Phuket to Phi Phi: A Luxury Catamaran Cruise Review

Thinking about island hopping from Phuket to Phi Phi, Maya, and Maiton on a fancy catamaran? Well, it could be just what you’re after for a chill day soaking up the awesome views and doing some swimming and snorkeling. I recently hopped on one of these trips, and, to be honest, it’s almost worth sharing what went down. Get ready for the lowdown on this sun-soaked cruise, filled with unreal landscapes and, of course, some yummy food.

Setting Sail in Style: Catamaran Comfort

First up, let’s chat about the ride. These catamarans? Very, very spacious! Forget being cramped; you’ve likely got plenty of room to stretch out and relax. Think comfy seating, areas in the shade and out in the sun, too it’s almost perfect for whatever your vibe is. And you know, the smooth sailing made the trip easy and relaxing. I will say though, if you’re someone who easily gets seasick, perhaps take some precautions before you go; it’s always better safe than sorry!

What to Expect Onboard

Alright, so what else can you actually look forward to on the boat? Well, first of all there are the creature comforts: comfy spots for lounging, clean restrooms (always a plus), and a sound system that is, like your favorite playlist waiting to happen, more or less. The crew? Super friendly and helpful, very happy to answer questions and keep the drinks flowing. Most importantly they are always working hard to make sure everyone has a safe and super fun time. You might want to consider, that they are there to provide assistance throughout the trip, from handing out snorkeling gear to pointing out neat rock formations, very willing.

Phi Phi Islands: Maya Bay and Beyond

The highlight of, maybe your entire vacation, could be Phi Phi, and more especially Maya Bay (you might remember it from the movie “The Beach”). That place? Unreal. It’s worth knowing that picture-perfect white sand, dramatic limestone cliffs… the whole nine yards. Be warned, just a little word to the wise, it can get pretty crowded, that, with tourists all wanting their snapshot, yet it’s hard to say no to taking your own picture too. But still, that breathtaking view alone makes it worth the visit. On our trip, the boat, seemingly, made a couple of stops at other points around Phi Phi, too, so there’s always something worth exploring.

Snorkeling and Swimming

You could be asking yourself, is the water great? The answer is simple: absolutely! During our stop-offs, that crystal-clear water called our names. You see tropical fish darting around colorful coral… and snorkeling equipment is also, of course, included. Keep your expectations realistic, right? The coral may not be the most impressive you’ve ever seen, very, very like any old reefs, but, so the chance to swim in that water is not a terrible deal at all.

Maiton Island: A Hidden Gem

Maiton Island: did you even know about this place? Me neither. This little island is that, maybe your low key place, a little away from all the crowds, more or less a beautiful escape. It’s, really, more chill than Phi Phi, very good if you want to chill out. The water here is super clear, just a little heads up for spotting dolphins if you are particularly inclined, that live near the island, seemingly something people care about. Honestly, as a matter of fact, you just might be lucky enough to spot them from the catamaran. How lovely!

Relaxation and Tranquility

This, right here, is, like your quiet island oasis in the midst of a hectic trip, I would say, a lovely break, too. Maybe even, you could bring a book, or just chill out and enjoy, perhaps, the calm atmosphere and gentle sea breezes. That could really be your place, for catching some rays without the tourist throngs. If you need a little me-time, perhaps this island will really work.

Lunch with a View

Let’s get to what you truly care about: the food. During this whole adventure, there’s generally lunch involved, sometimes, which they serve onboard, it tends to be buffet style. Honestly, a decent spread for pleasing most tastebuds, very able to ensure no one goes hungry. You know, you’re gonna find classic Thai dishes, plus some western options, for variety. You might find fruit, some salads, perhaps some options to satisfy everyone. And so, of course, eating while taking in the amazing views? Doesn’t suck!

Dietary Considerations

You want to be particularly happy, perhaps? Give your preferences a heads-up. Some cruises do try to handle different dietary requirements. This is so, you do have the option of contacting the tour operator ahead of time to, just a little bit, confirm if they can handle certain things for you, such as vegetarian, vegan, or any other options that are must haves.

The Nitty-Gritty: What to Know

Alright, time to talk about what you must know so that, everything could maybe turn out fantastic. To avoid any possible hiccups, consider this bit of advice. So, just keep some basic things in mind to have everything run smoothly.

What to Bring

You absolutely will need sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, basically you should protect yourself from the sun. You will certainly want to bring a towel. And if you’d very, very much like to take some wonderful photographs, perhaps also be sure to take your camera! Don’t forget your swimsuit, either!

What’s Included, What’s Not?

Make, truly, sure to read the fine print about what, actually, your price includes. The cruise typically includes lunch, snorkeling equipment, plus transfers from your hotel, or another agreed point of embarkation. So then again, check to see if national park fees are covered, just a little suggestion, in some instances, and if drinks have free refills, or if there is something else they cost you additionally.

The Best Time to Go

So if you possibly could decide what the time of year that is to do these trips. Consider the dry season, from November to April. As I was saying, less rain and calmer seas may likely be an outcome!

Is This Cruise for You?

You should then decide! If you could. Now the main topic, of course. Is this really the experience for you, too? Allow me, you, perhaps, to point out my considerations about whether it fits your travel aspirations, similarly to how I hope they aligned for me.

Ideal for…

Couples, families or little groups. Actually this can just simply work for anyone looking for a convenient and comfy way to see a number of iconic destinations. Those people who put relaxation more ahead of strenuous activity! Families may appreciate being out on the open water. In fact this catamaran trip is actually a convenient option for exploring!

Considerations

And with respect to other sorts of travel considerations, as long as this is how you want your experience, just maybe be conscious that it does very often come along with plenty of others. Consider, it could likely not be as exclusive an outing as say, renting your own personal boat would be!

Key Takeaways

• The catamaran trip offers a super comfortable way to visit multiple iconic destinations
• While there may sometimes be tourist volume to a little extent, sites like Maya Bay do actually come off in the end as unforgettable sights.
• Check with your cruise company when it comes to meal needs and dietary considerations ahead of trip day.
• Take enough precautions with items of sun protection such as hats, sunglass and the proper sunblock creams.

Basically, I recommend the Phuket to Phi Phi Islands tour using a deluxe catamaran as a relaxed adventure to tour some iconic Thai locales while providing a fairly luxurious experience with all basic needs provided.