What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Magical Phi Phi

  Lynda W,,Feb 13, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Our pick up was a little late but traffic is so unpredictable it’s only to be expected The whole day was seamless. Our guides were amazing taking care of our safety at all times The long boat into the lagoon was extra but so worth it The monkeys were scarce today but we did see a couple The snoring was a little disappointing but nice to swim in the clear sea whatever. All in all a fantastic day well worth the money!

• Expensive and disappointing hike, far from expectations

  paolodZ1226AH,,Jan 25, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  I bought this excursion as an activity in Patong, choosing Sawanu because it was the most expensive. Given the busy time in Phuket, I was hoping to get out of the classic tourist-grabbing circuit. For about 30% more than other proposals, I chose an excursion to Phi Phi with additional stops. I would like to point out that I have been to Phi Phi before. Already at the beginning of the excursion I found myself close to three young people clearly altered, who disturbed the about 70 tourists present on the fast catamaran all the time. That's a bad start. The first stop was on a beautiful islet: it was a shame, however, that it was tiny, with a dozen boats docked and space also occupied by jet skis. There was practically no possibility of swimming. Simultaneously disembark about 600–700 people: the beach could not even be seen sand. Second stop, another islet. Here we are offered to buy a ride on a long tail boat. We accept, traveling with my wife and my 10-year-old daughter. Unfortunately it turns out to be a real joke: we enter a bay where those who have not taken the long tail have a quiet sea space to swim, while we simply go around the bay already seen by speedboat ... and then swim in the exact same body of water, only slightly further. Finally we get to Phi Phi. I expected white beach and coral reef, instead we are disembarked directly at the restaurant at 15:45, with only an hour before returning on board. No beach, no sea. Lunch, moreover, seemed unreliable: I ate only fruit. During the return there is a final stop of 30 minutes to swim in a small bay, with mask and snorkel provided. Disappointing backdrop: rocks, boulders, some sea urchins and few fish (parrot fish). In conclusion, excursion suitable only for those who want to get on a large speedboat and spend half a day there, without particular expectations on the sea, snorkeling or quality of experience. For the price paid, definitely disappointing.

• Long Day in a Flow of People

  Sven N,,Jan 15, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  The guides obviously think they are proficient in English but their thick Thai dialect prevents effective communication. Talk more slowly! The Viking Cave was just a hole in the mountain that we drove past. The Bay and Maya Sands were extremely crowded with boats and people. A snorkeling trip made no sense. On Bamboo Island you could snorkel and get some sense with it if you swam far enough out. Some aquarium fish but the corals were dark and uniform.

  

  

  

• Pay LOTS to CROWD.

  Mallanbrallanskii,,Jan 13, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  Terrible! The shuttle bus was late, we had to ask other drivers to contact the company so that we would not miss the boat. The info meeting in the harbor was just to sell on all flippers etc. Long wait time. We paid a lot to go longtail in the lagoon, had to queue in to crowd all the other tourists! The Viking cave was just a small opening in the mountain, which we passed by and photographed. All the stops were intense and stressful. Maya bay was awful, crowded with all the other Phuket travelers. Standing in line most of the time and being herded like sheep to catch a glimpse of the beach (where 500 other tourists stood packed). The snorkeling was not special at all and from the boat you could see nothing. Had to look for our ride in the parking lot when we got back. Also, the trip was very expensive. Tip! Rent a longtail and ask the boat owners where you should go. There are fantastic islands along the coast.

  

• Phi Phi Day Tour

  D9780UBlucyh,,Jan 10, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Amazing time! The host Bella was really friendly, all of the staff looked after us extremely well. We got to see lots of phi phi and it didn’t feel rushed. The lunch was lovely, good options. The boat was clean and comfortable.

• A must do when in Phuket

  Warwick1066,,Jan 8, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  5 out of 5. We were Yellow Group with Jerry and his crew on 8th January. The day was just Perfect. From the Hotel pick up to the welcome & registration at the Marina to the Boat was all very professional and extremely well organised. The Boat was well prepared and spotless. All the crew were super friendly and couldn’t help enough as and when required. The lunch break was perfect at Phi Phi Don with a relaxing taste of local food. We were never rushed but time was well managed

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Phi Phi island tour

  25cool,,Jan 4, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We did the above tour with Sawanu travels.For all those who are booking a boat tour to Phi phi islands or James bond island in Thailand, no need to wear shoes. Just slippers is enough. You need to take of both slippers and shoes when you enter the boat. You will be picked up from your hotel, depending which tour group you book. We booked via Sawanu travels. You will be dropped at thier Marina office. Breakfast is served with tea and coffee. They also do have a shop were you can buy slippers, hals, mobiel water proof covers, etc. Snorkels and flippers and provided in the boat. You do not need to carry any towels, you can borrow at the shop and return when the tour is finished. If you lose them they will charge you. After breakfast and shopping at their shop, there is a briefing about the tour. Then they board the correct boat, which will be informed and a handband with different colours handed over upfront. The first Island stop is about an drive. The boat ride could be bumpy but in general it's fine. They use catamaran stye modern speed boats. The boats has onboard toilet/s. If you do the phi phi islands you will visit 5 islands if permitted by the authorities. Lunch is provided in a restaurant (full buffet style) in the Banyan bay island. Onboard soft drinks, water unlimitted, cake , watermeloen and pinapple is served. Its a full day program. Starting around 7.30am and you will be dropped at your hotel around 6pm. Well organised and our crew were fantastic, from the captainto the deck crew.. Specially Bunny, Bella and Elis and the rest ( the names i dont know) If you book a boat tour in Phuket do via Sawanu travels, you wont regret. Cost of a James bond & Phi Phi Island 3800 Bhat per person (adult),

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Tourism gone mad

  johnsK8018XR,,Jan 2, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  Tough to know where to start. I was persuaded by my wife to do a day trip out of Phuket with Sawanu on a boat tour with the promise of pristine beaches, crystal waters, snorkelling etc. I arrived back feeling depressed and saddened by what I saw, so much that I was compelled to write my first TripAdvisor review in 10 years. I am not naïve. I expected places to be busy. I had heard about the crowds. However nothing prepared me for the mayhem that I experienced. If you read this, see the pictures, read the brochures and buy into it, then go ahead, have a great day and knock yourself out. There’s no doubt a lot of the people on our boat, and other boats really enjoyed themselves and of course the beaches and sea are beautiful. However, what I saw was tourism gone mad and it was depressing. I’m also ashamed to say that I was a part of it. I contributed. I wish I hadn’t. I regret it. Here's the picture. Dozens of high-speed tourist boats, each holding maybe 20 – 30 people, out of different locations converge on exactly the same spots at the same time. Hundreds of people pile off onto a beach with a confined space for swimming, all forced to wear lifejackets (in 2 feet of water!) with officials on the beach with loud speakers on crowd control duty. We stepped off the boats, looked at each other and said ‘this is madness’. All the boats leave at the same time and onto spot #2, a small beach in a cove with some monkeys. The boats crowd that cove, jostling, bumping, reversing, the sea is churned up, people hanging off the boats at all angles. It’s complete chaos. The next swimming bay has hundreds of boats. About 30 of the bigger boats reverse up in a line into a corner, with a small snorkelling area next to a cliff. There are so many people in the water it looks like the Titanic just sunk. People literally bumping each other and unable to move. There’s a traffic management thing going on to get all the boats in there. Then onto Maya beach. Stunning of course, except there is a 200 metre + queue along the boardwalk to get onto the beach (no swimming allowed) and the same queue to get back to the boats. More officers with loudspeakers on crown control duty. I am not sure how you solve it. The tour operators take some responsibility and could organise schedules that reduce the pressure. Maybe the Authorities could find a way to limit numbers. I don’t know. What I do know is that if it isn’t controlled, it’s going to get worse. I wish I had stayed home. I didn’t feel enriched by the experience, just sad. I wish I knew before I went. I wouldn’t have gone. I wish it remained a pristine place in my mind. Instead it will now always be a place of madness that I want to forget.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• An Enjoyable Experience on the Phi Phi Islands!

  795brendanm,,Dec 30, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  We very much enjoyed our excursion to the Phi Phi Islands and Bamboo Islands. The Sawanu Team was fantastic (can’t say enough good things about our guide Sky!) and we found the experience to be very well organized. Unfortunately Maya Bay was extremely crowded, but each successive stop was more relaxing than the last. On top of that, the lunch buffet was one great. When you are in Phuket, treat yourself to an excursion (I know, it’s touristy, but just do it), and definitely go with Sawanu!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Highly recommended!

  Patrice J,,Dec 22, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Great experience, beautiful islands & very courteous staff. Plenty of fresh fruit/snacks & hydration for the excursion. Lunch was great also

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