Phuket Private Boat Charter Archives - Page 16 of 30

By Shaun Stenning December 23, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Top 5 Snorkeling Tours in Phuket, Thailand

The islands around Phuket are known for their crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, making them ideal for exploring and snorkelling. The region is home to a wide variety of coral reefs and other underwater habitats that support a diverse array of sea species, including colourful tropical fish, sea turtles, and even whale sharks.

The warm, shallow waters and good depth visibility around many islands that are conveniently accessible on a day trip with 5 Star Marine, making it easy to see the underwater world and explore the reefs up close. In addition, trained guides can provide vital information about the aquatic ecosystems and help ensure a safe, memorable and enjoyable experience on your private speedboat tour.

1. Phi Phi
There are many reasons to consider a day trip to Phi Phi Island, which is located in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand. One of the main attractions of Phi Phi Island is its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters, which are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and exploring. The island is home to several stunning beaches, including Maya Bay, which was made famous by the movie “The Beach,” and Bamboo Island, which is known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters.

A small selection of good spots for snorkelling in Phi Phi Island, include:
• Maya Bay: This is a popular spot for snorkelling, as the bay is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and is home to colourful tropical fish and sea turtles. Please note that you cannot snorkel directly from Maya Bay beach but can just beyond the bay from the boat.
• Loh Samah Bay: This bay is known for its crystal-clear waters and colourful coral reefs, which are home to a wide variety of marine life.
• Bamboo Island: This small island is located a short boat ride from Phi Phi Island and is known for its stunning soft sand beaches and clear waters. It is a great spot for snorkelling where you might get the chance to see tropical fish and sea turtles, as well as an idyllic lunch picnic spot.

2. Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are well-known for their striking crystal clear seas and varied marine life, making them an excellent snorkelling destination. The islands are part of the Mu Ko Similan National Park, which is home to a diverse array of coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems. With these reefs you will encounter a wide variety of marine life, including colourful tropical fish, sea turtles, and potentially whale sharks.

With a variety of dive sites and snorkelling areas to select from, the Similan Islands are particularly renowned worldwide. Elephant Head Rock, famed for its massive underwater rock formations and colourful coral reefs, and Shark Island, which is home to a variety of sharks and other marine life, are two prime examples.

Overall, the Similan Islands are a fantastic snorkelling location, with pristine seas, rich sea life, memorable scenery, and a broad range of snorkelling spots to explore.

3. Koh Rok / Koh Ha
These islands are for you if you are searching for somewhere a little more exotic and are perhaps as breath-taking as the Similan Islands. These tiny islands are in the Mu Ko Lanta National Park, immediately south of Koh Lanta.

These two islands provide some of the greatest snorkelling options available due to their exceptional water clarity, rich marine life, and colourful reefs, which make for a very unique experience. In season, whale sharks are also frequently observed swimming between these islands.

Visiting Koh Rok and Koh Ha makes for a perfect multi night experience, and will provide some of the greatest snorkelling, beautiful soft sand beaches, and less crowds than the more popular Similan Islands. Compared to most other day trip destinations from Phuket, this one is a little further out, but the assured natural beauty makes the journey worthwhile.

4. Raya / Racha Islands
Raya or Racha Islands are renowned for their pristine seas and rich underwater sea life, making them a popular snorkelling destination. The islands are situated in the Andaman Sea and are home to a multitude of coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems that are teeming with marine life, such as vibrant tropical fish and sea turtles.

Around Racha Island, there are several excellent snorkelling locations, including Siam Bay, which is located on the south side of the island and is renowned for its magnificent coral reefs and aquatic species including colourful tropical fish and sea turtles.

Patok Beach is located on the north side of the island and has a beach which is known for its clear waters and divers’ underwater life, teeming with tropical fish and other marine life. In addition to snorkelling, these islands are home to noteworthy diving locations, have 5 star hotels and restaurants to select from for a tropical lunch.

5. Coral Island
Coral Island, commonly known locally as Koh He or alternatively Koh Hae, is located close to Phuket so lends itself to being conveniently located and extremely family friendly.

This Island is renowned for its crystal blue seas and abundant marine life, making it another popular snorkelling destination to add to your list. It is situated south of Phuket and is home to a multitude of coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems.

There are a number of excellent snorkelling locations around Coral Island, including the coral reefs that encircle the island and the shallow seas along the beaches. In addition, the island is home to various snorkelling and diving locations, including Koh Hae Yai, which is renowned for its vibrant reefs.

Coral Island also lends itself to being a family friendly day trip; not only is it located near to Phuket, but because a trip to Banana Beach Club on the island serves a good selection of dishes, has clean facilities plus offers massages, canoes and plenty of Instagram-worthy set ups.

We look forward to welcoming you for a trip of a lifetime, snorkelling amongst the rich coral and marine life we are lucky enough to have around the islands surrounding Phuket.

Bookings and Enquiries:
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
www.5starmarinephuket.com
[email protected]

By Shaun Stenning December 23, 2022 Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Sunset BBQ on a Phuket Private Boat Tour

• Sunset is the opening music of the night.
• Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.
• It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.
• Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully.

Ok, that’s enough inspirational quotes about sunsets.

Our brand-new Phuket Sunset BBQ is now available and can be part of any of our tours, or if you are looking for something magical then why not book up a Phuket Sunset Beach BBQ and Dolphin Spotting?

When it comes to BBQ’s, in my opinion, any time of the day or night is perfect for a BBQ, BUT if you want something special then how about, while watching the sunset, you enjoy a traditional Thai BBQ on a white sandy beach while enjoying a cocktail, all this adds up to that perfect BBQ experience, in fact that perfect 5 Star BBQ experience.

The 5 Star Marine Phuket brand-new Phuket Sunset BBQ is now available and can be added to any of the 5 Star Marine Phuket tours, so if you are heading to Phi Phi to check out the awesome Maya Bay, then on the way back you can stop and chill and relax and watch the Sunset drop down behind Phuket before you head back to the 5 Star Pier. Or if you are heading up into Phang Nga Bay to see the spectacular James Bond Island then again on the way back to the 5 Star Phuket Pier, you can enjoy a traditional Thai BBQ while sipping on a sunset cocktail.

BUT WAIT!

If you are looking for something magical then why not book up a Phuket Sunset Beach BBQ and Dolphin Spotting?

Grab your family and friends, and be ready for an unforgettable experience on the water.

The 5 Star Marine Phuket private Sunset Beach BBQ and Dolphin Spotting Tour, is unlike the standard Phuket group excursions. We will not hurry you from the beach to the beach, or rush you to miss any of the stunning Phuket Islands. You have exclusive use of one of our luxury speedboats.

The Phuket Sunset Beach BBQ and Dolphin Spotting tour is a special private cruise, and the perfect blend of snorkeling, dolphin spotting, and traditional Thai-style private beach BBQ.

As with all our 5 Star Marine tours, the Phuket Sunset Beach BBQ and Dolphin Spotting tour is bespoke, but as a general idea, you would leave from our pier in Boat Lagoon for a cruise around the stunning surrounding islands.

Go snorkeling in crystal clear waters where you will get to see an array of colourful tropical fish and other marine life; and of course, ALL snorkeling equipment is included on board.

Then we go and check out the dolphins. There is nothing that compares to seeing dolphins in their natural habitat, and getting the opportunity to witness them in the wild is a spectacular experience. So, this tour gives you the chance to potentially see a pod of dolphins; and as naturally inquisitive creatures they often come right up and swim alongside our speedboats giving you an unforgettable close-up experience.

After seeing these stunning playful animals, it’s then time to indulge in a private beach BBQ featuring authentic Thai-style beef and chicken satay, all grilled on the beach for you by the 5 Star Team. You can take a dip in the sea, and enjoy a cocktail or Mocktail on the beach as you watch the sky light up in a thousand colours for an unforgettable tropical sunset experience.

This is a true 5 Star Marine experience.

See the tour information here: https://5starmarinephuket.com/locations/phuket-sunset-cruise/

By Shaun Stenning December 6, 2022 Island Hopping, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Our 5 Star Marine Phuket Private Boats

Check out our Private VIP Speedboats

Here at 5 Star Marine Phuket we have a fleet of 15 private VIP Speedboats and Luxury Cruisers (and our fleet is still growing). All our fully customised boats are TAT SHA Plus approved, and adhere to the highest levels of comfort for your ultimate tailor-made experience.

We get lots of questions all the time about the 5 Star Marine Phuket boats. So let’s talk about our boats. Our boats are all the same. So we have Lucas 1 to 15. Same style, same fit out, same layout, same inclusions. Everything’s the same.

So as you step onto the boat from the pier, at Phuket Boat Lagoon, you’ll see that there’s a back deck. This back deck that’s there is to enable easy access on and off the boat. A lot of guests ask us, can the boat come all the way up to the, beach? And the answer is yes, we can back all the way up to the beach. And then you can just step straight off onto the beach. And another great thing is while you’re snorkelling, there are two long ladders there. One that you can go down and one that you can go up.

All our boats have two engines which are better for safety and a nice deck that you can get up and down on nice and easy. And it also protects you from the engines. So when you go snorkelling, you are nowhere near the propeller, which is good.

So as you go inside the boat you’re going to see that actually we just upgraded the cushions inside our boat. Nice big fat cushions. To make it comfortable for you, there is a shaded back area where you can sit and an open front area as well. Both of these are available for you throughout the tour. And inside we also have a cooler full of ice, soft drinks, and water. And if you like, you can bring anything else onto the boat and put it inside the cooler. Also every boat has a toilet.

Now, some of the other questions that we also get asked is there a smaller boat available? The answer to that question is these boats that we’ve just talked about are specifically built here in Phuket for Phuket sea conditions. Now we don’t run smaller boats because we think that it’s unsafe. So all of our boats are two engine boats. They’re all 39 foot long and they’re designed for Phuket specific sea conditions that allows you to have a nice safe trip.

We’re often asked our boats suitable for young kids. The answer to that is yes, of course. And that’s why the boat is so big. That’s why it’s got two engines. We feel very comfortable about it. In fact, all of our boats are named Lucas after my son, who’s been going on board with us since he was 6 months old.

Our crew are well trained and experienced in making sure that you have a safe journey. So who’s going to be on the boat with you? Well look, if you’d like Jay our YouTube host, Jay will be there with you. But typically on our boat, we’re going to have 3 crew on board with you. We’re going to have a captain, an engineer, and an English speaking guide.

Now the captain, his job’s to take care of the boat and make sure that you get from A to B, nice and safely. The guide is there to customize the tour prepare you for each of the stops, help you with your snorkelling, maybe organize where you’re going to go and have lunch and your engineer will be there on the boat helping with your experience as well.

If you’re considering a private boat tour in Phuket we would love to have you on board with us. Whether you’re one passenger or you’re a family group we can customize the program and the tour to suit you. Any questions at all, feel free to drop a comment below. And we’d love to see you on board.

By Shaun Stenning December 6, 2022 Island Hopping, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Deep Week Thailand 2022

November 26 – December 3, 2022

Phuket Thailand

Deep Week Thailand is the world’s premier Freediving Education Event and the world’s largest freediving festival! Some of the world’s best free divers assemble in Phuket for a week of freediving activities in one of the most scenic locations in the world.

Led by Adam Stern and Bangkok Freedivers, in partnership with 5 Star Marine Phuket, the event welcomed over 100 free divers from across Asia, Europe, the US, and Australia, making it the world’s largest freediving festival.
What is Deep Week?

Deep Week is a one-of-a-kind experience! There is no other event like this! Deep Week brings the best freedivers, freediving instructors and experts from all over the world, where they can share knowledge and improve their freediving skills. Deep Week Thailand was created by Adam Stern who also created the Freediving Family. Adam is an Australian champion and 8-time Australian record holder in the sport of freediving. He’s not just an athlete, but also a leading educator in this sport.

Along with Adam, 8-time French National Record Holder one of the top freediving educators in the world Thibault Guignes and Ploy Scott, a central figure in the Thai freediving scene and competitive freediver, were on hand to pass over their knowledge and skills to 100’s of free divers.

Phuket is a perfect place to host Deep Week Thailand due to the water clarity and sea conditions which are perfect for Freediving, and working with 5 Star Marine Phuket is ideal due to the short distance from Phuket Boat Lagoon to the dive sites at Racha Yai and Racha Noi.

Along with the day’s Freediving, there were also daily workshops on a variety of freediving topics as well as pool sessions, static sessions, and all the Wave theory sessions needed to complete the Molchanovs freediving course. They also hold free yoga, meditation, and HIIT classes each day.

During Deep Week Thailand, freedivers were able to complete any level of the different courses from Molchanovs freediving.

This was the second Deep Week Thailand and the event is growing with each festival. We are looking forward to Deep Week Thailand 2023

By Shaun Stenning November 22, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

James Bond Island Tour from Phuket

Getting a private speedboat with 5 Star Marine to tour James Bond Island is one of the most memorable things you can do when you’re in Phuket. Here, we explore what you can expect from a day going on our James Bond Island Tour from Phuket.

5 Star Marine
During our James Bond Island Tour from Phuket, you will have the opportunity to view the island’s most interesting features in the luxurious comfort of a private, fully upgraded speedboat. As you head out to Phang Nga Bay you will be welcomed to the home of some of the world’s most beautiful limestone formations.

One of the most iconic features of Phang Nga Bay is its limestone islets, including James Bond Island and Koh Panyee; The bay is filled with these vertical limestone cliffs which makes the area perfect for kayaking and exploring the sea caves.

The James Bond Island Tour from Phuket with 5 Star Marine is one of the most popular day trips. Rest assured, you and your friends or family will be treated like a “Super VIP” every step of the way. Not only will you get the chance to swim in a secluded lagoon on the way to Phang Nga Bay, but you can also visit the floating island of Koh Panyee and enjoy a traditional Thai lunch.

A private luxury speedboat offers you a truly impressive experience; you have the opportunity to see the best sites, you will also be able to work with our experienced crew to customise your itinerary to suit your specific requirements.

James Bond Island
Located in Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island is a fantastic area to explore. This limestone island is part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park and was featured in the film “The Man with the Golden Gun” in 1974, starring Christopher Lee and Roger Moore where the island was the hideout for Scaramanga.

The James Bond Island Tour from Phuket is a bespoke experience, so our guides and captain can help with spots for lunch such as the floating Ko Panyee village, canoeing or kayaking through caves, finding iconic photo opportunities and many other fantastic activities.

Private Speedboat Benefits
Whether you’re traveling to Thailand for the first time or you’ve already visited, James Bond Island is a must-see. With 5 Star Marine, the James Bond Island Tour from Phuket is a perfect private tour for a full day trip. In addition, you can sit back and relax with the following inclusions for your tour:
• Fresh fruits
• Soft drinks
• Water
• Snorkelling equipment
• Life jackets
• Insurance
• Beach mats
• On tour photos
• Tour video
• Cool towel
• Fins (adults)
• Hand sanitiser

We look forward to welcoming you onboard our luxury speedboats to experience our James Bond Island Tour from Phuket.

Bookings and Enquiries:
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
www.5starmarinephuket.com
[email protected]

By Shaun Stenning November 16, 2022 Island Hopping, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

James Bond Island Tour

James Bond Island Tour Explained:
One of our most popular private speedboat day excursions is our James Bond Island Tour, heading out to Phang Nga Bay. This is a sumptuous day trip that includes classic sights as well as more sporty activities such as caving and paddling. On 5 Star Marine’s James Bond Island Tour you will go to a place unlike any other, with stunning karst limestone formations rising steeply from the turquoise waters creating an unbelievable seascape for your special photos.

The Popularity of James Bond Island:
When selecting the James Bond Island Tour by private luxury speedboat, the experienced captain and guides will take you and your select group of friends or family off to the well-known Koh Tapu (James Bond Island) in Phang Nga Bay. Here you can take in the sights of Phang Nga Bay’s fames location. This James Bond Island Tour is one of the most popular day trips run from Phuket, and once you arrive it is easy to understand why.

This area is actually a marine protected site; therefore, boats are not allowed to get too close to the Island. However, right beside is the island of Koh Ping Ghan, which features a large rock that leans to one side and several caves which are perfect to explore. From here, you will have a fantastic area from which to take photographs of the famed landmark during your James Bond Island Tour.

James Bond Island has been a popular destination for vacationers since the 1970s, when it was featured in the film ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ as the location of Scaramanga’s hideout. The James Bond Island Tour that 5 Star Marine provides remains a highly enjoyed trip as a result of the popularity of the film.

Indeed, this attraction helped to support the inhabitants, stores, restaurants, and the floating Muslim village of Koh Panyee, where huts, eateries, and even a floating football pitch have been erected above the water. This can all be experienced and supported as part of your James Bond Island Tour.

Spotlight on The James Bond Island Tour
No matter what it is that you require, 5 Star Marine will do all they can to provide for your perfect day out. Our experienced team will do their best to steer you away from the crowds so that you may have a day that stands out in your memory. During your James Bond Island Tour some of the possible highlights along the way are as follows:

• Stop by Panak Island to enjoy floating peacefully inside one of the hidden caves surrounded by mangroves, before basking in the golden bay.
• At Ko Kudu Yai, take in the exquisite beauty of the clear waters and indulge in this stunning lagoon.
• For a spot of lunch, we suggest taking you to the small island community of Koh Panyee where you can have some traditional food as well as support the local community.
• Once you arrive at James Bond Island, get snap happy from Koh Ping Ghan for the best shots
• During your James Bond Island Tour we can help you participate in some cave canoeing or exploring if you desire.
• Perhaps get lucky and make a sunset stop at Koh Pear, a very thin strip of sand which appears as if you are walking on water.

James Bond Island Tour Inclusions:
• Experienced Captain and Crew
• Private luxury speedboat
• Fresh fruits
• Soft drinks
• Water
• Snorkelling equipment
• Life jackets
• Insurance
• Beach mats
• On tour photos
• Tour video
• Cool towel
• Fins (adults)
• Hand sanitiser

Bookings and Enquiries:
We’re excited to have you join us on the memorable James Bond Island Tour aboard one of 5 Star Marine luxury private speedboats. Please get in touch to book in advance to avoid disappointment

Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
www.5starmarinephuket.com
[email protected]

By Shaun Stenning November 10, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Favorite Locations

If you are looking for the best Phuket Island destination to visit then I am sure you would just go on your phone and search in Google “Best Phuket Islands to visit”

Yes, that is great, and Google, Alexa, and Siri are all great resources to get multitude of information, BUT I was taught, when visiting a new country or a new city, that if you want to know where the best food is or the best bars and restaurants are, or the best places to hang out or even the best Phuket Islands to visit then you should ask a local.

Our 5 Star marine Phuket team, has over 40 years of experience running Phuket Boat Tours, and not just that many of the 5 Star Marine Phuket Team grow up in Phuket or Phi Phi, or Phang Nga Bay so they have more than just the years of experience out on Boat Tours, they have their whole life living and experiencing the wonders of this beautiful area.

We had one simple question to ask the 5 Star Marine Phuket team and that was; What is your favorite Phuket Tour Destination?

The top 4 Phuket Island Tour destinations from the 5 Star Marine Phuket Team were:

Koh Ha (Including Koh Rok)

If you are looking for something a little more exotic, lesser known, and arguably as beautiful, (if not more), than the Similan Islands, then Koh Ha and Koh Rok are perfect. These small islands are situated South of Phuket. The stunning water clarity with a diverse range of colourful marine life and corals, therefore make Koh Ha and Koh Rok some of the best snorkelling opportunities you can find

Click Here

Phi Phi

Phi Phi is a really well know location and of course has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Maya Bay made famous after being featured in the 2000 movie, “The Beach” featuring Leonardo DiCaprio. While many people mistakenly believe that Phi Phi is made up of just one Island, in fact, it is a group of 6 islands in total. Phi Phi also offers you experiences such as Monkey Beach and Viking Cave, as well as opportunities to swim with Black Tip Reef Sharks.

Click Here

James Bond Island

Phang Nga Bay truly is one of nature’s spectacular works of art; where the vast karst rock scenery presents a visually stunning location, and the most famous island in the whole of Phang Nga Bay is James Bond Island. This famous landmark in Phang Nga Bay found its way onto the international tourist map through its starring role in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun.

Click Here

Racha

Lying about 20kms south of Phuket, the Racha Islands comprise two islands, Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi. To confuse matters they are also known as Koh Raya Yai and Koh Raya Noi. Raya Islands provide the ideal destination to enjoy nature. With some of the best snorkelling reefs in Thailand and quiet, tropical white powdery beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, they provide a balanced combination of relaxing, tranquil locations with amazing sea life.

Click Here

So, there you have it, the locals have spoken. Of course, there are many more destinations that you can visit and explore while out on a 5 Star Marine Phuket Private Boat Tour. Just drop us a message and we will be happy to guide you to the best destination for your ultimate Phuket Island experience.

By Shaun Stenning October 5, 2022 5 Star Marine News, Island Hopping, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Maya Bay in Phi Phi is OPEN

Maya Bay, in Phi Phi, the most famous beach in Thailand, if not the world, is back open as of 1st October 2022. The iconic Maya Bay, in Phi Phi, closed on the 1st of August 2022 so that the Thailand National Park Authorities could assess the effect that the new rules and regulations that they had put into place since January, have had on the bay and the beach.

YouTube host Jay Leshark and his kids, got up before sunrise to head down to Maya Bay, with Cameraman, and 5 Star Marine Phuket tour guide Alex to try to be the first people on Maya Bay and see what it’s like after the 2 months that it had been closed.

Arriving at 8 am they were the first people, apart from the National Park Staff, to come back to Maya Bay.

There was some very encouraging news, as they saw some very young Black Tip Reef Sharks feet from the beach, and not only baby sharks but also some young juvenile Black Tips as well. It seems that even though the new rules and regulations they set out in January did allow people back on to “The Beach” the sharks that had returned after the over 2-year closure are still there and still breeding. This is very good news.

As of writing this, we have not seen the full report from the Thailand National Park Authorities about the effects on Maya Bay, and when we do get this report, we will be sure to share it here.

The rules and restrictions that they put in place in January are still in effect, so many tourists will be restricted per day and no swimming in the bay, plus boats are only allowed to drop tourists off at the backside of Maya Bay.

We recommend that if you want to see Maya Bay on one of our Private Phuket Boat Tours then you leave as early as you can, as the Bay early in the morning is so beautiful and you will definitely miss the crowds. CLICK HERE to see the Phi Phi Tour

Maya Bay, Phi Phi is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Thailand the bay and the beach were featured in the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio filmed over 20 years ago.

In the past few weeks, Maya Bay and the movie producers of “The Beach”, known as 20th Century Fox, now named 20th Century Studios have been in the news as the Thailand Supreme Court has fined them 10 million Baht to restore the beach.

The 10 million Baht will be used by Thailand’s Department of Forestry to restore the natural environment at Maya Bay to its natural state.

It will be very interesting to see what happens with this news story.

By Shaun Stenning September 19, 2022 5 Star Marine News, Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

What Phuket Islands are opening in October 2022 and Phi Phi and Phang Nga Too

The Phuket high season is coming and many of the islands surrounding Phuket are reopening after being closed for the Thailand low season. One of the most anticipated openings is that of Maya Bay in Phi Phi which will be reopening on the 1^st of October 2022.

Maya Bay, Phi Phi is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Thailand IF not the world. The beach was featured in the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio which was filmed over 20 years ago. It was closed on the 1st of August to give the Thailand National Park Authorities time to check and assess the last few month’s effects of tourists being allowed back on the beach.

Many of the other islands around Phuket and Krabi are opening on the 15^th of October 2022. These include the stunning Similan Islands.

The Similan archipelago consists of eleven beautiful islands, and The Andaman Sea around the islands is one of the best-kept secrets of Thailand. The crystal-clear blue water is filled with marine life, which makes spotting, sharks, barracudas, triggerfish, and various tropical fish not a problem at all. It has some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world.

Also opening up on the 15^th of October are the Surin islands. The Surin Islands are an archipelago of five islands and are very popular for their awesome coral gardens and fine white sandy beaches. The Surin Islands are one of the most famous diving and marine life viewing sites in the world, and arguably the best in Thailand.

5 Star Marine Phuket is also opening up some of its tours which it has put on hold during the Phuket low Season, so back open from the 15^th of October are the tours to Koh Ha and Koh Rock. These two islands combine stunning water clarity with a diverse range of colorful marine life and corals and therefore offer some of the best snorkeling opportunities you can find. (And they are number one on my list of Phuket Islands to visit)

Also opening up are the Private Phuket Tours to Koh Lip, famous for its white powdery sand beaches and coral-rich turquoise waters, and the Koh Mook 3 day 2-night tour which also includes Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, and the stunning Emerald cave.

With many Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, and Phang Nga islands opening up and some amazing private Phuket boat tours from 5 Star Marine Phuket coming back, it is looking like after 2 years of Covid-19 this coming high season is going to be fantastic.

By Shaun Stenning September 14, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Is Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay Open?

“The Beach” Returns

The stunning Maya Bay will reopen to the public on 1^st October 2022, so be sure to save the date! At this time of year, the Monsoon season ends and the dry season begins, bringing with it more favorable wind and sea conditions.

The Famous Bay

Maya Bay, situated on Phi Phi Ley, is perhaps the best-known destination in the whole archipelago. The 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio film “The Beach” used it extensively, which was a major contributing factor to the area’s newfound fame during the years which followed.

What About Phi Phi?

Maya Bay reopens after being closed for two months. However, although Maya Bay itself was closed during August and September 2022, please note that Phi Phi itself was fully open and available for private luxury tours with 5 Star Marine. Maya Bay had originally been closed for visitors for over three and a half years and opened for the first time after this closure in January of 2022. Again, during this period, the rest of Phi Phi was all available to explore as normal.

During the previous closure periods, you could still take in the beauty of Maya Bay from a 5 Star Marine private speedboat and capture some great photos of your day trip; however, you simply could not walk on the actual beach during any closure rehabilitation times.

Why Was Maya Bay Closed?

The area was closed in an effort to aid in the recovery of marine life, coral reefs, and underwater gardens. The shutdown during August and September 2022 was also implemented to allow for infrastructure repairs on the island and to give the protected area a break from the tourists who had recently returned to this picturesque Bay.

Park authorities had previously planted a new coral reef area and additional trees were also placed by the beach in order to help prevent erosion; all of this was as part of efforts to recover the whole area. The closure of the breathtaking site is a good reminder of the huge efforts that had gone into (and continue to take place) restoring this area.

Maya Bay After Reopening

When Maya Bay reopens on 1^st October 2022, you will be able to see the thriving return of its native flora and fauna; including clownfish, crabs, and even blacktip sharks. At 5 Star Marine, we are happy to announce that once open again, the number of people allowed onto Maya Bay at any one time will be limited to help protect the natural environment from extensive damage.

Getting To Maya Bay

A floating pontoon has been put in place on the opposite side of the island, so guests going to Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh will use the pier at Loh Samah Bay. Here you will be greeted by a National Park ticket booth before you make your way to a wooden boardwalk and nature path which connects Loh Samah to the beach at Maya Bay.

National Park Fees

Maya Bay is on Phi Phi Leh, which is part of the Hat Nopparat Thara National Park. Once the Bay is reopened, all visitors to the area will be required to pay the National Park entrance fee which will return to full pricing. As of July 2022, the entrance fee to visit Maya Bay was THB 400 for adults and THB 200 for children.

When Should You Visit?

At 5 Star Marine, we have experienced and skilled captains and crew who know exactly how to miss the crowds on your private boat tour, so you can sit back and relax knowing you are in safe and capable hands. When planning a private tour to the Phi Phi islands area, we suggest that in order to avoid the crowds, you should visit Maya Bay either early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Responsible Tourism

5 Star Marine will ensure that you get to enjoy the beauty of Maya Bay, whilst practicing responsible tourism to help keep the area protected and allow it to continue regenerating.

The Marine Park has worked tirelessly to get Maya Bay back to its previous stunning condition; so, here at 5 Star Marine, we ensure that all our tours adhere to any new rules and help demonstrate respectful tourism.

Enjoy 5 Star Marine’s Phi Phi Islands Private Tour, where you and your select group of friends can experience the ultimate and iconic scenery. Discover Maya Bay, the world-famous location on this luxury day trip.