Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach — the Phi Phi Islands have the most dramatic cliff scenery and the clearest water within reach of Phuket as a day charter. They are also the busiest destination in the Andaman, which is precisely why the boat you arrive on matters.
Beating the crowds
Phi Phi rewards an early start more than anywhere else on this coast. A 7:30am departure puts you into Maya Bay close to opening, ahead of the ferry and speedboat fleet, and the difference is not subtle — the same beach that holds hundreds of people by mid-morning can be nearly empty at first light.
Pileh Lagoon, the enclosed emerald channel on Phi Phi Leh, is the other stop worth timing carefully. Both are inside a national park, so park fees apply and vary by nationality.
What the day looks like
Phuket to Phi Phi is a longer run than the Phang Nga or Khai routes, so most charters here are 8 to 11 hours. Faster motor yachts make the crossing comfortably inside a day; catamarans take longer but ride the open-water leg far more gently, which matters if anyone in your group is prone to seasickness.
Between the headline stops there is genuinely good snorkelling on the eastern side of Phi Phi Don, and quiet anchorages for lunch and swimming away from the main bays.
Best time to go
November to April, without much argument. Phi Phi sits in open water and the crossing is exposed, so the flat seas and 20–30m visibility of high season make a real difference here — more than at the sheltered destinations closer to Phuket.
Yachts running this route
12 vessels in the fleet run this itinerary. Prices are the starting rate for the route shown, and include crew, fuel, soft drinks, snorkelling equipment and insurance.
| Yacht | Size | Guests | Type | Route | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Cat 36 | 36ft | 8 | Power Catamaran | Phi Phi + Maiton (8hr) | ฿39,900 |
| Ocean Pearl | 42ft | 20 | Sport Cruiser | Phi Phi + Khai (8hr) | ฿49,900 |
| Sanny 38 | 38ft | 15 | Power Catamaran | Phi Phi Islands (11hr) | ฿50,000 |
| Hennessy 40 | 40ft | 15 | Power Catamaran | Phi Phi Islands (11hr) | ฿50,000 |
| Prada 50 | 50ft | 20 | Power Catamaran | Phi Phi + Khai (8hr) | ฿55,000 |
| Oceanland 45 | 45ft | 15 | Power Catamaran | Phi Phi Islands (11hr) | ฿59,000 |
| Leopard 51 | 51ft | 30 | Power Catamaran | Phi Phi Island (8hr) | ฿89,900 |
| Princess 58 | 58ft | 10 | Motor Yacht | Phi Phi Island (8hr) | ฿110,000 |
Common questions
How long does it take to get to Phi Phi from Phuket by yacht?
The crossing takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way depending on the vessel. Most Phi Phi charters are scheduled as 8-hour or 11-hour days to allow proper time at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and a snorkelling stop.
Is Maya Bay open?
Maya Bay reopened to visitors with restrictions in place, including limits on where boats may anchor and seasonal closures. Your crew will confirm current access when you book, as the rules are reviewed each year.
What does a private Phi Phi charter cost?
Private Phi Phi charters start from ฿39,900 per day on the Power Cat 36 and rise with vessel size and speed. Crew, fuel, soft drinks, snorkelling gear and insurance are included; national park fees are extra.
Ready to plan it? Tell us your dates and we will match the vessel to your group.