Blu Anda Catamaran to Phi Phi from Phuket

The best part of this Phi Phi trip is the time spent in the water. You can snorkel from the catamaran among colorful fish, swim in clear bays, and kayak near Maya Bay without worrying about renting gear or finding your own way between islands.

I like the included hotel transfer and meals, which make this an easy full-day outing from Phuket. I also like the small maximum group of 20, plus the fresh-water showers, beach shoes, towel, and sarong on board. The main drawback is Phi Phi Don itself. Tonsai Bay can feel crowded, and the beach stop may seem less special than the quieter snorkeling sites.

Key points to know

• Snorkeling is the star: Swim from the catamaran at Lana Bay or Bamboo Island, with masks and fins provided.
• Maya Bay may be viewed from the water: Closures and sea conditions can change the activity, especially during monsoon months.
• The boat is designed for a full day out: Breakfast, lunch, fruit, afternoon snacks, drinks, showers, and basic beach gear are included.
• You see many Phi Phi landmarks: The route passes Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, Camel Rock, Nui Bay, and Monkey Bay.
• Transfers simplify the day: Hotel pickup and return are included, with airport drop-off available at no extra charge.
• Plan for a long day: The tour takes about 10 hours, and the airport option requires a flight no earlier than about 9:30 p.m.

A full day from Phuket to Phi Phi

At $128.95 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Phi Phi. It is priced as a full-service day rather than a simple boat transfer, though. Your fare covers hotel transport, an English-speaking guide, the marine park fee, breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, beach shoes, a small towel, a sarong, and travel insurance.

I see the value most clearly if you want one organized day with little planning. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the pier, hire a boat, rent fins, or search for lunch on Phi Phi. If you prefer to move slowly, spend hours on one beach, or choose your own snorkeling spots, a private boat or overnight stay may suit you better.

The trip lasts about 10 hours. Pickup timing can vary by hotel, and the schedule gives both an 8:30 a.m. departure from Ao Po Grand Marina and a 9:00 a.m. meeting time, with arrival at the pier around 9:30 a.m. Confirm the exact pickup time when you book. That small check matters, since hotel locations around Phuket can create a long morning transfer.

Getting to Ao Po and boarding Blu Anda

Your day begins with an air-conditioned minivan from your hotel. The boat leaves from Ao Po, with the tour information identifying both Ao Po Grand Marina and Pier 88 Seafood Terminal as the departure area. On arrival, you receive a light canapé breakfast, along with hot or cold drinks, before boarding the Blu Anda catamaran.

That early snack is useful rather than lavish. You have a long morning ahead, and it gives you something to eat before the first water stop. Lunch and afternoon snacks follow later, so you are not left dependent on food sold at the islands.

The Blu Anda is a non-smoking vessel. The boat has fresh-water showers for the return journey, and the included equipment reduces the amount you need to pack. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and any personal medication you need, but the tour supplies the basic water and beach items.

The boat carries no more than 20 people. That does not make the trip private, but it is a more manageable size for boarding, receiving instructions, and finding a place to sit. An English-speaking guide accompanies the group.

The first water stop: Bamboo Island or Lana Bay

The supplied schedules describe the first water activity in two ways. One version places you at Koh Pai, also called Bamboo Island, for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. Another describes snorkeling at Loh Lana, or Lana Bay, on the northwest side of Phi Phi Don.

That difference is important. The exact stop can change with the tide, wind, weather, and operating plan. You should treat the named sites as part of the intended Phi Phi route, not as an absolute promise of one particular cove.

This is where the trip earns much of its appeal. You step from the catamaran into the water with the provided mask and fins, then spend the morning looking for colorful fish and coral. The water activities are the strongest part of the day, so pack a waterproof way to protect your phone if you want pictures from the boat or beach.

Bamboo Island offers the classic combination of sand, swimming, and snorkeling. Lana Bay gives you a sheltered cove on Phi Phi Don and a chance to look below the surface without joining a separate snorkeling excursion. The water may not be perfectly clear on every day, especially during unsettled weather, but the tour is built around these conditions rather than treating swimming as an afterthought.

You should be comfortable getting into open water from the boat steps. The guide provides equipment, but the tour information does not promise flotation devices or private instruction, so make your comfort level clear before you enter the water.

Cruising past Camel Rock and Nui Bay

Between water stops, the catamaran passes several of Phi Phi’s famous coastal formations. Camel Rock, Nui Bay, Koh Yoong, and Leam Tong appear on the route, with blue water and steep limestone scenery filling the views from the boat.

These passages are not just transport. They give you time to dry off, sit in the sun, and take photographs without carrying a camera while swimming. I like this rhythm: active water time, a short cruise, food, then another stop. It keeps the day from becoming one long beach visit.

The boat’s size also matters here. A catamaran generally gives you a stable platform for looking outward, though sea conditions still affect how comfortable the ride feels. During the monsoon season, the operator may change the order of stops or cancel some sites for safety. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring your usual remedy and choose a place on the boat that helps you feel steady.

Lunch with Phi Phi scenery around you

Lunch is served onboard, with seafood, chicken, or vegetarian options listed. A lunch box set is included, and special dietary needs or food allergies should be given at booking so arrangements can be made.

The meal is practical, but it also gives you one of the day’s easiest sightseeing moments. You can eat while the boat passes Camel Rock and the waters around Nui Bay, instead of losing beach time while searching for a restaurant.

One point is worth knowing before you book. The program may include a stop at Phi Phi Don and a meal associated with the island, while the schedule also describes lunch onboard. The exact meal location and timing may change with the day’s route. If eating beside a quiet beach is important to you, this may disappoint. The available feedback specifically favored the swimming and snorkeling and found the Phi Phi island visit crowded, with little to do beyond the beach and shops.

That is a fair warning. Lunch onboard saves time and avoids another transfer, but it is not the same as a relaxed meal on a nearly empty beach.

Monkey Bay, Viking Cave, and the limestone coast

After lunch, the route continues around Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lee. The schedule includes swimming and snorkeling at Ao Ling, also called Monkey Bay, along with views of Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, and Maya Bay.

At Monkey Bay, the draw is the cove and surrounding cliffs. The schedule mentions swimming and snorkeling, but conditions determine how long you stay and whether you enter the water. Do not expect every named bay to become a separate, lengthy stop. Several are viewed from the catamaran as part of the coastal cruise.

Viking Cave is another sightseeing pass rather than a guaranteed shore visit. From the boat, you get a closer look at one of the best-known rock formations in the Phi Phi group. The same is true of Pileh Lagoon and Loh Samah Bay, where the limestone walls and enclosed water create some of the most memorable views of the day.

This part works best if you enjoy scenery from the water. If you need to walk ashore at every landmark, you may find the itinerary too fast. The tour covers a great deal of coast in one day, and that means some locations are seen in motion.

Kayaking near Maya Bay

The program includes sea kayaking around Maya Bay, followed by a cruise past nearby sites on Phi Phi Lee. This adds a different kind of activity to a day otherwise centered on swimming and snorkeling.

Kayaking lets you get closer to the waterline and look back at the cliffs from a lower viewpoint. You also get a short break from the catamaran. The equipment is included, and the tour provides the basic items needed for the beach and water activities.

Maya Bay access is not always straightforward. The supplied information notes a seasonal closure for coral reef rehabilitation during a past June 1 to September 30 period, when the boat could cruise past the bay only. More broadly, the current program warns that weather, tide, and sea conditions can alter or cancel stops.

For that reason, book this as a Phi Phi sea tour that includes the Maya Bay area, not as a guaranteed shore visit to Maya Bay. If the bay itself is your main reason for booking, check the current operating conditions before paying.

The final stop at Tonsai Bay

Late in the day, the catamaran docks at Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Don. Here you can walk along the beach, shop, swim, or sunbathe before returning to Phuket.

Tonsai is convenient, but it is also the stop most likely to feel busy. Phi Phi Don is the main inhabited island in the group, and the beach area has more activity than the quieter coves. The available tour feedback described this stop as crowded and less interesting than the snorkeling.

I would treat Tonsai as free time, not the highlight. Use it to stretch your legs, rinse off, browse the beach shops, or enjoy a final swim. If you are hoping for a peaceful tropical beach with no development, save your expectations for Bamboo Island, Lana Bay, or the water stops.

Beach shoes, a small towel, and a sarong are provided. The sarong can help with changing or covering up after swimming, while the beach shoes are useful on uneven or warm shorelines.

Returning to Phuket by catamaran

After Tonsai Bay, you return to the catamaran and can use the freshwater showers. That is a welcome detail after a full day of salt water, sunscreen, and sand. Afternoon fruit, snacks, and hot or cold drinks are included for the ride back.

The return trip ends at Ao Po Grand Marina, where the minivan takes you back to your hotel. Airport drop-off is available at no extra cost if you provide your flight time. The operator recommends a departure no earlier than 9:30 p.m., allowing time for the boat, road transfer, check-in, and possible delays.

I would not use this airport option for a tight international connection. The tour is weather dependent, and the sea can affect the schedule. It makes more sense for a late flight with plenty of spare time.

Who will enjoy this Phi Phi day

This tour suits you if you want to see many Phi Phi landmarks in one day and prefer an organized plan. It is particularly useful for a short Phuket stay, since you can combine the main viewpoints, snorkeling, kayaking, meals, and transport without arranging several separate bookings.

It also works well for active families and couples who want swimming and snorkeling more than long cultural visits. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate according to the tour information.

You may want another option if you dislike boat days, need a slow pace, or want a quiet beach for several hours. You should also think twice if a particular Maya Bay landing is essential, since tides, conservation closures, and weather can change the plan.

The minimum group requirement is six people. Even after confirmation, the operator may cancel if there are not enough passengers, offering an alternative date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, while poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Blu Anda Phi Phi trip?

Book it if you value convenience and water time. The strongest reasons are the included snorkeling gear, several swimming areas, onboard food, hotel pickup, a small maximum group, and the chance to see much of the Phi Phi coast without arranging each leg yourself.

Go in with realistic expectations about Tonsai Bay and Maya Bay. Tonsai may feel crowded, and Maya Bay may be viewed only from the boat under certain conditions. The schedule is broad enough that some stops are scenic passes rather than long visits.

At $128.95, I consider it a reasonable package for a full 10-hour day, especially if you will use the hotel transfer, meals, gear, and airport option. Choose it for an active introduction to Phi Phi. Skip it if your ideal island day means one quiet beach, a private boat, and complete control of the schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Blu Anda Phi Phi tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours. The schedule shows a morning departure from Ao Po and a return to Ao Po Grand Marina around 4:00 p.m., though exact timing can change.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan are included.

Can I be dropped at Phuket airport?

Yes. Airport drop-off is available at no extra cost. You should provide your flight time, and the operator recommends a flight no earlier than about 9:30 p.m.

Are snorkeling equipment and beach items provided?

Yes. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, beach shoes, a small towel, and a sarong.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes canapé breakfast, a lunch box with seafood, chicken, or vegetarian food, afternoon snacks, fruit, and hot or cold beverages.

Is Maya Bay guaranteed to be open?

No. The schedule can change because of weather, tides, sea conditions, or conservation closures. During a listed seasonal closure, the boat may cruise past Maya Bay without landing or kayaking there.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people. At least six people are required for the tour to operate.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.