Towels, water and snorkeling gear are often included, so check the listing before you pack them.
