From Phuket: Snorkeling Ferry Cruise to Phi Phi Islands

The big draw is the chance to see Phi Phi Leh’s famous limestone coast from the water without paying for a private boat. You cruise past Maya Bay, Pileh Cove, Viking Cave, and Loh Samah Bay, then spend time on Phi Phi Don for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.

I like the simple price, $39 per person, and the fact that it covers the ferry, guide, food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and hotel transport when that option is selected. I also like the easy sightseeing plan: you can enjoy dramatic scenery from the deck instead of scrambling between several small boats.

The tradeoff is time. This is a long day with roughly two hours on the ferry each way, and the sightseeing around Phi Phi Leh is viewed from onboard. Rough seas can make the crossing uncomfortable, and bad weather may shorten the route without a refund.

Key points before you book

• Maya Bay from the ferry: You pass the famous beach rather than spending time ashore there.
• Phi Phi Leh sightseeing: Pileh Cove, Loh Samah Bay, Viking Cave, Bida Nok, and Bida Nai are viewed from the water.
• One beach stop on Phi Phi Don: Swimming and sunbathing take place at Long Beach or Laemtong Beach.
• Shallow-water snorkeling: The session begins near shore and is suited to a relaxed look at tropical marine life.
• Good basic value: Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, equipment, insurance, and ferry transport are included.
• Extra costs and documents: Foreign adults pay a 400 THB national park fee, plus a 20 THB pier cleaning fee. Bring your passport and Covid-19 vaccination certificate.

The $39 ferry trip at a glance

This is a broad Phi Phi sampler rather than an intimate island cruise. You leave Phuket in the morning, pass the most famous sites around Phi Phi Leh, stop on Phi Phi Don for beach time and snorkeling, eat a buffet lunch, and return to Phuket in the late afternoon.

At $39, the package covers a lot. You get roundtrip ferry transport, a live guide in English or Thai, a snack, soft drinks, buffet lunch, a mask and snorkel, a life jacket, and accident insurance. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you choose that option.

The price looks better once you count those inclusions, but remember the extra national park and pier charges. For a foreign adult, that is 420 THB in additional fees. The day is not cheap in absolute terms, yet it can be good value if you want one organized outing and do not need private-boat flexibility.

The overall rating is 3.7 from 39 ratings, which fits the experience well. It can be a pleasant, affordable day when the sea is calm and the food and timing work in your favor. It is less appealing if you want long stops, quiet beaches, or close access to Maya Bay.

Leaving Phuket Rassada Pier at 8:30

With hotel pickup, the van collects you around 7:00 to 7:10 am from the hotel reception. Without pickup, go directly to Andaman Wave Master Counter at Gate 3 of Rassada Pier. Check-in begins at 7:40 am, so do not treat the 8:30 departure as your arrival time.

The pier address is 64 423 Anuphasphuketkarn Road, Ratsada, Mueang Phuket. Have your passport ready, along with your Covid-19 vaccination certificate, because both are requested at check-in.

The ferry is a Royal Jet Cruiser, and refreshments are served onboard. The crossing takes about two hours, which is the main practical issue for this trip. If you get seasick or feel anxious on rough water, take suitable seasickness medicine before departure and plan to rest during the crossing.

The boat ride is part of the experience, but it is not a scenic sail in the relaxed private-yacht sense. The sea can be rough, and weather conditions are outside the operator’s control. Bring a light layer if you dislike air conditioning, plus sunglasses and a hat for time on deck.

Phi Phi Leh and the Maya Bay views

At about 10:30 am, the ferry reaches the Phi Phi Leh area. Instead of landing at Maya Bay, the boat cruises past the island’s major sights for views and photographs.

Maya Bay is the headline stop. Its fame comes from its enclosed beach, pale sand, and tall limestone walls, but here you see it from the ferry. That matters if your main goal is to walk on the beach. You will not get that experience on this trip.

Loh Samah Bay sits behind Maya Bay and is known for its striking rock formation. From the water, you can understand how the bays and cliffs fit together, though the exact viewing time depends on boat movement and sea conditions.

Pileh Cove is another highlight. The lagoon is surrounded by high limestone walls, giving it a more enclosed feel than the open coast. This is one of the most photogenic parts of the route, but you should keep your camera ready because the ferry may not linger for long.

The cruise also passes Bida Nok and Bida Nai, two rocky formations associated with the Phi Phi island group. Viking Cave is included as a sightseeing point too. It is a historical site now used for swallow nesting, so this is a look from offshore rather than a cave visit.

The route is weather dependent. On a rainy or rough day, the ferry may be delayed or unable to cover every location. The operator says the trip is highly likely to run in rain, but the program is non-refundable when weather changes the experience.

Phi Phi Don, beach time, and the pace of the stop

At around 11:30 am, you reach Phi Phi Don, the habitable island in the group. The beach stop is at Long Beach or Laemtong Beach, depending on the day’s arrangements.

This is where the day becomes less about famous viewpoints and more about having a simple island break. You can swim, sunbathe, sit near the sand, or find a place to look out over the water. Soft drinks are available, but drinks from the beach bar cost extra.

The beach stop is useful because it gives you time away from the ferry. Still, keep your expectations in check. You are not getting a full day on Phi Phi Don, and the stop may feel limited if you want to walk around the island, shop, or find a quiet stretch of sand.

One low rating described the stop as disappointing, with little to do beyond food and drinks and not much marine life close to the beach. That is a fair warning for serious snorkelers. This trip provides a convenient introductory session, not a dedicated reef trip.

Snorkeling near shore at 12:00

The snorkeling starts near the beach in shallow water. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are included, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.

The shallow setting is helpful for beginners and for anyone who wants a short swim without spending the whole day at sea. You can see tropical marine life, but conditions vary. Water clarity, weather, and the exact beach location all affect what you find.

I would choose this trip for easy access to snorkeling, not for a major underwater encounter. If your priority is coral, fish variety, or long time in the water, a specialist snorkeling excursion may suit you better. The schedule gives you only a short session before lunch.

Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, spare clothes, sunglasses, and a hat. A dry change of clothes makes the ferry ride home more comfortable, especially after swimming.

Buffet lunch beside the sea

At about 12:45 pm, a buffet lunch is served at a seaside restaurant. Food variety has been one of the strongest parts of the experience, including good choices for vegetarians.

That makes the meal more useful than a basic packed lunch. You can eat before spending the rest of the stop relaxing or walking around the beach area. Soft drinks are included, while drinks purchased from the beach bar are not.

The lunch timing is practical, but it also means the beach visit is divided into several short activities: snorkeling, eating, and free time. If you want an unhurried beach afternoon, the schedule will feel tight.

Returning to Phuket at 2:15 pm

You transfer back to the ferry around 2:15 pm. The return crossing takes about two hours, with arrival at Rassada Pier expected around 4:30 pm. If you selected hotel transport, the van then takes you back to your accommodation.

The timing makes this a full ten-hour outing, so avoid booking anything important soon after the planned return. Delays are possible, especially when the sea is rough or weather prevents the boat from following the full route.

One useful point from the available feedback is that the schedule can be managed well, though the guide may not always be audible. On a ferry, engine noise and passenger movement can make spoken information hard to catch. Sit near the guide when possible and treat the trip as a scenic day first, guided commentary second.

Who will get the most from this trip?

You are a good match for this tour if you want to see the main Phi Phi sights in one day at a moderate price. It suits first-time visitors who prefer an organized plan, families who want included food and equipment, and casual swimmers who do not need a long snorkeling session.

Vegetarians should find the buffet more accommodating than a very basic group meal. The included mask, snorkel, and life jacket also save you from arranging gear in advance.

This is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, mobility scooter users, or people over 75. The ferry boarding, beach transfer, and snorkeling stop require a reasonable level of mobility.

I would also think carefully if you are prone to seasickness. The ferry ride is the backbone of the day, not a minor transfer. Rough water can change the whole mood of the trip.

What to bring and what to budget

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

• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit and towel
• Dry clothes for the return ride
• Passport
• Covid-19 vaccination certificate
• Seasickness medicine if you normally need it

The stated price is $39 per person. Hotel pickup and drop-off depend on the option selected. The following are not included:

• National park fee: 400 THB per foreign adult or 200 THB per foreign child
• National park fee for Thai nationals: 40 THB per adult or 20 THB per child
• Tonsai Pier cleaning fee: 20 THB per person
• Beach bar drinks

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Weather-related changes are different: the trip may still operate in rain, and the program is non-refundable if weather prevents some stops.

My verdict on the Phi Phi ferry day

Book this if you want a straightforward, low-cost introduction to the Phi Phi islands, with Maya Bay views, a few famous coves, beach time, snorkeling, and lunch handled in one package. The strongest points are the broad route, included food and equipment, and the chance to see several landmarks without arranging separate transport.

Skip it if you want to step onto Maya Bay, spend hours snorkeling, avoid a long ferry ride, or explore Phi Phi Don at your own pace. The trip is best understood as a convenient overview, not a quiet island escape.

For most people, the decision comes down to the sea. On a calm day, the ferry views and limestone cliffs can make the long ride worthwhile. On a rough day, the same crossing may feel like too much for a short beach stop. Check the forecast, budget the extra fees, and choose this tour for breadth and convenience rather than depth.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours. Pickup begins around 7:00 to 7:10 am when hotel transport is selected, and return to Phuket is expected around 4:30 pm.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Andaman Wave Master Counter at Gate 3 of Rassada Pier. Check-in starts at 7:40 am.

What time does the ferry leave Phuket?

The Royal Jet Cruiser departs Rassada Pier at approximately 8:30 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is Maya Bay included?

Yes. The ferry passes Maya Bay for sightseeing, but this experience does not provide a beach landing at Maya Bay.

Are snorkeling equipment and lunch included?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, life jacket, and buffet lunch are included. Snacks and soft drinks are also provided.

What extra fees must I pay?

Foreign adults pay a 400 THB national park fee, and foreign children pay 200 THB. Thai nationals pay 40 THB per adult or 20 THB per 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 are not covered by this refund policy, and the operator may alter or shorten the route in bad conditions.