Blu Anda Catamaran to Phi Phi from Phuket

Phi Phi looks best from the water, and this Blu Anda catamaran gives you a full day of moving between limestone cliffs, clear bays, and coral-rich snorkeling spots. You will cruise from Phuket, stop for swimming and snorkeling, paddle near Maya Bay, and finish around Tonsai Bay before returning by minivan.

I like the way meals and equipment are included, so you do not need to pack fins, beach shoes, towels, or a picnic. I also like the small maximum group of 20, plus the practical airport drop-off option. The main drawback is that Phi Phi’s popular stops can feel crowded, especially around the main island, and rough monsoon-season seas may change or cancel parts of the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Snorkeling is the star: Swim from the catamaran at Loh Lana, Bamboo Island, or Monkey Bay, depending on the day’s route and sea conditions.
• Maya Bay may be viewed from the water: Kayaking and access can change when the bay is closed for environmental protection or affected by weather.
• Your day is well supplied: Canapé breakfast, lunch, fruit, drinks, afternoon snacks, snorkeling gear, beach shoes, a small towel, and a sarong are included.
• The boat carries no more than 20 people: That makes the day more manageable than a large ferry excursion, though the beaches themselves may still be busy.
• Airport drop-off can be useful: Your flight should be no earlier than about 9:30 p.m., allowing time for the return drive and airport check-in.
• The itinerary is weather-dependent: Monsoon conditions can alter the order of stops or remove destinations for safety.

Why the catamaran makes sense for a Phi Phi day

Phi Phi is not close enough to Phuket for a casual side trip. You need boat time, transfers, food, and gear, and this outing bundles all of it into one long day. At $128.95 per person, it is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but it covers hotel transport, the marine park fee, meals, equipment, insurance, and an English-speaking guide.

I see the value mainly in the catamaran and the included supplies. You can step aboard without arranging a separate transfer to the pier or renting snorkeling equipment once you arrive. Freshwater showers on the boat also matter after a morning in salt water, especially before the ride back to Phuket.

The group cap of 20 is another useful detail. It does not make Phi Phi private, since Maya Bay and Tonsai Bay can be crowded, but it should make boarding, eating, and listening to the guide easier than on a very large boat.

There are a few timing details to sort out before you go. The information gives an Ao Po departure around 8:30 a.m., a 9:00 a.m. meeting time, and arrival at the pier around 9:30 a.m. Hotel pickup time will depend on your location. Ask the operator for the exact pickup time and confirm the pier departure the day before.

From Phuket to the Andaman Sea

Your morning begins with pickup in an air-conditioned minivan. The stated meeting point is Pier 88 Seafood Terminal at Ao Po, with the itinerary also naming Ao Po Grand Marina. Once you reach the pier, you receive a light canapé breakfast, then board the Blu Anda catamaran.

The crossing is part of the experience, not merely dead time. From the deck, you can watch Phuket recede and the sea open around you. The boat passes striking rock formations and island points such as Koh Yoong, Leam Tong, Camel Rock, and Nui Bay, depending on the final route.

Bring sun protection even if you plan to stay under cover. You will spend much of the day on the water, and the open deck is the best place to see the cliffs and bays. A dry bag is also useful for a phone, although the tour provides a small towel and a sarong that can serve several purposes.

The Blu Anda is a non-smoking vessel. That is a small comfort on a long boat ride, particularly when many people are gathered on deck.

Snorkeling at Loh Lana and other northern bays

The detailed program places the first main stop at Phi Phi Don, the larger inhabited island in the group. At Loh Lana, also called Lana Bay, you can put on the provided mask, snorkel, and fins and enter directly from the catamaran steps.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day. The appeal is simple: you spend time in the water with colorful fish and coral rather than only looking at Phi Phi from a boat. If the route instead includes Bamboo Island or Monkey Bay, the same basic pattern applies, with swimming and snorkeling shaped by the tide and sea conditions.

The itinerary names Bamboo Island, or Koh Pai, as an early stop for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. It also places Ao Ling, known as Monkey Bay, around lunchtime for another swim and snorkeling session. The exact order is not fixed, so you should treat the named bays as possible stops rather than guaranteed appointments.

That flexibility is necessary in the Andaman Sea. During the monsoon season, waves, tides, and visibility can make one cove safer than another. The operator may change the order or cancel a stop without notice when conditions require it. You gain safety, but you lose some certainty.

For the best water time, bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep a dry change of clothing in your bag. The boat provides equipment, but you may prefer your own mask if you need a particular fit. The supplied beach shoes are helpful around rocky entries and hot sand.

Lunch with views of Camel Rock and Nui Bay

After the morning water stop, you return to the catamaran for lunch. The meal includes seafood, chicken, or vegetarian options, with lunch boxes listed as part of the package. You should advise the operator about food allergies or special dietary needs when booking so arrangements can be made.

Eating onboard keeps the day moving and lets you look out at Phi Phi while you eat. The route description places Camel Rock and the blue waters around Nui Bay in view during lunch, which gives this pause more character than a standard meal in a roadside restaurant.

There is one possible tradeoff. The supplied schedule also describes lunch at a restaurant or cabana setting, while the main program says fresh lunch is served on the catamaran. Confirm the current lunch arrangement before booking if that distinction matters to you. Either way, do not expect a long, leisurely restaurant meal. This is a boat day built around swimming and sightseeing.

Fruit, hot or cold drinks, and afternoon snacks are included. That is especially useful because a day of swimming, sun, and boat movement can leave you hungry between formal meal times.

Maya Bay, kayaking, and the limestone cliffs of Phi Phi Lee

After Phi Phi Don, the catamaran heads toward Phi Phi Lee, the smaller island to the south. The program includes kayaking around Maya Bay, followed by a cruise past Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Viking Cave.

Kayaking gives you a closer view of the cliffs and water than you get from the catamaran. It is a short active break rather than a full paddling expedition. You should expect the exact access point and duration to depend on tide, sea conditions, and the rules in effect at the bay.

Maya Bay has special environmental restrictions. The supplied information records a closure from June 1 through September 30, 2018, during which the boat could cruise past the bay only. That date is historical, so check the current rules before you book. Even when you can see the bay, direct access may be restricted for coral protection.

The cruise past Viking Cave is mainly a sightseeing stop from the water. You will not necessarily go ashore there, but the cliff face and cave make it one of the recognizable landmarks of the Phi Phi route. Pileh Lagoon and Loh Samah Bay add more dramatic rock walls and enclosed water views.

Do not judge the day only by how many times you step onto land. Some of Phi Phi’s most memorable scenery is seen from the boat, where the cliffs rise in one clean sweep from the sea. At the same time, if your priority is spending hours on an empty beach, this is not the right format. The route covers many famous places in one day, and that means short stops.

Tonsai Bay is the busy final stop

The last stop is Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Don. Here you can swim, sunbathe, walk along the beach, or shop near the shore. Beach shoes, a small towel, and a sarong are provided, so you have what you need for a final break without carrying a full beach kit.

Tonsai is also where the tour’s main weakness is most likely to show. The area is the arrival point for much of Phi Phi’s tourism, and it can feel crowded compared with the quieter coves used for snorkeling. One practical account of this tour found the snorkeling and swimming far more rewarding than the stop on Phi Phi itself, where there was less to see and more congestion.

That is useful advice. Think of Tonsai as a chance to stretch your legs, use the beach, and get a brief taste of the island’s main hub. Do not book this trip expecting a peaceful final hour in a deserted cove.

After Tonsai, you return to the catamaran. Freshwater showers let you rinse off before the ride to Phuket, and the minivan transfer takes you back to your hotel or the airport.

What the $128.95 price really covers

The price makes the most sense if you use most of the inclusions. Hotel pickup and return save you from arranging transport to Ao Po. The marine park fee removes another cost, while snorkeling equipment, beach shoes, towel, and sarong mean fewer rentals and less luggage.

You also receive breakfast, lunch, fruit, drinks, and afternoon snacks. For a 10-hour outing, that is a meaningful part of the price. The English-speaking guide and travel insurance are included as well.

Professional photographs cost an additional 2,500 baht. You can take your own pictures, but keep your phone protected around the water and do not let photography replace the snorkeling time that makes this trip worthwhile.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to visit Phi Phi Don and walk around. The itinerary spends much of the day moving between water stops, and the best value comes from using the boat, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and included meals.

Who should choose this day on the water

I would choose this tour if you want to see several Phi Phi landmarks in one day without planning each transfer yourself. It fits first-time visitors to Phuket who want a structured outing with a guide, meals, and equipment already arranged.

It also suits active families and couples who enjoy swimming and short boat-based excursions. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, entering the water, and spending a long day outdoors.

You may want a different plan if you dislike crowds, get seasick, or want a slow beach day. The tour is full, with an early start, several boat transfers, and a return around late afternoon. Sea conditions can make the ride rough, especially during monsoon months.

The tour requires at least six people to operate. If that minimum is not met after confirmation, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A weather cancellation also brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Blu Anda Phi Phi catamaran?

Book it if your ideal Phi Phi day means snorkeling, swimming, and seeing famous cliffs from a comfortable boat. The included food, gear, transfers, and small group make the $128.95 price reasonable for a long, active day.

Go in with realistic expectations. Tonsai Bay may feel crowded, Maya Bay access can be restricted, and weather can change the schedule. If you care most about clear water and time in the sea, this is a strong choice. If your main goal is a quiet beach or a long visit to Phi Phi town, the crowded final stop may leave you wishing for a simpler itinerary.

FAQ

How long does the Blu Anda Phi Phi tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours. The listed schedule has a morning departure from Ao Po and a return around 4:00 p.m., but hotel pickup and drop-off add driving time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan are included. Airport drop-off is also available at no extra cost, but you should provide your flight time.

What meals and refreshments are included?

You receive a canapé breakfast, lunch, fruit, hot or cold beverages, and afternoon snacks. Seafood, chicken, and vegetarian lunch choices are listed. Food allergies and special dietary needs should be reported when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, beach shoes, a small towel, and a sarong are provided. The itinerary includes snorkeling and swimming at locations such as Loh Lana, Bamboo Island, or Monkey Bay, depending on conditions and the final route.

Can I visit Maya Bay?

Maya Bay may be included as a kayak or sightseeing stop, but access depends on current environmental rules, tides, and weather. The supplied information records a past seasonal closure during which the boat could only cruise past the bay, so confirm current access before departure.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. During monsoon season, the order of activities may also change, and some destinations may be canceled for safety.