What To Bring

Swimwear & towel
Reef-safe sunscreen
Flip-flops or sandals
Sunglasses & hat
Camera or smartphone
Dry bag for valuables
Extra cash for personal expenses

What's Included

Hotel transfers from Phuket & Khao Lak
Fresh fruit, soft drinks & snacks throughout the day
Lunch at Phi Phi Don
Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel & fins)
Multi-language expert guide
Life jacket
National park fees
Accident insurance

TYPE Speed Catamaran

GROUP Max 32

GUIDE Multi Language

DURATION 8 Hours

BEST SELLER exclusive tour in group or private on request

Phi Phi by Speedcatamaran – Late Departure – Perfect for Families Relaxed Late Start from Phuket | Maya Bay in the Afternoon, Bamboo Island, Pileh Lagoon & Snorkeling

Discover the world-famous Phi Phi Islands on a relaxed, family-friendly day trip from Phuket aboard our comfortable speed catamaran. With a later departure at 09:30, there is no need for an early alarm – you can enjoy a proper breakfast, take your time, and still experience every highlight of the Phi Phi Islands, from Bamboo Island and Pileh Lagoon to the legendary Maya Bay.

What makes this Phi Phi tour special is the reversed program: instead of racing to Maya Bay first thing in the morning, we save it for the late afternoon. By visiting after the busiest hours between 10:00 and 14:00, you admire this iconic beach in a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere – the perfect end to your day.

The wide, stable speed catamaran offers a smoother, gentler ride than a standard speedboat, making it an ideal choice for young children, grandparents, and anyone who gets seasick easily. With spacious seating, plenty of shade and a calm cruise, the whole family can simply sit back and enjoy the Andaman Sea.

Please note: Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September for environmental restoration. During this period we spend extra time snorkeling and relaxing at Bamboo Island and Phi Phi Don.

ITINERARY

Experience The Unseen Nature

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A relaxed morning

Hotel Transfer & Comfortable Start

No early wake-up call needed. We collect you from your hotel in Phuket or Khao Lak and bring you to Royal Phuket Marina, where our modern speed catamaran is waiting. Enjoy a calm, unhurried start to your island day – ideal for families and anyone who prefers a relaxed holiday pace.

Depart 09:30

Departure by Speed Catamaran

At around 09:30 we set off across the Andaman Sea. The wide, twin-hull design of the speed catamaran gives a noticeably smoother and more stable ride than a standard speedboat, with comfortable seating and shade for the whole family. Sit back, relax and watch the islands appear on the horizon.

Bamboo Island

White Sand & Turquoise Water

Step onto the powder-white sand of Bamboo Island, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Phi Phi Islands National Park. With shallow, crystal-clear turquoise water, it is a safe and gorgeous spot for children to paddle and play while parents relax under the tropical sun.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling near Bamboo Island

Slip into the warm, clear water around Bamboo Island to discover colorful coral reefs and tropical fish. With calm, shallow conditions and life jackets provided, it is a perfect first snorkeling experience for younger swimmers – and just as rewarding for confident ones.

Phi Phi Don

Lunch, Village & Monkey Beach

On the main island of Phi Phi Don we enjoy a delicious lunch and free time to explore Tonsai Village, browse the shops or relax on the beach. From the boat, keep your camera ready as we cruise past Monkey Beach, home to a colony of wild macaques – observed safely from the water to protect both guests and wildlife.

Phi Phi Leh

Pileh Lagoon & Viking Cave

Phi Phi islands by speedcatamaran | best for families | later start | comfortable | Swimming Pileh Lagoon

Cruise into the spectacular Pileh Lagoon, a natural pool of emerald-green water enclosed by towering limestone cliffs – one of the most magical swimming spots in Thailand. Along the way we pass the historic Viking Cave, famous for its ancient wall paintings and prized swiftlet bird’s nests.

The Grand Finale

Maya Bay in the Afternoon

We save the best for last. World-famous Maya Bay, the beach made legendary by the movie The Beach, is our final highlight – and because we arrive in the late afternoon, you experience it after the peak-hour crowds have gone. Enjoy the dramatic cliffs, soft sand and that unforgettable view in a much calmer setting.

Back ~18:30

Return to Phuket

After a full day of beaches, snorkeling and iconic scenery, we cruise back to Royal Phuket Marina, arriving at approximately 18:30. Our team assists with your comfortable transfer back to your hotel – happy, sun-kissed and full of memories.

Why Choose the Phi Phi Speedcatamaran Late-Departure Tour?

This tour is designed for travelers who want to see the very best of the Phi Phi Islands without the stress of a pre-dawn start. The relaxed late departure is ideal for families with young children, honeymooners and anyone who would rather enjoy a proper breakfast than set an early alarm on holiday. You still visit all the famous highlights – Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach – but at a gentler, more comfortable pace.The tour includes hotel transfers from Phuket and Khao Lak, snorkeling equipment, lunch, national park fees, life jackets and professional multilingual guides. With departures from Royal Phuket Marina aboard a spacious, stable speed catamaran, it is one of the most comfortable ways to discover the Phi Phi Islands.

Speedboat or Speed Catamaran – Which Is Right for You?

Both boats reach the same beautiful destinations, so the best choice really depends on your group and how you like to travel.The speed catamaran is the more comfortable and stable option. Thanks to its wide twin-hull design, it glides more smoothly over the waves, making it the better choice for young children, older travelers and anyone who is prone to seasickness. There is more space to move around, more shade, and a calmer overall experience – perfect for a relaxed family day out.A standard speedboat is faster and gives a more energetic, adventurous ride. It tends to suit couples, groups of friends and families with older children (roughly 7–8 years and up) who enjoy a bit more action and speed on the water. If your priority is comfort and a gentle cruise, choose the catamaran; if you love a lively, faster ride, the speedboat may be more your style.

Early Bird or Later Start – Which Departure Should You Pick?

We offer the Phi Phi Islands both as an early bird tour and this later departure, and each has its own advantages.The early bird tour departs before most other boats and reaches Maya Bay first thing in the morning, when it is at its quietest. It is the perfect choice for keen photographers and early risers who don’t mind a very early start in exchange for the calmest possible Maya Bay.This later start is all about a relaxed, comfortable rhythm – especially with younger children or if you simply don’t like waking up early on holiday. Because our program runs in reverse, we visit Maya Bay at the end of the day, in the late afternoon. The busiest hours at Phi Phi are typically between 10:00 and 14:00, so by timing our visit later we avoid that peak and enjoy Maya Bay in a much more relaxed atmosphere. In short: choose the early bird for the quietest mornings, or this later catamaran tour for the most relaxed, family-friendly day.

Our Honest Opinion

If you are traveling with young children or grandparents, or you simply want a calm, comfortable island day without the early alarm, this is the tour we recommend most often. The stable speed catamaran, the relaxed later departure and the clever reversed itinerary – ending at Maya Bay when it is quieter – combine to make a genuinely stress-free day in paradise. You still see everything the Phi Phi Islands are famous for, just at a more enjoyable pace. For active travelers and older kids who love speed, our early bird speedboat tour is a great alternative; but for families, this relaxed catamaran day is hard to beat.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Phi Phi Islands

What time does the speed catamaran tour depart?

The tour departs from Royal Phuket Marina at approximately 09:30, following hotel pick-up earlier that morning. You return to the marina at around 18:30. This relaxed later start means no pre-dawn wake-up – ideal for families.

Is this tour good for families with young children?

Yes – it is one of our most family-friendly tours. The wide speed catamaran gives a smooth, stable ride, the later start suits children’s routines, and the snorkeling spots at Bamboo Island are calm and shallow. Life jackets are provided for all guests

Should I choose the speedboat or the speed catamaran?

Choose the speed catamaran if you want a smoother, more stable and comfortable ride – best for young children, older travelers and anyone who gets seasick easily. Choose the speedboat if you prefer a faster, more adventurous trip, which tends to suit couples, groups of friends and families with older children (around 7–8 years and up).

Why does this tour visit Maya Bay in the afternoon?

Our program runs in reverse, so Maya Bay is our final stop of the day. The busiest hours at Phi Phi are usually between 10:00 and 14:00, so by arriving in the late afternoon we experience Maya Bay after the peak crowds have thinned out – a calmer, more relaxed visit.

What is the difference between the early bird and later start tours?

The early bird tour departs very early and reaches Maya Bay first thing in the morning when it is quietest – great for early risers and photographers. This later departure is more relaxed, avoids the early wake-up, and visits Maya Bay at the end of the day when it is less busy. It is especially popular with families and anyone who prefers a slower holiday pace.

Can I visit Maya Bay all year round?

The Phi Phi Islands are open year-round, but Maya Bay closes annually from 1 August to 30 September for environmental restoration. During that period we spend extra time at Bamboo Island and Phi Phi Don instead.

How many guests are on board?

While the catamaran has a higher maximum capacity, tours typically operate with a comfortable number of guests (up to around 32), giving everyone more space and a more personal, less crowded experience than many large group excursions.