Phi Phi Island tour from Phuket: speedboat vs big boat, Maya Bay rules, prices 2026

Phi Phi is the trip almost everyone wants to do from Phuket — and the one that raises the most practical questions in our shops in Patong and Bang Tao. How long is the day? Speedboat or big boat? Can you swim in Maya Bay? How much is the national park fee? Here are clear, up-to-date answers for the 2026–27 season.

Still hesitating between Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay? Read our comparison Phi Phi or James Bond Island: which island trip to choose? first. This guide focuses only on the Phi Phi day trip.

How long is a Phi Phi day trip from Phuket?

Count on a full day. Hotel pick-up is usually between 7:00 and 7:30, boats leave the pier around 9:00 and you are back at your hotel in the late afternoon or early evening — around 10 hours door to door. The Phi Phi archipelago lies roughly 40–50 km south-east of Phuket, in open sea, so the crossing time depends mainly on the type of boat and on the sea conditions:

• Speedboat: about 45 minutes to 1 hour each way.
• Big boat: about 1 h 30 to 2 hours each way.

Speedboat or big boat: what is the difference?

A speedboat carries a few dozen passengers and is fast, so the day can include more stops: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, snorkeling, lunch on Phi Phi Don and a beach island in the afternoon. The downside: in open sea the ride can be bumpy and you will probably get a little wet. Speedboats are not recommended for pregnant women, people with back or neck problems, or babies.

A big boat is a large vessel with covered decks, seats and toilets. The ride is smoother and more comfortable, but slower, and the boat carries many more people. Because big boats cannot moor everywhere, programs often have fewer stops and some only see certain spots from the sea — always read the program carefully.

Our Phi Phi & Khai Islands tour is a speedboat day: Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, snorkeling at Monkey Beach, buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don and an afternoon on the white sand of Khai Island. The full program, what is included and the price are on the excursion page. If you prefer a calm day on a big boat, the most comfortable alternative is James Bond Island by big boat, in the sheltered Phang Nga Bay.

Maya Bay rules in 2026

Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Leh, became world-famous with the film “The Beach”. After years of over-tourism, it was closed from 2018 to 2022 to let the coral and the beach recover. It has reopened with strict rules set by the Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park:

• No swimming: swimming in the bay is prohibited. You walk on the beach and can paddle at the water’s edge.
• Boats no longer enter the bay: they moor at a pontoon in Loh Samah Bay, on the other side of the island, and you walk to the beach on a wooden boardwalk (about 5–10 minutes).
• Limited visits: the park caps the number of visitors per hour and each group usually stays about one hour on the beach. Visits take place during the day only.
• Annual closure: Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September to let nature recover during the monsoon. In 2026 it reopened on 1 October. The park can also close it at short notice when the sea is too rough.
• Reef-safe sunscreen only: Thai national parks have banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC or butylparaben since 2021.
• Respect the site: do not feed the fish, do not take coral, shells or sand, and take all your rubbish back with you.

National park fee in 2026

The Phi Phi islands belong to the Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Every visitor pays an entrance fee set by the Department of National Parks. The rates for foreign visitors have not changed since 2022:

The ticket covers the park’s sites for the day (Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island…). Fees are decided by the authorities and can change without much notice. Good to know: on our Phi Phi & Khai Islands tour, the national park fee is included — see the excursion page for everything that is in the price.

When is the best time to visit Phi Phi?

• November to April: the best season — calm sea, sunshine and clear water. December to February is the busiest period: book a few days in advance.
• May to October: the southwest monsoon. Beautiful days are common, but the sea can be rough and boat trips are sometimes cancelled for safety. Maya Bay is closed in August and September, while the other Phi Phi spots remain accessible when the weather allows.

If a trip is cancelled because of the weather, we offer you another date or another excursion. More details in our guide Phuket weather: the best season for boat trips.

What to bring

• Swimsuit (wear it under your clothes), towel and a change of clothes
• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and ideally a UV T-shirt for snorkeling
• A waterproof bag for your phone and documents
• A little cash for drinks, toilets or souvenirs on Phi Phi Don
• Seasickness tablets if you need them

On our tour, snorkel gear and life jackets are provided.

Seasickness: how to avoid it on a speedboat

• Take a seasickness tablet 30 to 60 minutes before boarding (ask a pharmacist which one suits you).
• Eat a light breakfast and avoid alcohol the night before and on board.
• Sit towards the back of the speedboat, where it bounces less, rather than at the front.
• Look at the horizon, get fresh air and avoid reading or staring at your phone.
• If you are very sensitive, choose a day in a sheltered bay, such as James Bond Island by big boat.

Any question? Write to us on WhatsApp — our team in Patong and Bang Tao answers every day.

Staying in Patong, Kata or Karon? Pick-up times, live price and inclusions are in Phi Phi tour from Patong; from the north-west coast, see tours from Bang Tao, Laguna and Surin.