The Phi Phi Islands are the Andaman's postcard: sheer limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise water, the cinematic curve of Maya Bay, and the glassy emerald pool of Pileh Lagoon. They lie about 40 km southeast of Phuket, so reaching them means a proper open-water crossing rather than the sheltered cruise into Phang Nga Bay. A private yacht is the way to enjoy Phi Phi on your own terms: arrive before the day-tripper fleet, anchor in a quiet bay for lunch, and swim where the crowds aren't. This guide covers the best routes, what to see, when to go, how a day charter differs from an overnight trip, and roughly what it costs to charter a yacht or catamaran to Phi Phi.
Why explore the Phi Phi Islands by private yacht
Phi Phi is one of Thailand's busiest day-trip destinations, and on a scheduled tour you arrive with everyone else. A private charter flips that around: you set the departure time, so you can reach Maya Bay or Pileh Lagoon early or late, when the light is best and the anchorages are calm.
The crossing from Phuket is open sea, typically around an hour and a half to two hours on a cruising motor yacht, or roughly forty-five minutes on a fast speedboat. Because of that exposure, a stable, well-found boat and a flexible itinerary matter more here than they do on the protected waters of Phang Nga Bay.
Catamarans are a favourite for the trip thanks to their wide, stable decks and shallow draft, which make swimming and sunbathing easy once you arrive. For larger groups or special occasions, a crewed motor yacht adds air-conditioned saloons, shaded aft decks and the speed to spend more of the day at the islands rather than in transit.
Top sights around Phi Phi
Maya Bay, on uninhabited Phi Phi Leh, is the headline stop, made famous by the film 'The Beach'. After a long closure it reopened in 2022 under managed access: boats no longer anchor in the bay itself, and visitors come ashore via a boardwalk from the Loh Samah side. There is a national-park entry fee, and the bay has a seasonal closure during the low season, so itineraries are arranged around the current rules.
Pileh Lagoon, also on Phi Phi Leh, is a shallow emerald basin enclosed by cliffs and one of the best swimming and snorkelling stops in the group. Nearby are the Viking Cave and the sheltered water of Loh Samah Bay.
Phi Phi Don, the larger inhabited island, offers Monkey Beach, the twin bays of Tonsai and Loh Dalum, and lively shore stops. Just to the east, Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai) has a soft white beach and clear shallows that are ideal for a relaxed swim and snorkel away from the main crowds.
Day charter vs overnight
A full-day charter, typically eight to nine hours including the crossing, is enough to take in the marquee sights: Maya Bay or Pileh Lagoon, a snorkel stop, a swim at Bamboo Island and lunch on board. This is the most popular format and the best value for a first visit.
An overnight charter transforms the trip. You stay out after the day boats have left, anchor in a calm bay for the night, and have the lagoons and beaches almost to yourself at first light. Overnight itineraries also make it easy to combine Phi Phi with Krabi, Koh Yao or the limestone scenery of Phang Nga Bay on the way back.
Because Phi Phi involves an open crossing, an overnight trip can also be the more comfortable choice in marginal weather, since you are not committed to a long return passage at a fixed time.
Suggested routes
Classic Phi Phi day trip: depart from Chalong or a southern Phuket marina, cross to Phi Phi Leh for Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon early, snorkel at Loh Samah, then swim and have lunch at Bamboo Island before the return crossing.
Phi Phi and Krabi overnight: the same start, then continue east to anchor for the night near Krabi or Koh Yao, adding paddleboarding, a beach landing and a quiet sunset before returning the next day.
Photographer's early start: leave at first light to reach Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon ahead of the tour fleet, a plan that only works on a private charter where you control the timetable.
Best time to go
The high season runs from November to April, with the clearest skies and calmest seas from December to March. This is the most reliable window for the open crossing to Phi Phi and for snorkelling visibility around the islands.
The southwest monsoon, roughly May to October, brings more rain, wind and swell. The exposed crossing can get choppy, so trips are run on calmer days and routes are adjusted to the conditions; Maya Bay also has a seasonal closure during this period.
If your trip also includes diving in the wider Andaman, note that the Similan Islands and the marine national park have a defined season, running only from about 15 October to 15 May, with the park closed during the monsoon. A Phi Phi cruise itself is not bound by those park dates, but it is still a weather-dependent open-water trip.
Combining Phi Phi with Andaman diving
The waters around Phi Phi offer enjoyable, accessible diving and snorkelling. The pinnacles of Bida Nok and Bida Nai, just south of Phi Phi Leh, are shallow sites in roughly the 5-30 m range, suited to beginners through intermediate divers and known for leopard sharks resting on the sand.
Guests chasing world-class reefs usually pair a Phi Phi cruise with a separate trip to the offshore sites. The standout is Richelieu Rock (5-35 m, intermediate to advanced), famous for seasonal whale-shark and manta sightings and best from February to April. The Koh Bon and Koh Tachai pinnacles (advanced, to around 40-45 m) are other Similan-area highlights.
For an easier introduction, the Boonsung Wreck off Khao Lak (13-20 m, beginner to intermediate) is a gentle reef-and-wreck dive. These offshore sites are reached by liveaboard or day boat and require the open-sea season, unlike the year-round day-trip appeal of Phi Phi.
How much does it cost
Prices vary with the size and style of boat, the season and the day's length, so treat the following as realistic retail starting points for a private charter rather than fixed quotes. The longer open crossing also means fuel is a bigger factor for Phi Phi than for the sheltered bay.
A sailing or cruising catamaran for a full-day Phi Phi charter typically starts from around 20,000 THB for the whole boat, making it strong value for a family or small group, while a larger sport or luxury catamaran generally starts from roughly 90,000 THB. A fast speedboat, which cuts the crossing time, usually starts from about 65,000 THB for the day.
Crewed motor yachts run higher: a classic or mid-size motor yacht for a full day usually starts from around 50,000-60,000 THB, while premium flybridge and sport yachts begin higher again. Overnight charters are priced per night and include crew; final figures depend on cabins, catering, fuel and route, so we quote each itinerary individually.
Featured vessels for this trip
Estrella · Leopard 43
Grand Banks 53ft "Sambuca"
King Yachts "Siam Princess"
Axopar 37
Seascape 2 · Sunseeker Manhattan 60
Princess 65 "Sanook"Frequently asked questions
How far is Phi Phi from Phuket by yacht?
Phi Phi lies about 40 km southeast of Phuket. The open-water crossing takes roughly an hour and a half to two hours on a cruising motor yacht, or about forty-five minutes on a fast speedboat, so it is a longer and more exposed trip than Phang Nga Bay.
Can I visit Maya Bay on a private charter?
Yes. Maya Bay reopened in 2022 under managed access: boats no longer anchor in the bay, and visitors come ashore by boardwalk from the Loh Samah side. A national-park fee applies and there is a seasonal low-season closure, so your captain plans the visit around the current rules. A private charter lets you time it early or late to avoid the busiest hours.
Is the Phi Phi crossing rough?
It is open water, so conditions depend on the season. From December to March it is usually calm and comfortable; during the May to October monsoon the crossing can be choppy, and trips are run on calmer days with the route adjusted to the weather.
Day trip or overnight to Phi Phi: which should I choose?
A full day covers the main sights and is the best value for a first visit. An overnight charter lets you enjoy Maya Bay and the lagoons after the day boats leave, watch the sunset and combine Phi Phi with Krabi or Phang Nga Bay, and it can be more comfortable than a fixed-time return crossing in marginal weather.
Is there good diving and snorkelling at Phi Phi?
Yes. The Bida Nok and Bida Nai pinnacles south of Phi Phi Leh are shallow sites in roughly the 5-30 m range, good for beginner to intermediate divers and known for leopard sharks. For world-class reefs such as Richelieu Rock, guests usually add a separate offshore trip.
How much does a Phi Phi yacht charter cost?
As a guide, a cruising catamaran for a full day starts from roughly 20,000 THB for the whole boat, a fast speedboat from about 65,000 THB, larger luxury catamarans from around 90,000 THB, and crewed motor yachts from about 50,000 THB upward. Overnight rates are quoted per itinerary.