Krabi Early Bird Phi Phi Tour: Is it worth it? Read our review!

Okay, so you’re looking at a Krabi Early Bird Phi Phi Maya 4 Islands Speedboat thing, right? That’s absolutely understandable! Loads of travelers get tempted by these tours because, honestly, those islands just look unreal in pictures. The question very likely dancing in your head now is: does the reality check out, and is coughing up a bit extra for the “early bird” gig truly justifiable? I figured I’d talk about my experience to assist you out.

What is the “Early Bird” buzz about?

Okay, so first up, let’s tackle the whole “early bird” promise. Tour operators heavily push the “beat the crowds” idea. The main attraction, specifically, Maya Bay (you might remember seeing it in *The Beach* movie), can get seriously jam-packed with tourists later. So, this early start basically means getting there sooner, which should provide you a (possibly) less crowded experience. It is claimed that you will catch the area just as it awakens, possibly allowing for some peaceful snaps before lots of people get there. But, well, whether that turns out to be valid every time…keep on reading.

Plus, early bird also can mean the sun isn’t blazing quite as hard yet when you hop off the boat. Let’s face it, the Thailand sun is, actually, powerful. Avoiding the midday heat can easily make your outing way more bearable, which definitely allows for additional fun looking around and not just surviving.

My actual adventure

Right, so as I experienced it: The tour kicked off super early. They said we would be collected around 6:00 AM, yet with the stops to get all the others onboard it became closer to 6:30 AM. Annoying, though I guess something has to be accepted for such journeys. The benefit really became obvious the moment we actually approached Maya Bay. Loads of boats began to line up behind us, and for about fifteen minutes, it actually did feel, nearly, like we had the beach virtually all to ourselves. I managed to get some super photographs that I would never have been able to take later.

Following Maya Bay, it became off to the other spots: Bamboo Island, Pileh Lagoon, and some snorkelling spots around the Four Islands. To be brutally honest, though these stops are quite lovely, they are also more congested with travelers no matter the time you go. Getting there early actually makes a massive difference mostly with that prime spot, Maya Bay, in my opinion.

Breaking down the stops

Maya Bay

Yeah, so Maya Bay is what brings loads of people to actually go on this thing, just like your’s truly. It’s, like, seriously pretty, yet as I said, swarms of tourists definitely spoil the picture a bit. I reckon going early gave me maybe 20-30 minutes of comparatively peaceful exploring, making it worth the cost. Note that you will probably not be able to actually go in the water here in the interests of sustaining the natural environment – instead, it is essential to take photos from the beach location itself.

Pileh Lagoon

Pileh Lagoon really is quite gorgeous – clear emerald water encircled by enormous limestone cliffs. It definitely is a photographer’s heaven, and they allow for some swimming here. Still, be ready to share this stunning locale with rather a crowd, whatever the early start.

Bamboo Island

Bamboo Island usually has genuinely pristine shores plus decent spots for relaxing. It can often become pretty busy around lunchtime; early on, though, it feels wonderfully laid back.

Snorkeling Spots (Four Islands Area)

The snorkelling really is good, providing colourful fish plus coral. That being said, the visibility hinges on the weather. Even though, it’s worth packing a waterproof camera for sure to capture your discoveries.

What do you need to know before you book

What to pack: Don’t neglect sunscreen, shades, a hat, and a beach towel. Bringing a dry bag is generally a clever idea for safeguarding electronics.
What to wear: Dress light. Swimming gear, or light, airy apparel works fine.
What’s included: Typically, it will contain resort transfers, lunch, drinks (water/soft drinks), life jackets, plus snorkeling devices. Do ensure you just check with your operator!
What to anticipate on a speedboat: The ride is inclined to be bumpy. If you possess back ailments or happen to be pregnant, a longtail boat might very well be a more sensible choice, in my humble opinion.

Is the Early Bird trip good value?

So, this hinges on precisely what you value. Should having a less populated Maya Bay even for a shorter time makes a huge difference for you, I suggest go for the early bird tour. If you happen to be not that worried by big crowds and are happier saving some money, the ordinary tour can probably be suitable. Considering the overall cost difference may well not be excessively high, I would personally suggest the early bird variation to, say, those with an interest in pictures.

Yet I have read different accounts where folks taking the standard trips felt them selves really congested for all locations they went to, though I did not actually check myself. Should your time is treasured as well as a smooth ride matters, consider choosing a small group tour instead, but these cost a lot more again.

Basically, the tour operators are really pushing an upgrade with this Early Bird. So they can make it more appealing!

Other bits of tour choices on offer

Longtail boat tour: Offers a far more laid-back experience, usually far less expensive, but you need to accept that they might take significantly longer to hop from spot to spot.
Private tour: Surely more costly, but lets you totally customize your schedule and linger longer at what you love. A great pick should money never really is an issue.
Big boat tour: Less expensive generally than speedboat excursions and ordinarily offer extra space. That being said, typically slower and might well not get to remote spots.

Other crucial considerations to know

Weather changes: Tours might get adjusted because of weather. Generally check the forecast beforehand.
Respect Local customs: Dress modestly specifically while seeing any spiritual sites.
Book ahead of time: Specially during peak months (November – April), getting your tour lined up will save any disappointment.
Be on Time: Being even five minutes late could mean the difference between experiencing your day trip and missing out. The guides work to strict deadlines with high volumes of people to worry about.

There might be times when tours become overbooked during the busy season too, that could be something to ask the local vendors to confirm.

In closing

Okay, so doing a Krabi Early Bird Phi Phi Maya 4 Islands Speedboat Tour? It has some strong plus points, notably the likelihood to enjoy Maya Bay free from the usual waves of travelers. Be realistic about exactly how “uncrowded” others areas will likely be, though. When that early glimpse from paradise makes a big difference to you actually, splash the extra dollars – it is frequently a fantastic day in a lovely place. However, should you watch your budget somewhat more vigilantly, there are truly different choices which nevertheless supply a fantastic, although possibly a lot more filled, adventure.

Key Points

Early bird tours try to conquer crowds at spots just like Maya Bay.
Know what you get – hotel pickup/drop-off, lunch, devices – just before reserving.
The weather greatly affects your encounter; check conditions beforehand.
Figure out the main differences amongst tour possibilities such as speedboat versus longtail boat.