How many people are on a join-in tour?

A maximum of 18 adults per boat. Where families travel with children or infants, the total number of passengers on board may be up to 19, but the adult maximum stays fixed at 18. This is a deliberate cap — we want every guest looked after individually, and we want the beaches and snorkel sites to feel quiet, not crowded.

What’s the difference between a join-in tour and a private charter?

A join-in tour means you share the boat with other small-group travellers (up to a maximum of 18 adults total) at a per-adult price. A private charter means you book the entire boat just for your group, set your own departure time, and can customise the itinerary. Private charters start at ฿33,770.

Where do the join-in tours depart from?

All join-in tours depart from Soho Pool Club, Boat Lagoon Marina, Phuket. Hotel transfers from most areas of Phuket are included in the tour price — your driver will collect you approximately one hour before the tour departure time. We’ll confirm your exact pickup time the day before your tour.

How long does it take to reach Phi Phi Islands?

Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes by speedboat from Boat Lagoon Marina to Maya Bay. We depart earlier than the larger-vessel operators, which means we’re normally at Maya Bay before the main fleet arrives — and out again before it gets crowded.

What happens if Maya Bay is closed?

Maya Bay is subject to an annual national park conservation closure, typically during August and September. During this period we substitute Bamboo Island into the Phi Phi Sunrise itinerary — still spectacular, still quiet, and still all-inclusive at the same price.

Is lunch really included?

Yes — a full buffet lunch at Soho Pool Club on return from your tour, not a packed box lunch on the boat. Soft drinks, coffee, tea, water, fresh fruit and snacks on the boat are also included. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately at the pool club and on board.

Can children come on join-in tours?

Yes — families are welcome on all our join-in tours. We ask that you provide the correct age of every passenger at the time of booking so that insurance cover is valid (tour insurance covers ages 3 months to 75 years). If anyone in your party has a back injury, is pregnant, or has any pre-existing medical condition, please contact us at sales@simbaseatrips.com before booking so we can advise.

What if the weather is bad on the day?

If we need to cancel a tour for weather, it’s always for safety reasons — assessed by the captain against current sea conditions and forecasts. In that case we’ll offer you an alternative date during your time in Phuket where possible, or a full refund on the day of cancellation.

What’s the cancellation policy for customers?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before tour commencement — full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours, no-shows or missed departures are charged at 100%. Full refund for Covid-19 with medical evidence.

Is gear and equipment provided?

Yes — snorkelling masks, fins, floating aids and life jackets are all provided and included in the price. Life jackets are compulsory for non-swimmers and for children at all swim stops.

Book Tours

No children

Small Group Boat Tours in Phuket

Join a maximum of 18 adults on a premium Phuket speedboat day tour — hand-picked itineraries, the best beaches and snorkel sites in the Andaman Sea, and lunch waiting for you back at Soho Pool Club. Every trip all-inclusive. Every guest personally looked after.

Browse Join-In Tours Check Availability

★ 4.9 from 5,901 reviews — TripAdvisor · Google · GetYourGuide
Viator Experience Award Winner 2024 & 2025
Trusted since 2005 — 20+ years on the Andaman Sea
TAT Licence No. 34/02111

Why Join-In

Why choose a Simba Sea Trips join-in tour

Maximum 18 adults per boat, all-inclusive pricing, and the same crew looking after you from pickup to drop-off.

Maximum 18 adults per boat

No crowds, no queuing, no "which group are you with?". Every guest matters — and every guest gets looked after by name.

All-inclusive from ฿4,500

Hotel transfer, breakfast, buffet lunch at Soho Pool Club, soft drinks, coffee, fruit, snacks, snorkelling gear, life jackets and national park fees — all in the price you see. No surprise extras.

Fast, purpose-built speedboats

~1hr 10min to Phi Phi, a fraction of the time on a big cruiser. More time on the beach, less time bouncing across open water.

Base of operations: Soho Pool Club

Our departure point is also a proper pool club, restaurant and bar at Boat Lagoon Marina. Lunch is waiting when you come back — and you're welcome to stay as long as you like.

The Format

What is a join-in tour?

Every Simba Sea Trips join-in tour runs on the same principle: a maximum of 18 adults per boat, on a hand-picked itinerary, with the same crew who look after every guest personally from pickup to drop-off.

Unlike the big-cruiser operators — where you're one of 80, 150 or even 200 people queuing for a photo at Maya Bay — small-group means your captain slows the boat when someone spots a turtle, your guide remembers your name, and there's no scramble at the snorkel stops.

Our tours depart year-round, leave from Soho Pool Club, Boat Lagoon Marina, and return in time for a proper buffet lunch on dry land.

Our Tours

Available join-in tours

Choose the itinerary that suits you. Every tour departs from Soho Pool Club, Boat Lagoon Marina — all prices are all-inclusive.

Join-In Tour

Phi Phi Sunrise Tour

Early-morning departure to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, snorkelling spots and Bamboo Island. 8 hours, maximum 18 adults.

From ฿5,310View tour →

Join-In Tour

Phi Phi Sunset & Shark Tour

Afternoon departure with shark spotting opportunity at sunset. Seasonal: November–April only.

Seasonal: November–April only

Check availabilityView tour →

Join-In Tour

Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island

Iconic limestone karsts, sea caves, mangroves and the famous James Bond Island. Full-day tour.

From ฿4,500View tour →

All-Inclusive

What's included on every join-in tour

One price, everything covered. Here's exactly what you get on every Simba Sea Trips join-in tour.

Included in the all-inclusive price

Hotel transfer from most areas of Phuket
Light breakfast on arrival
Buffet lunch at Soho Pool Club on return
Soft drinks, coffee, tea, water, fresh fruit & snacks on the boat
Snorkelling equipment & life jackets
National park fees (where applicable)
Tour insurance for eligible passengers (ages 3 months–75 years)
English-speaking guide & professional crew
Thai VAT & all booking processing fees

Not included

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase on board and at Soho Pool Club)
Gratuities (discretionary)
Personal travel insurance (we strongly recommend bringing your own)

Your Day

How a day with us looks

1
Hotel pickup
Your driver collects you from your hotel approximately one hour before tour departure.
2
Soho Pool Club, Boat Lagoon Marina
Quick check-in, light breakfast, safety briefing, meet your captain and guide. Board the speedboat.
3
On the water
Your itinerary: snorkel stops, beach stops, photo stops, swim stops. Your captain reads the sea conditions and adjusts the day to give you the best of each site.
4
Return to Soho Pool Club
Proper buffet lunch waiting for you, a cold drink, and you’re welcome to stay at the pool club as long as you like before heading back to your hotel.

Who It's For

Who join-in tours are for

Couples & honeymooners

Share a classic Phuket day out without the big-cruiser crowds. Private charter energy at a fraction of the price.

Families with kids

Friendly crew, calm routes, full safety kit, and the buffet lunch at Soho is a winner with teenagers. Infants and children are welcome (max 18 adults on board; total passengers up to 19 with kids).

Friend groups (4–10)

Still want to meet other travellers? Join-in is perfect. Want the boat to yourselves? Look at our Private Charters page instead.

Trust & Safety

Why Simba Sea Trips

Australian-founded, owner-operated since 2005 — over 20 years and 5,901 reviews at a 4.9 average.

Simba Sea Trips has been Australian-founded, owner-operated since 2005 — over 20 years of speedboat tours on the Andaman Sea, with over 5,901 reviews across TripAdvisor, Google and GetYourGuide at a 4.9-star average rating.

Our fleet departs from Soho Pool Club, Boat Lagoon Marina — our own base of operations, which doubles as a pool club, restaurant and bar so your day doesn't end the moment you step off the boat.

Owner-operator Paul Chappell brings a 23-year professional aviation background — Lead Captain on a Boeing Business Jet, Qualified Flight Instructor, thousands of hours in full-motion simulators — combined with a lifetime on the water and commercial marine operations in Phuket since 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

Book Now

Ready for the best day of your Phuket trip?

Pick the join-in tour that suits you, lock in your dates, and we’ll take it from there. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, all-inclusive pricing, and the smallest group sizes on the Andaman.

Check Availability Message us on WhatsApp

What Our Customers Say

Excellent

4.9 based on 4304 reviews

Unreal snorkelling and sunrise (we booked Simba twice for a reason)

We did the “Luxury Small Group Phi Phi Sunrise” tour with Simba Sea Trips our second tour with them in the space of a few days and it was another standout experience. The early start is absolutely worth it. Sunrise over the islands (and from the boat) was something else, and getting out ahead of the crowds made a huge difference to the whole day. The team were excellent once again friendly, organised, and everything ran on time, including the morning pickup which was spot on. The snorkelling was a real highlight. We saw a huge moray eel (very chonky boy), two sea snakes (a first for me), several sharks, and plenty of beautiful fish. Easily some of the best marine life I’ve seen on a tour like this. The whole day felt relaxed and well-paced, never rushed, and just genuinely enjoyable from start to finish. We booked Simba twice within a few days for a reason if you’re considering Phi Phi, this is definitely the way to do it.

scruffydog01

23 April 2026

World class scenery - excellent crew

A truly amazing day with my beautiful family. I would happily say that this is a must do experience if you have a few days in Phuket. The scenery above and below the water line is absolutely stunning. Sara and crew were amazing people always making sure you were hydrated, fed and safe. They honestly could not have been more helpful.

B3015FSianb

08 May 2026

Sunrise in PhiPhi!

Sara and her team were so phenomenal. Our driver was right on time at 5am with a big smile. The whole day was filled with snacks - they fed us so well! My husband and I could not swim but Sara and her team found ways to enhance our experience nonetheless. The views were spectacular and the beaches were stunning. The Thai sun favoured us for sure and we had nothing but the best experience. Thank you Sara and your whole team for the best ending to our trip :) khàawp khun khâ!!! With love from Canada xoxo

Melissa C

07 May 2026

Great tour! Well worth it!

We had a great time! The trip was perfect!

N9759YVjennifera

06 May 2026

Unreal snorkelling and sunrise (we booked Simba twice for a reason)

scruffydog01

23 April 2026

Sunrise in PhiPhi!

Melissa C

07 May 2026

Unreal snorkelling and sunrise (we booked Simba twice for a reason)

scruffydog01

23 April 2026

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Small Group Boat Tours in Phuket

Why choose a Simba Sea Trips join-in tour

Maximum 18 adults per boat

All-inclusive from ฿4,500

Fast, purpose-built speedboats

Base of operations: Soho Pool Club

What is a join-in tour?

Available join-in tours

Phi Phi Sunrise Tour

Phi Phi Sunset & Shark Tour

Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island

What's included on every join-in tour

Included in the all-inclusive price

Not included

How a day with us looks

Hotel pickup

Soho Pool Club, Boat Lagoon Marina

On the water

Return to Soho Pool Club

Who join-in tours are for

Couples & honeymooners

Families with kids

Friend groups (4–10)

Why Simba Sea Trips

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are on a join-in tour?

What’s the difference between a join-in tour and a private charter?

Where do the join-in tours depart from?

How long does it take to reach Phi Phi Islands?

What happens if Maya Bay is closed?

Is lunch really included?

Can children come on join-in tours?

What if the weather is bad on the day?

What’s the cancellation policy for customers?

Is gear and equipment provided?

Ready for the best day of your Phuket trip?

Explore more

What Our Customers Say

Excellent

World class scenery - excellent crew

B3015FSianb

08 May 2026

Sunrise in PhiPhi!

Melissa C

07 May 2026

Great tour! Well worth it!

N9759YVjennifera

06 May 2026

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