Phi Phi island day trip from Phuket, with Khai Nok

What makes it worth the early start

Phi Phi Leh, the smaller island, has no hotels and almost no beach access, so you see it from the water. Pileh Lagoon is an emerald bay closed in by cliffs, and boats often stop there for a swim. Viking Cave is known for its swiftlet nests and old wall paintings, and you view it from outside. Monkey Bay, on Phi Phi Don, has a small beach and monkeys that are not shy.

Maya Bay is the headline. It became world-famous from the film The Beach, and the national park closed it for several years so the coral could recover. Today boats land on the far side of the island and you walk in on a boardwalk. Swimming in the bay itself is not allowed, and the park can close it for a few weeks for recovery, usually in the wet season.

Khai Nok: the sandbar stop

Koh Khai Nok sits between Phuket and Phi Phi. It is little more than a strip of white sand and shallow, clear water, which makes it an easy, relaxed place to swim at the end of a long day. It can be busy around midday, so a later stop often feels calmer.

What to expect on the day

• Length: a full day, usually around eight to nine hours from pickup to drop-off.
• The boat: most trips use speedboats. Each crossing to Phi Phi takes roughly an hour, and it can be bumpy.
• Stops: usually Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Bay, a lunch stop on Phi Phi Don and Khai Nok. The order changes with the tide and the crowds.
• Park fees: the national park fee is often paid separately. Ask whether it is included.

Who it suits, and who should think twice

It suits first-time visitors, beach lovers and anyone who wants the postcard views in one day. Children who are fine on boats usually love it.

A speedboat on open sea is not gentle. If you are pregnant, have back or neck problems, or have had recent surgery, ask the operator about a larger, slower boat, or consider the calmer Phang Nga Bay trip instead. If you get seasick, sit near the back, where the ride is smoother.

Best season

November to April gives the calmest sea and the clearest water. From May to October, swell can make the crossing rough, and trips may be changed or cancelled on the day. Keep a spare day in your plans, and see Phuket weather by month before you choose a date.

What to bring

• Swimwear, a towel, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Water shoes for the boardwalk and the rocky landings.
• A dry bag for your phone and money.
• Small notes for park fees and drinks.

Getting to the pier by private car

Many tours include a shared minibus from your hotel, which can mean a very early start while it collects other guests. If you would rather go straight there, we drive you in a private car. The east-coast piers are a long way from the west-coast beaches, so allow plenty of time in the morning.

If you don't have a boat ticket yet, ask us and we can recommend a licensed local operator. If you are moving to Phi Phi rather than visiting for a day, read Phuket to Phi Phi by ferry instead.