During my trip to Phuket, there was one bucketlist item we I had been dreaming of: Koh Phi Phi.
Wanting to avoid the crowds, we booked the earliest departure we could find.
We woke up well before the crack of dawn, grabbed our breakfast-to-go from the front desk of Amatara, and were whisked our way to The Royal Phuket Marina still half asleep.
Bundled up in our puffer jackets with hot coffee in hand, we were led by torchlight through the rocking boats and climbed aboard Simba 7, our little speedboat for the day.
Heading out from the marina, the sun began peeking out revealing silhouettes of craggy islands beyond until we were left with the most glorious sunrise spreading across the Andaman Sea.
Our boat bipped and bopped its way expertly through the crashing waves until we reached our first destination: Bamboo Island.
Our pre-dawn departure and speedy little vessel meant that we were the first to anchor ashore. It truly felt like we had our own private island all to ourselves.
We hopped ashore and set off exploring. We spent ages strolling the coastline, listening for critters in the trees and spotting what seemed like hundreds of little hermit crabs scurrying with the tide.
Realising a bit too late just how long we’d spent exploring the island, we hurried back to our boat where our captains prepared a picnic-style breakfast spread on the sandy shores. After stuffing ourselves full of little bites wrapped up in banana leaves, we boarded Simba 7 again for the next destination.
Sailing into Koh Phi Phi’s was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and I don’t think I’ll ever find the words to describe the sense of grandeur and fantasy it conjured.
Once again, our early departure paid off massively. Rather than finding throngs of tourists packed like sardines in little Phi Leh Lagoon, we once again had the place pretty much to ourselves.
By this time, the morning chill had almost entirely dissipated with the rising sun. So, after finding a good spot to anchor the boat, we scrambled up to the roof and began the diving competition.
I could have spent the better part of the day doing just this, but as more and more boats slowly crept their way in, our captain informed us that it was time to pack up.
We spent the rest of the day touring around the Andaman Sea, popping into limestone caves and twinkling bays to snorkel and spot wildlife.
Eventually, we stopped by a local resort to rest our sea legs with a buffet-style lunch before heading back to the mainland.
Why You Should Choose Simba Sea Trips
Everything about our little adventure to Koh Phi Phi was just perfect, and I cannot recommend enough booking with Simba Sea Trips if you’re thinking of taking a excursion out at sea.
From the moment we arrived, it was obvious that safety was paramount. The boat wasn’t overpacked, lifejackets were easy to locate, and everyone was first aid trained. The crew all had decades of experience, making us feel safe even in the rough waters coming home
For group trips, they only fill Simba 7 to a maximum of 14 guests (half of most other tour companies!), making the entire experience feel much more personalised. They also have the earliest departure and the smallest vessel of any of the outfitters, meaning you get to see more with fewer crowds.
Everything we needed was included in our booking, from flippers to wet bags, taking the additional stress off of packing or rentals. The breakfasts, lunches, and snacks were delicious – and if our hotel had been just a bit closer our transfers would have been included too!
Perhaps the greatest reason of all that I’d recommend Simba Sea Trips is that the crew was just fun to hang out with all day. Our captain had formerly worked as a film scout out of Los Angeles, so he knew all the best spots and had some incredible stories to entertain us on our journey.
A Few Tips
- Remember to bring at least one battery pack. In the haziness of the early hours I forgot mine in the hotel room. While I enjoyed living in the moment, there are also many I wish I’d been able to capture!
- Pack warm layers. While Thailand is warm, the wind on the open sea gets chilly on such a speedy boat.
- Bring some cash for exploring the smaller businesses on Koh Phi Phi during lunch, as well as tips for the crew.
- The back of the boat has the prettiest views, but be prepared to get splashed!
- Bring extra towels from the hotel – Simba provides one per guest, but by the end of the day they’re soaked.
Koh Phi Phi Style Edit
Just a quick note that this post is in no way sponsored, and all opinions are my own 🙂
