Phi Phi Islands Speedboat from Phuket: Worth It?

A speedboat day trip from Phuket to Phi Phi is fast and scenic but it’s a long day with a lot of time on the water. Expect roughly 1.5 hours each way in a speedboat that can get bumpy when the sea is choppy. Once there you’ll usually stop at Phi Phi Don for lunch, visit Maya Bay (often crowded), and do a couple of snorkel stops. The boat rides are the biggest part of the experience — some people love the speed and views, others find it exhausting and loud. It’s a full day: hotel pickup around 7:30–8am and return between 5:30–7pm.

Best time is December to April when the Andaman Sea is calmer and visibility is better. May–October can be rough, with many tours cancelled or extremely bumpy. Expect to pay around $80–$130 per person for a standard shared speedboat tour including lunch and snorkel gear. Private or smaller luxury boats start from about $180–$300+ per person.

Tip: Book the earliest departure possible — it gets you to Maya Bay before the crowds really pile in. Skip the big party boat tours if you want any peace; they tend to be louder and more chaotic. Bring motion sickness tablets if you’re even slightly prone to seasickness — the return journey in the afternoon wind can be brutal.