Koh Phi Phi: Captain Bob’s Private Booze Cruise

Five hours, clear water, and sunset drinks. Captain Bob’s Private Booze Cruise packs Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Leh, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, snorkeling, paddle boards, lunch, and unlimited drinks into one private speedboat outing. I like the easy mix of sightseeing and party time, and I like that the private boat gives your group up to nine people its own space rather than placing you with a large crowd.

The main catch is the price: $920 per group, which is a serious spend for five hours. It works out to about $102 per person when nine people share it, but much more if you book with only a few friends. You should also expect a fairly active day on open water, and the tour is not suitable for children under 18, pregnant women, or people with certain health and mobility concerns.

Key details before you book

• Private speedboat for up to nine: Your group gets the boat, guide, food, drinks, and sightseeing schedule to itself.
• Monkey Beach is mainly a boat-side sight: The monkeys may be visible from the water, but you should not assume you will step onto the beach.
• Pileh Lagoon is the main swim stop: You can float in the clear water and use the supplied paddle boards.
• Maya Bay includes a shore visit: The boat stops a few meters away, with a walk along a trail to the beach.
• Sunset finishes the day: The boat watches the sun go down over the open sea before returning to Loh-Dalum Bay.
• Plan to stay overnight on Phi Phi: The cruise begins at 1:15 PM and returns around 6:30 to 7 PM, too late for a practical same-day trip from another city.

What kind of day Captain Bob’s cruise offers

This is not a quiet island-hopping trip with a few polite photo stops. It is a private afternoon party built around the most famous sights near Koh Phi Phi. You spend the first part seeing beaches, caves, and lagoons, then the mood shifts toward swimming, drinks, music or drinking games, and sunset.

The private format matters. If your group is made up of friends, you can settle into your own rhythm instead of adjusting to strangers. You can swim, eat, take photos, and enjoy the drinks without worrying about a large group schedule. The guide still leads the route and handles the sightseeing stops, but the overall feel is more relaxed than a standard shared boat tour.

The five-hour timing also makes sense for this route. A morning trip would be hotter and would miss the sunset finish. Starting at 1:15 PM lets you see the main sights in daylight, spend time in the water, and remain on the boat as the sky changes color.

Meeting at Loh-Dalum Bay

You meet at the Blue Flow Travel office at the main pier, next to Burger King and in front of McDonald’s. The meeting time is 1:15 PM, so allow enough time to find the office and gather your group before boarding.

There is no pickup or drop-off service around Koh Phi Phi. That is not a problem if you are staying close to the pier, but it is worth planning around if you have bags, limited mobility, or a hotel on the opposite side of the island. The tour ends at the same meeting point, not at a separate beach or resort.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. Towels are not supplied. Bug spray is also a smart addition, since one person had a bad experience with insects at Maya Bay. That small item can make the shore visit much more pleasant.

Monkey Beach from the speedboat

The first stop is Monkey Beach, one of Phi Phi’s best-known photo spots. The boat gives you a close view of the beach and its resident monkeys, with time for pictures from the water.

Do not book this trip expecting a long walk ashore with the animals. The monkeys can bite, and the boat may keep you offshore for safety. That is a sensible rule, but it means the stop is more about seeing the beach and taking photos than feeding or standing beside the monkeys.

I would treat Monkey Beach as a quick opening stop rather than the day’s main event. It gives you an immediate taste of the cliffs, pale sand, and green water around Phi Phi, but the later lagoon and snorkeling stops offer more time to get into the water.

Viking Cave and the Phi Phi Leh cliffs

The speedboat then crosses toward Phi Phi Leh, where you pass Viking Cave and the nearby rock formations. Viking Cave is primarily a photo stop from the boat, so you should not expect to enter the cave.

The route also includes snorkeling in the area. The exact water conditions can affect how long you spend here, but this is your chance to see the coast from below rather than only from the boat. Life jackets are included, and the guide is there to help with the activity.

The speedboat is useful on this route because Phi Phi Leh’s attractions are spread along a dramatic coastline. You are not spending the afternoon slowly puttering between stops. The boat moves quickly, giving you more time for swimming and sightseeing within the five-hour window.

Swimming and paddle boards at Pileh Lagoon

Pileh Lagoon is likely to be the most relaxing stop. The boat enters a sheltered inlet surrounded by steep limestone cliffs, and you can swim in the clear blue water or simply float beside the boat.

Paddle boards are provided, which gives the group another way to enjoy the lagoon. You can stand up and paddle, sit on the board, or use it as a floating platform while the rest of your group swims. This stop is less about checking off a landmark and more about having time to enjoy the setting.

Pileh Lagoon is also where the private format pays off. Different people in your group can do different things without feeling rushed by strangers. Some can swim, others can take photos, and others can stay on the boat with a drink.

Still, remember that this is an open-water excursion. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and the listed restrictions include back problems, heart problems, mobility impairments, and pregnancy. If you are unsure about your fitness for a speedboat and swim-based outing, take those warnings seriously.

Loh Samah Bay and the approach to Maya Bay

After Pileh Lagoon, the route continues to Loh Samah Bay and then toward Maya Bay. Loh Samah Bay is part of the Phi Phi Leh sightseeing circuit, giving you another chance to enjoy the cliffs and water from the boat.

Maya Bay is the most famous stop. The beach became widely known after the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach, and the approach alone is memorable. The boat stops a few meters away, and you can visit the beach with free time to walk along the trail from the landing area.

This is not simply a photo taken from offshore. The shore visit gives you a chance to see the sand and cliffs from land, though the walk means you should wear footwear that can handle a short trail. The beach can also be hot, and insects may be an issue, so sunscreen and bug spray are useful here.

Maya Bay is a highlight, but it is wise to keep expectations realistic. The film made this small beach famous, and its popularity can make the stop feel less private than the rest of the cruise. The private boat gives your group a more personal day, but it cannot make a famous national park beach feel entirely secluded.

Sunset on the open sea

The final major part of the outing is the sunset cruise. After the stops at Phi Phi Leh, the boat heads into the open ocean so you can watch the sun go down before returning to Loh-Dalum Bay.

This is when the cruise shifts fully into party mode. The tour includes free-flow alcoholic drinks, local beer, snacks, drinking water, and drinking games while you wait for the sunset. The combination of open water, fading light, and your own group can make for a lively finish.

The weather matters here. One outing had to be cut short because of rain, so you should accept that this is a sea trip, not a guaranteed postcard afternoon. A storm can affect the swimming time, the sunset, or the comfort of the ride. The guide and captain must respond to conditions, even if that changes the plan.

The return is expected around 6:30 to 7 PM. If you are traveling from Krabi, Phuket, or another city, you should stay overnight on Koh Phi Phi. The end of the cruise is too late for a sensible same-day connection.

Food, drinks, and what is included

The tour includes a baguette sandwich or fried rice, fruit, snacks, drinking water, local beer, and unlimited alcoholic drinks. Lunch is practical rather than a major food event. One person described the choices as a basic sandwich or fried rice with fruit, so I would eat a proper meal before boarding if you need more than a light lunch.

Tell Blue Flow about food restrictions in advance. Vegetarian guests should specifically ask for no egg, since egg can appear in Thai dishes that seem vegetarian at first glance. This is a useful detail to handle before departure, when changing the meal may be difficult.

The drinks are a major part of the price and the identity of this excursion. If your group plans to drink steadily, the package may offer better value than paying separately for a private boat, drinks, snacks, lunch, park fees, and a guide. If you do not drink alcohol, much of the package’s appeal disappears, and another Phi Phi tour may suit you better.

Drink responsibly on a speedboat. The combination of alcohol, sun, waves, and swimming can catch up with you quickly. Keep drinking water within reach and save enough energy for the return ride.

Is $920 good value for a private group?

The listed price covers up to nine people, not one person. At full capacity, it works out to about $102 per person. That includes a guide, life jackets, accident insurance, lunch, national park fees, snacks, water, local beer, and free-flow alcoholic drinks.

That is easier to justify for a group of friends who want a private boat and intend to use the drink package. It is much harder to justify for two or three people, especially if you are mainly interested in swimming and sightseeing rather than the party side.

The private boat also has practical value. You control the social setting, have paddle boards for your group, and can enjoy the route without joining a large shared party. The tradeoff is that five hours passes quickly, and weather or sea conditions can reduce the time at some stops.

The overall rating is 4.3 from three ratings, which suggests a generally positive reception but is not a large enough sample to settle every question about consistency. I would focus more on the clear strengths and limits of the package: excellent route, private setting, abundant drinks, and a basic lunch.

The guide, photos, and small extras

A live guide is available in English and Thai. The guide leads the route and can help with the boat stops, snorkeling, and general timing.

A GoPro was used to take many photos, including underwater images, and those pictures were provided after the outing. The files may take a couple of days to arrive, so do not expect an instant transfer before leaving the pier.

A tip is expected at the end. It is not listed as part of the package price, so keep some cash available if you feel the guide and boat crew provided good service. This is a small cost, but it is better to know about it before the trip.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend Captain Bob’s cruise to an adult group of friends that wants a private Phi Phi day with a strong party element. It suits people who care about seeing Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Leh, Pileh Lagoon, and Maya Bay in one outing, but who also want time to swim, paddle, drink, and watch the sunset.

It is less suitable for families with children, non-drinkers, people who dislike speedboats, and anyone who gets seasick. It is also a poor fit if you need hotel pickup or a same-day return to another part of Thailand.

Book it if you can fill most of the nine places. The value improves sharply with a full group, and the private format makes the schedule and social atmosphere more comfortable. If only two or three people are going, compare the cost carefully with a standard island tour.

FAQ

Where does Captain Bob’s Private Booze Cruise start?

The tour starts at the Blue Flow Travel office at the main pier on Koh Phi Phi. The office is next to Burger King and in front of McDonald’s.

What time should I arrive?

You should meet at the Blue Flow Travel office at 1:15 PM.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours. It normally returns around 6:30 to 7 PM after sunset.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the Blue Flow Travel office, and the tour ends at the same meeting point.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The package includes free-flow alcoholic drinks and local beer, along with snacks and drinking water.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a baguette sandwich or fried rice. Fruit is also provided. Tell the operator ahead of time about food restrictions, including a request for no egg in vegetarian meals.

Can children join the tour?

No. This cruise is for adults aged 18 and older because it is a booze cruise.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not included. Bug spray is also useful for the Maya Bay stop.

Is Maya Bay part of the route?

Yes. The boat stops a few meters away from Maya Bay, and the visit includes free time and a walk along a trail to the beach.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.