Phuket: Phi Phi, Bamboo & Maiton Speed Catamaran Tour

Phi Phi is the headline, but the 2025 Sweetie catamaran gives you a fuller day at sea, with Bamboo Island, Maya Bay when open, and Maiton Island packed into one route. Leather seating, open sea-view decks, towels, drinks, and a Thai buffet make this more comfortable than a basic speedboat outing.

I like the two planned snorkeling sessions and the mix of quiet beach time with active water play. I also like that hotel pickup, lunch, equipment, snacks, and insurance are included. The main caution is time: traffic to Chalong Pier can be rough, check-in may be slow, and one past departure ran 30 minutes late.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different island stops: Bamboo offers pale sand, Phi Phi brings snorkeling and Maya Bay, while Maiton adds paddleboards, kayaks, and a floating slide.
• Comfortable catamaran setup: Sweetie has leather seating, sea-view decks, towels, beach mats, and onboard drinks.
• Two water sessions included: Snorkeling equipment and disposable mouthpieces are provided, with a second stop at Maiton for water activities.
• Lunch is served on Phi Phi Don: You get a Thai-style buffet, seasonal fruit, snacks, and soft drinks.
• Allow extra time for Phuket traffic: Pickup is usually between 8:30 and 9:30 am, even though the activity begins at 10 am.
• Maya Bay is seasonal: The bay may be closed from August 1, so check the operating date before you pay.

A polished boat day with a packed island route

At $90.99 per person, this is not Phuket’s cheapest island outing. It is priced as a comfort-focused day rather than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for hotel pickup across Phuket, a newer catamaran, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, beach equipment, water toys, and a full route covering four named island areas.

I see the value most clearly if you want to visit several famous places in one day and do not want to arrange transport, food, and gear separately. The price is less compelling if you prefer a slow, quiet beach day or dislike fixed group schedules.

The boat carries up to 75 people, so this is a group excursion, not a private cruise. That size can make the day feel organized when everything runs on time, but it also means registration and boarding may take longer than expected. Build some patience into the morning.

Sweetie is designed to make the ride part of the experience. Leather seats should be easier on you than hard benches, while the open decks give you a better chance to see the sea between stops. The boat is described as faster than a slow tour boat and smoother than a basic speedboat, though sea conditions still affect comfort.

Getting to Chalong Pier without losing your morning

Hotel pickup is offered throughout Phuket. The advertised start time is 10 am at Seven Plus Travel’s Chalong Pier location, but your actual pickup is scheduled earlier according to your hotel’s area. The listed pickup window is roughly 8:30 to 9:30 am.

That difference matters. If you are staying near Patong or elsewhere far from Chalong, road traffic can add a frustrating amount of time. One especially useful warning from the available feedback is that the drive from Phuket’s resort zones can be long because traffic is often heavy.

Give yourself a relaxed morning. Have your confirmation ready, keep your phone charged, and do not plan a tight appointment for the evening. Check-in at the pier has also been described as slow and disorganized at times, and one departure left 30 minutes late.

The activity ends back at the meeting point, rather than at a separate hotel drop-off listed in the schedule. Since hotel transfers are included, confirm the return arrangement with the operator before the day begins, especially if you are making evening plans.

Bamboo Island starts the beach portion

Bamboo Island is scheduled as the first island stop, with about 50 minutes there. This is the part of the day for pale sand, clear shallows, and a quick change of scenery after the morning ride.

The short visit is useful for photographs and a first swim, but it is not enough time for a slow beach afternoon. You will need to keep an eye on the group’s boarding time. Beach mats are included, and towels are provided, which saves you from carrying extra gear from Phuket.

Bamboo works well as an opening stop because it is simple. You get sand, shallow water, and a chance to stretch your legs before lunch and the later water activities. If your main goal is long, quiet time on one beach, though, this route may feel too busy.

Phi Phi Don brings lunch and the first snorkel

The schedule places lunch on Phi Phi Don at about 12:50 pm. The meal is a Thai-style buffet, with seasonal fruit and soft drinks included. This is a useful part of the package because food on a full-day boat route can otherwise become an extra cost and a source of delay.

Do not expect a private seaside meal. The tour uses a group restaurant setting on Phi Phi Don, and the lunch stop is built around keeping the larger schedule moving. Still, a proper buffet is more practical than relying only on snacks during an eight-hour outing.

At about 2 pm, you board again for the first snorkeling session around the Phi Phi Islands. This stop lasts about 1 hour and 10 minutes in the schedule. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and disposable mouthpieces are supplied.

The route is well suited to you if you want a first look at colorful fish without arranging a separate snorkeling trip. Your experience will depend on sea conditions, visibility, and how comfortable you are in the water. The included gear makes participation easier, but you should still bring any personal swim items you prefer.

Maya Bay is the scenic centerpiece, when open

After snorkeling, the boat passes Viking Cave on the way to Maya Bay. You are scheduled to land there for about an hour of free beach time, followed by a move toward Honeymoon Island.

Maya Bay is the most famous name on this route, largely because of its movie setting and dramatic limestone surroundings. The useful point is that this is a landing stop, not only a photo pass from the water. You get time on the beach when the bay is open.

There is an important seasonal limit. Maya Bay may be closed from August 1, and the supplied schedule does not give a reopening date. If your trip falls near or during that period, confirm what the operator will substitute or whether the boat will only pass the area.

Even when the bay is open, keep your expectations sensible. A famous beach visited on a fixed group route is unlikely to feel private. The appeal is seeing the place in person and having a short period ashore, not finding an empty stretch of sand.

Maiton Island adds the fun factor

The final major stop is Ko Mai Thon, also called Maiton or Honeymoon Island. Arrival is scheduled around 4:40 to 4:50 pm, with about 50 minutes for the second snorkeling session and water activities.

This is where the tour becomes more than a sightseeing circuit. You can use paddleboards, a transparent kayak, and a floating water platform. A water slide is also included. These features should appeal to families, couples, and friends who want some movement after the beach and boat rides.

The transparent kayak is a nice touch for seeing the water below you, though the quality of the view will depend on water clarity and weather. Paddleboarding gives you a calmer option, while the slide is the most playful choice. Life jackets are available, and the crew supplies the basic equipment.

The timing is tight, so you probably will not have time to use every activity at length. I would choose one or two things rather than trying to rush through all of them. The second snorkeling stop also gives you another chance to enter the water if the first session was affected by conditions.

The ride home includes a small comfort bonus

At around 5:40 pm, you board for the return trip. Snacks, fruit, and soft drinks are offered on the way back. That matters after a day of swimming, sun, and several boat transfers.

The tour is listed as lasting about eight hours, but the exact day can stretch with pickup traffic, pier check-in, boarding delays, and sea conditions. Keep your evening flexible. The boat returns to the pier, and the experience finishes there.

The onboard setup is one of the stronger reasons to choose this tour. Leather seating, sea-view decks, towels, and beach mats make the repeated transfers easier. This does not remove the basic realities of a busy group outing, but it can make the day less tiring than a bare-bones island trip.

Guides, language, and group size matter

An English-speaking guide and a Chinese-speaking guide are included. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide when booking.

Language support may vary during the day. One piece of direct feedback described the tour as being conducted mainly in Chinese, with English explanations that were difficult to understand. If clear, detailed English commentary is your top priority, this is a point to weigh carefully.

The group limit is 75 people. That is large enough to affect boarding, meals, and movement between activities. The tradeoff is a lower per-person price than a private charter and a wider set of included services.

I would choose this group size if you value convenience and a packed route more than quiet. If you want personal guiding, flexible timing, or a peaceful boat, you should consider a smaller excursion instead.

What the $90.99 price really covers

The $90.99 rate includes more than the boat seat. You receive Phuket-wide hotel transfers, a Thai buffet lunch, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, disposable mouthpieces, towels, beach mats, paddleboards, a transparent kayak, a water slide, guides in English and Chinese, and accident medical insurance.

Tips and personal expenses are not included. The package is therefore easiest to judge by asking how many of those items you would otherwise pay for separately. For a visitor who wants Phi Phi, Bamboo, Maya Bay, snorkeling, and Maiton in one day, the price is reasonably practical.

For a beach lover who wants to spend most of the day in one place, it may be poor value simply because the schedule moves often. You are buying variety and convenience, not unhurried island time.

Weather, cancellation, and who should book

The tour requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

I think this tour suits you best if you want a comfortable, active day with several famous Phuket-area stops and prefer having transport, meals, and equipment arranged. Families and friend groups should enjoy the mix of beach time, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, and the slide.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, need highly polished English guiding, or have only one free day with a strict evening commitment. The route is ambitious, and the morning traffic and pier delays can eat into your time.

Should you book the Sweetie catamaran tour?

Book it if your ideal Phuket day includes many sights in one outing, a newer boat, two water sessions, and a package price that covers the practical details. Bamboo Island, Phi Phi, Maya Bay when open, and Maiton give you a broad taste of the area rather than one deep visit.

Skip it if you want silence, flexible timing, or a small boat with constant personal attention. Before booking, check the Maya Bay operating dates, confirm your hotel pickup time, and leave your evening open. Those three checks will tell you more about whether this tour fits than the glossy boat description.

FAQ

How long does the Phuket catamaran tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, though pickup traffic, pier check-in, boarding, and weather can affect the total time.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10 am at Seven Plus Travel’s Chalong Pier. Hotel pickup generally takes place earlier, around 8:30 to 9:30 am, depending on your hotel location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Phuket island-wide hotel transfers are included.

Which islands and sites does the tour visit?

The route includes Bamboo Island, the Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay when open, and Ko Mai Thon, also called Maiton or Honeymoon Island.

Is Maya Bay always open?

No. Maya Bay is seasonal and may be closed from August 1. Confirm the operating status for your date before booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai-style buffet lunch is served on Phi Phi Don Island. Seasonal fruit, snacks, and soft drinks are also included.

Are snorkeling items provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, disposable mouthpieces, and towels are included.

What water activities are available?

The tour includes two snorkeling stops, paddleboards, a transparent kayak, a floating water platform, and a water slide.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 75 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.