- Two boats have a fixed Phi Phi route from Krabi: the Lavezzi 40 sailing catamaran at ฿28,000 per boat (10-12 hours) and Blue Atoll at ฿70,000 per boat (10:30-18:30).
- The Lavezzi 40 route takes in Nui Bay, Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, the lagoon and the Viking Cave, with Poda on the same day.
- Since Maya Bay reopened in 2022, boats land at Loh Samah Bay and swimming in Maya Bay is restricted; the bay can also close for restoration.
- Phi Phi lies in the open Andaman Sea, so it is the longest and most weather-dependent day out of Krabi, and national park fees are not included in the boat price.
It is your third evening in Ao Nang and the question keeps coming back: do you spend one whole day of the holiday getting to Phi Phi, or stay close and do the 4 Islands? A Phi Phi private boat from Krabi is the most famous trip on the coast and also the longest, most weather-dependent one. Worth it for some groups, a mistake for others.
This guide goes through what the day really involves: which boats go, what they cost for the whole boat, what you see, the Maya Bay rules, the swell, the early start and the long ride home. At the end you should know whether Phi Phi belongs in your plans.
Is a Phi Phi private boat from Krabi worth it?
Yes, if your group is comfortable with a long day at sea and you come in the calmer months. The water around Phi Phi Leh is among the clearest in the Andaman Sea, and on a private boat you can time the stops to avoid the worst of the crowds. No, if anyone gets seasick easily, if you have small children, or if you only have a day or two in Krabi.
Phi Phi is the furthest fixed route on any boat out of Krabi, and it means open water in both directions. The 4 Islands and Hong Island are closer, more sheltered and usually calmer, so they give you more swimming for less time on the move.
What a private boat changes compared with a shared tour is control. You are not on a schedule built for a hundred people. The captain can leave a crowded bay early, wait for a quieter moment or add time at a spot your group loves. Lunch is on board, the toilet is yours, and nobody hurries you back onto the boat.
What it does not change is the geography. The crossing is the same distance whatever boat you are on, and the sea decides how comfortable it is.
Which boats go to Phi Phi from Krabi and how much do they cost?
Two catamarans have a fixed Phi Phi route: the Lavezzi 40 and Blue Atoll. Both are sailing catamarans, both are private, and the prices are for the whole boat.
| Boat | Phi Phi route | Time | Price per boat | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavezzi 40 | Phi Phi and Poda: Nui Bay, Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, the lagoon, the Viking Cave | 10-12 hours | ฿28,000 | Price from 2 guests, ฿2,500 per extra guest, max 12 |
| Blue Atoll | Full Day Phi Phi | 10:30-18:30 (8 hours) | ฿70,000 | Price for up to 10, ฿1,000 per extra guest, max 30 |
National park fees are not included on either boat. Phi Phi is part of the Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, so budget for the park fee on the day; the manager can tell you what applies.
The Power Catamaran 40ft is a common question here, so to be clear: it does not have a Phi Phi route. Its fixed trips are the 4 Islands and Hong Island. If your group is larger than 12 and you want a big, stable motor catamaran, the honest advice is to choose Hong Island on that boat, or go to Phi Phi on Blue Atoll, which takes up to 30.
Lavezzi 40 or Blue Atoll: which Phi Phi boat suits you?
The Lavezzi 40 is the value choice for a small group; Blue Atoll is the comfortable, roomy choice for a bigger group or a special occasion. The route and the time on board differ too.
Lavezzi 40
The Fountaine Pajot Lavezzi 40 has 4 double cabins and takes up to 12 guests. Its Phi Phi and Poda trip runs 10-12 hours and costs ฿28,000 from 2 guests, with ฿2,500 for each extra guest from 3 to 12. Standard food, coffee and tea, soft drinks, fruit, snorkelling gear, a stand-up paddle board, a kayak and a dinghy are included.
This is the longest day on the list, and the cabins matter. On a 10-12 hour trip, being able to lie down in the shade on the way back is a real comfort. The open cockpit has room for meals, and swim ladders on both sides plus an outdoor shower make the swim stops easy.
For a couple or a family of four, it is by far the more sensible way to see Phi Phi privately.
Blue Atoll
Blue Atoll is the owner's version of the Lagoon 400, 40 ft long and 7.2 m wide, with two double cabins that each have their own bathroom. The Full Day Phi Phi runs from 10:30 to 18:30 and costs ฿70,000 for up to 10 guests, with ฿1,000 per extra guest from 11 to 30.
A butler is part of the crew, and the included list has a welcome drink, soft drinks, seasonal fruits, tea snacks, a beach picnic, afternoon tea and fishing equipment. A bartender and a massage therapist can be added for an extra charge. The later 10:30 start is kinder to anyone who does not want an early alarm.
The price only makes sense for a group. For ten to thirty people celebrating something, Blue Atoll turns a long day into a comfortable one. For two people it is hard to justify over the Lavezzi 40. The full list of inclusions is on the Blue Atoll boat page.
If your group is small, look at the Lavezzi 40 first; if you are ten or more, or it is a celebration, Blue Atoll is the better fit.
What do you see on a private Phi Phi trip?
A private Phi Phi day from Krabi centres on Phi Phi Leh, the smaller, uninhabited island, plus a swim stop on Phi Phi Don. These are the main stops on the routes:
- Maya Bay. The bay from the film "The Beach", closed in by cliffs on three sides. Boats land at Loh Samah Bay on the other side of Phi Phi Leh, and you walk across.
- Loh Samah Bay and the lagoon. A narrow bay under the cliffs, and nearby the lagoon often called Pileh Lagoon, with calm green water between limestone walls.
- The Viking Cave. A cave in the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh, seen from the boat, named after old drawings of boats on its walls.
- Nui Bay. A small bay on Phi Phi Don with clear water for swimming and snorkelling.
- Poda. On the Lavezzi 40 route, a stop at Koh Poda on the way, with its long white beach and the rock standing off the shore.
Pileh Lagoon is, for many people, the real highlight. The water is calm, the walls rise straight up on all sides, and on a private boat you can float there for a while instead of being herded back. Snorkelling around Phi Phi Leh is generally good when visibility is clear, with reef fish around the rocks.
Full details of the stops are on the Phi Phi Islands yacht charter page.
What are the Maya Bay rules today?
Since Maya Bay reopened in 2022, boats land at Loh Samah Bay, guests walk to the beach, and swimming in Maya Bay is restricted. The rules belong to the national park and they change, so the crew follows whatever is in force on the day.
Maya Bay can also close completely for restoration, often for a period in the monsoon months. If seeing the beach is the main reason for the trip, ask the manager about the current situation before you book.
Be ready for crowds on the beach itself. Maya Bay is one of the most visited places in Thailand, and a private boat does not give you a private beach. What it does give you is flexibility on timing, and a lagoon or a quiet bay to go to afterwards.
The reason the rules exist is worth knowing. The bay was closed for several years to let the coral and the beach recover from heavy tourism, and the rules on landing, swimming and numbers are part of keeping it that way. Treat it gently: no feeding fish, no touching coral, and reef-safe sunscreen only.
How long is the day, and how rough is the crossing?
A Phi Phi day from Krabi is long: 8 hours on Blue Atoll from 10:30 to 18:30, and 10-12 hours on the Lavezzi 40. A good part of that is the crossing there and back in the open Andaman Sea.
That crossing is the honest downside. Between Krabi and Phi Phi there is no shelter from the islands, so even in good weather there can be a swell. From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings stronger swell, and the Phi Phi route may be changed or cancelled for safety. In the dry season, roughly November to April, the sea is usually calmer, but windy days happen.
A catamaran helps a lot. Two hulls roll far less than a single-hull boat, which is one reason the Phi Phi routes are on catamarans. Even so, if anyone in your group gets seasick, take that seriously:
- Take seasickness tablets before you board, not at sea.
- Sit outside in the middle of the boat and look at the horizon.
- Eat something light in the morning and drink water through the day.
- Avoid reading or looking at your phone during the crossing.
The other cost of the long day is fatigue. Sun, salt and hours on the move add up, and children in particular can be done by mid-afternoon. A cabin to lie down in on the way home is worth more than it sounds.
When is Phi Phi the wrong choice?
Phi Phi is the wrong choice when the sea is rough, when your group has small children or seasick guests, or when you want a relaxed day rather than a big one. In those cases, a closer route gives you more of what you came for.
The 4 Islands are the obvious alternative: Poda, Chicken Island, the Talay Waek sandbar and Railay, a short way off Ao Nang. The water is shallower and calmer, the stops are close together, and even a half day leaves time to swim. See the 4 Islands by private boat page for the routes.
Hong Island is the other. Its lagoon inside the limestone walls has no swell at all, and the route sits in more sheltered water towards Phang Nga Bay. The details are on the Hong Island charter page, and the Power Catamaran 40ft is a good boat for it with a bigger group.
If you are torn, a simple rule: go to Phi Phi in the dry season with a group that loves being at sea; choose the 4 Islands or Hong Island in all other cases. You will not be short of cliffs and clear water either way.
How to book a Phi Phi day and get it right
Choose the boat, then send the booking request on the boat page with your date and number of guests. The request is free and non-binding, and a manager confirms by WhatsApp that the boat is free and the final price.
A few points to settle before the day:
- Ask about the current Maya Bay rules and whether the bay is open on your date.
- Check the forecast the day before, and ask the manager about options if the sea looks rough.
- Confirm the pickup time and meeting point, especially for the long Lavezzi 40 day.
- Bring cash for the park fee, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a long-sleeve layer and a dry bag.
- Pack seasickness tablets if there is any doubt.
Book early for December to February, when calm-weather dates go first. And keep a backup day in your holiday if you can: if the sea says no to Phi Phi, you can still go another day.
Questions and answers
How long does it take to get from Krabi to Phi Phi by private boat?
It depends on the boat and the sea, so the manager will give you a realistic idea for your date. The whole Phi Phi day is 8 hours on Blue Atoll and 10-12 hours on the Lavezzi 40, including the crossings and the stops.
Can you swim in Maya Bay?
Swimming in Maya Bay is restricted under the national park rules in force since it reopened in 2022. Boats land at Loh Samah Bay and guests walk to the beach. The rules can change, and the crew follows whatever applies on the day.
Is the park fee included in the boat price?
No. National park fees are not included on either Phi Phi route. Ask the manager what applies on your date and bring cash.
Can we stop at Phi Phi Don for lunch?
The fixed routes include Nui Bay on Phi Phi Don for swimming, and food or a picnic is served on board as part of the trip. If you want a specific stop, mention it in your request and the manager will tell you if it fits the route.
Is a Phi Phi trip from Krabi suitable for children?
Older children who like the sea usually enjoy it. For toddlers and young kids, the long day and the open crossing are tiring, and the 4 Islands or Hong Island are easier choices. If you go, a catamaran with cabins is the right boat.
What happens if the sea is too rough for Phi Phi?
In rough weather the Phi Phi route may be changed or cancelled for safety. Talk to the manager about moving the date or switching to a more sheltered route such as Hong Island.
Is Phi Phi better by private boat or on a shared tour?
A private boat gives you control over timing, space on board and a quieter day, which matters a lot on a long trip. A shared tour is cheaper per person for a couple. For a group, a private catamaran is usually the more comfortable way to do it.
Ready to choose your boat?
Every boat page shows the routes, prices and what is included. The booking request is free: a manager checks the boat is free on your date and confirms the price.
Updated 27 October 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.
