What to bring on a Phi Phi island tour: a health and safety packing list
For a Phi Phi island tour, bring sun protection, plenty of water, something for seasickness if you’re prone to it, reef shoes and a dry bag for your phone, cash and any medicines. Wear swimwear under light, loose clothes. Here’s the full checklist, from the nurses who see what happens when people forget the basics.
The short version
The five things people forget
- More water than you think, plus a couple of oral rehydration sachets.
- Sun protection that works in the sea: water-resistant sunscreen, a rash vest and a hat.
- Seasickness prep if boats make you queasy, sorted before you leave, not on the boat.
- Reef shoes for rocky beaches, coral and sea urchins.
- A dry bag with your phone, cash, any regular medicines and your travel insurance details.
Sun protection: the most important thing to pack
Island tours mean hours on an open boat deck and in the water, often in the middle of the day. Sunburn is the most common problem we see the day after a tour, and it is easy to underestimate: the breeze keeps you cool while the sun, reflecting off water and white sand, keeps burning.
- Sunscreen: the NHS recommends at least SPF 30 with good UVA protection, applied generously and reapplied after swimming and towelling. Choose a reef-friendly formula if you can, to help protect the coral.
- A rash vest or long-sleeved swim top: the easiest way to protect your back and shoulders while snorkelling face-down.
- A hat and sunglasses: a hat with a strap or a cap that won’t blow off on a speedboat.
- Lip balm with SPF and after-sun or aloe vera gel for the evening.
If you do burn, our sunburn treatment guide explains what to buy and when a burn needs a doctor.
Water and something salty
Most tour boats provide drinking water, but it can run low on a hot day, and you lose a lot of fluid through sweat without noticing. Bring a large refillable bottle and drink steadily through the day, especially between swims. A couple of oral rehydration sachets (sold at every 7-Eleven and pharmacy) are worth tucking into your bag, together with a salty snack.
Go easy on alcohol on the boat. Beer in the sun dehydrates you, makes seasickness worse and makes swimming more dangerous. If you come back feeling drained, headachy and dizzy, our guide to heat exhaustion in Thailand explains what to do, and our hydration IV drip can help if you can’t catch up by drinking.
Seasickness: prepare before you go
Speedboats can be bumpy, especially in the afternoon or in the monsoon season, and the longer tours to Maya Bay and the outer islands involve plenty of time at sea. If you know you get motion sick, plan ahead: ask a pharmacist about seasickness remedies the day before, sit near the middle and back of the boat where the motion is gentlest, look at the horizon, and keep some fresh air on your face.
Our seasickness guide has more tips for boat days around Phi Phi.
Reef shoes, snorkel gear and a dry bag
- Reef shoes or water shoes: many tour stops are rocky, and coral cuts and sea urchin spines are common holiday injuries. See what to do if you step on a sea urchin.
- Your own snorkel mask, if you have one that fits well. Tour boats usually provide masks and fins, but a good fit makes snorkelling much more comfortable.
- A dry bag for your phone, cash, cards, a copy of your passport and your travel insurance details, with the emergency phone number saved in your phone.
- A towel and a dry layer: even in the tropics, you can feel cold after a long swim and a windy boat ride.
A small first-aid kit
You don’t need a big kit, just a few things for the minor scrapes and upsets that can spoil a day out:
- Plasters, small dressings and antiseptic wipes for cuts and grazes.
- Tweezers for splinters and small spines.
- Any regular medicines you take, in their original packaging, plus anything your pharmacist has recommended for seasickness or pain.
- Insect repellent if you’ll be on the beach in the late afternoon.
- Hand sanitiser for before you eat lunch on the boat or the beach.
If you take medicines for a long-term condition such as diabetes, asthma or a heart problem, keep them with you rather than in a bag at the back of the boat, and tell the tour crew if it’s something they should know about.
What to wear on a Phi Phi island tour
Keep it simple: wear your swimwear under light, loose clothes that dry quickly, such as a cotton shirt and shorts or a sarong. You will get wet getting on and off the boat, often by wading from the beach. Leave jewellery and anything valuable at the hotel.
- Swimwear on under your clothes, so you don’t need to change on the boat.
- A long-sleeved shirt or rash vest for sun protection.
- Sandals or water shoes that can get wet and won’t slip on a wet deck.
- A cap or hat that won’t blow off on a speedboat.
Cash and fees
Some stops, including the national park, charge entry fees that may or may not be included in your tour price. Ask the tour company what’s included before you book, and bring some cash in small notes for fees, drinks and tips.
When you need a doctor, not a drip
Tell the crew straight away and call 1669 (Thailand emergency medical services) if anyone on the tour has trouble breathing, collapses, is confused, has hot skin that has stopped sweating, has a serious jellyfish sting or has inhaled water. The crew can head back to shore or meet a rescue boat. Deep cuts, a painful sting that won’t settle or a spine stuck in a joint need a clinic, not a hotel drip: see our guide to medical help on Koh Phi Phi.
Tour FAQ
Phi Phi island tour: your questions
What should I wear on a Phi Phi island tour?
Swimwear under light, quick-drying clothes, a rash vest or long-sleeved top for the sun, a hat that won’t blow away and sandals or water shoes that can get wet.
Do I need to bring my own water?
Most tours provide some water, but bring your own large bottle too. You’ll drink more than you expect in the heat, and it’s easy to run short between stops.
Should I bring snorkel gear?
Tour boats usually provide masks and fins. Bring your own mask if you have one that fits well, and reef shoes for rocky stops.
Can I go on a tour if I get seasick?
Usually, yes, with some preparation. Ask a pharmacist about seasickness remedies the day before, sit in the middle of the boat and look at the horizon. A larger, slower boat is often more comfortable than a speedboat.
Keep reading
Before your boat day
Read our sunburn guide and seasickness tips before you go, and know the first aid for sea urchin stings and coral cuts.
Sources: NHS: Sunscreen and sun safety · NHS: Motion sickness · NHS: Dehydration. Last updated October 2026.
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