Question 1

Is the sunrise actually at Maya Bay?

Accepted Answer

No — and that’s the point of the early start. The sunrise itself happens at sea during the ~1hr 10min speedboat transit from Boat Lagoon Marina. By the time we arrive at Maya Bay around 7:15am, the sun is already up. What you get is an empty Maya Bay before the day-trip fleet arrives between 9 and 10am — not a sunrise photographed against the cliffs themselves. Other operators occasionally claim “sunrise at Maya Bay” in their marketing; geographically and operationally that doesn’t happen.

Question 2

What's included in the Phi Phi Sunrise Tour?

Accepted Answer

Shared hotel transfer, light breakfast at Soho Pool Club, the 8-hour speedboat tour itself, snorkel equipment, floating aids and life jackets, all national park fees, coffee/tea/soft drinks/water onboard, fresh fruit and snacks, and a buffet lunch back at Soho Pool Club on the Boat Lagoon Marina. Free use of the Soho pool after the tour. All prices are all-inclusive — VAT and the Bokun booking fee are absorbed, so the price you see is the price you pay.

Question 3

How long is the Phi Phi Sunrise Tour?

Accepted Answer

Eight hours total. Hotel pickup around 5am, depart Boat Lagoon Marina at 6am, arrive Maya Bay around 7:15am, seven stops on the water, and back at Soho Pool Club for lunch around 1:30pm. Total time on the boat is roughly five and a half hours; the remainder is the beach and snorkel stops plus lunch.

Question 4

Why pick a Phi Phi Sunrise Tour over a standard Phi Phi day trip?

Accepted Answer

Two reasons. First, Maya Bay before the crowds: arriving at 7:15am rather than 9:30am is the difference between walking an empty beach and queuing for photos with a hundred other tourists. Second, sunrise itself: the ~1hr 10min transit catches the Andaman colour show over open water — light, sea, and limestone cliffs, no crowd. Standard Phi Phi day trips leave at 8am and arrive at Maya Bay around 9:30-10am, the same time as every other operator from Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta.

Question 5

Is the Phi Phi Sunrise Tour suitable for children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with two caveats. The 5am pickup is early — younger children can struggle with the start time. And the speedboat transit, while smooth on most days, is a 1hr 10min sea crossing each way; very seasickness-prone passengers should consider this. We carry life jackets and floating aids in child sizes, the crew is experienced with young guests, and children at the snorkel stops are supervised one-on-one if needed. Infants and pregnant guests should consult us first via sales@simbaseatrips.com.

Question 6

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

Accepted Answer

No — we provide everything. Mask, snorkel and fins are issued onboard, all sanitised between tours, and we also carry floating aids and life jackets for guests who prefer extra buoyancy. Bring sunscreen (reef-safe please), a hat, a towel, swimwear, a waterproof phone case if you want photos, and any prescription medication you may need.

Question 7

Who operates the tour and what are the safety credentials?

Accepted Answer

Simba Sea Trips, founded in Phuket in 2005, with TAT Licence 34/02111 issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The operational lead is Captain Paul Chappell — a former international airline captain with 23+ years of professional aviation safety training, and a commercial marine operator since 2014. We hire and train our own crew rather than running freelancers, and we cap each tour at 18 adults — actually a small group. Read more at /about/captain/.

Question 8

What about jellyfish or marine hazards — what does Simba do about it?

Accepted Answer

Box jellyfish ARE present in Phuket waters — the Tourism Authority of Thailand has confirmed occasional sightings, and Patong Beach lifeguards reported an uptick of stings in October 2025. Encounters peak August through October during the southwest monsoon shoulder, which is Simba’s quieter season anyway. The practical risk to a typical Phi Phi Sunrise guest remains low, but we do not pretend the hazard doesn’t exist. Every Simba boat carries vinegar in the first-aid kit during the May-to-October monsoon-shoulder months — vinegar is the established first-aid for box jellyfish stings (it neutralises undischarged nematocysts). Snorkel sites on this tour are selected for sandy entry rather than rocky reef where stonefish hide; the crew briefs every guest at each stop on what to look out for, and we route around any site where conditions look wrong. For the full picture of Thai marine wildlife, see our guide on dangerous animals in Thailand.

Question 9

How does cancellation work?

Accepted Answer

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Inside 24 hours we charge the full fare unless we cancel the trip ourselves for sea-condition safety, in which case the full deposit is refunded. Documented COVID positive tests are refunded in full at any time. Booking is direct on this page via the Bokun engine and confirms instantly.

Question 10

What ages count as Adult, Child and Infant?

Accepted Answer

Adult is 12 and above, Child is 4 to 11, and Infant is under 4. Those three brackets are what the booking calendar prices against — set the number of guests in each row and the all-inclusive total updates before you reach checkout, with nothing added at payment. Departures carry a maximum of 18 adults, and up to 19 people in total when children or infants are aboard. Child-size life jackets and floating aids are carried as standard. If you are travelling with an infant, email sales@simbaseatrips.com first so we can plan the early pickup and seating around you.

Phi Phi Sunrise Tour — Maya Bay Before the Crowds

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What Guests Say About This Tour

Phi Phi Sunrise Tour — Maya Bay Before the Crowds

Specifications

highlights

Inclusions

Exclusions