On the second day of our Phuket trip with a traveller in her 60s, we headed to the Phi Phi Islands!
We visited famous spots including Maya Bay, and what a beautiful day it was!
We booked our day tour through VELTRA. The tour included the Phi Phi Islands and Khai Island,
with a speedboat ride, lunch, snorkelling and a choice of Japanese or English guide.
✅ Check Phi Phi and Khai Island tour details on VELTRA
Our driver picked us up from The Tint at Phuket Town at 7 a.m. The vehicle was clean and comfortable.
The drive to the marina took about 40 minutes, with some morning traffic and rather long waits at traffic lights!
Before You Book: What Travellers in Their 60s and 70s Should Check
If you are considering a Phi Phi Islands speedboat tour, take a close look at the age, insurance and participation conditions before booking.
Tour insurance and the age limit
One line on the booking page caught my attention: travellers aged 71 and over are not covered by the insurance included with this tour.
These islands are some distance from a hospital, and a speedboat can bounce quite hard over the waves.
Reading the conditions made me realise that this is an outing worth planning carefully.
This is an insurance condition for the tour we looked at, rather than a rule saying that everyone over 70 must stay away.
If you are unsure whether the trip is suitable for you, check the current participation rules, insurance coverage and sea conditions with the operator before you book.
Why I am glad we went while we could
Seeing those conditions made me think about the places I would love to visit while I still can.
For us, the Phi Phi Islands were one of them—and I am so glad we went!
✅ Check Phi Phi and Khai Island tour details on VELTRA
Drinks and Snacks at the Marina Before Our Phi Phi Tour
We arrived at Royal Phuket Marina.
There were complimentary drinks and snacks, so we had a little something to eat.
I would recommend having a light breakfast before boarding the speedboat.
Getting on with an empty stomach might make you feel unwell.
There were cold drinks, hot coffee and Thai tea too!
The Phi Phi Islands attract visitors from around the world, and there were people from all sorts of countries at the marina.
We took motion sickness medicine here, just in case.
If you tend to get seasick, taking your usual motion sickness medicine beforehand may give you some peace of mind.
We did not feel seasick on the speedboat at all—perhaps the medicine helped!
Why We Chose a Japanese-Speaking Guide
When we booked the Phi Phi and Khai Island tour, we chose the Japanese-speaking guide option.
The English-speaking option was cheaper, so we hesitated until the last minute. In the end, I was very glad we chose a guide who spoke Japanese!
During this trip, we sometimes found it difficult to understand each other's English.
I think I would have worried about missing meeting points or important instructions if we had chosen the English-speaking option.
If you are more comfortable communicating in Japanese, I would strongly recommend considering a Japanese-speaking guide.
Everyone on our boat happened to be Japanese when we joined the tour.
That made the day feel easy for us, but a Japanese-speaking guide does not necessarily mean that every passenger will be Japanese.
The group may be mixed depending on bookings.
✅ Check Phi Phi and Khai Island tour details on VELTRA
This was the speedboat we boarded. It had HONDA engines!
Where We Sat on the Speedboat
And off we went! The speedboat was full.
On our tour, boarding early meant we could choose our seats. We got on first and sat right at the back.
We had heard that the front of a speedboat can bounce more.
I also felt more comfortable at the back because I was facing the direction we were travelling.
Our itinerary included Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, snorkelling off Tonsai Bay and Khai Island.
The route can change with the weather and sea conditions.
Our first stop that day was Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi Leh. The speedboat ride took about 50 minutes.
I avoided looking at my phone and tried to keep my eyes on the distant scenery.
I did not feel seasick! Of course, rougher waves can mean a bumpier ride, so conditions make a difference.
Island-Hopping Highlights: The Beauty of the Phi Phi Islands
Everywhere we went in the Phi Phi Islands was beautiful. I was amazed again and again! Here are the places we visited.
The Emerald Water of Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi Leh
The water at Pileh Lagoon was such a gorgeous emerald colour!
People who wanted to get into the water were floating and enjoying it.
There were quite a few travellers in their 20s on our tour, and they were having fun swimming.
We took a souvenir photo with that beautiful water behind us. Our guide helped take photos and was really good at it!
Drinks were available on the boat. We had a choice of orange juice, water and cola.
After Pileh Lagoon, we went to Monkey Beach. There really were wild monkeys there! I was so excited to see them!
✅ Check Phi Phi and Khai Island tour details on VELTRA
Lunch Buffet with a Sea View on Phi Phi Don
Next was Phi Phi Don, the largest island in the Phi Phi group.
The sea here was incredibly beautiful too. I was moved all over again!
Nature really can feel like the greatest luxury. Just watching the sea and listening to the waves made me happy.
We had lunch on Phi Phi Don. It was a buffet, so we could choose what we liked and have as much as we wanted.
Everything was tasty, but the massaman curry our guide recommended was especially delicious!
It went wonderfully with the slightly spicy chicken. Lunch with a view of that beautiful emerald sea felt wonderfully luxurious.
I was so happy!
✅ Check Phi Phi and Khai Island tour details on VELTRA
Maya Bay: A Breathtaking Beach and Strict Rules
After lunch, we visited Maya Bay, a filming location for The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Whether a tour can land at Maya Bay depends on the conditions and the access rules in effect on the day.
At some times of year, visitors may only see it from the boat, so check the itinerary when booking.
The sea was unbelievably beautiful! When we visited, we could step into the shallow water for a photo, but the staff strictly enforced the limits.
If someone went too far, a ranger called out through a loudspeaker.
Please follow the rules posted there and the instructions you receive on the day.
They are there to protect this beautiful place.
We were told the waves had been too rough for visitors to land until the day before, so I was especially glad we made it to Maya Bay.
We took some beautiful photos—perfect for Instagram too!
That sense of wonder has no age limit. I think many travellers in their 60s would be just as glad to see it.
There were plenty of plants at Maya Bay, and there were toilets too. I have written more about the toilets further down.
✅ Check Phi Phi and Khai Island tour details on VELTRA
Snorkelling off Tonsai Bay and Relaxing on Khai Island
We went snorkelling off Tonsai Bay, then spent some relaxing time on the beach at Khai Island.
So Many Fish off Tonsai Bay!
Next came snorkelling off Tonsai Bay. This tour really was packed with experiences!
Here is what it looked like under the water:
So many fish!!!
Can you believe how close they came? The Phi Phi Islands are amazing!
If you enjoy snorkelling, this part of the tour is a treat.
I took those photos with my phone. I had bought a waterproof phone pouch beforehand.
No seawater got into my pouch on this outing. If you are choosing one, you can see the one I used above.
Test the pouch for leaks before taking your phone into the sea—I have had a phone damaged by water before!
It did take a little practice to operate my phone underwater.
If you want to take photos without struggling with the controls, an action camera such as a GoPro may be easier.
✅ Check Phi Phi and Khai Island tour details on VELTRA
Relaxing on Khai Island: Our Beach Umbrella and Oversized Drinks
The final island on our tour was Khai Island. We rented a beach umbrella and relaxed while looking out at the sea.
When we visited, buying a drink came with use of a beach umbrella.
We bought three drinks, but they were so big that we could not finish them!
One drink to share would have been enough for us—and would have cost less.
Do check the arrangement and prices at the beach when you visit, as they may change.
We spotted a cat too!
It was such a full and enjoyable day, visiting so many islands. I am glad we joined the tour!
Before we went, I also had a few practical questions. Here is what I found out on the day.
What Were the Toilets Like?
Because we were visiting islands, I wondered what the toilets would be like.
I used the facilities on Phi Phi Don, at Maya Bay and on Khai Island.
Of the three, the toilets at Maya Bay were the cleanest when we visited.
The toilets I used on Phi Phi Don and Khai Island were less clean.
They did not flush in the usual way, so I had to scoop water from a nearby container to flush them.
At the toilet I used on Khai Island, I paid 20 baht, even though it was the least clean of the three.
I definitely recommend bringing pocket tissues! Disinfecting wipes are handy too.
There are both alcohol-based and alcohol-free wipes. Choose the kind that suits your skin and how you plan to use them.
What to Bring on a Phi Phi Islands Day Tour
Here is what I would pack for a day like ours.
1. Motion Sickness Medicine
Speedboats can be bumpy. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring medicine that you know suits you.
Even if you do not usually feel seasick, you may appreciate having it with you.
2. A Waterproof Phone Pouch
It was useful for taking photos in the water. Check it for leaks before putting your phone inside.
I know how upsetting a water-damaged phone can be!
3. Cash in Thai Baht
Bring cash for things such as toilet fees and tips. Do not assume you will be able to pay by card on the islands.
4. Sunscreen
Sun protection matters for everyone on a day out at sea.
Thailand restricts certain sunscreen ingredients in its marine national parks to help protect coral reefs, so check the ingredients of any product you plan to bring.
We used a water-resistant BUSHMAN sunscreen.
It left a slight white cast, but that did not bother me much on an island tour.
The particular sunscreen we used later sold out, so the product link below points to a similar item instead.
Check its current ingredients yourself before using it in a marine national park.
5. Water Shoes
I preferred water shoes to flip-flops for walking around the islands. They helped keep sand out and felt more secure underfoot.
6. Towels
Bring a bath towel for each person. A larger one is useful if you get chilly after swimming or from the spray on the boat.
7. A Rash Guard
The sun felt strong, so I was glad to have a rash guard. It gave me another way to cover my skin during the day.
Sunglasses can be useful too, if you are confident you will not leave them behind. Because they could be lost or damaged on a boat trip, I would choose an inexpensive pair.
I personally prefer lighter-tinted lenses.
And that was our Phi Phi Islands day tour! From the emerald water and the fish to lunch by the sea, there was so much to enjoy.
If this trip sounds right for you, check the current tour details and conditions before booking.
✅ Check Phi Phi and Khai Island tour details on VELTRA
