From Phuket: Snorkeling Ferry Cruise to Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi’s famous limestone walls, bright coves, and Maya Bay views are the main event here. This is a full-day ferry outing, not a small, fast island-hopping trip, so you trade speed and intimacy for a lower price and a simpler ride from Phuket.

I like the chance to see several major Phi Phi sights without arranging separate boats, and I like that the 10-hour schedule includes lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and transfers. The main drawback is the long ride on an older ferry, followed by limited time on Phi Phi Don. If you get seasick, take that seriously.

Key points to know before booking

• Maya Bay is viewed from the water, and the ferry may not stop there.
• The Royal Jet Cruiser makes the trip affordable, but the Phuket to Phi Phi crossing takes about two hours each way.
• Pileh Cove, Viking Cave, Loh Samah Bay, and the Bida islands are generally sightseeing passes from the ferry.
• Snorkeling takes place near shore, where conditions can be shallow and marine life may be modest.
• The buffet lunch receives strong praise for variety, including good vegetarian choices.
• You pay extra for the national park and pier fees, adding 420 THB for a foreign adult.

What this $39 Phi Phi trip really offers

At $39 per person, this is priced as an accessible introduction to Phi Phi rather than a premium boat experience. You get transport from Phuket, a guide, a buffet meal, soft drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, and accident insurance. That package has real value, especially if you want to see the islands without hiring a private longtail boat or speedboat.

The tradeoff is time. You spend roughly four hours on the main ferry, with the rest divided between sightseeing, beach time, lunch, and snorkeling. I would choose this trip for broad coverage at a low price, not for long swims at quiet beaches or a carefully paced nature tour.

The rating of 3.7 from 39 bookings reflects that split. The best parts are the range of sights, food, and price. The weak points are the ferry ride, limited time at Phi Phi Don, and the fact that some famous places are seen only from onboard.

Starting before breakfast at Rassada Pier

If you select hotel pickup, the van collects you around 7:00 to 7:10 am from your hotel reception. The ride brings you to Phuket Rassada Pier, where check-in begins at 7:40 am at the Andaman Wave Master counter at Gate 3.

If you make your own way there, use this address: 64 423 Anuphasphuketkarn Road, Ratsada, Mueang Phuket. Have your passport ready, along with the requested Covid-19 vaccination certificate. Those documents are part of the check-in process, so do not leave them in your hotel room.

The ferry leaves at 8:30 am. This early start helps fit the Phi Phi sights, beach time, lunch, and snorkeling into one day, but it also makes this a poor choice if you dislike early mornings. Bring a light layer for the ferry, plus sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes.

The Royal Jet Cruiser crossing to Phi Phi

The main ride to Phi Phi takes about two hours. Refreshments are served onboard, which helps, but you should still plan for a long period at sea. The boat is a practical ferry rather than a quiet little sightseeing craft, and one booking described it as past its best condition.

That does not make the crossing unusable. It does mean you should set your expectations correctly. You may spend much of the journey seated, with views changing outside the windows or from the deck. The sea can become rough, and the tour warns that the ride may be uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness or afraid of open water.

If that sounds like you, take seasickness medicine before departure according to your normal medical advice. The operator specifically suggests taking a pill and sleeping through the main crossing if rough water is a concern. This is useful advice, not a minor footnote.

The ferry format also explains the low price. You are sharing a larger vessel with other people, and the schedule is built around moving a group efficiently. If you want a faster ride and more time at each cove, a higher-priced speedboat trip may suit you better.

Phi Phi Leh from the water

Around 10:30 am, the ferry reaches the Phi Phi Leh area. The boat cruises past the island for sightseeing, usually taking in Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Pileh Cove, and Viking Cave. The exact route depends on weather conditions.

This part is about views and photographs, not getting off at each site. That distinction matters. You can look toward Maya Bay and its steep limestone setting, but you should not expect a long beach visit there. Loh Samah Bay, on the far side of Maya Bay, is known for its striking rock formation and gives you another angle on the island.

Pileh Cove is the visual highlight for many people. Its calm lagoon is enclosed by high limestone walls, creating the classic Phi Phi scene you probably have in mind. The ferry’s position and sea conditions affect how long you can look and photograph it, so keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the cove.

Viking Cave is another pass-by sight. It is a historic-looking cliff site currently used for swallow nesting. The boat does not turn this into a long cultural stop, but it adds something different from the beaches and lagoons.

Bida Nok and Bida Nai round out the sightseeing run. You will see them from the ferry, with the guide pointing out the main locations in English or Thai. One practical complaint from the feedback is that the guide was not always easy to hear, so standing close to the guide or checking the route beforehand can help you follow the commentary.

Phi Phi Don beach time and a short snorkeling session

At about 11:30 am, you reach Phi Phi Don, the inhabited island. The program lists Long Beach and Laemtong Beach, with time to swim, sunbathe, and find a place to sit by the shore. Drinks are available at the beach bar for an extra charge.

This is your main chance to leave the ferry and enjoy the island at ground level. The beach gives you room to slow down after the early start and the long crossing. You can swim, sit in the sand, or simply look back toward the water and limestone scenery.

Do not expect an isolated beach escape. Phi Phi Don is habitable and has beach facilities, food, drinks, and souvenir stalls. One booking described the stop as quiet after the initial excitement, with little to do beyond food, drinks, and sitting around. Another noted that the short visit to Phi Phi Don seemed useful mainly for buying souvenirs.

That contrast comes down to what you want. If you need a scenic place to swim and rest, the stop does its job. If you want a long, active island visit, the roughly one-hour window may feel thin.

The snorkeling trip starts around noon near the shore. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are provided. Because the activity takes place in shallow water by the beach, it is approachable for basic swimmers and beginners, but it may not deliver the best underwater experience of the day.

Conditions make a large difference. The water may have limited visibility or little marine life, and one direct account found the snorkeling area disappointing. I would treat this as a short bonus activity rather than the central reason to book the trip. If excellent snorkeling is your priority, choose an outing built around dedicated reef stops.

A buffet lunch by the sea

Lunch arrives around 12:45 pm at a seaside restaurant. The meal is buffet style, which works well for a mixed group because you can choose how much and what type of food you want.

Food quality is one of the strongest points in the feedback. The buffet is described as varied and tasty, with especially good choices for vegetarians. That matters on a long day, since you are not relying only on snacks from the ferry or beach bar.

Soft drinks and a snack are included. Drinks bought at the beach bar are not included, so keep some Thai baht with you if you want something beyond the provided refreshments. The national park fee and the Tonsai Pier cleaning fee are also separate from the advertised tour cost.

After lunch, you have free time to relax or walk around the island area. This is not a guided historical visit, and the schedule does not promise a long town tour. Think of it as a pause before the return ferry.

The afternoon ride back to Phuket

At 2:15 pm, you return to the ferry. The boat reaches Phuket around 4:30 pm, followed by hotel drop-off if that option was selected.

The return crossing can feel long after a full day in the sun. This is where the ferry format matters most. You have already seen the main sites, so the trip back is mostly transport. Bring water, keep your towel and dry clothes handy, and plan to rest.

The total day runs close to ten hours, not counting unusual delays. Bad weather may restrict the route, prevent access to some areas, or slow the crossing. The tour normally operates in rain, and the program is not refundable when weather changes the itinerary. I would avoid booking this on the one day you need a guaranteed visit to Maya Bay or a fixed evening plan in Phuket.

Extra costs and practical value

The advertised price is $39 per person, but the real cost includes mandatory fees:

• Foreign adults pay a 400 THB national park fee.
• Foreign children pay 200 THB.
• Thai adults pay 40 THB.
• Thai children pay 20 THB.
• The Tonsai Pier cleaning fee is 20 THB per person.
• Beach bar drinks cost extra.

For a foreign adult, the listed extra fees add 420 THB. Include that in your budget before deciding that this is a very low-cost day. Even with the additions, the package can offer good value because it covers the ferry, guide, lunch, snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, snack, insurance, and optional hotel transportation.

The value is strongest if you want a single, organized Phi Phi introduction. It is weaker if you plan to spend most of your day snorkeling or want to linger at Maya Bay. You are paying for coverage of many sights, not long stays at each one.

Who should book this Phi Phi ferry cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an affordable first look at Phi Phi, prefer a large ferry to a small speedboat, and appreciate having transport, lunch, and equipment arranged in advance. It also suits people who enjoy a mix of scenery, beach time, a short snorkeling session, and a buffet meal.

Vegetarians should find the lunch setup reassuring. English and Thai are the available guide languages, though the guide may not always be audible from every part of the boat.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair or mobility aid, have a mobility impairment, are over 75, or use a mobility scooter. The activity is not designed for those needs. I would also avoid it if you are highly prone to seasickness, unless you already know how you manage long boat crossings.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility, but weather-related changes are treated differently, so do not assume a storm-affected day will bring a refund.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if your goal is to see the main Phi Phi sights at a reasonable price, enjoy a solid buffet lunch, and accept a long shared ferry ride. The views around Pileh Cove and Maya Bay can make the day worthwhile, even when the stops are brief.

Skip it if your priority is untouched beaches, quiet coves, excellent snorkeling, or a long stay at Maya Bay. For those goals, look for a smaller boat with more time in the water. For a budget-friendly overview with straightforward logistics, this ferry cruise is a sensible choice, as long as you understand that the highlights are seen quickly and weather can change the plan.

FAQ

How long is the Phuket to Phi Phi tour?

The full activity lasts about 10 hours. Pickup begins around 7:00 am, the ferry leaves Phuket at 8:30 am, and the return to Phuket is scheduled for about 4:30 pm.

Where do I check in at Rassada Pier?

Check in at the Andaman Wave Master counter at Gate 3, Rassada Pier. Check-in begins at 7:40 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option. Pickup begins around 7:00 to 7:10 am from the hotel reception.

What places can I see around Phi Phi Leh?

The ferry passes Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Pileh Cove, and Viking Cave. The route depends on weather conditions.

Do I get to enter Maya Bay?

The program describes cruising past Maya Bay for sightseeing from the ferry. It does not promise a landing or beach visit there.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included. Snorkeling takes place near the shore in a shallow part of the sea.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served at a seaside restaurant around 12:45 pm. Soft drinks and a snack are also included.

What fees are not included?

The national park fee is 400 THB for a foreign adult, 200 THB for a foreign child, 40 THB for a Thai adult, and 20 THB for a Thai child. There is also a 20 THB Tonsai Pier cleaning fee per person.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Weather-related changes may restrict the route, and the program is non-refundable in that situation.