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Private speedboat or group boat to visit the Phi Phi Islands: it all comes down to your group size and budget. The only genuinely private boat in my selection (up to 12 people) costs €1,264 total, around €105 per person at full capacity, versus €49 to €268 per person on a shared group formula. Maya Bay is closed from August 1 to September 30, 2026 for ecological regeneration: excursions redirect to Bamboo Island. Below 5 to 6 travellers, the shared group remains the most rational choice; beyond that, the private option becomes competitive and offers total flexibility on timing.
Private speedboat or big group boat to visit the Phi Phi Islands: the question comes up on every travel platform, and the right answer mostly depends on the size of your group. On one side, a boat reserved just for you, with a flexible itinerary and a time slot that’s entirely yours. On the other, the shared catamaran or speedboat, where you board alongside 15 to 42 other travellers on a fixed programme, for a noticeably more affordable price per person. Both formulas visit largely the same spots; what changes is your relationship with time, budget and the other passengers on board.
I compared nine winning excursions departing from Phuket, plus one notable exception departing from Koh Phi Phi itself, to help you choose based on your actual budget and group size: four private-speedboat or small-shared-group formulas, five big shared group-boat formulas. One thing worth knowing before you book: Maya Bay, the bay made famous by the film The Beach, is closed until October 1, 2026 for ecological regeneration — more on that below. If you only need one option to decide quickly on total exclusivity, it’s my private snorkelling trip to Phi Phi and Khai, the highest-rated boat in the whole selection and the only genuinely private charter in the comparison.
Phi Phi and Maya Bay: what to know before you book
Ko Phi Phi Don, the archipelago’s only permanently inhabited island, and Ko Phi Phi Le, protected and uninhabited, together form a national park in the Andaman Sea, roughly midway between Phuket and Krabi. Administratively, the archipelago belongs to Krabi province, a detail that often surprises people since most excursions are sold departing from Phuket, in the neighbouring province. In the catalogue I screened, the gap is clear: ten qualifying products depart from Phuket against just two from Koh Phi Phi Don itself. That reflects a simple commercial reality: most visitors sleep on the Phuket side, where the hotel supply is far wider.
Ko Phi Phi Le is home to Maya Bay, made world-famous by the film The Beach (2000, starring Leonardo DiCaprio). That sudden exposure cost the ecosystem dearly: up to 200 boats and 4,000 visitors a day destroyed much of the bay’s coral, leading to a full 32-month closure between 2018 and 2022. Since reopening, access has been capped and swimming banned. And every year since 2022, Maya Bay has also closed from August 1 to September 30 for an annual ecological regeneration period: we’re right in the middle of that window as I write this, and the bay will reopen on October 1, 2026. Excursions keep running as normal during that time, simply redirected to other stops, Bamboo Island chief among them.
Private speedboat or group boat: 9 excursions compared in Phi Phi
I’ll start with the four private-speedboat or small-shared-group formulas, then the five big shared group-boat formulas. The summary table sits right after the selection.
Option A: the private speedboat
1. 100% Private Speedboat: Maya Bay, Pileh and Khai Island
This is the only genuinely private boat in my whole selection: you book the speedboat in its entirety, up to twelve people, for a fixed rate that doesn’t change whether there are two or twelve of you on board. The classic itinerary is strong on immersion, Pileh Lagoon and Monkey Beach chief among the stops, with an English-speaking guide dedicated to your group alone and Maya Bay back on the menu as soon as it reopens on October 1. Hotel transfers in Phuket are included both ways, which makes for a genuinely simple day on the water.
- Boat reserved exclusively for your group (fixed rate, up to 12 people, not per person)
- Dedicated English-speaking guide and Phuket hotel transfers included both ways
- Full itinerary: Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach and Khai Island, plus Maya Bay outside the closure period
2. Sunrise Speedboat, Small Group
This small-group format, 20 to 25 people depending on the boat, banks on a single advantage — but a real one: leaving before everyone else. The sunrise slot keeps all its appeal even during Maya Bay’s summer closure, until October 1: arriving early at any national-park stop remains the best way to dodge the midday crush. A light breakfast on board, then a buffet lunch at a 4.5-star resort before heading back.
- Speedboat 39 to 47 feet depending on the option, 20 to 25 passengers maximum
- Dedicated sunrise slot, ahead of the big group boats
- Breakfast on board, then a buffet lunch at a 4.5-star resort
3. Small-Group Cruise, Capped at 18 Passengers
With more than 1,500 reviews and an average of just 15 passengers per departure, this is the best trade-off between proven track record and small group size in my whole selection. Maya Bay is on the itinerary but stays closed until October 1 for ecological regeneration: the operator switches to Bamboo Island in the meantime, without changing anything else about the formula. Wi-Fi on board, breakfast and lunch included for a full day out.
- Average of 15 people per departure, fixed cap at 18: the smallest shared group in the comparison
- Breakfast, lunch and Wi-Fi on board included
- Bamboo Island offered as an alternative during Maya Bay’s summer closure
4. Half-Day Snorkelling Departing from Koh Phi Phi
The only option in my selection that doesn’t depart from Phuket: this half-day trip boards directly from the Tonsai pier, on Koh Phi Phi itself, which makes it best suited to travellers already staying on the island. The group, capped at ten people, makes it the smallest format in the comparison, at a noticeably more accessible price than the Phuket-based formulas. Snorkelling at Loh Samah and Monkey Bay, with the return timed for sunset.
- Group capped at 10 people: the smallest format in the comparison
- Departs directly from Koh Phi Phi (Tonsai), with no transfer from Phuket
- Half-day sunset format, the most accessible price in the comparison
Option B: the big group boat
5. Shared Speedboat, Snorkelling with Lunch
The shared counterpart to private boat #1 above: the same departure point at Royal Phuket Marina, the same snorkelling gear provided, but a shared speedboat with up to thirty other passengers for a far more accessible price per person. This product has the honesty to spell it out in its own itinerary — Maya Bay or Bamboo Island depending on the season — wording that fits exactly with the current summer closure. Lunch and hotel transfers included both ways.
- Shared speedboat, up to 30 passengers
- Transparent choice between Maya Bay or Bamboo Island depending on the season
- Lunch and Phuket hotel transfers included both ways
6. Award-Winning Day Trip, Exclusive Buffet
With more than 3,400 reviews and a Viator Experience Award won three years running (2023 to 2025), this is the most proven group excursion in the whole comparison. The buffet lunch is reserved exclusively for the boat’s own guests, a detail that matters once you’ve come across tours where food gets shared with two or three other boats moored side by side. English and Japanese-speaking guides, special dietary options on request.
- Viator Experience Award winner 2023-2025, 2,000+ five-star reviews
- Buffet lunch reserved exclusively for the boat’s own guests, never shared
- Special dietary options on request: halal, vegetarian, gluten-free
7. Indigo Luxury Catamaran, Water Sports Included
The newest catamaran in my selection, an air-conditioned 2024 double-hull model, banks on water activities rather than pure lounging: a water slide, jet skis and kayaks are included in the price, not a paid add-on. The departure logistics spell it out in black and white, right now, that Maya Bay stays closed until October 1, replaced by extra time at other stops on the route. Boarding at Phuket Smart Pier, hotel pickup available.
- Air-conditioned 2024 double-hull catamaran, 40 passengers maximum
- Water slide, jet skis, kayaks and glass-bottom boat included
- 5 edited professional photos included free
8. Premium Catamaran, Live Music at Sunset
The bigger sibling of the previous catamaran on the atmosphere front: two decks, fifty passengers maximum and a decidedly festive touch with live music at sunset. Same official notice as its neighbour: Maya Bay closed until October 1, offset by extra time at the programme’s other stops. Five retouched professional photos are given to every participant, a real plus if you’re travelling without dedicated camera gear.
- Two-deck catamaran, 50 passengers maximum, live music at sunset
- Water activities included: paddleboarding, glass-bottom boat, water slide
- 5 retouched professional photos included free
9. All-Inclusive Speedboat, 3 Marinas to Choose From
The most logistically flexible format in the comparison: three departure marinas to choose from depending on your hotel (AA Marina, Boat Lagoon or Royal Phuket), and a meal plan that runs all day long, from breakfast to afternoon fruit. The product name mentions Maya Bay, but keep in mind the closure running until October 1: the programme automatically adjusts to other stops in the meantime. With a shared group of up to 42 passengers, it’s also the most affordable formula in the entire selection on the group side.
- 3 departure marinas to choose from depending on your hotel (AA, Boat Lagoon, Royal Phuket)
- « All-Day Food » plan: breakfast, full buffet, afternoon fruit
- Shared group of up to 42 passengers despite the « Speedboat » name
Private speedboat or group boat: the comparison
| Criterion | Option A: private speedboat | Option B: group boat |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | Whole boat: €1,264 for up to 12 people (product #1) | Per person: €49 to €268 (based on 2 people) depending on the boat |
| Real price per person | About €105/person at 12 travellers, versus €632/person at 2 | Stable, no matter how many people are booked together |
| Group size | Yours alone (up to 12 people), or small shared group of 10 to 25 depending on the option | 15 to 42 passengers depending on the boat |
| Itinerary flexibility | Total, dedicated guide at your pace | Fixed programme set by the operator |
| Atmosphere | Intimate, calm, pace on your terms | Sociable, convivial, sometimes lively (live music on premium catamarans) |
| Departure point | Private marina in Phuket, or Koh Phi Phi itself (product #4) | Marina or pier in Phuket depending on the boat |
| Best for | Group of 5-6 people or more, couples after exclusivity, budget set aside for comfort | Solo travellers, couples or families after the best value for experience |
Planning the trip
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Book my top pickPractical tips on the ground
Two hubs serve Phi Phi: Phuket, roughly 74 kilometres away, concentrates most departures and the widest commercial choice; Krabi (Ao Nang), closer at 46 kilometres, remains a valid alternative if you’re already staying on that side. According to several specialist guides, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are statistically the quietest days at the archipelago’s landmark sites, a useful benchmark if your booking lets you choose the day.
Seasickness remains the main thing to watch for on group formulas: the monsoon swell, from June to October, can be noticeable, especially on single-hull boats. A tablet taken the evening before often makes a real difference. Make sure you can swim before booking a formula with deep-water snorkelling stops: several reviews flag this, particularly on the busiest excursions.
A boating accident was recorded in the area in January 2026, involving a speedboat and a fishing trawler. Authorities have since tightened access permits for commercial boats in certain zones of the national park. Favour a well-rated operator with accident insurance included, which is the case for every excursion in this selection. If you’re extending the trip, our complete 2-to-3-week Thailand itinerary covers Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the southern islands, with a possible detour via Bangkok’s Banthat Thong street food scene before or after your stop in Phuket.
Frequently asked questions
Should you book a private speedboat or a group boat to visit Phi Phi?
It mostly depends on the size of your group. Below 5 to 6 people, a shared group formula remains the most rational choice: our options start as low as €49 per adult. Beyond that, the private boat becomes competitive, at around €105 per person at full capacity (12 travellers), while offering total flexibility on timing and itinerary. See the full comparison table for details.
Can you visit Maya Bay right now?
No, not right now: Maya Bay is closed from August 1 to September 30, 2026 for its annual ecological regeneration. It’s a recurring closure since 2022, not an unexpected event. Excursions keep running normally but redirect to other stops, Bamboo Island chief among them. Reopening is scheduled for October 1, 2026.
What’s the real price difference between the private boat and the group tour?
The pricing structure changes completely. A group tour is billed per person, at a stable price no matter how many people are in your booking. A genuine private charter is billed for the whole boat: in our selection, €1,264 for a twelve-seat private boat, whether there are two or twelve of you on board. The private option’s per-person price therefore drops mechanically as your group grows.
Is it better to depart from Phuket or Krabi to visit Phi Phi?
Krabi (Ao Nang) is geographically closer, about 46 kilometres versus 74 from Phuket. But Phuket concentrates most of the qualified commercial offer: eight of our nine excursions depart from there, against just one directly from Koh Phi Phi itself. Our Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui comparison breaks down the criteria for choosing your base.
Is a « small group » formula really private?
Not always, and it’s a distinction worth clarifying before you book. In our selection, only one product is a genuinely private charter, billed for the whole boat: the speedboat excursion for up to twelve people. « Small group » formulas like our cruise capped at 18 passengers or our half-day limited to 10 people remain shared tours, simply with a smaller headcount, not a boat reserved for your group alone.
Are the excursions to Phi Phi safe?
A boating accident was recorded in the area in January 2026, involving a speedboat and a fishing trawler. Authorities have since tightened permit requirements for commercial boats in certain zones of the national park. Without overdramatising a sensitive topic, it’s best to favour a well-rated operator with accident insurance included, which is the case for every excursion in this selection.
Sources
- 5 Star Marine Phuket — Maya Bay Closure August-September 2026 — accessed 2026-08-12
- Tisland Travel — Maya Bay Closes August 1, 2026 — accessed 2026-08-12
- Machupicchu.org — Phi Phi Islands Day Trip from Phuket 2026 — accessed 2026-08-12
- South China Morning Post — The tourism impact of the film The Beach — accessed 2026-08-12
- Time — We’ve Ruined the Beach From Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach — accessed 2026-08-12
- The National — Reopening of the beach made famous by the film — accessed 2026-08-12
- Phuket Ferry — Ferry or speedboat, complete guide — accessed 2026-08-12
- Odynovo Tours — Phuket vs Krabi — accessed 2026-08-12
- Love Phuket Tours — Speedboat vs Speed Catamaran — accessed 2026-08-12
- Love Phuket Tours — When Phi Phi Is Least Crowded — accessed 2026-08-12
- Samui Authentic — Private vs Shared Boat Tour — accessed 2026-08-12
- Forbes & Partners — Similan Islands, Private Charter vs Group Tour — accessed 2026-08-12
- Thai Examiner — Speedboat Accident in the Andaman Sea — accessed 2026-08-12
- Wikipedia — Phi Phi Islands — accessed 2026-08-12
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