The Phi Phi Islands are a must-visit destination, and for good reason—they’re simply breathtaking. Yes, they’re popular, but it’s hard to argue with the allure of turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and pristine beaches. I recently had the chance to explore them with Simba Sea Trips on a luxury speedboat tour, and it completely changed the way I see this iconic destination. The intimate, personalised experience made all the difference, offering the freedom to linger in the places we loved and skip the crowds entirely. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the Phi Phi Islands in style, this is the way to do it.

If there’s one place in Thailand I recommend everyone visit at least once in their lifetime, it’s the Phi Phi Islands—there’s truly nowhere on earth like them. They are absolutely stunning! While some might say they’re touristy, they’re popular for a reason.

I was fortunate to join Simba Sea Tours on one of their new luxury speedboat tours of the Phi Phi Islands, launching in early 2025. Although I’ve visited the islands before, there’s nothing quite like experiencing them on a private tour. With this type of trip, you set the schedule—you decide when to move on to the next stop, with no waiting around for others.

Simba Sea Tours is renowned for its “small groups, beat the crowds” philosophy, which explains why their signature Sunrise Tour to the Phi Phi Islands has received countless 5-star reviews and came highly recommended to me before my trip. This tour ensures you reach the most popular spot, Maya Bay (where The Beach movie was filmed), early in the morning—before the crowds arrive. Simba is also one of the few operators allowed to bring food and drinks onto the beach, which is a bonus.

However, this exclusivity comes with a caveat: a very early start (we’re talking pre-dawn), which might not appeal to everyone on vacation. That’s where Simba’s new tour comes in! It offers the same best-selling highlights but with a later start time. Pick-up is around 10 a.m., and the day concludes with a stunning sunset onboard the boat instead of a sunrise. Maya Bay is visited later in the day, as most of the crowds are heading out, offering a different but still magical experience.

Our tour started with a prompt hotel pick-up in Phuket at 10 a.m., followed by a drive to Simba’s designated area at a nearby marina, conveniently located at a beach club. After signing some paperwork, we were warmly greeted by the staff and boarded the luxury speedboat.

The boat was incredibly comfortable, with multiple areas to relax—the front, back, and even a spacious middle seating area. It would be perfect for a small group trip with friends or family, or for celebrating a special occasion like a birthday or bachelorette party. To my pleasant surprise, there was even a toilet onboard!

We were offered cold drinks as our guide, Mo Mo, gave us a rundown of the day’s itinerary. She explained where we’d be stopping, the order of activities, and how much time we’d have at each location. As a Type A personality, I really appreciated this detailed overview!

We set out around 11 a.m. and made our way to Bamboo Island, where we planned to snorkel just offshore before enjoying a beach picnic. Simba Sea Tours provided all the snorkelling gear, and as I got ready, one of the crew handed me a pool noodle and fins. With everything sorted, I slipped into the water, and two crew members joined us to guide the way.

The pool noodle turned out to be surprisingly handy—it let me float effortlessly, so I could focus on soaking in the underwater views without worrying about staying afloat. The fins made it easy to glide along with just a few kicks, so I could leisurely explore the area and follow the crew to the best spots. After about 20 minutes of snorkelling among the vibrant fish, we headed back to the boat to rinse off before our captain steered us toward the island’s shore.

The main beach was bustling with visitors, but our captain skillfully navigated to a quieter, almost secluded section of the island. Here, the crew set up a private beach picnic for us, complete with spaghetti, chicken and rice, mango sticky rice, an impressive spread of fresh fruit, and delicious banana bread. We even had a cooler full of drinks to enjoy. It felt pretty special, we were absolutely spoiled!

After savouring our picnic, we had some time to relax on the beach while the crew packed up and prepared the boat for our next stop: Viking Cave and Monkey Beach.

The Viking Cave was fascinating—its towering limestone walls were adorned with ancient paintings and swallows’ nests. The cave is famous for bird’s nest harvesting, a unique local tradition tied to the production of bird’s nest soup, which is considered a delicacy in many Asian cultures.

Next, we headed to Monkey Beach. While we didn’t disembark, we didn’t need to! The limestone cliffs surrounding the bay were teeming with monkeys. Our captain expertly steered the boat close enough for incredible photos while keeping a safe distance—ensuring we didn’t accidentally invite any furry stowaways aboard! To my surprise, I even saw monkeys swimming. I’ll admit, it had never occurred to me that monkeys could swim, but it makes perfect sense—they use the water to travel between islands.

Next on the agenda was Pileh Lagoon. While there were more boats here than you’d find on the sunrise tour, it still made for an absolutely stunning backdrop with its crystal-clear blue waters. We stayed on the boat, but the crew ensured we captured all the photos and videos we wanted—Mo Mo, one of the crew members, was like my personal cheerleader and photographer! I left with not just a heart full of memories but a phone packed with incredible shots of this bucket-list location.

Despite the number of boats, most were traditional long-tail boats, which added charm to the scene with the breathtaking limestone backdrop of the iconic Pileh Lagoon.

From there, we headed to the world-renowned Maya Bay, famously featured in The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio. For future trips, this stop will likely be the last of the day, but our captain suggested we visit first and save the final snorkelling spot for later. When I last visited Thailand in 2019, Maya Bay was closed to allow the area and its wildlife to recover from overtourism. I believe it will now close periodically to ensure the preservation of the ecosystem, so if this spot is high on your bucket list, check ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

When we visited in November, the bay had recently reopened, and while there were still people, the crowds seemed to thin as time went on. By the time we left, the number of visitors had halved, so I imagine returning later in the day (after snorkelling) would have been even quieter.

The boat moored at a jetty on the other side of the island, and we walked across to Maya Bay. The walk isn’t far, but I’d recommend wearing sandals or flip-flops. You won’t need much—just your camera—because Mo Mo came along as our guide, bringing a cooler of drinks.

When I stepped onto the beach, I was speechless. Having missed the chance to visit on my last trip, this felt extra special, and it’s even more beautiful in person. Swimming isn’t permitted to preserve the marine life, so visitors are only allowed knee-deep in the water, which actually meant fewer people in the background of my photos!

Most people congregated by the sign on the left, but I noticed that walking further to the right led to quieter spots. Mo Mo set up a blanket and drinks for us on the beach while we explored, soaked in the views, and captured those Insta-worthy shots.

We spent a little time here before returning to the boat. There are public toilets on the island, but given the remote location and daily crowds, they weren’t the best.

Next, we headed to our final stop—swimming with sharks! We donned our snorkelling gear and hopped into the water with two crew members. It didn’t take long before one of them pointed out a large shark swimming toward me. No need to panic—these sharks are completely harmless and more curious about their surroundings than us. It was an incredible experience to share the water with them!

In about 20 minutes of snorkelling, I saw several sharks as well as a variety of colourful fish, starfish, pufferfish, and needlefish. The waters were teeming with life, and we had the area entirely to ourselves—a true hidden gem with a stunning limestone backdrop to match.

Back on the boat, we dried off and settled in for what would be an unforgettable sunset. Our captain found the perfect spot in the bay, where we watched the colours shift from orange to pink to red. It was one of those pinch-me moments—on a luxury speedboat in Thailand, witnessing nature’s beauty in all its glory.

With our hearts and phones full of memories, we headed back to the marina. On the way, we even spotted a large group of monkeys along one of the shores!

At the marina, we were welcomed into Soho Beach Club where the staff had prepared a delicious dinner spread, including gluten-free options just for me. Every dish was fantastic, and the extensive cocktail menu was a nice touch (you can purchase drinks separately with cash or card). The beach club features a prime location and a large central pool. If you have a late flight, you can even book a day pass to relax here after checking out of your hotel.

My experience with Simba Sea Tours was absolutely exceptional. Huge thanks to their amazing team—they truly made the day unforgettable. I’d recommend this tour to anyone. The Phi Phi Islands are a must-see at least once in your life.

If you’re looking to beat the crowds, book the sunrise tour, or if you prefer a more leisurely start with a sunset experience, their new tour launching next year is the perfect choice. I also can’t recommend the private speedboat enough, whether it’s just you and a partner, a group of friends, or a special celebration. If that’s not your thing, Simba prides itself on small-group experiences, so even their regular tours will feel more intimate compared to the overcrowded boats you’ll see elsewhere.

Ready to book your private tour of the Phi Phi Islands? Click Here!

Or book the signature SUNRISE group tour here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Thailand 2.0” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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