From Phi Phi: Full Day 7 Island Tour by Longtail with Sunset

This is a big day on a small wooden boat, with the best-known sights around Phi Phi packed into roughly eight hours. You’ll swim in Pi Leh Lagoon, see Maya Bay and Bamboo Island, look for blacktip reef sharks, and finish with sunset over the Andaman Sea.

I like the route for two clear reasons: it gives you a lot for $35, and the crew keeps the day moving with fruit, water, lunch, and several chances to swim. The late visit to Maya Bay can also help you avoid some of the worst crowds, though the timing means the bay may be in softer light.

The trade-off is comfort. You spend much of the day on a longtail boat, and the ride can feel tiring or rough in bad weather. This is an excellent budget tour for active visitors, but not the right pick if you want a quiet, polished cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet in Phi Phi, not Krabi: You must reach Tonsai Bay on your own and meet outside McDonald’s 20 minutes before the 10:30 AM departure.
• Seven major stops in one day: The route includes Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pi Leh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, Maya Bay, Shark Point, and Bamboo Island.
• Snorkeling gear is included: Masks, snorkels, life jackets, drinking water, fruit, and a lunch box come with the tour.
• The 400 THB park fee is extra: Pay it in cash when visiting Maya Bay or Bamboo Island. You pay it once for the day.
• The group is limited to 20 people: That is smaller than many basic boat outings, though the longtail still has limited space.
• Sunset is part of the route: You return after the sunset stop, arriving back at the Tonsai Bay meeting point around 6:30 PM.

What this Phi Phi day actually feels like

The appeal is simple: you see the classic Phi Phi sights without booking several separate trips. For $35 per person, the price covers an eight-hour outing, boat transport between stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch, fruit, and drinking water.

That makes the tour strong value, especially if you want a first look at the islands and do not need luxury seating. You can swim, snorkel, walk on white sand, take photos, and sit back while the crew handles the route.

The boat is a classic longtail, not a fast speedboat. That matters. A longtail lets you enjoy the open water and get close to rocky coves, but its engine noise can be loud and the ride can be exposed to sun, spray, and chop. Space may feel tight when the boat is full, even with a maximum group size of 20.

You should also plan this as a Phi Phi-based tour. The meeting point is in Tonsai Bay on Koh Phi Phi, not in Krabi or Ao Nang. Since ferry and speedboat connections are limited after the tour, an overnight stay on Phi Phi is required. Arrange your transport to the island before booking.

Monkey Beach and Viking Cave set the tone

The first stop is Monkey Beach, with about 20 minutes for sightseeing. You get coastal views and a chance to see monkeys near the shore. Keep your distance and protect food, cameras, and loose belongings. This is a short stop, so think of it as a quick wildlife and photo visit rather than a long beach break.

Viking Cave follows, with about 15 minutes for sightseeing. You will see the cave from the boat and hear about its local stories and past use. The stop is brief, so the value is in the setting and the guide’s explanation rather than a long exploration on foot.

These early stops help you settle into the day. You are not spending hours at one attraction, but moving through a series of very different coastal scenes.

Pi Leh Lagoon is the first major swim

Pi Leh Lagoon gets about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. This is one of the most memorable parts of the route, with steep limestone walls surrounding clear turquoise water.

The lagoon works well as an early swim because you can cool off after the first boat ride. Bring water shoes if you have them, since they are useful around rocky edges and boat ladders. A waterproof bag is also wise for phones, wallets, and dry clothing.

The lagoon can be busy, and 30 minutes passes quickly once you have entered the water. Still, this stop gives you one of the signature Phi Phi experiences without asking you to spend the entire day on a beach.

Loh Samah Bay offers a quieter water stop

Loh Samah Bay is included as a hop-on, hop-off style stop, with time for photos and sea views. The bay is known for clear water and coral areas, so conditions may make it another useful snorkeling point.

The exact time at Loh Samah Bay can change with the day’s conditions and the route plan. That flexibility is helpful because the crew can adjust around boat traffic, weather, and sea conditions. It also means you should not expect every stop to follow a rigid schedule.

Maya Bay comes with fame and a park fee

Maya Bay is the headline stop for many people. Made famous by The Beach, it has bright water, pale sand, and steep green-sided cliffs. The tour allows about one hour here for free time and sightseeing, which gives you enough time to take in the setting rather than simply step ashore for a photo.

The late timing can be a smart part of the route. Arriving later in the afternoon may help you miss some of the heaviest crowds, and the crew has planned the route to reach certain places before larger groups arrive. But there is a compromise: if the sun is low or cloud cover arrives, the water may not look as clear in photographs.

Maya Bay is also subject to national park controls. You need to pay 400 THB in cash, and this fee is not included in the tour price. The same daily fee covers access to the national park areas visited on this route, including Bamboo Island, so you do not pay twice.

Follow local rules at Maya Bay. The area is protected, and the schedule or access arrangements can change with park management and sea conditions.

Shark Point is for confident swimmers

Shark Point gives you around 30 minutes to snorkel. The main attraction is the chance to see blacktip reef sharks, along with other marine life.

The guides are present to help keep the group safe, but you still need to be comfortable in open water. Bring a life jacket if you prefer extra support, and listen closely to the crew’s instructions. The tour includes masks and snorkels, but fins are not listed as included. If you like to cover a lot of water while snorkeling, you may want to bring your own fins if practical.

This is one of the stops that adds real adventure to an otherwise scenic beach trip. Shark sightings are never guaranteed, but the point is chosen for the possibility of seeing them in their natural setting.

Bamboo Island brings the longest beach break

Bamboo Island is scheduled for about 45 minutes, with time to relax, swim, snorkel, and walk along the soft white sand. After several short stops, this longer pause gives you room to slow down.

The water and beach are the main draw, but do not expect complete solitude. Bamboo Island is a popular stop, and the park fee applies here too. The $35 tour price remains good value once you consider the number of places included, but remember to add the 400 THB cash fee to your budget.

This is a good place to use the beachwear, sun hat, sunscreen, and water shoes you packed. The Thai sun can be strong even when a breeze makes the boat ride feel comfortable.

Sunset closes the day on a high note

After the final island stop, the boat pauses for sunset over the Andaman Sea. This gives the day a pleasant finish instead of ending with a simple ride back to the pier.

Bring a camera, but keep it protected from spray. A waterproof bag is more useful than a camera alone, especially if the sea becomes choppy on the return journey. The covered section of the boat offers some shelter, but you should still expect exposure to wind and rain.

The return is expected around 6:30 PM, though weather and sea conditions can shift the timing. One particularly practical point: rain does not automatically cancel the tour. The trip can run in wet weather if conditions are safe, and no refund is offered simply because it rains. If conditions become unsafe, the operator will cancel and offer a reschedule or full refund.

Food, drinks, and the longtail boat setup

The included lunch is a lunch box, with fruit and drinking water also provided. Some meals may sit unrefrigerated in the heat, so bring your own snacks if you are cautious about food storage. You should also carry extra water if you know you drink a lot in hot weather.

The crew has a reputation for keeping people supplied through the day and checking that everyone is comfortable. That personal attention matters on a small boat, especially when several passengers are snorkeling at different points.

Still, this is a basic outing. Do not expect private seating, air conditioning, or a restaurant-style lunch. The value comes from the route and the number of stops, not from luxury service.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you want to see the major Phi Phi sights in one day and keep costs down. It suits solo visitors, couples, and friends who are happy to share a boat and spend much of the day outdoors.

It also works well if you want a mix of activities. You can take photos at Monkey Beach and Viking Cave, swim at Pi Leh Lagoon, snorkel at Shark Point, relax on Bamboo Island, and watch the sunset without arranging separate transport.

You should think twice if you suffer from seasickness. One full day on a longtail boat can be exhausting, particularly in rough water. Take suitable medication if you normally use it, and sit where you can see the horizon if the crew allows.

This tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Pets, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Practical packing advice for eight hours at sea

Pack light, but bring the items that make a hot boat day easier:

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Beachwear and a change of dry clothes
• Water shoes
• A waterproof bag for valuables
• Cash for the 400 THB national park fee
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Any personal seasickness supplies

Meet the Pantawan Tour staff 20 minutes before departure, at 10:10 AM for the listed 10:30 AM start. The meeting point is in front of McDonald’s in Tonsai Bay. You do not get hotel pickup or drop-off, so allow enough time to reach the pier area.

The tour is conducted in English, and the group is limited to 20 people. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, or reserve now and pay later if you need flexibility.

Is the $35 price worth it?

Yes, for the right kind of day. The tour covers an unusually large amount of Phi Phi for a low price, and the inclusions are useful rather than decorative. You get the boat, snorkeling gear, life jacket, water, fruit, and lunch, then visit the best-known bays and islands before sunset.

The extra cost is the 400 THB national park fee, plus your transport and accommodation on Phi Phi. Once you add those expenses, the full day costs more than the headline price, but the boat trip itself remains a strong budget choice.

The main thing you give up is comfort and flexibility. You cannot linger wherever you want, and the longtail may feel crowded or tiring. If you prefer a private boat, a quiet schedule, or a more comfortable ride, pay more for a different format.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively, affordable introduction to Phi Phi with Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, snorkeling, and sunset all in one day. The route is packed, the crew provides the basics, and the value is hard to ignore.

Skip it if you need a gentle pace, dislike long boat rides, or want guaranteed quiet at the beaches. For most active visitors already staying on Phi Phi, though, this is a practical way to see the islands without spending much.

FAQ

Where does the Phi Phi longtail boat tour start?

The tour starts outside McDonald’s in Tonsai Bay on Koh Phi Phi. Meet the Pantawan Tour staff 20 minutes before the scheduled 10:30 AM departure.

Does the tour depart from Krabi or Ao Nang?

No. The meeting point is on Koh Phi Phi, not in Krabi or Ao Nang. You must arrange your own ferry or speedboat transport to Phi Phi and plan to stay overnight after the tour.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a longtail boat trip, mask and snorkel, life jacket, drinking water, fruit, and a lunch box. Hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, accommodation, and the national park fee are not included.

How much is the national park fee?

The national park fee is 400 THB, paid in cash. You pay it once per day, and it covers the national park areas visited, including Maya Bay and Bamboo Island.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pi Leh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, Maya Bay, Shark Point, Bamboo Island, and a sunset stop before returning to Tonsai Bay.

Can I cancel the tour if my plans change?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If unsafe weather forces the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.