Phi Phi Longtail Boats (Water Taxi)

They are the real stars of Phi Phi. The photogenic "Long Tail" water taxis are constantly plying the waters of Phi Phi Don and the neighboring island of Phi Phi Leh.

The Phi Phi islands are completely off limits to motorized traffic. Cyclists and carts laden with luggage, fruit, ice cream and meat pass each other in the center of town. All around is the realm of the bucolic taxi boats that appear on every Phi Phi postcard: the long tails. These simple wooden boats are powered by homemade gasoline engines that the drivers control with a propeller at the end of a long handle that they dip underwater.

Driving a longtail is often a family affair, a trade passed down from father to son; no woman drives a longtail. Some boats have been in the family for several generations, and at the end of the day you can watch the drivers pamper their steeds. Each owner also makes a point of decorating the front of the boat with colorful ribbons and flowers. The effect is very effective in the photos! So why not choose your taxi boat with this in mind - there's so much to choose from on Phi Phi!

In our "Things to do" section, we suggest a number of must-see spots that can only be reached by longtail. Phi Phi's star beach, Maya Bay, on the neighboring island of Phi Phi Leh, is a must, but don't try to get there after 9am as the thin strip of sand is saturated with tourists. Our top tip? You'll have to be patient, but Bamboo Island, off Mosquito Island, is a real favorite.

Long Tails Boats seem to be a well-organized business that has agreed on the rates to charge tourists. This makes it difficult to negotiate fares, although this is the norm in Thailand.

Fares are organized by destination (short one-way trips) and time slots of 3 or 6 hours. Beyond 6 hours, it's up to you to negotiate the fare. Keep in mind that this is a very good deal for your driver, who doesn't have to look for other customers that day and will certainly agree to give you a nice discount.

A short one-way trip (e.g. to Long Beach) costs about THB 150.

Hourly rates and packages:

3 hours: about 2000 THB
6 hours: about 3500 THB

Please note that these rates may be higher in the (very) high season!

Time slots include travel to the destination, time spent there, and return travel. Don't forget to include time for activities at your destination! Some remote islands can take over an hour to reach. If you include the return trip, you'll only have one hour on site if you chose the first option. A minimum of 6 hours is required to explore multiple sites.

To get a substantial discount, remember to book your long tail at regular times, every day or several times a week. Your regular driver will be much more inclined to give you a "loyalty bonus". Some long-tail drivers will give you their business card with email and phone number. These drivers usually speak relatively fluent English (which is far from the majority on Phi Phi).

If you're alone or a couple, try to find other people to join you. A maximum of 4 people can usually occupy the water taxi.

Same day group excursions to remote beaches and islands. Spending 6 hours in a row with your driver is - just a little - cheaper than spending 3 hours twice. For more than 6 hours, for a full day for example, negotiate hard for the excursion.

Beware of the tides. For example, from Loh Dalam Bay (the bay opposite Ton Sai Bay, in the center of the island) no longtail can leave for most of the day. The boats are simply planted in the sand and wait patiently for the tide to come in. Then head to Ton Sai Bay (opposite where the pier is): dozens of long-tail drivers are waiting for you, but think carefully about your final destination - the detour could cost you dearly. It might be better to postpone your trip and ask the long-tail drivers about the next tide times.

Want to be able to chat with your driver? What a great idea! They're a treasure trove of information about the island! Make sure he speaks English before you set off, and test a few phrases before you get in. Although almost everyone claims to speak it, most people's English is tentative, if not limited to a few memorized phrases. Young people generally do quite well and can be particularly talkative...if you make the first move.