Is the Phuket to Koh Phi Phi crossing rough?
Depends entirely on the season. Phuket to Koh Phi Phi is about 45 km of open Andaman Sea: 1.5 to 2 hours by conventional ferry or under an hour by speedboat. From November to April the sea is mostly settled and the ride easy; the May to October south-west monsoon brings rough days, wet decks and occasional cancellations.
Andaman Sea · about 1.5 to 2 hours by ferry, 45 to 60 minutes by speedboat · Reputation among passengers: mixed: commonly reported as uncomfortable in the wrong conditions.
Service status, September 2026
Several companies sail from Rassada Pier. Chaokoh Ferry and Phi Phi Cruiser run the slower conventional boats in about 2 hours; Andaman Wave Master and the speedboat operators take about an hour.
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
Roughness summarises typical reported conditions on this route, not a forecast for any given sailing.
A 45 km open Andaman crossing with two seasons
Key facts
- The Phuket to Koh Phi Phi crossing takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by ferry, 45 to 60 minutes by speedboat, operated by Andaman Wave Master, Chaokoh Ferry, Phi Phi Cruiser and Bundhaya Speed Boat.
- It crosses the Andaman Sea, and passenger reports place the route in the moderate roughness band.
- What drives the rough days: A 45 km open Andaman crossing with two seasons.
- Conditions are reported roughest in June, July, August and September.
- The calmest months are usually January, February, March, November and December.
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Why the Phuket to Koh Phi Phi crossing gets rough
The crossing is open to the south-west, exactly where the monsoon blows from. In season, wind waves build across the Andaman with nothing to stop them before the boats. The conventional ferries plough through with a slow roll; speedboats slam and are the first kept in port when it is too much. In the dry season the same water is commonly gentle enough for anyone.
When it's worst, month by month
November to April is the settled dry season. May to October is the south-west monsoon: rough days cluster, schedules thin and flexibility pays.
| Roughest water in Jan | Roughest water in Feb | Roughest water in Mar | Roughest water in Apr | Roughest water in May | Roughest water in Jun | Roughest water in Jul | Roughest water in Aug | Roughest water in Sep | Roughest water in Oct | Roughest water in Nov | Roughest water in Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calm | Calm | Calm | Mixed | Mixed | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Mixed | Calm | Calm |
Typical seasonal pattern, not a forecast. Any month can deliver a calm crossing or a bad one. Check the marine forecast for your sailing date. Select a month to see every sea and ferry crossing ranked for it.
Month bands: Dizzout sea-state data for the Phuket to Koh Phi Phi crossing, built from the reports and sources listed on this page. Free to cite with a link to this page.
Where to be on board
Front to back
- Bow (front)Avoid
- MidshipBest
- Stern (aft)OK
The crossing: 45 min to 2 hours
Roughest stretch: Open sea between Phuket and the Phi Phi group
On the ferry, midship on the lower deck with airflow; on speedboats, the rear seats ride softest and the bow seats take the slams.
Which boat to pick
Ferry over speedboat in the monsoon months, every time, for motion comfort and for sailing reliability. In the dry season the speedboat's time saving is real and the sea usually cooperates.
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What helps on this crossing
- In monsoon season, take the big ferry and sit midship; leave the speedboat for the dry months.
- Morning departures are usually gentler than afternoon ones year-round.
- Light breakfast, no phone-reading, horizon out the open sides.
- If operators cancel speedboats for weather, believe them; the ferry that still runs will be lively enough.
- Dizzout, a drug-free sound therapy app for passengers: it works with any headphones once nausea starts, with relief in about 90 seconds.
For the full toolkit see the seasickness guide, or what to do once it has already started. Choosing between a fast catamaran and a conventional ship elsewhere too? The physics is the same everywhere: see the catamaran guide. If the rocking follows you ashore afterwards, that is land sickness, which is normal, and it passes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Phuket to Phi Phi ferry rough?
In the dry season, usually not: November to April crossings are commonly smooth. In the May to October monsoon, rough days are frequent, speedboats get cancelled and even the big ferries roll through the open stretch. The month answers the question more than anything else.
How long is the crossing?
About 1.5 to 2 hours on conventional ferries from Rassada Pier and 45 to 60 minutes by speedboat, with multiple departures daily in season.
Ferry or speedboat to Phi Phi?
Monsoon months: ferry, without hesitation; it rides the swell better and keeps sailing when small craft cannot. Dry season: either works, and the speedboat buys you an extra hour on the beach.
What about seasickness tablets for this trip?
If you are travelling in monsoon season and prone to motion sickness, a pharmacist can advise; motion sickness medicines are generally labelled for use before departure, so sort it at the pier, not at sea. Dry-season travellers mostly need only a decent seat.
Other ferry routes
Sources & further reading
Your next question, probably
Where on the ship should you be?
Which cabins move least, and what to do if you already booked one
Not your question? What actually works at sea?Sick right now, mid-crossing?Still rocking after you land?
Conditions described here are typical patterns drawn from published marine and operator information as of September 2026, not a forecast: any month can deliver a calm crossing or a bad one, and schedules, vessels and operators change. Route, vessel and operator names are trademarks of their respective owners; Dizzout is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Seasickness sensitivity varies from person to person; this page is informational and not medical advice.