Salt, Sun & Serenity: Island Hopping from Phuket to the Phi Phi Paradise

Flip-Flops for Fins - The Call of the Andaman

You know that feeling? That craving for salty air hitting your face? The dream of swapping spreadsheets for shimmering turquoise water? Yeah, I felt that too. It's like the Andaman Sea has this little whisper, telling stories of giant limestone cliffs covered in green jungle, secret lagoons, and water so clear you feel like you're flying. So, I answered the call! I went on this amazing, sun-soaked trip from the busy shores of Phuket to the mind-blowingly beautiful Phi Phi Islands. Think of this less as a formal guide, more like me sharing my travel diary – a treasure map to finding your own spot of paradise. So grab your sunglasses (and maybe some seasickness tablets, just in case!), 'cause we're going island hopping!

The "Ah, Let's Just Do It!" Moment: Booking My Ride

Like many of the best travel decisions, this one happened fast. Picture this: me, late at night, 2 days before scrolling through my phone, trying to sort out the booking. I'd heard vague whispers on the internet about potentially haggling for a cheap longtail boat ride if you showed up early enough. But the thought of trying to negotiate boat safety and engine reliability with gestures at the crack of dawn felt like a recipe for potential disaster, or at least, a lot of confusing pointing. Call me lazy, call me cautious, but I opted for the easier route: booking with Love Andaman Tour Agency literally the day before. I crossed my fingers, hoping they lived up to the hype and weren't just experts at Photoshop. Good news: it was awesome.

Early Start & Pier-Side Prep: Coffee, Clothes, and Camera Clicks

Morning came way too fast. Before even the birds were awake tripping, my ride (a comfy minivan) showed up to grab me from the hotel. The 30-45 minute drive to the pier zipped by, mostly because I was buzzing with excitement. Getting to the Love Andaman place felt pretty slick, like they really had this whole fun-day-out thing sorted. And thank goodness, there was breakfast! A simple setup with tea, coffee, and snacks was waiting – a total lifesaver since my stomach was definitely yelling "feed me!"

While sipping coffee and trying to wake up properly, my girlfriend checked out the scene. There were little shops right there at the pier selling all the beach essentials – hats, sunglasses, waterproof phone bags, and clothes. Which, it turned out, was super handy because my she had a mini panic attack realizing her pre-dawn outfit choice wasn't exactly 'Phi Phi glam'. After a quick dash into one of the shops, we came back with this... well, let's call it a very holey, net-style cover-up. "Nice, I said, but in my mind "if we run out of snacks, maybe you can catch us some fish with that!" Photographers from the agency were already mingling, snapping pics of everyone looking excited and maybe a little sleepy. It definitely added to the 'big day out' vibe. We also got the day's plan from one of the guides – quick, clear, and mostly about having fun and being safe. I glanced at the map they showed, clocking a very specific heart-shaped island, the "Pileh Lagoon" I knew was on the route. Seeing that island was kind of a big deal for me... there were plans involving a ring, but that's a story for another time!

The Plan, The Gear, and Liftoff!

After grabbing a bite and the essential briefing, I packed my stuff bag, then it was shoes off and down the jetty to the speedboat. It looked good and ready to go, bobbing on the water. Hopped aboard with maybe 20 other eager explorers, found a seat towards the rear, and bam! The engines roared. As we pulled away from the pier and picked up speed, leaving Phuket shrinking behind us. The excitement level on board was definitely high! This thing didn't just cruise; it flew.

Going Private: The Longtail Splurge

Our first big stop was just stunning, like something straight out of a travel magazine. Crystal clear water, massive cliffs – the works. Here, I had a choice: stick with the main group or treat myself and my girlfriend to a private longtail boat trip around the lagoon. It cost an extra 2500 baht (around £60), but seeing the chance for a bit of quiet magic, I went for it. Was it worth it? Oh, heck yes. I noticed a smart move from some other passengers. About five or six people from our tour group quickly chatted amongst themselves, pooled their money together, and hired their own private longtail boat too! It was a great way for them to get that exclusive experience without each person footing the whole bill.

Climbing into that classic wooden boat and just gliding over that ridiculously clear water, seeing the bottom like it's right there... it was unreal. It was just us and our boat guy paddling peacefully. We ducked into little hidden coves the bigger boat couldn't get near, feeling like proper explorers finding secret spots. It was this perfect little bubble of calm, away from the cheerful noise of the main group.

Swimming with Fish & A Gentle Plea for the Reefs

Back on the speedboat, the fun kept rolling. Time to actually get in that gorgeous Andaman water! I jumped in at a few different snorkel spots Love Andaman took us to. Wow! The underwater scene was incredible – bright corals swaying, schools of colourful fish zipping all around me like underwater confetti. Parrotfish, angelfish, little stripy ones – just amazing. Floating there, watching it all, was pure bliss.

Now, here's something I noticed, and it's really important, guys! I saw a few people slathering on regular sunscreen right before jumping in. Please, please try not to do that! Lots of normal sunscreens have chemicals (like oxybenzone) that are really bad for the coral reefs and all the little critters living there. It can bleach the coral and mess up the whole ecosystem. Think of it like accidentally poisoning paradise just by trying to avoid sunburn.

Monkeying Around on Monkey Island

One stop brought me face-to-face (well, boat-to-shore) with some seriously cheeky residents: the monkeys of Monkey Island! Yep, it's a real place, and it lives up to its name. As we pulled up near the beach, there they were – swinging through the trees like little ninjas, chilling on the sand, grooming each other. These little guys were pros at watching the tourists, checking us out with these smart, curious eyes. It was pretty funny watching them, though I made sure to keep my snacks (and anything shiny) well hidden!

Lunch with a Killer View

All that swimming definitely makes you hungry! Lunch was fantastic – served right on the beach of another beautiful island, part of the main Phi Phi Don area. Forget soggy sandwiches; this was a proper Thai spread laid out buffet-style. Curries, rice, salads, fruit, chicken – loads to choose from and it was all really tasty. Eating delicious food with while staring out at that insane turquoise water? Yeah, that's the good stuff. For a buffet served on a beach during a tour, it was literally tagged the "best restaurant in Phi Phi Don".

Afterwards, feeling happily full, I had a little time to wander through the tiny island village nearby. It was a small cluster of cafes, shops selling the usual colourful elephant pants and souvenirs (yep, grabbed a magnet – gotta represent!), then it was time to return to the boat.

Maya Bay Mayhem: Beautiful, But Busy!

Fuelled up and ready for more, we hopped back on the speedboat. Next stop: the legendary Maya Bay. This is the bay, the one made famous by that Leonardo DiCaprio movie, "The Beach." And let me tell you, pulling into that cove is still jaw-dropping. The towering limestone cliffs cradle this perfect crescent of white sand, and the water glows an almost unnatural shade of turquoise. It's ridiculously beautiful, truly iconic.

But here's the reality check: everyone knows it's ridiculously beautiful. Even though swimming is often restricted now to help the bay recover (which is a good thing!), the place was absolutely packed. Boats jostled for position just outside the swimming boundary, and the designated viewing areas on land were buzzing with people taking selfies. It was stunning, yes, but serene? Not so much. We snapped our photos, admired the view, and kind of just soaked in the organised chaos and out in a few mins. It's one of those places you have to see, but maybe temper your expectations about having it all to yourself.

Bamboo Bliss: Sand, Snorkels, and Serenity (Almost)

After the visual feast (and slight overwhelm) of Maya Bay, our next destination offered a welcome change of pace: Bamboo Island. This place felt different – flatter, wider, with an expansive stretch of blindingly white, powder-soft sand fringed by casuarina trees (not actual bamboo, confusingly enough!). The water here was crystal clear and incredibly inviting.

This was our main swimming and snorkelling stop for the afternoon. I grabbed my mask and fins again and jumped straight in. The snorkelling here was lovely – not quite the dramatic coral gardens of some other spots, but plenty of colourful fish darting around in the shallows near some rocky outcrops. Mostly though, it was just perfect for a long, relaxed swim in that warm, calm water. Floating on my back, looking up at the blue sky, feeling the sun… it was pure bliss. A great spot to just chill out and wash off the salt (before inevitably getting salty again). It wasn't deserted, but definitely felt more spacious and relaxed than Maya Bay.

Heading Home, Salty and Satisfied

The boat ride back to the main Phuket pier was smooth, everyone now a bit more chatty after a day packed with fun.

Remember those photographers from the morning? They were snapping away all day. A cool little extra: when we got back to the main pier, feeling tired but happy, the photos were ready to view, all printed up and waiting on the tables. I couldn't resist grabbing a few prints and getting the digital files too – especially as it didn't cost too much. Okay, confession time: the editing was... intense. Like, the sea was bluer than blue, the jungle greener than green, and everyone's skin looked brighter and smoother than a cartoon character. Not exactly my usual style, but hey, it was an easy way to get some snaps of the day.

I got dropped back at my hotel around 6 PM, feeling that lovely kind of tired but excited you only get after a full day out in the sun and sea.

The Verdict: Totally Worth It!

My last-minute dash to Phi Phi with Love Andaman turned out brilliant. Honestly, it was the perfect mix: everything organised for me (big win!), seeing places so beautiful they almost don't look real, getting a good dose of adventure, and even finding those pockets of quiet magic (shout out to that longtail boat!).

Yes, you're on a tour with other people, and let's be real, some iconic spots like Maya Bay will be buzzing, maybe even downright crowded. You'll see plenty of selfie sticks and hear a dozen different languages. But here's my advice: remember why you came. Try to filter out the surrounding hustle, focus on the incredible cliffs towering above you, the impossible colour of the water at your feet, and just soak in your moment in paradise. Despite the crowds in places, the sheer convenience of seeing so much without any planning stress makes a tour like this totally worth it.

So, if you're in Phuket or nearby islands and dreaming of those famous limestone karsts and water that glows, I'd definitely recommend a day trip like this. Just pack that reef-safe sunscreen (or cover up – save the reefs!), brace yourself for some speedboat spray (it's part of the fun!), maybe leave the experimental fishing-net fashion at home, and prepare to be totally, utterly wowed by Phi Phi. It really is special.