The Phuket Boat Tour Experience of a Lifetime

Simba Sea Trips continues to operate Phuket boat tours as one of the most reputable boat tour companies in the region. Many of our enquiries ask what makes a boat tour with Simba Sea Trips so special. Here are the most common reasons we give:

Start before the island wakes up

The most enjoyable boat tours are those that start at the crack of dawn. This is largely because by departing Phuket at the earliest opportunity you can ensure that your boat will reach the islands in the absence of the majority of other boats. On the Phi Phi Sunrise itinerary, shared transfers begin around 5.00 am for a 6.00 am departure, which means much less crowded walks in the sand at Maya Bay and time to wade in the water without standing shoulder to shoulder with dozens of others.

It’s a similar experience with our other flagstaff tour, Phang Nga Bay. Our early departure from Boat Lagoon Marina near Soho Pool Club typically occurs between 7am and 7.15am, therefore getting you to James Bond Island when conditions are at their best and foot traffic is light.  Leaving early achieves more than affording quiet time for photos. It softens the pace of the whole day, so you spend less time waiting behind other groups and more time gliding into lagoons, kayaking through chambers, and lingering in places worth savouring.

Small groups that are actually small

While many tour operators claim small boat sizes, the reality of this is that many don’t follow through on that promise. A simple browse through Simba’s TripAdvisor reviews show that we deliver on this promise. The benefits of small group tours include:

• Fewer people, more space: With an average of just under 14 guests and a maximum of 18 adults, you get ample space on deck and an easier time moving around.

• Real attention from the crew: Guides can focus on you, answer questions properly, and help kids or first-time snorkellers without rushing.

• Quicker, calmer stops: Smaller groups mean shorter waits for ladders, photos, and kayaks, so you spend more of the day in the water and less in queues.

• Flexible timing on the day: With fewer guests, the captain can adjust stops to suit tides and crowd patterns, which gives you quieter bays and better light.

• Better safety and comfort: Briefings are clearer, gear checks are smoother, and the boat never feels crowded, which makes the whole trip more relaxing.

• Small group that matches the promise: The numbers back the claim, so you get the intimate experience you booked rather than a boat where you are packed in like sardines.

Phi Phi Islands – the calm way

Phi Phi is a destination on many people’s bucket lists, which is exactly why departing at first light is so crucial. Our Phi Phi Sunrise tour sets a deliberate course by speedboat to beat the boats that leave later, while making sure to stop where it matters. You will tick off the icons Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach but do so with more breathing room, and with two snorkel stops included so you can actually get beneath the surface rather than just look at it from the rail. Breakfast and lunch are included, along with gear, life jackets and national park fees, so you can travel light and focus on the water.

Another quiet strength is the way Simba adjusts for seasons and conservation rules. When authorities close Maya Bay for rejuvenation, the route pivots to equally lovely alternatives such as Bamboo Island, keeping the spirit of the day intact while respecting the park’s needs. It is a smart, respectful way to guarantee a full day of highlights without leaning on one beach to carry the itinerary.

Phang Nga Bay – immerse yourself in the serenity

Phang Nga Bay is about atmosphere as much as sights. The lush surrounds, the hollow echos of the sea caves, the impressive silhouette of Ko Tapu rising from the water. Simba’s Phang Nga Bay tour capitalises on that mood. The early start helps you reach James Bond Island before the large majority of day trippers, and the group size means the tour runs smoothly rather than being stuck in a long cue waiting to deboard. The emphasis is on flow and freedom, with the itinerary adapting to tides and crowd levels to give you the best window at each stop.

That flexibility is the point. Phang Nga rewards patience, and a crew that can shift a stop by twenty minutes to catch quieter water or a lower tide will give you a better memory than any fixed timetable ever could.

Krabi –  with room to breathe

Krabi’s theatre of cliffs and sandspits looks its best when you are not sharing it with every boat from Ao Nang. Simba’s Krabi Island Tour applies the same early start, the perfect way to get a glimpse ofthe famed Railay beaches all to yourself. The route typically includes Hong Island and its lagoon, snorkelling time around Chicken Island, and a relaxed Railay stop, with a sit down lunch to break up the day. The tour is designed to escape the crowds and arrive at marquee spots before everyone else, so you get clear water and uncluttered horizons in your photos.

Crucially, Krabi is not a bolt on afterthought. The plan is to run this itinerary with the same Simba standards. Expect careful pacing, and capped numbers so you are not swapping comfort for distance when you venture farther afield.

Thoughtful details that make the day easy

Sometimes its the little details that matter, and the Simba team makes sure that these are not only considerations, but deliverables:

• Everything essential is included: Hotel pickup and drop off, a light breakfast, snacks, soft drinks, and quality snorkelling gear are part of the day, so you can travel light.

• No surprise costs at the pier: National park fees are covered on key itineraries, which keeps things smooth at the gates and avoids awkward cash moments.

• Right kit for the route: On Phang Nga Bay days you have torches, helmets, and dry bags for caves and kayaks, so you can join every activity with confidence.

• Unhurried food and breaks: There is time for proper meals and quick treats, which keeps energy high without turning your lunch into a rushed pit stop.

• Support for every swimmer: Flotation aids and patient guidance help less confident swimmers enjoy the water safely alongside the rest of the group.

• Hospitality-led crew culture: Keeping numbers low lets the team host rather than herd, so the trip feels curated from first briefing to final drop off.

In conclusion

If you want to see Phuket’s most famed islands at their best, join us for the experience of a lifetime. Simba Sea Trips pairs genuine small groups with early, intelligent departures so you spend your day in clear water and quiet bays, not in lines and traffic. For travellers who value time well spent, that makes Simba an easy choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Why do the tours start so early?
Early departures get you to headline spots before the day boats arrive. You enjoy calmer seas, softer light for photos, and quieter beaches, which means more time swimming and snorkelling and less time waiting in lines.

2) How small are the groups, really?
Groups are intentionally kept small, typically around a dozen guests and capped at roughly 18 adults. That size gives you space on deck, quicker briefings, and genuine attention from the crew.

3) Which regions do the tours visit?
Core routes cover the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay, and Krabi. The exact order can change to suit tides, weather, and crowd patterns, keeping the experience smooth and unhurried.

4) What is included in the price?
Hotel transfers, a light breakfast, snacks and soft drinks, quality snorkelling gear, and life jackets are provided, with lunch on full day itineraries. On key routes, national park fees are also covered, so there are no awkward extras at the pier.

5) Is it suitable for families and non-swimmers?
Yes. Small groups make it easier for the crew to support everyone, including children and first time snorkellers. Flotation aids are available, and patient guidance helps less confident swimmers enjoy the water safely.