Maya Bay, Phiphi Island & Khai Day Trip with transfer from Phuket

The trip was so enjoyable and memorable. Their service was also good. We loved the full trip. Hope we can come again.

We purchased 2 adult tickets for this trip to PhiPhi, Maya and Khai island, run by a company called Queen of Andaman in a speedboat. From our hotel we were driven to the marina for boat embarkation. The supposed Thai Guide and a Russian Translator gave a a pre-boarding brief and said that in the open ocean the sea might get a little wavy but there was nothing to worry about. However he mentioned absolutely nothing about the wind. The boat had about 20-25 tourists including young kids. It was a small boat and had open sides. The Russian translator thought we would be better off on the back seats to reduce the risk of sea sickness. Sure enough, when we got to the open waters the boat started rocking from side to side and up and down. One could have coped with that except for the open side windows with water spraying from both sides of the boat and especially the back seat. We got saturated in no time. The “captain” did not slow down the boat at all as he didn’t have to worry about water splashing him given he was sitting high up at the front and protected by the front windscreen. People started to get sick in the boat. It was a constant spraying of water inside the boat through open side windows. He then started to explain in his feeble voice as to the “programme” for the trip which we at the back could not hear at all, so much for the guide. We were all soaking wet. When we got to the first island about 1⅓ hours later I questioned the supposed guide as to why we had to endure all the water torture and whether he should have cancelled the trip but his response was “the tour must go on”. I told him how strong the winds were and the 1½ -2 metre waves were but there was no response. At the first stop very few people went swimming and in most of the places no one could snorkel although this is what was touted as the highlight. It was just too dangerous to swim or snorkel. We went to the second island where the floating disembarking and embarking platform was so dangerous with waves and wind that boats could not be anchored safely to get the passengers on board. Many people fell on this floating plastic platform. As a result there was a huge queue for people to get back on to the boats. It was such dangerous process that it should have been cancelled. We were supposed to get to monkey island but it was so dangerous that we did not even try. There were no monkeys to see any event, they were too wise to be out in such terrible conditions. After lunch people were getting fed up with constantly being soaked with open side windows that no one wanted to get off at the next island. People were getting sick on the boat and for the first time in my life, even I got sick and threw up. I have been through Fobo strait, Drake passage and Greenland cruise but never got sick. All our clothes, bags, belt, shoes, wallet got soaking wet and swelled up due to the constant sprays of salt water. My eyes and mouth we’re getting bombarded with salt water constantly. At the last island, before getting back to Phuket, the tide had got in and trying to board the boat, when it was rocking and lapping, with people in thigh deep water trying to get onto this ridiculous boat while it was rocking about. Some people fell, I believe some people got hurt but not seriously. At least we survived the ordeal but never again, NEVER. The guide then had the temerity to ask for tips for himself and the pilot, the nerve of the man. I would not recommend this company and this guide to anyone. The passing comment that the Russian translator made to us that in the future may be we should get on to bigger boat rather than this pathetic boat. My wallet and belt took days to dry out and be wearable, my padded camera backpack smells to this day. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, Would not do it if they paid me to do it.

The tour on the speed boat was amazing. Our guide Q was very helpful and he kept us safe. The phi phi islands are very beautiful. So was Kai island and the national park. The snorkeling was very fun and the sea and sea animals are amazing. My wife and I had a lot of fun and loved seeing Everything. The sunset from Kai island was beautiful and it was a gorgeous day of sunshine. The good for lunch was yummy.