Hello all-I have gotten so many helpful responses from all of you to help me plan my trip, I do appreciate it, especially that Im daring to not use a travel agent...
Anyways, I was wondering if anyone has used the speedboat transfer from phuket to the phi phi islands.From my research, it seems like the pi pi island village resort is the best on the island (lm looking for a private quiet calm beach) and Im planning to stay there, BUT, they have a 4 night minimum stay during high season. Im going to pi pi as the last tail of my trip, and I planned for 3 nights, however I can squeeze in 4 nights if I take a speedboat from phuket when I fly in the evening, coming from seam riep. The last ferry from phuket to pi pi is at 1:30pm so obviously that wont work, does anyone know of other modes of transfer to pi pi in the evening or late, late afternoon? I was quoted that by a private speedboat its $600 per person-yikes!! and its just an hour trip! I havent booked pi pi island village yet, because of this problem, if it is truly impossible to get there in the evening, I may have to choose another hotel-any thoughts on a nice hotel with a quiet, private beach with calm clear waters and different restaurant options? (ideally not too many children, it is our anniversary)I would choose phuket, but Ive heard the water is not as clear & calm for swimming and snorkeling like it is in pi pi.
Thank you again, for all your help.

We paid around 6000 baht for 4 hours speedboat hire in Krabi in Apr 04, between 4 of us. Sounds like you're being ripped off real good!

Are you sure that the quote wasn't 600 baht per person?

If it was $600 then it's as Lyndie said - you're being ripped off!

i also can't imagine anything costing $600 for that short a ride....you should re-check it with them....

Hi, I saw this post and thought I might ask here as well. My friend and I are going to Phi Phi in January. We used to have friends ont he island (pre-Tsunami) who would arrange airport/speedboat transfers form Phuket Airport to Phi Phi island. Does anyone have any advice on who to arrange a speedboat transfer with? We would like to get a price similar to the US$35 Phi Phi Island Village rate.

Just as an FYI, I've heard the speed boat trip can be much rougher than the ferry and I saw a post on another board that a speadboat capsized today and they were still looking for all 20 people that were on board. Given that, I'll probably be taking the ferry myself.

what? is this true??

can anyone comment on LA Fade Away's post on the phuket speedboat? it's got me a little worried..

Here's a copy of a recent article from the Phuket Gazette, about a tour boat sinking:

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Tour boat sinks; all aboard saved


PHANG NGA BAY: Twenty-two passengers and crew are safely back on dry land after the Armitis, a tour boat, sprung a leak and sank in heavy seas yesterday in Phang Nga Bay.

Pol Lt Col Prasert Srikunnarat, Inspector of Phuket Marine Police Region 5 told the Gazette that he recieved a distress call saying that the boat, captained by Chamrus Tohmok, was taking on water off Laem Tong, Koh Dokmai, and that passengers and crew were about to abandon ship about 30 kilometers from Phuket.

“The captain told me that, on the way back to Phuket from Laem Tong, waves of up to four meters high were slamming into the vessel, causing it to spring a leak and founder.” He said that the crew and the passengers donned life jackets and were in the water for about an hour before being picked up.

“They were lucky that they had an immediate response. Six speedboats were dispatched from Boat Lagoon and four more were sent from the Marine Office,” Pol Col Prasert added.

Meanwhile, the weather does not look set to improve.

The Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast) has announced that a low-pressure front currently blankets lower southern Thailand. There will be heavy rain, most likely causing floods in Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces.

Strong winds and high waves are likely in the Andaman Sea and small boats should not put out to sea.

We took a speedboat tour less than three week ago. The seas weren't that choppy, but the ride was still rough. One passenger got seasick. They go really fast. We picked up a passenger from the first island, can't name it, and dropped them off on Phi Phi.

It was about a 60 minute ride normally, but because we picked up this couple it took about 75. The tour was 1800 baht or about $45 each.

I didn't see all of Phi Phi, just the docks, but they are still rebuilding and there was still a lot of little pieces of garbage in the sand. Maybe the other side of the island is in better shape.