Phi Phi Don & Phi Phi Leh Sunset Trip by Arisa Speed Boat

The best part of this trip comes after the famous beaches: you stay out for sunset and may see bioluminescent plankton glowing in the water after dark. That gives the day a memorable finish, instead of ending when the usual sightseeing boats head home.

I like the way the tour covers both Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh in one outing, and I like that lunch, fruit, water, snorkeling gear, and the national park fee are included. The main drawback is the group size, up to 35 people, and the tour depends on sea conditions, so the order or stops can change.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunset and glowing plankton: The late finish adds a special nighttime element that most daytime island trips do not offer.
• Maya Bay and Bamboo Island: You visit two of the Phi Phi area’s best-known beach stops in the same day.
• Several water stops: The route includes Loh Samah Bay, Shark Point, and other areas suited to snorkeling and marine-life spotting.
• Lunch is provided: Expect a lunch box, drinking water, and seasonal fruit rather than a restaurant meal.
• No hotel pickup: You must reach McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don for the 11 a.m. start.
• A medium-sized speedboat: The boat carries no more than 35 people, a useful limit, though this is not a private or small-group charter.

Starting near Ton Sai Pier at 11 a.m.

You meet the Arisa Speedboat crew at the McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don. The meeting point is central and near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the pier area.

The late morning departure shapes the whole day. You are not racing out before breakfast, and you have time to reach the meeting point, but you will be on the water through the afternoon and into the evening. The listed duration is about 8 hours and 30 minutes, with the trip ending back at the same meeting point.

The speedboat is described as spacious and carries a maximum of 35 people. That is a reasonable cap for a popular island route. You should still expect a shared outing, not the quiet feel of a private boat. Bring only what you need, since wet clothes, towels, sun protection, and personal items can make a speedboat day feel crowded quickly.

The English-speaking guide helps with the day’s movements and stops. The crew also provides life jackets and basic accident insurance. The boat ride can be lively and fast, but conditions vary, so anyone prone to motion sickness should think carefully about spending most of a day on a speedboat.

Bamboo Island brings an early beach break

The trip heads from Phi Phi Don toward Bamboo Island, with a short stop along the way. Bamboo Island is a good first major stop because it gives you time to get comfortable with the boat, the water, and the rhythm of the day.

You have about an hour here. That is enough time for a swim, a walk on the beach, or a simple pause with the scenery. It is not a full beach day, so do not expect hours of unhurried lounging. The value is variety: you get a proper shore stop early, then return to the boat for the bays and viewpoints around Phi Phi Leh.

Bamboo Island is also a useful place to use the supplied snorkeling equipment if conditions allow. The tour is designed to increase your chances of seeing marine life, but no particular animal or water condition is guaranteed. The sea, visibility, and weather decide how good the snorkeling will be.

Seasonal fruit and drinking water are included, which matters on a long day in the sun. You will want to carry extra water only if you prefer to drink often, since the tour already supplies basic refreshments.

Phi Phi Leh’s bays and cliffs by boat

Phi Phi Leh is the dramatic heart of the route. The island is uninhabited and best seen from the water, where its steep limestone walls and narrow bays come into view. The schedule allows about two hours around Ko Phi Phi Lee, though the exact order can change with weather and sea conditions.

Loh Samah Bay receives about 30 minutes. This is a scenic water stop and a useful place to appreciate the enclosed shape of Phi Phi Leh from the boat. Depending on conditions, you might stop for swimming or snorkeling, but the supplied information does not promise a specific activity at every bay.

Viking Cave is a shorter 15-minute stop. You see it from the boat, with no indication that you go ashore. The stop adds another piece of Phi Phi’s coastal scenery without taking much time from the beaches and snorkeling areas.

Shark Point allows around 30 minutes. The name makes it sound more dramatic than it may feel on the day, but it signals the tour’s interest in marine life. You might spot sea life while snorkeling, though sightings are never certain. Use the life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer, and listen to the guide’s instructions before entering the water.

These stops are important because they break up the famous beach visits. Instead of treating Phi Phi as a checklist of shorelines, the trip gives you time to see the islands from several angles and spend part of the day in the water.

Maya Bay is famous for a reason, but expect a short visit

Maya Bay is the headline stop for many people. The bay became widely known through film and tourism, and its enclosed beach, clear water, and steep cliffs are among the most recognizable sights in southern Thailand.

The listed stop is about 15 minutes. That is enough for a look and photographs, but it is not enough for a slow beach session. Treat Maya Bay as a scenic visit rather than the main swimming stop of the day.

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation closes Maya Bay for two months every year during the low season. If your date falls in that closure period, the program must change. The wider tour can also change because of weather and sea conditions, so check the operating details close to your departure date.

A short Maya Bay visit can actually help the overall balance of the trip. You are not giving the entire day to one crowded landmark. Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Shark Point, and Loh Samah Bay give you other places to enjoy, while the sunset adds an experience that a standard daytime visit misses.

Monkey Beach is a quick wildlife stop

Monkey Beach receives about 15 minutes. The stop is brief, and you should not build the day around feeding or approaching monkeys. The supplied details identify it as a sightseeing stop, not a guaranteed close wildlife encounter.

You may see monkeys along the shore, but animals are unpredictable. Keep food and personal items secure, and follow the guide’s directions. The value of this stop is its contrast with the open beach at Bamboo Island and the enclosed bays of Phi Phi Leh.

The short duration also keeps the route moving. On a trip with several islands and water stops, 15 minutes is enough to see the shoreline without sacrificing the sunset portion later.

Lunch, snorkeling, and the long middle of the day

A lunch box is included, along with drinking water and seasonal fruit. The available meal detail mentions chicken and rice, which makes sense for a boat day: simple, filling, and easy to handle between stops.

Do not expect a long restaurant lunch. You are buying a full day on the water, not a food-focused tour. The lunch is practical fuel, and the fruit at the end gives the day a welcome fresh note.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided. That saves you from renting basic gear separately and makes it easier to join the water stops. You should still bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a dry change of clothes. Those items are not listed as supplied.

The tour’s pacing is one of its better features. The schedule includes about an hour at Bamboo Island, shorter stops at Monkey Beach and Maya Bay, and longer periods around Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don. You get repeated chances to swim, look for marine life, take photographs, and simply sit on the boat as the scenery changes.

One published experience of the trip praised the crew for being friendly and accommodating, and described the day as unhurried. That fits the schedule: although the tour covers a lot, it is not built as a frantic dash from one beach to the next. Still, the boat carries up to 35 people, so individual attention may be limited when everyone is boarding or preparing to snorkel.

Sunset changes the mood of the Phi Phi day

The late finish is the reason I would compare this tour with a standard Phi Phi island run. After the major daytime stops, the boat remains out for sunset. The changing light gives the limestone cliffs a different look, and you are not forced to leave just when the day becomes calmer.

The trip may also include a chance to see bioluminescent plankton. One account of the experience described the effect as real and memorable. You should treat this as a possible highlight, not a guarantee, since water conditions and darkness affect what you can see.

This part requires patience. Sunset timing depends on the season, and the sea may not be perfectly calm. You also return after a long day, so the final ride may feel tiring. Still, the nighttime element gives the tour a clear identity. If you want to be back at your accommodation by late afternoon, choose a shorter daytime trip instead.

Is the $58.43 price good value?

At $58.43 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want a full Phi Phi highlights day with a sunset finish. The price includes the national park entrance fee, lunch, water, fruit, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, an English-speaking guide, and basic accident insurance.

Those inclusions matter. Park fees can add an unwelcome extra cost at famous Thai island sites, while snorkeling gear and lunch are practical expenses you would otherwise need to arrange. You also cover several major locations in one booking rather than paying for separate boat trips.

The price is less attractive if you care most about privacy, silence, or a flexible schedule. A maximum of 35 people is not huge by mass-tour standards, but it is still enough to make the boat and beach stops social. You are paying for convenience and coverage, not personal control of the route.

The tour is booked an average of 29 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible, especially for popular travel dates. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 11 a.m. start. A late cancellation is not refunded, and changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who should book this sunset boat trip?

I would choose this trip if you want the major Phi Phi sights in one day and like the idea of staying out for sunset. It suits you if Bamboo Island, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing all sound worthwhile.

It is also a good fit if you value an included lunch and park fee. You can keep the day simple: reach the meeting point, bring your personal beach items, and let the crew handle the boat route and basic equipment.

Families and mixed-age groups may find the range of stops useful because not every part of the day requires swimming. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but you should be comfortable with a long speedboat outing and changing sea conditions.

I would hesitate if you need hotel pickup, dislike shared boats, or want a guaranteed Maya Bay visit during the annual closure. I would also choose another option if you want a private charter or a short excursion with plenty of free time on one beach.

Final call: book it for variety and the evening finish

Book the Arisa Speedboat trip if you want a broad, well-packed day around Phi Phi and you like the idea of ending with sunset and possible bioluminescent plankton. The included food, equipment, guide, insurance, and park fee make $58.43 a fair price for the coverage.

Skip it if your priority is a quiet private boat, hotel pickup, or a guaranteed fixed route. For most people who want to see the main islands without arranging several separate trips, the combination of Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, snorkeling stops, and a late return makes this a practical choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet at McDonald’s near Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don, at the listed location in Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 11 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes and ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, and Bamboo Island. It also includes stops around Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, Loh Samah Bay, Viking Cave, and Shark Point.

Is Maya Bay always open?

No. Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation closes Maya Bay for two months each year during the low season.

What is included in the price?

The price includes drinking water, seasonal fruit, a lunch box, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, an English-speaking guide, basic accident insurance, and the national park entrance fee.

How many people can join the speedboat?

The speedboat has a maximum capacity of 35 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The program may change because of weather or sea conditions. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.