Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat

REVIEW · PHI PHI ISLANDS TOURS

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat

5.0 · 90 reviews From $139 Operated by Amazing Canoeing · Bookable on Viator
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Phi Phi in a day, with snorkeling fins included. This speedboat tour packs in the island highlights with a real mix of swim stops, cave views, a buffet lunch, and time on both the more famous beach scenes and the calmer sand options. You also get hotel pickup in Phuket and a smooth transfer to Royal Phuket Marina, so you are not wasting your morning figuring out ferry schedules.

I especially like two things: the snorkeling gear and fins are included, and the day has enough scheduled water time that snorkeling feels like a key part of the outing, not an afterthought. I also like the human touch, like the way guide Ohma is specifically praised for being kind and helpful, and how the crew keeps things moving with a good pace.

One consideration: the advertised price does not cover everything. You will need to budget extra for national park fees and the Royal Phuket Marina admission fee, paid to the guide on check-in.

Key points at a glance

  • Small group size (max 30), so you usually get more attention than on mega-coach tours.
  • Hotel pickup plus round-trip to Royal Phuket Marina cuts out a big chunk of logistics.
  • Snorkeling equipment and fins included, so you can pack light on gear.
  • Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island create a full day of variety.
  • Ohma is named in reviews for helpful, friendly guiding.
  • Lunch and refreshments are included, and one reviewer noted beverages were provided on the boat.

Compare more Phi Phi routes by pier, boat size and Maya Bay timing

Royal Phuket Marina to Phi Phi, the smart way to do a full day

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat - Royal Phuket Marina to Phi Phi, the smart way to do a full day
If you want Phi Phi without turning your trip into a transportation puzzle, this format works. The day starts with a pickup from Phuket by air-conditioned minivan, then you head to Royal Phuket Marina in time for the speedboat portion. Starting at 9:30 am gives you a better chance to enjoy the route without feeling like you only hit the islands for a photo and a coffee.

The tour is set up for a 7 to 8 hour day, with multiple stops that keep changing the scenery. You are not just doing one beach and calling it a day. Instead, you alternate between viewpoints, short nature breaks, and places meant for swimming and snorkeling. That rhythm matters when you are on the water all day, because it gives your body a chance to reset between stops.

A key detail I appreciate is the practical inclusions. You get an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment and fins, and lunch plus refreshments. You also get travel insurance, and local taxes are included in the base price. In other words, the big moving pieces are covered.

The itinerary pace: Ko Phi Phi Lee and Maya Bay stops

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat - The itinerary pace: Ko Phi Phi Lee and Maya Bay stops
From the marina, the speedboat heads to Ko Phi Phi Lee first, with about 1 hour 10 minutes there. This stop is about the dramatic cliffs and the sweep of bays. Even if you are not snorkelling the whole time, it is the kind of location where standing on the boat and looking around still feels worth it.

Next comes Maya Bay, about 40 minutes. This is the stop that gets worldwide attention thanks to its film fame, via The Beach. But the practical upside is that it is built into a bigger route, so you are not spending your entire day chasing one famous cove. The listing also notes an admission ticket is included for this stop, which helps reduce surprises later.

What to consider at these two stops

The main trade-off is time. Between travel by speedboat and changing locations, each island stop is relatively short. If you prefer long beach hangs with zero schedule, this style may feel brisk. If you like action packed days and variety, you will probably find the pacing satisfying.

Also, the tour overview mentions a choice between the Maya Beach option and a Bamboo Island option, but the detailed route lists both a Maya Bay stop and a Bamboo Island stop. The practical takeaway is simple: when you confirm, check how your final schedule is set for your date.

Pileh Bay: the water break built for swimming and calm views

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat - Pileh Bay: the water break built for swimming and calm views
After Maya Bay, you head to Pileh Bay (Pileh Lagoon) for about 40 minutes. This is the stop described as a swimming pool in the sea, with limestone mountains all around. The listing also frames it as a place for swimming and paddleboarding, so it is meant for getting in the water rather than just watching.

What I like about this stop is the “switch” it gives you. Maya Bay is about a famous coastline moment. Pileh Bay is more about the water itself and how the shape of the bay changes your sense of space. If you have had enough of boats bouncing around in open channels, this kind of enclosed lagoon stop can feel like a breather.

Snorkeling note that matters

Snorkeling is included with the tour equipment and fins, and Pileh Bay is one of the swimming-focused stops. If you want a chance at marine life without it turning into an all-day slog, this is one of the spots to watch your timing.

Viking Cave and Monkey Beach, quick hits with a reason

Then the tour turns toward Viking Cave, with about 40 minutes. This is a scenic cruise style stop where you can see the cave’s wall paintings and the fact it is also linked to bird nest harvesting. Even if you do not care about the details, the setting is visually memorable, and the stop helps break up the day so you are not only on sandy shores.

After that, you have Monkey Beach for about 20 minutes. This one is explicitly a sightseeing stop. The practical benefit is that it is short, meaning you get a change of scenery without losing too much time to the slower parts of the day.

The main consideration here

These stops are not about long water time. If you are only in Thailand to snorkel for hours, you might feel the schedule is divided. But if you want the “classic Phi Phi circuit” in one outing, these quick sights help shape the day into a complete tour rather than repeating the same type of beach scene.

Phi Phi Don lunch at Ton Sai Bay: the break you will feel thankful for

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat - Phi Phi Don lunch at Ton Sai Bay: the break you will feel thankful for
Halfway through the day, you land on Ko Phi Phi Don for lunch. You get about 1 hour at a beach-side restaurant on Ton Sai Bay, with a buffet lunch plus desserts. The sea view is part of the point here, because you are not eating indoors in a hallway.

I think lunch timing is one of those things you only appreciate when it goes wrong. Here, it is scheduled after several stops, so you get a real food break before you head toward Bamboo Island. One reviewer also mentioned the tour provided beverages on the boat, and refreshments are listed as included, so you are not running the day on empty.

What lunch time is really for

Lunch is not just calories. It is the reset. You get to take your time getting organized, rinse off if you need to, and refocus for the final beach stop. In a long day with speedboat hops, that matters.

Bamboo Island: the quieter beach feel, with time to walk

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat - Bamboo Island: the quieter beach feel, with time to walk
The last big island stop is Bamboo Island, about 1 hour 10 minutes. This is the one described as a walk through the natural environment, with a white sand beach lined with palm trees, plus animals and scenic coastal views. For a lot of people, this is the payoff stop: you get the beach time without the same level of famous-cove pressure.

And here is why I like it as an ending. You end with a place designed for lingering. You get enough time to walk, relax on the sand, and use the water if conditions allow. If you snorkel earlier and your gear still feels fresh in your hands, this is also a strong candidate for a final try.

About snorkeling highlights

One review noted a baby reef shark spotted at the snorkeling spot. That is not something you can count on every day, but it tells you that marine life can show up during this route’s snorkeling windows. With fins included, you will be better equipped to take advantage if you see something.

Snorkeling gear, fins, and what that means for your comfort

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat - Snorkeling gear, fins, and what that means for your comfort
This tour includes snorkeling equipment and fins, which is a big value point. It saves you the hassle of renting gear at the last minute, and it means you can focus on where to swim rather than what to carry.

Practically, fins change your snorkeling experience. With fins, you usually move more efficiently and can spend less effort staying in one area. That matters in a speedboat itinerary because your water time is split into multiple short segments. If you want to make the most of each segment, gear inclusion helps.

Also, the tour notes that stops include both cave scenery and swimming spots. So your snorkeling success is partly about timing and your comfort level. If you are nervous in open water, you may prefer swimming in the more lagoon-like stops, while keeping snorkeling brief and fun.

Price and value: what $139 covers, and what you should pay on top

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat - Price and value: what $139 covers, and what you should pay on top
At $139 per person, the base price covers a lot of the heavy lifting: round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off within Phuket province, a guided day with an English-speaking guide, speedboat cruise, snorkeling equipment and fins, lunch and refreshments, travel insurance, and local taxes.

What is not included is where people get surprised. You must pay national park fees to the guide on check-in: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. There is also a Royal Phuket Marina admission fee of 400 THB per person not included in the price.

How I’d budget the real cost

I recommend you look at the base fare as covering the tour mechanics, then add the two fee categories to your mental total. If you are traveling as a family, the child fee difference for national park access is worth noting. Also, this tour is limited to a maximum of 30 travelers, so it is not a mass-market mega operation, which can be part of the reason value feels solid.

Finally, alcohol is not included. Alcohol is sold at Royal Phuket Marina, and you must be at least 20 years old. So if you plan to drink, plan to buy it there.

Group size and comfort: how a max-30 day feels

Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat - Group size and comfort: how a max-30 day feels
With a maximum of 30 travelers, this tour sits in a sweet spot. Big enough to run efficiently, small enough that your guide can usually manage the flow of people at each stop. That matters when you are switching locations and using shared gear.

The tour also offers a mobile ticket, which keeps things simple at check-in. And since the meeting point and start time are clear, you should be able to plan your morning around the pick-up.

One more comfort point: you travel by air-conditioned minivan for the transfers between Phuket and the marina. That helps on a long day when the sun starts doing its thing.

Who should book this Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands speedboat

This tour fits best if you want:

  • A full day Phi Phi itinerary rather than a short beach hop
  • Snorkeling with fins included, plus multiple water and sightseeing stops
  • A mix of famous and less crowded-feeling beach options, especially with Bamboo Island as the final beach time
  • A guided day with English support and a pace that keeps moving through the highlights

It might not be ideal if you want:

  • One beach only, with hours to lounge and zero schedule
  • A tour where every stop is focused purely on snorkeling for long periods

Should you book Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands with fins?

I’d book it if you want a practical, high-value day that stitches together the best-known Phi Phi areas with snorkeling gear you do not have to hunt down. The included lunch, refreshment, and hotel transfers make it feel like a complete package, and the max-30 group limit keeps the day from getting too chaotic.

I would think twice if extra fees would stretch your budget, because national park fees and the Royal Phuket Marina admission can add up. I’d also treat it as a full day on the water, meaning you should be ready for a tighter schedule at each stop.

If you like variety and you want the classic Phi Phi route without the hassle, this is the kind of tour that usually delivers what it promises.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30 am.

Does this tour include hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket?

Yes. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan in Phuket province.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and fins are included.

What extra fees do I need to pay on check-in?

You need to pay national park fees to the guide on check-in: 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children, and the Royal Phuket Marina admission fee is 400 THB per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and there are desserts as well at the beach-side restaurant on Phi Phi Don.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund.