Waking up early makes this day work. This Krabi-to-Phi Phi speedboat outing packs iconic bays and snorkeling chances into one long, efficient morning-to-afternoon island circuit, starting before the main rush. You get time at Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon first, then the Phi Phi area and the Four Islands (Koh Poda, Koh Gai, Koh Tub, Koh Mor) later, plus classic photo stops like Chicken Island and the sandbank at Tup/Mohr.

I especially like how the itinerary is built around early access to places people usually hit mid-day, and how you’re not stuck on just one beach. I’d also flag one drawback to keep in mind: the day can shift slightly, and there has been at least one reported case where the planned Ko Phi Phi Don lunch stop didn’t happen exactly as described, so it’s smart to confirm your lunch location with the crew once you’re aboard.

Key takeaways before you go

• Early departure means less crowd time at Maya Bay (and better lighting for photos)
• Multiple snorkeling stops across both Phi Phi and the National Park islands
• Time on beaches that fit the mood: swim/float time, then relaxed stretches at calmer islets
• National Park fees are not included, so budget extra cash up front
• Small-to-midsize group size (max 40) helps keep the day moving
• Tide matters at a few stops, especially Loh Samah and the monkey/photo sandbank spots

The big idea: one day, two island regions

This is a full-day speedboat tour designed to cover two of Krabi’s most famous island zones without requiring you to overnight anywhere. You start around 06:00 with pickup from Krabi Town, Klong Muang, Tub Kaek, Ao Nam Mao, and Ao Nang, then transfer into the pier check-in flow at Nopparat Thara. From there, you’re essentially “island hopping by water taxi,” with a steady rhythm of swim-and-sightseeing stops.

That structure matters. If you’re only in the area for a short time, doing Phi Phi and the Four Islands together is usually the fastest way to get the highlights. And because you leave early, you’re more likely to see the famous spots with fewer boats than you’d get on mid-morning departures.

Price and what you actually get for it

The listed price is $111.61 per person, and what makes it feel like value is what’s included. You get lunch, bottled water, tea/coffee, life jacket, snorkeling equipment, and full insurance. For many island tours, those items are either extra or you end up renting gear separately.

Two costs to plan for:

• National Park fee: 400 THB per adult, 200 THB per child (not included)
• Extra charge at Klongmueng: 100 THB per person

So, before you book, do one quick math check: you’re paying for the day’s boat time and services, plus you’ll still likely need to cover the park fees. If you’re happy to snorkel and swim (and not just sightsee), those included items help the overall price feel fair.

How the day flows: timing, group size, and getting value from every stop

The itinerary is long—about 8 to 9 hours—and it moves on schedule. You’ll be in the water at several stops, then back on the boat for short transfers. With a maximum of 40 travelers, you should feel that the pace is organized rather than chaotic, especially at the early check-in and while everyone’s changing into snorkeling gear.

Start time is 6:00 am, and the return is around 15:00 to the pier for the transfer back to your hotel area. That timing is also why early bird works: you’re aiming to hit the most famous locations first, then enjoy the rest while the day’s crowds build elsewhere.

The itinerary, stop by stop: what each place is for

Below is how I’d think about each stop and what you should expect—both the fun parts and the small realities that can affect your time.

Nopparatthara Beach / Pier check-in (around 06:00)

You start with pickup across multiple Krabi beach areas and then head to Nopparat Thara Pier. Expect a quick check-in with warm tea and coffee, plus a briefing from the guide. This first stretch matters because it sets expectations for the day: how the boat transfers will work and what to pay attention to during snorkeling and tide-dependent stops.

Tip: keep your most-used items (sunscreen, sunglasses, dry bag) accessible early. Once you’re bouncing between water and boat, you’ll be grateful you didn’t bury everything.

Maya Bay (around 07:45): the famous one, early

Maya Bay is the headline stop: short snorkeling/swimming time in clear water, and the classic movie-famous scenery. You’ll spend about 30 minutes here, and the tour frames it as the place to swim with colorful fish and coral.

Why early matters: arriving before the biggest wave of day trippers usually means calmer entry into the water and a less frantic feeling when you’re trying to spot fish. Even if you’re not chasing Instagram shots, it helps the bay feel more like a place and less like a staging area.

Watch-out: snorkeling time is limited. If you want more water time, be ready to go as soon as you land in the water.

Pileh Bay / Pileh Lagoon (about 30 minutes)

This stop is for the water and the views. Pileh Lagoon sits between limestone formations, and you get time to relax and snorkel again. You’re looking at turquoise water and a calmer mood than the most crowded photo angles, especially at the earlier hour.

If you like “float, breathe, look around” snorkeling, this is the kind of stop that fits. The time window is still short, but the setting is designed for lingering.

Loh Samah Bay (about 30 minutes, tide-dependent)

Loh Samah Bay is another turquoise lagoon spot with snorkeling/relax time, and the schedule notes that it’s if low tide. That’s your first signal that the day is partly influenced by nature.

In practice, tide can affect how comfortable it is to step around or swim, and it can change how close you can get to shore. If you’re sensitive to slippery rocks or changing water conditions, keep that in mind and move carefully when you’re near the entry points.

Viking Cave (bird nests and swallow nest collecting)

Viking Cave is more about the scenery and the story than swimming. You’ll have around 30 minutes and see the cave features linked with birds’ nests and wall paintings, including mention of how swallow nests get collected.

This is one of those stops where you’ll enjoy it more if you’re open to a short cultural/nature explanation rather than treating it as just another quick photo.

Monkey Beach (photo stop, depends on tide)

Monkey Beach is a classic “look for monkeys” moment, with a note that it depends on the tide. You get about 30 minutes, and the main goal is a photo and a quick look.

My practical advice: don’t chase the animals. Keep your distance, and remember these are wild animals. Also, since tide changes where boats can dock or where people can move safely, plan for the stop to feel more restricted on some days.

Ko Phi Phi Don / Phi Phi Don (lunch and walk time)

This is where the buffet lunch happens at the hotel restaurant on Phi Phi Don, along with free time to walk and get a sense of life in the main town area.

Two things to take from this:

1. This is your chance to fuel up mid-day.
2. The free time makes the town feel less like a stopover and more like a brief break.

One important caution: there’s been a reported case where the boat did not stop at Ko Phi Phi Don exactly as described, meaning lunch time on that island didn’t happen. If lunch location is a must for you, ask the crew when you’re on board and confirm the plan once the day starts moving.

Bamboo Island (about 30 minutes)

Bamboo Island is described as part of Nopparat Thara National Park, and you’ll get time for golden-sand lounging and swimming. You’re here for about 30 minutes, so think of it as a beach-reset rather than a long hike-and-explore island.

This stop is ideal if you want that “take my shoes off and just relax” feeling after more structured sightseeing.

Chicken Island (photo moment in the middle of the sea)

Chicken Island is a limestone islet that’s known for its rooster-like horn shape. You get about 30 minutes, and this is mostly about photos and quick looks rather than major swimming.

Even if you don’t care about the folklore, the “middle of the sea” feeling can be pretty dramatic when the water is calm.

Tup Island and Mohr Island (sandbank connection)

This is the stop that turns the “boat day” into something a little more special: a sandbank connection between the chicken island area for sightseeing, with sand dunes that are described like walking in the middle of the sea.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here. The exact experience depends on conditions, but the concept is clear: you’re not just hopping from boat to boat—you get a brief land moment surrounded by water.

If you’re photographing, this is a good time to get your camera ready before you step onto the sand.

Poda Island (swim-and-sun stop)

Poda Island is one of the Four Islands islets and is described as having a long sandy beach and rows of pine trees. The water is noted as exceptionally clean and suitable for swimming and sunbathing, and you’ll spend about 30 minutes.

This is the most “beach-forward” stop after the sandbank moment. If you want a final stretch of swimming before the day ends, this is where it usually makes the most sense to stay relaxed and not rush.

Back to Nopparatthara Pier (around 15:00)

You arrive back at the pier around 15:00 and transfer safely back to your hotel area. By this point, you’ll likely be tired but happy—this is the kind of tour that feels full without feeling like work, as long as you’re okay with a packed schedule.

What I’d focus on if you want the best day

This tour is built to create a “best-of” day. If you want it to feel like your best day (not just a list of stops), here are the priorities I’d use:

• Snorkel smart: you’ll have multiple short windows for swimming. Keep your time goals realistic, and don’t waste the first minute fighting with gear.
• Arrive ready for tide changes: at Loh Samah and Monkey Beach, the itinerary specifically notes tide dependence. Move carefully and be flexible with timing.
• Don’t over-plan at lunch: lunch is included, but the exact stop can change. If you treat it as a flexible break, you’ll stay in a good mood.
• Protect your face and neck: long hours on boats and in sun will catch you. Sunscreen and a hat do real work here.
• Expect a full schedule: this isn’t a slow beach day. It’s a curated route, so you’ll enjoy it more if you like momentum.

Who this tour fits best

This is a great match for:

• First-timers who want Phi Phi + Four Islands in one day
• People who care about snorkeling time but don’t want a multi-day plan
• Travelers based around Ao Nang or Krabi beaches who want an early start and an organized day with a set return

It might not be ideal for you if you:

• Get frustrated when plans shift slightly due to tides or routing
• Want long, unstructured time on one island (this is short-stop hopping)
• Have limited interest in snorkeling and prefer walking-based exploring

Should you book?

If your goal is a high-impact island day—clear water swims, multiple bays, and that early access advantage—this is easy to recommend. The included snorkeling gear, lunch, and organized pace help you get value from the full day, and the stop mix hits both Phi Phi icons and the Four Islands highlights.

I’d book it with one mindset tweak: treat the day as fluid around tides and routing, and confirm lunch timing/location once you’re with the crew. Do that, budget the National Park fees, and you’ll be set for a memorable, efficient day on the water.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 am.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 8 to 9 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Nopparatthara Pier (Ao Nang, Krabi) and ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are coffee/tea, bottled water, lunch, life jacket, snorkeling equipment, and full insurance.

Are national park fees included?

No. There’s a National Park fee of 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, and it’s not included in the tour price.

Do you get snorkeling gear?

Yes. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 40 travelers.