Small Groups of 20 people – Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands with Lunch

The best part of this Phuket day trip is its range: Bamboo Island beaches, Monkey Beach, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, and two chances to snorkel, all in one well-organized speedboat outing. You cover a lot of the Phi Phi area without having to arrange boats, food, or transfers yourself.

I like the 20-person limit and the steady supply of water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks. I also like the lunch setting at Phi Phi Holiday Resort, where you eat beside the sea rather than at a plain marina buffet. The main caution is the ride: a speedboat can be loud and very bumpy, especially when wind picks up.

Key points before you book

• Bamboo Island gives you an early beach stop for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
• Pileh Lagoon is the strongest swimming stop, with emerald water enclosed by high limestone cliffs.
• Maya Bay is a sightseeing stop as well as a beach visit, and access rules can change.
• The small group matters, though one report recorded 28 people on a boat, so confirm the current limit.
• Lunch, transfers, gear, towels, water, fruit, and snacks are included, but the 400 THB adult national park fee is extra.
• Bring motion-sickness medicine and sun protection if you need them.

What this Phuket island day actually feels like

This is a full-day outing, not a quick boat ride. The advertised duration is about 9 hours and 30 minutes, including hotel pickup, the marina briefing, time on the islands, lunch, and the return transfer.

You begin at Royal Phuket Marina with light refreshments and a short safety talk. The marina can feel busy at first, with several groups gathering before departure, but the check-in process is organized and staff direct you toward the right boat.

The speedboat gets you to the islands faster than a slower sightseeing boat. That saves valuable beach time, but speed has a tradeoff. The ride can be noisy and hard on your back, and the crossing to the first island may take about an hour. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual medication before leaving and choose a seat that feels secure.

The boat carries snorkeling equipment, life jackets, masks, snorkels, fins, and a new snorkel mouthpiece. Beach towels are supplied, and an onboard restroom is available. Still, using a toilet while the boat is bouncing over open water may not be comfortable, so use facilities whenever you stop ashore.

Royal Phuket Marina: a brisk start

The first 15 minutes are for instructions, safety information, and a little food or drink. This is more useful than it sounds. You will spend much of the day getting in and out of the water, walking on beaches, and riding at speed, so pay attention to the guide’s directions about boarding, swimming, and equipment.

The marina departure also gives you a chance to sort your phone and belongings before the boat moves. A waterproof floating phone case is included, and some bookings include two phone covers according to the supplied experience details. Even so, keep valuables to a minimum and secure anything loose before the boat accelerates.

The group size is meant to be a maximum of 20 people. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a cheaper island package that may pack people tightly onto a boat. One account reported 28 people on a boat, however, so I would confirm the current group arrangement when booking if personal space is important to you.

Bamboo Island: your first real beach stop

Bamboo Island is scheduled for about an hour. It is part of the marine national park and offers the classic combination of pale sand, clear water, and open sea.

This stop is best for a first swim and a little time on the beach. You can sunbathe, use the complimentary towel, or put on the supplied mask and snorkel. The island is described as fairly barren, so do not expect a developed beach town, shops, or many facilities. That lack of construction is part of its appeal, but it also means you should rely on the food, water, and equipment brought by the tour.

The timing is sensible. An hour is enough to get wet and enjoy the setting, but not so long that you miss the rest of Phi Phi. If you want a slow beach day with hours in one place, this is not the right format. If you want several different island scenes in one day, it works well.

Remember that national park fees are not included. The listed charge is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. The fee may be collected as part of the day’s arrangements, but budget for it separately from the tour price.

Monkey Beach: a short look from the water

Monkey Beach is a brief 10-minute sightseeing stop. You stay on the speedboat and watch the macaques swim, climb, and move along the shore.

That restriction is important. You do not get off the boat, and you should not try to feed or approach the animals. The short stop keeps the visit safer for both people and monkeys, but it also means this is a quick photo opportunity, not a wildlife encounter lasting half an hour.

The scene adds variety to the day. After a beach stop, you get a glimpse of a wilder shoreline and the animals that live there. Keep your phone ready before the boat arrives, since the boat may not remain in position for long.

Lunch at Phi Phi Holiday Resort

Lunch lasts about an hour at Phi Phi Holiday Resort. The buffet includes Thai and international dishes, with vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and other dietary requests available if you ask in advance.

This is one of the more practical inclusions. A long day in the sun is much easier when you can sit down for a proper meal rather than relying only on packaged snacks. The setting also matters. You eat with a sea view, and some departures have used a quieter resort dining area rather than a shared cafeteria used by many other groups.

Food quality can vary by taste. Several accounts praised the buffet and found it generous, while another found lunch merely average. I would treat the meal as a welcome break with a good setting, not as a reason to book the tour by itself.

Water, coffee or tea, fruit, soft drinks, snacks, and bottled water are included during the day. Alcohol is not included, though it can be purchased. If you have a serious dietary restriction, give the operator the details at booking rather than waiting until lunch.

Pileh Bay: the day’s best swim

Pileh Bay receives about 30 minutes, and this is likely to be your most memorable water stop. The lagoon is surrounded by tall limestone cliffs, with green water that feels very different from the open beach at Bamboo Island.

You may swim from the boat, and the crew can help organize entry into the water. The stop is short, so be ready when the guide gives the signal. Put on your life jacket as instructed, even if you are a strong swimmer. National park rules and the operator’s safety procedures may require it.

Snorkeling conditions depend heavily on weather, boat traffic, and water clarity. The supplied accounts include excellent fish sightings, but also note limited live coral in some areas. Do not book this as a specialist coral-reef trip. Think of the snorkeling as a lively part of a broader island day, with cliffs, lagoons, beaches, and wildlife sharing equal billing.

Viking Cave and the story behind bird’s nest soup

The cave stop is for sightseeing and an explanation of its importance to the island’s swallow birds. Their nests are valued for bird’s nest soup, a specialty associated with the cave.

You do not appear to spend extended time ashore here. This is a look from the boat, paired with context from the guide. It is a small but worthwhile pause because it gives the route more meaning than a string of beach photo stops. You learn why a particular cave matters instead of simply passing a dark opening in the cliffs.

The visit is also short, so think of it as a narrated sight rather than a cave tour. The guide’s delivery makes a difference. Past departures have included guides named Ray, Goodes, Anton, Sunny, Alan, and P, but names are assigned according to the departure and cannot be guaranteed.

Maya Bay: famous, beautiful, and tightly managed

Maya Bay is the final major sightseeing stop, with about an hour scheduled. Its white sand and bright water became famous after the film The Beach, and the setting is undeniably striking.

Fame brings crowds and strict protection. Maya Bay has been subject to closures and access controls, so check the current operating status before you book. The supplied information states that a closure begins on August 1, 2025, but it does not give a reopening date. If the bay is closed during your visit, the operator may adjust the route, but you should confirm the current plan directly.

Do not expect a private beach. Even with a small boat group, the wider Phi Phi area can be busy, especially at popular stops. The advantage of this tour is not solitude. It is the chance to see Maya Bay as part of a route that also includes less famous water and beach stops.

Your guide can help you understand what to expect before arrival. One departure included a clear briefing about the beach conditions and access rules, which is useful at a place where regulations can change.

The guide and crew make the day work

A route this busy depends on timing. You need the crew to distribute gear, serve drinks, organize swimming, help people board, and keep the boat moving without making the day feel rushed.

The strongest part of the service is the attention on board. Towels are hung to dry and folded for use later, drinks and fruit are offered throughout the day, and crew members help with phones and water entry. Guides such as Ray, Goodes, Sunny, Anton, and Alan have been singled out for clear instructions, humor, and care, though your guide may be someone else.

Photography upgrades are available on some bookings. The supplied details describe underwater photos and action shots taken during the day. If you care about family pictures or swimming photos, the extra service may be useful, but it is not needed to enjoy the tour.

Is $108.43 a fair price?

At $108.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Phi Phi. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, accident insurance, a speedboat, snorkeling equipment, towels, lunch, fruit, drinks, snacks, bottled water, a floating phone case, and an onboard restroom.

The value comes from reducing the number of separate decisions you must make. You do not need to find a marina transfer, rent snorkeling equipment, buy lunch, or arrange a boat between islands. A small-group limit also gives you more room than many low-cost packages.

Add the 400 THB adult national park fee to your budget, along with any drinks or photography upgrade. I consider the price reasonable for someone who wants a packed, managed day and values comfort on the boat. It is less attractive if you prefer to spend a whole afternoon on one beach or can arrange a private boat with a group of friends.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you are staying in Phuket and want the major Phi Phi sights in one day. It suits first-time visitors, families who appreciate organized transfers, and swimmers who want both beaches and snorkeling.

It also suits people who dislike being squeezed onto a large boat, provided the promised group limit is honored. Families should note that the speedboat ride can be rough, and young children need to follow crew instructions closely.

I would think twice if you have severe motion sickness, dislike loud boat rides, or want quiet time in nature. Weather can change quickly, and one wet-weather departure continued through heavy rain. The operator can cancel for poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund, but a normal rainy day may still go ahead.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Cruise ship passengers must provide ship and docking details at booking, and missing the trip because the ship arrives late is not refundable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an efficient Phi Phi sampler with strong logistics, a small intended group, regular refreshments, and a proper lunch. The combination of Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, and Maya Bay gives you a broad look at the area rather than one isolated stop.

Skip it if you want a slow beach holiday, guaranteed calm water, or a specialist snorkeling trip. For most visitors with one open day in Phuket, the price is justified by the transfers, food, equipment, and range of stops. Just check Maya Bay’s current status, prepare for a bumpy ride, and pack serious sun protection.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes, including hotel transfers, the marina briefing, island stops, lunch, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is advertised with a maximum of 20 travelers. One supplied account described 28 people on a boat, so confirm the current arrangement if the group size is important to you.

What islands and locations are included?

The route includes Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Holiday Resort, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, and Maya Bay, subject to weather and access rules.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet at Phi Phi Holiday Resort, with Thai and international food. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and other dietary requests can be made in advance.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The package includes a life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, and a new snorkel mouthpiece. Beach towels are also included.

Are national park fees included?

No. The listed national park charge is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child.

Can I see the monkeys up close?

No. Monkey Beach is viewed from the speedboat, with no land access. The macaques remain wild animals and should not be approached or fed.

Is Maya Bay always open?

No. Maya Bay can close under national park rules. The supplied information states that a closure begins August 1, 2025, without giving an end date, so check the current status before departure.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason brings the same options.