31 Jul 2023
The boats are recent, fast and feel safe. The crews are nice and efficient.
However the organization will send customers do the long crossing to the Phi Phi islands even in rough seas which is very unpleasant. They will tell you the ride is bumpy but fine in the end and this is very misleading. You will spend an hour each way pretty miserable, unable to do anything but hang on for dear life with your family in loud outboard noise on a heaving speed boat.
Then there's the tour itself. Anyone chartering a private boat probably has already seen nice beaches in other parts of the world. Just be aware that the most spots on your Phi Phi islands itinerary will be jam packed with other loud boats jostling for a mooring a few centimeters from you. I've seen a long tail swing its propeller around only to barely miss cutting a chinese lady's arm off on another boat. Yes, it's that bad.
To summarize it's not an upscale experience by a long shot. Unless you really want to check that box and the seas are flat, you're better off staying on your hotel's nice beach.