The best boat tour company in Phuket is the one you can check: a valid TAT licence, Thai guides, crew trained for emergencies, honest weather decisions and reviews you can verify. This guide shows what to look for, and how the Andaman Surprise team works.
Guests rate us 5.0 from 607 Tripadvisor reviews, and we rank #1 of 321 boat tours and water sports in Phuket Town (checked 7 October 2026).
What to check before you book a boat tour in Phuket
| Check | Why it matters | What we do |
|---|
| Licence | Tour operators must be registered. You can search the Department of Tourism lookup. | TAT licence No. 32/01400. |
| Thai guides | Thai law requires tour guides to be Thai nationals. | All of our guides are Thai. |
| Training | A crew should know what to do in an emergency. | Regular CPR and emergency response training for all staff. First aid kits and communication tools on board. |
| Safety on board | Life jackets, a briefing and insurance are basics. | Life jackets before departure, a safety briefing and accident insurance included. |
| Weather decisions | Honest and early beats risky. | If conditions are unsafe, we contact you in advance to reschedule. |
| Group size | Smaller groups get more attention and space. | Up to 30 guests on our speed catamaran. |
| Proof | Reviews you can verify on a third-party site. | 5.0 from 607 Tripadvisor reviews, #1 of 321 boat tours and water sports in Phuket Town (checked 7 October 2026). |
Thai guides, Thai hospitality
Every Andaman Surprise guide is Thai. Thai law requires tour guides to be Thai nationals, so ask any operator the same question. See licensed guides and park fees for how to check a licence.
What guests notice is the warmth. They name our guides in reviews again and again, call them fun and informative, and say the crew "took care of us the whole time." Meet the people behind it on our team page.
How we train and look after our team
We provide comprehensive training so every crew member delivers friendly, professional and reliable service and knows how to respond when something goes wrong. All staff regularly take CPR and emergency response training. We pay competitive salaries, support career growth, and encourage guides to learn more languages and join sustainability and community activities. We look after well-being through open communication and teamwork, and staff are empowered to share feedback and are recognised when they do well. Read more on about us and our sustainability work.
In their own words, from our team page:
- Boat crew: "I love this company."
- Boat captain: "The owner doesn't create unnecessary stress when problems happen—they're always ready to support us."
- Boat crew: "I wanted to join because I'm looking for career growth."
Safety on every trip
- Life jackets for every guest before the boat leaves, and a safety briefing from the crew.
- First aid kits and communication tools on board, and a crew trained for emergencies.
- Accident insurance included in your ticket.
- Seasickness tablets provided.
- If sea conditions are unsafe, we contact you in advance to reschedule. We don't run tours when conditions put guests at risk.
Our speed catamaran carries up to 30 guests. See what to expect on board and our safety information.
Read more on Phi Phi Islands rules and safety guide here.
See our Fleet of Speed Catamaran here.
Why guests come back
Guests come back to us. Reviews describe second trips and guests who booked more than one tour. More than once, a guest who booked our Phi Phi tour offline has later come back to book the James Bond Island tour on our website.
“We booked two trips with them.”
Tripadvisor review · July 2026 · guest who booked Phi Phi and then James Bond Island“This is the second time we've travelled with Andaman Surprise.”
Tripadvisor review · June 2026 · guest“Will book with them again.”
Tripadvisor review · August 2026 · couple“We will definitely go on one of your other tours next time.”
Tripadvisor review · April 2026 · couple“Felt safe, comfortable, and well taken care of.”
Tripadvisor review · April 2026 · guest“A fantastic choice for families looking for a safe and memorable adventure.”
Tripadvisor review · June 2026 · family“Our guide was Queen Nancy and he was great fun and informative.”
Guide: Nancy · Tripadvisor review · April 2026 · couple“Mona and her crew took care of us the whole time.”
Guide: Mona · Tripadvisor review · October 2025 · couple
Guest reviews are the opinions of Tripadvisor members. Read all reviews on Tripadvisor.
Two programmes, one team
Both are 8-hour day trips at ฿3,900 per adult and ฿2,900 per child, and the same kind of team looks after you on each.
Read more on our Bamboo Islands Guide here.
Read more on Phi Phi Islands vs James Bond Islands here.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the best boat tour company in Phuket?
Check that the operator has a valid TAT licence, uses Thai guides, trains its crew for emergencies, includes insurance, makes honest weather decisions and has reviews you can verify on a third-party site.
Are tour guides in Phuket required to be Thai?
Yes. Thai law requires tour guides to be Thai nationals. All of our guides are Thai.
How is the Andaman Surprise team trained?
We provide comprehensive training in friendly, professional and reliable service. All staff regularly take CPR and emergency response training, and guides are encouraged to learn more languages and join sustainability activities.
Is a speedboat or catamaran tour in Phuket safe?
We take safety seriously: life jackets before departure, a safety briefing, first aid kits and communication tools on board, a trained crew and accident insurance included. We do not run tours when conditions put guests at risk.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If sea conditions are unsafe on your departure date, we contact you in advance to reschedule or discuss alternatives.
Can I do both the Phi Phi and James Bond Island tours?
Yes. They are separate 8-hour day trips, and some guests have booked both with us. Contact us to plan the dates.
How much are the tours?
The Phi Phi and Bamboo Island tour and the James Bond Island and Panyee Island tour are each 3,900 baht per adult and 2,900 baht per child, with the national park ticket included.
Is Andaman Surprise licensed?
Yes. Our TAT licence number is 32/01400.
Do guests come back for more tours?
Yes. Reviews describe second trips. More than once, guests who booked the Phi Phi tour offline have come back to book the James Bond Island tour on our website.
Ready to see for yourself? Book a tour or contact us. Our TAT licence is No. 32/01400.
