phuket to phi phi: ferry vs speedboat

we are holidaying in phuket and phi phi for 3 weeks, from next week and i have been reading through these forums for general info, which has been very helpful. i was wondering about the safety of ferry boats to phi phi though, after reading about the risks of boating in bad weather. is this only relevent for speedboats, and are the ferry boats fairly safe? we are travelling with 2 small children so safety is paramount. i would appreciate any advice - thanks!

phuket to phi phi: ferry vs speedboat

Yes the ferries are safe, well as safe as they are in any part of the world. As they are large they can travel in the nastier weather and are over all a lot smoother.

Speedboats are faster but they are a lot rougher and many don%26#39;t like to take passengers with luggage due to space restrictions and also possible damage to your items in the bags.

I would take the ferry, sit back and enjoy the journey and the approach to the island.

phuket to phi phi: ferry vs speedboat

The ferry is safer in my opinion. I went on a ferry from Phi Phi to Phuket and was fine (back in 2004). It was a little crowded. I have also experienced a small trip between to two islands between Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, it wasn%26#39;t far but in a long boat, I seriously was holding on for dear life! Wouldn%26#39;t do that again, in my own opinion, the bigger the boat the better!

:-)

Hey - don%26#39;t be afraid of the Long Tails - they are amazingly stable - they may not look it but they are and its a part of the experience to cruise around in one.

They have life jackets and mostly stay pretty close to land.

You would miss out on part of the Thai way if you didn%26#39;t take one - actually they are hard to avoid!

How do you arrange for these speedboats? can you rec%26#39;d some? Do you book it when you are in Phuket? I need to get from Phuket to Phi Phi and back. How long will it take on a speedboat? What is the rate? The ferry schedule is proving a little restrictive with my other plans. Can you pick your times? How late do they do the transfer from Phuket to Phi Phi?

Lastly, if my flight is at 6:40pm out of Phuket, what time should I leave Phi Phi?

thank you!