You'll bound out of bed as dawn is breaking for this Thai island-hopping adventure. The draw of swimming in the shallows of the Bamboo and Phi Phi Islands is made even sweeter by the luxury catamaran you'll be sailing there on. Local guide, Somsak, always looks forward to this tour, ‘you're really seeing the best of island life, from the soft white beaches and cheeky jungle monkeys, to some of the clearest waters with top visibility for snorkelling.'
Start with a light breakfast at the Royal Phuket Marina, then board the sleek and speedy catamaran that'll whisk you across the Andaman Sea to southern Thailand's best-loved islands. You'll start with the Phi Phi Island's big hitter – Maya Bay – made famous by its starring role in the Leo DiCaprio flick The Beach. Tourist numbers are limited here, but you'll walk the jungle trail down to the beach.
Next, take a dip in Pileh Lagoon before sailing past Viking Cave for a look – it's a jagged opening in the cliffside that looks like a mouth about to swallow you whole. You'll stop at Monkey Bay, where you're likely to spot wild macaques in the jungle. Then, don a mask and snorkel to explore the colourful coral reefs nearby. Tuck into an international buffet lunch and take a wander around the island before finishing the tour with a stop at Bamboo Island. The white sandy beaches and clear blue waters here make it the perfect place to swim, snorkel or simply soak up the rays.
Catamaran cruise
