Phi Phi Island & Maiton Island Full Day Tour with Luxury Yacht

Phi Phi’s famous bays and beaches come packed into one long day, followed by a more relaxed stop at Maiton Island. The trip covers the big sights, from Monkey Beach and Maya Bay to Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, and a final swim or paddle session.

I like the included buffet lunch, snorkeling gear, towels, longtail boat ride, and photographer. I also like that the yacht offers optional scuba activity, water slides, paddle boards, and a clear kayak, so you can do more than simply look at the scenery. The main drawback is the size of the group, with up to 55 people, and the route can change sharply when the sea turns rough.

Key points at a glance

• A full Phi Phi circuit: Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Don, Nui Bay, Viking Cave, Pileh Bay, Maya Bay, and Phi Phi Lee are all part of the planned route.
• Maiton adds active fun: The private-island stop includes water slides, paddle boards, a clear kayak, a glass-bottom boat, and another snorkeling session.
• Lunch is served onboard: The buffet takes place on The Ocean King while you look out over the Andaman Sea.
• Photography is included: An onboard photographer sends the pictures to you through WhatsApp after the trip.
• Plan for a large group: The yacht can carry up to 55 people, which keeps the price reasonable but can make boarding and water activities less quiet.
• Weather matters: Maya Bay closes in August and September for environmental recovery, and rough conditions can force changes to the route.

One yacht, seven famous Phi Phi stops

This tour is designed for people who want the major Phi Phi sights in one day without arranging separate boats, park fees, food, and water equipment. The schedule runs about 8 to 9 hours, so expect a busy day rather than a slow island escape.

You begin at the 59Minimart in Chalong, Phuket. Pickup is offered, but the supplied meeting point is the specific 59Minimart location at R8FW+92R, so check your transport instructions carefully before setting out. The activity returns to this meeting point at the end of the day.

The yacht is described as new, clean, and fitted with new safety equipment. That matters on a long sea day. You spend many hours moving between islands, climbing in and out of the water, and sitting in the sun. A clean boat, towels, masks, snorkels, and safety gear remove several small hassles.

The maximum group size is 55. That is not a private-yacht experience, and you should not expect an empty beach or a quiet boat deck. Still, the group size helps explain the price of $133.24, especially since the fare includes the Phi Phi National Park entrance fee, lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, a longtail boat ride, and several activities at Maiton.

Monkey Beach begins the island day

The first planned stop is Monkey Beach, with about an hour on shore. You get a soft white-sand beach, surrounding greenery, and the famous monkeys that give the place its name.

This is a good opening stop because you can settle into the day without rushing straight into the water. You can walk along the sand, take pictures, or simply watch the shoreline. Keep your belongings close and avoid feeding or teasing the monkeys. Their presence is part of the setting, but they are still wild animals.

One practical warning: the beach time depends on sea conditions and local access. If waves make landing difficult, the boat may shorten or change the stop. The same weather rule applies throughout the day.

Lunch on The Ocean King near Phi Phi Don

The route pauses at Phi Phi Don for a buffet lunch onboard The Ocean King. Rather than losing time searching for a restaurant, you eat while taking in the Andaman Sea views.

I see this as one of the tour’s strongest practical features. A full-day boat trip needs a proper meal, not just snacks, and the buffet keeps the group together while making room for more sightseeing. Drinking water and soda are included.

If you want coffee, alcohol, juice, or another drink, bring your own if permitted by the operator. The included drinks are limited, and this is one area where the package is basic rather than luxurious. The food has been described as acceptable and enjoyable, but this is a working boat buffet, not a destination restaurant.

Phi Phi Don is also one of the livelier parts of the Phi Phi area. You will see the famous limestone scenery, but you should not expect a quiet, untouched island setting during this stop.

Nui Bay and Viking Cave from the water

The boat passes Nui Bay, a small island with a shape said to resemble a turtle. This is a short scenic moment rather than a long shore visit. Have your camera ready, since the boat may not linger.

Next comes Viking Cave, a dramatic seaside opening associated with swiftlet nests used in bird’s nest beverages. The cave is viewed from the boat, giving you a chance to hear about the site and photograph its limestone walls without treating the stop as a formal cave tour.

These two stops help fill out the Phi Phi picture. They are not major activity sessions, but they break up the longer rides and show why the islands are so popular. If you prefer constant swimming, you may find the pass-bys less exciting. If you enjoy scenery and photography, they add useful variety.

Pileh Bay and the longtail boat ride

At Pileh Bay, the tour reaches Phi Phi Leh and allows roughly 30 minutes for the stop. The bay is enclosed by tall limestone cliffs, with clear water and a sheltered appearance that makes it one of the day’s most striking views.

A free longtail boat ride takes you toward Maya Bay for photos and sunbathing. This is a valuable inclusion because the traditional longtail gives you a closer view of the cliffs and water than the larger yacht alone. It also lets you experience a familiar Thai boat style without paying another fee.

The timing is short, so treat this as a scenic visit, not a leisurely beach afternoon. Boarding a longtail can involve some movement, and conditions at sea may change the order or length of the stop. The tour is promoted as family-friendly and suitable for older people, but anyone with limited mobility should still consider the boat transfers and wet surfaces.

Maya Bay, the famous half-hour-to-one-hour moment

Maya Bay receives about an hour in the planned schedule, although the exact arrangement can change. This is the place many people book the trip to see, with steep limestone cliffs around a bright bay and a strong connection to the film The Beach.

The setting is beautiful, but it is also heavily managed for environmental protection. Maya Bay closes during August and September for recovery, so the bay may not be available during those months. Even outside that closure, weather, park rules, and sea conditions can affect how you reach it and how long you stay.

I would not book this tour on the assumption that every stop is guaranteed in its advertised form. The operator clearly reserves the right to adjust the route for safety. One poor experience described a major itinerary change that left the customer feeling the main reason for booking had been lost. The operator’s response explained that rough weather had forced the decision.

That is a real risk with any Phi Phi boat excursion. If Maya Bay is your once-in-a-lifetime priority, choose a date with a strong weather forecast and keep your cancellation terms in mind. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded unless the operator cancels the trip because of poor weather.

Snorkeling around Phi Phi Lee

The next water session takes place around Phi Phi Lee and lasts about 30 minutes. The plan is to swim over warm, clear water and see coral and marine life.

The tour supplies a mask, snorkel, and disposable mouthpiece, along with safety equipment and towels. That makes this a simple option if you do not want to carry your own gear. The time is enough for a useful look beneath the surface, but it is not a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

Sea conditions will shape the experience. Clear water can make the session memorable, while wind, waves, or reduced visibility can make it less rewarding. Follow the crew’s instructions and use the safety equipment provided, especially if you are not a confident swimmer.

The yacht also offers optional scuba activity, described as available only on this yacht. Confirm the details before booking if scuba is important to you, since the supplied information does not state the cost, duration, certification rules, or exact location.

Maiton Island brings the water activities

The final major stop is Maiton Private Island, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes planned there. After the famous scenery of Phi Phi, Maiton works as a recreational finish.

You can use the clear kayak, paddle board, water slide, glass-bottom boat, and snorkeling equipment. A second snorkeling session gives you another chance to get into the water after the Phi Phi stop. The mix suits families and mixed-age groups because not everyone has to choose the same activity.

This is also where the tour feels less like a sightseeing circuit and more like a beach club day. You might paddle, slide, look through the glass-bottom boat, or simply rest between activities. The word private in the island name should not be taken to mean a private booking for your own party. The yacht can carry up to 55 people, and the island stop is part of a shared excursion.

For children and older adults, the choice of activities is useful. You can skip snorkeling and still have the beach, boat viewing, or a paddle board. The crew supplies equipment, but you should listen closely to safety instructions before using the slides or boards.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $133.24 per person, this tour is not the cheapest way to reach Phi Phi. It can be good value if you use the inclusions.

Your price covers:

• Phi Phi Islands National Park entrance fee
• Buffet lunch
• Drinking water and soda
• Towels and safety equipment
• Mask, snorkel, and disposable mouthpiece
• Clear kayak
• Paddle board
• Water slide
• Longtail boat fee
• Photography service

Tips and personal expenses are not included. The photography service is a nice extra: an onboard photographer takes pictures and sends them through WhatsApp after the trip. Make sure the provider has a valid, reachable contact number before departure.

The biggest value comes from combining several costly pieces into one booking. You do not need to arrange park admission, a longtail transfer, lunch, two snorkeling sessions, and water equipment separately. The tradeoff is that the day is shared, structured, and dependent on a fixed route.

The crew, communication, and onboard atmosphere

The crew has received strong praise for being welcoming and helpful, and Nana is specifically noted as a good guide. A translator helps keep the multilingual group informed during the day. That matters when the schedule includes several boat transfers and water stops.

The boat attracts an international mix, including people from Russia, South Africa, and other countries. You should expect a social group rather than a quiet private charter. The photographer adds a service touch, and the staff are described as friendly and attentive by several people who had a positive day.

There are also things to clarify before you board. One complaint raised smoking onboard and confusion about which drinks were included. The operator apologized and said it would address the cigarette waste and drink information. If smoke bothers you, ask the crew about smoking rules at the start. If you want anything beyond water and soda, plan ahead.

Who should book this yacht tour?

I would choose this experience if you want to see the major Phi Phi sights and add a second island with plenty of water activities. It suits couples who want photographs, families who need several activity choices, and first-time visitors who prefer one organized day over several separate bookings.

It is also a reasonable match for older relatives or children because the day includes rest periods, lunch, towels, and activities that do not all require swimming. Still, the boat transfers, sun, and long hours at sea may feel tiring for anyone with limited mobility or a low tolerance for motion.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet island day, a private yacht, or a slow visit at each beach. The 55-person capacity means the best parts can feel busy, and the schedule gives you samples rather than long stretches of solitude.

Should you book the Phi Phi and Maiton yacht tour?

Book it if your goal is coverage: Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, Viking Cave, Nui Bay, snorkeling, lunch, photographs, and Maiton activities in one day. The included equipment, park fee, longtail ride, and buffet make the $133.24 price easier to justify.

Skip it if you cannot accept weather-related changes or if Maya Bay is the only reason you are going. Check the August and September closure dates, provide a working phone number for WhatsApp and schedule updates, and confirm the pickup details at 59Minimart.

The tour’s best features are its broad route, new equipment, friendly crew, and useful Maiton activity choices. Its weak points are the large group, limited drink selection, and the unavoidable risk that rough seas can rewrite the day. Go with realistic expectations, and this can be a lively, efficient way to see a lot of Phuket’s island highlights.

FAQ

How long does the Phi Phi and Maiton Island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours and ends back at the meeting point in Chalong.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The listed meeting point is 59Minimart, R8FW+92R, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand. The activity ends back at this meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served onboard The Ocean King near Phi Phi Don. Drinking water and soda are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a mask, snorkel, disposable mouthpiece, safety equipment, and towels. Snorkeling is planned around Phi Phi Lee and again at Maiton Island.

Is Maya Bay open all year?

No. Maya Bay is closed during August and September for environmental recovery. The route can also change because of weather and sea conditions.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.