Koh Phi Phi is a small island group in Krabi province, about 45 km southeast of Phuket, and one of the most visited places in the Andaman Sea. Most people come for the limestone cliffs, the emerald water of Pileh Lagoon and the beach made famous by the film The Beach. They stay for the sunsets, the beach bars and the boat trips. Only one of the six islands, Phi Phi Don, has permanent residents, so nearly everything you do is either on its small village strip or on a boat that leaves from it.
This pillar guide to Koh Phi Phi explains how the islands are laid out, how to get there, what to do, where to stay, what it costs and when to go. Each section links to a detailed page, so you can start here and go deeper where it matters for your trip. Fees and rules were checked against published sources on 26 October 2026, and where sources disagree we say so.
- Where
- Krabi, Andaman Sea
- Getting there
- Ferry or speedboat
- Best season
- Nov–Apr
- On the island
- No cars or scooters
- Maya Bay
- Closed Aug–Sep
Short on time? See the highlights in one day
The full-day speedboat loop covers Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, snorkeling and a sunset plankton swim.
Koh Phi Phi at a Glance: Islands, Layout and What to Expect
The Phi Phi archipelago has six islands with a combined area of about 12 km², according to Wikipedia. Phi Phi Don is the largest at roughly 10.3 km², and Phi Phi Leh is second at about 1.3 km². The other four are Mai Phai (Bamboo Island), Ko Yung (Mosquito Island), Bida Nok and Bida Nai, all small and uninhabited. Every one of them sits inside Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which is why you pay park fees and follow marine park rules.
Phi Phi Don looks like two limestone lumps joined by a thin, flat isthmus. The village, the main ferry pier and most hotels sit on that strip, between Tonsai Bay on the south side and Loh Dalum Bay on the north. Around 2,500 people live on the island, though many are temporary workers in the tourism trade. Beyond the isthmus the island is steep and green, with beaches on the east coast and the northern tip that you reach by longtail boat or jungle path.
Phi Phi Leh, the smaller island, has no village at all. It is where you find Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave, and you visit it on a boat trip from Phi Phi Don, Phuket or Krabi.
Is Koh Phi Phi one island or several?
It is a group of six islands. Phi Phi Don has the village, hotels and ferry pier. Phi Phi Leh has Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon and is visited by boat only. The rest are small islets you pass on a tour.
No cars, no scooters
Motor vehicles are banned on the roads of Phi Phi Don, apart from emergency services, so you get around on foot, by bicycle or by boat. Porters push carts with luggage and goods, and bicycles are the most common wheels in Tonsai. Longtail boats link the beaches that have no road. 12Go lists short longtail hops from about ฿150 per person, and you should agree the fare before you board.
How to Get to Koh Phi Phi: Piers, Ferries and Transfers
Every route to Koh Phi Phi is by sea. There is no airport and no bridge, so you travel to Phuket or Krabi first and then take a ferry or speedboat. Most boats dock at Tonsai Pier, which FerryGoGo says handles about 90% of traffic and is a few minutes on foot from the village. A few services, mainly from Phuket, go to Laem Tong Pier on the northern tip, which only serves the resorts there. Check that your ticket names the right pier.
| From | Typical crossing | Fares listed from | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phuket (Rassada Pier) | About 1 h by speedboat, about 2 h by ferry | ฿450 to ฿850 | Busiest route. A few departures go to Laem Tong. |
| Krabi (Klong Jilad Pier) | About 2 h | ฿450 | Transfers link Krabi airport to the pier. |
| Ao Nang (Nopparat Thara) | About 45 min by speedboat, about 2 h by ferry | ฿450 | Handy if you are staying in the Ao Nang resort area. |
| Koh Lanta (Saladan Pier) | Varies by boat | ฿350 to ฿500 | Check the current timetable, as services are seasonal. |
Speedboats save about an hour on the Phuket crossing but are louder, while larger ferries are more stable in choppy water. First departures from Phuket are listed around 07:00 and the last around 15:30. From Krabi they run roughly 07:45 to 16:00, according to 12Go. In the monsoon, from May to October, seas are rougher, especially in September and October, so avoid tight connections with a flight on the same day.
On arrival at Tonsai Pier you pay a 20-baht clean-up fee in cash. Our detailed pages cover each route:
- Phi Phi island ferry guide: every route, operator and pier in one place.
- Phuket to Phi Phi and Krabi to Phi Phi: the two busiest crossings.
- Ao Nang to Phi Phi and Koh Lanta to Phi Phi: shorter hops from the south Krabi coast.
- Bangkok to Phi Phi and Phi Phi airport transfers: flights, trains and connections.
- Phi Phi to Koh Samui: continuing across to the Gulf of Thailand.
Best Things to Do on Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi packs a lot into a small area, and the list splits neatly into things you do on foot from the village and things you do by boat. Our full list of things to do in Phi Phi goes into detail. Here are the experiences that matter most.
Climb to the viewpoints
The classic Phi Phi photo, with both bays on either side of the isthmus, comes from the viewpoints above Tonsai Village. The trail starts about five minutes' walk from the pier, up a steep staircase to a ticket office and the first viewpoint. According to Nothing Familiar, viewpoints 1 and 2 cost ฿30 each and viewpoint 3 asks for ฿20 in a donation box. The climb to viewpoint 3 takes about 30 minutes without stops. Go early or late to avoid the heat, and bring a torch if you plan to walk down after sunset. Details are in our Phi Phi viewpoint guide.
Visit Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon
Phi Phi Leh is the main reason most visitors take a boat trip. Maya Bay is a walk-and-photograph stop, and Pileh Lagoon is a sheltered green bay where you can swim. We cover both in the Maya Bay section below, and in our full Maya Bay guide.
Snorkel and dive
Visibility around Koh Phi Phi peaks from January to April, often reaching 30 m, and drops to roughly 10 to 15 m in the summer, according to Champion Traveler. The most popular snorkeling stops are Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach and the reefs off the northern tip. Our guide to snorkeling in Phi Phi compares spots, tours and rules. If you want to go deeper, see Phi Phi diving for dive sites and schools.
Meet the monkeys and see Bamboo Island
Monkey Beach is a short boat ride from Tonsai Pier, home to wild long-tailed macaques that grab food and unattended bags. Keep everything zipped up and do not feed them. Bamboo Island is a small island ringed by white sand, about 5 km off the northern tip of Phi Phi Don, and a standard stop on most routes. Read more about each in our Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island guides.
Swim with glowing plankton
Some full-day trips end with a sunset at sea followed by a night swim in bioluminescent plankton, where the water lights up as you move. It is one of the few things you can only do after dark, so it is worth looking for in a tour itinerary. See our plankton in Phi Phi guide for when and where.
If you want to see several of these in one go, our guide to Phi Phi island hopping explains how the standard routes link up.
Koh Phi Phi Island Tours: Which Boat Trip to Book
Boat tours are how most visitors see Koh Phi Phi beyond the village. The main formats are a half-day longtail trip from Phi Phi Don, a full-day speedboat loop from Phi Phi Don, Phuket or Krabi, and a private longtail where you set the route. Group speedboat tours cover the most ground in a day. Private longtails give you control over timing, which matters at places like Pileh Lagoon where the morning is quieter. Our guide to Phi Phi island tours compares every format and what it should cost.
Phi Phi Full-Day Tour: Maya Bay, Bamboo, Sunset & Plankton
A long day that links the main highlights: a Maya Bay stop, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Bay, snorkeling stops, lunch on Bamboo Island, then a sunset and a plankton swim before returning to the pier.
Check on the listing before you book
- Price and start time for your date
- Pickup or meeting point
- What is included in the ticket, including the park fee
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
The listing was rated 4.7 out of 5 from 291 reviews when we checked on 26 October 2026, and it describes one hour at Maya Bay and several snorkeling stops where visitors may see blacktip reef sharks. As with any tour, the schedule depends on sea conditions and the park's rules on the day.
Why a full-day group tour works
- Covers the main highlights in a single day
- Guide and group logistics are handled for you
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, per the listing
Trade-offs to expect
- A long day of about 9.5 hours on a shared boat
- Busy stops, since many boats follow similar routes
- You follow the group's pace, not your own
Maya Bay and Phi Phi Leh: Koh Phi Phi's Most Famous Beach
Maya Bay is a small, cliff-ringed beach on Phi Phi Leh that became world famous after parts of The Beach (2000) were filmed on the island. Tourism grew sharply afterwards. Before it closed in June 2018, the bay reportedly received up to 5,000 visitors and 200 boats a day, according to Wikipedia. The closure was meant to let the ecosystem recover, and the bay reopened to visitors on 1 January 2022 under strict controls.
Today boats no longer anchor on the beach, and you may only wade, not swim. Visits last about an hour, set by the tour operator, and the access fee is usually included in tour prices, per Phuket101. The bay also closes every year for two months of rest. It shut on 1 August 2026 and reopened on 1 October 2026, as Time Out Bangkok reported on 29 September. Expect it to close again in August 2027, with the national park confirming exact dates each July.
| Maya Bay detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Not allowed. Wade to about knee depth only. |
| Time on the beach | About one hour per visit, set by the operator. |
| Boats | They no longer anchor on the beach. |
| Annual closure | Usually 1 August to 30 September. Reopened 1 October 2026. |
| Access fee | Commonly quoted at ฿400 per adult, usually included in tour prices. |
| Best months | November to April, when the sea is calm. |
The rest of Phi Phi Leh is worth seeing too. Pileh Lagoon is a narrow bay where swimming is allowed and boats tie up to buoys, and early morning is usually calmer. Viking Cave on the same island is where edible bird's nests are harvested, and boats pass close enough for photos. For the full picture, see our Phi Phi Leh guide and our page on The Beach filming location.
Best Beaches on Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi Don has a handful of beaches with very different characters, and the best one depends on whether you want a social strip, a quiet bay or a place to snorkel. Our guide to the best beaches in Phi Phi ranks them, and the short version is below.
Long Beach
Long Beach (Hat Yao) is one of the best-known swimming and lounging beaches on the island. It has a calm atmosphere, a few bungalow resorts and a relaxed, hippie-style feel, and it is separated from the village by a rocky cape. You reach it by a narrow jungle path or a short longtail ride of about five minutes, according to Hotels.com. There is a rock offshore popular with snorkelers, but swell and currents can be strong. Our Long Beach guide covers hotels and how to get there.
Loh Dalum Bay
Loh Dalum is the northern bay beside the village, and it is the island's party strip, with beach bars, fire shows and hostels along the sand. It is also where the 2004 tsunami hit hardest, and a memorial now stands on the beach. It is the most convenient beach if you want everything within walking distance.
Laem Tong
Laem Tong, sometimes called Golden Bay, is a long sandy beach on the northeastern tip with a few upscale resorts and a small fishing village. Hotels.com describes it as peaceful and notes that nearby reefs offer snorkeling and diving. Boats arrive at Laem Tong Pier. See our Laem Tong Beach guide for details.
Loh Bagao and the east coast
The east coast is remote. Small bungalow resorts line a roughly 4 km stretch, and Loh Bagao is a large bay with a few stylish hotels and a little village. Access is by boat, or a hike of about two hours on steep jungle trails. It suits travelers who want seclusion and are happy to arrange boats in advance.
Where to Stay on Koh Phi Phi: Areas Compared
Choosing the right area matters more on Koh Phi Phi than on most islands, because the nearest beach may be a boat ride away. The Broke Backpacker calls Koh Phi Phi one of the more expensive islands in Thailand, and cheap rooms are mostly in Tonsai Village, where hotels and hostels are concentrated. Book early for the peak months of December to February.
| Area | Best for | What it is like | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonsai Village | First-timers, short stays | Liveliest part of the island, with hotels, restaurants, shops and bars. Tonsai West is the quietest corner. | On foot from the pier |
| Loh Dalum Bay | Budget travelers, nightlife | Hostels and beach bars with fire shows. Expect noise at night. | Just northeast of the pier, on foot |
| Long Beach | Families, quiet | Calm beach with bungalow resorts and a relaxed feel. | About 5 min by longtail or a jungle path |
| Laem Tong | Couples, luxury, snorkeling | Long sandy beach with a few upscale resorts and little nightlife. | By boat to Laem Tong Pier |
| East coast and Loh Bagao | Seclusion | Simple bungalows and a few stylish hotels. Very quiet. | By boat, or a trek of about 2 h |
If you are unsure, Tonsai Village is the practical choice for a first visit, because the pier, restaurants and boat departures are all within a short walk. If you want a quieter base, Long Beach and Laem Tong trade convenience for calm, and you will plan around boat transfers. Compare options in our guides to where to stay in Phi Phi, Phi Phi hotels and Phi Phi hostels.
Check the last mile before you book
Ask whether the property is walkable from Tonsai Pier or needs a longtail transfer, and whether transfers run in the evening. With no cars on the island, luggage reaches the hotel on a porter's cart or by boat.
Koh Phi Phi Nightlife and Food
Nightlife is concentrated on the Loh Dalum beach strip, which Backpack Bob counts at around 15 bars and clubs, plus the lanes of Tonsai Village. Things pick up around 10 pm, and the beachfront clubs typically stay open until about 2 am. You will find fire shows on the sand, live music in a few bars and a Muay Thai ring at Reggae Bar. Buckets of spirits are cheap and strong, so pace yourself. Venues and event nights change often, and that source's most recent update was for 2023, so check current listings. Our Phi Phi nightlife guide has more.
The north side of the island is much calmer. If you want a good night's sleep, choose a base away from Loh Dalum or in the quiet western corner of Tonsai, and walk to the beach bars when you feel like it.
For food, most restaurants cluster in Tonsai Village and along Loh Dalum Bay, so you rarely need to travel for a meal. If you stay on a remote beach, work out how you will get back from the village after dinner. Our Phi Phi restaurants guide covers where to eat.
Best Time to Visit Koh Phi Phi
The best time to visit Koh Phi Phi is the dry season from November to April, with mid-January to mid-March the sweet spot. Champion Traveler reports that February is the driest month, with about a 9% chance of significant rain on any given day, and that the Andaman Sea flattens out from December to February. Daytime highs stay around 32 to 35°C all year, so the real difference between seasons is rain, sea state and crowds.
| Period | Sea and weather | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nov–Apr | Dry season, calmest seas, best visibility. | Visibility often reaches 30 m from January to April. December and January are the busiest. |
| Apr–May | Showers increase. About 31% of April days and 47% of May days see rain. | Lower accommodation prices from May. |
| Jun–Aug | Showers on roughly four to seven days a week. | Visibility drops to about 10 to 15 m. Maya Bay closes on 1 August. |
| Sep–Oct | Rain chances near 50%, choppier seas. | Maya Bay is closed in September and reopens on 1 October. |
The sea matters more than rain for travel. In the monsoon months, boats can run late or be cancelled in rough weather, so build a buffer into your plans. Our guide to the best time to visit Phi Phi covers month-by-month conditions in more detail.
Koh Phi Phi Costs, Fees and the National Park Ticket
Koh Phi Phi has a few small mandatory fees that are easy to miss, and one that sources disagree on. This table lists what you are likely to meet, with the national park fee explained below.
| Item | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tonsai Pier clean-up fee | ฿20 | Paid in cash on arrival. |
| Island / park fee (foreigners) | ฿400 adult, ฿200 child | Commonly quoted for Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh and Mai Phai. Usually included in group tours. |
| Viewpoints | ฿30 (1 and 2), ฿20 (3) | Paid at a kiosk and a donation box. |
| Short longtail hop | From about ฿150 per person | Agree the fare before boarding. |
| Ferry from the mainland | From about ฿350 to ฿850 | Depends on route, boat and season. |
| Scuba divers | Extra ฿200 | Listed on the park's official page. |
The park ticket: ฿200 or ฿400?
You will see both figures. The official page on ThaiNationalParks.com lists ฿200 for foreign adults and ฿100 for children, as of June 2026. A Bangkok Post report from early 2024 explains the second number: the park charges ฿200 and ฿100, and visiting Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh or Mai Phai adds a separate special service fee of ฿400 for foreign adults and ฿200 for children. Most visitor guides and tour listings quote the ฿400 figure for the islands.
We could not confirm which combination applies at the booth today, so budget for ฿400 per adult and ฿200 per child unless your operator says otherwise. Group tours usually include the fee. Private longtails often do not, and the boat captain collects it in cash, so ask before you pay.
Visiting Koh Phi Phi Responsibly: Water, Waste and Reefs
Koh Phi Phi has the problems of a small island with a very large visitor load. Wikipedia reports that solid waste averaged about 25 tonnes a day in 2014 and rose to 40 tonnes in the high season. The 20-baht pier fee covers only about a third of waste-handling costs. Fresh water is scarce, groundwater is overused and the treatment plant cannot handle the volume of wastewater. Researchers from Kasetsart University have suggested capping visitors at between 12,000 and 27,000 a day.
You cannot fix that alone, but a few habits help:
- Bring a refillable bottle and refill it instead of buying small plastic bottles.
- Keep showers short and reuse towels, since fresh water is the scarcest resource.
- Take your rubbish back from boat stops and beaches.
- Use sunscreen without the four UV filters banned in Thai marine parks. Khaosod English reported in October 2025 that tourists can be fined. Our snorkeling guide lists the ingredients to avoid.
- Never stand on coral, and do not feed fish or monkeys.
Koh Phi Phi Safety and the 2004 Tsunami
The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 hit Koh Phi Phi hard, because the village sits on the low isthmus between two bays. Wikipedia reports waves of about 3 m at Tonsai Bay and 6.5 m at Loh Dalum Bay, with roughly 70% of buildings destroyed and around 10,000 people on the island at the time. By the end of July 2005 about 850 bodies had been recovered and about 1,200 people were still listed as missing, and the full toll is unlikely ever to be known. A memorial on the beach facing Loh Dalum Bay holds an annual service.
Today the island is rebuilt and safe to visit, but it is sensible to know what to do. On arrival, ask your hotel where the nearest evacuation route is and follow posted signs. Our Phi Phi tsunami safety guide explains the warning system and what to do.
Everyday risks are more ordinary. Currents can be strong around headlands, especially in the monsoon, so wear a life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer. Keep valuables in a dry bag on boats, agree prices before you board, and drink plenty of water on the viewpoint hike. Monkeys snatch food and bags, so keep them zipped.
Koh Phi Phi Itineraries: One, Two or Three Days
How long you need on Koh Phi Phi depends on whether you want a taste or a rest. A day trip shows you the highlights but you will be on a boat most of the time. Two nights lets you see the islands and enjoy the beaches. Three days is the point where you can slow down. If you are weighing it up, our Phi Phi day trip guide covers the one-day option in detail.
One day: a day trip from Phuket or Krabi
Take one of the first ferries, around 07:00 from Phuket or 07:45 from Krabi, and join a full-day tour so Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island and a snorkeling stop are all arranged. If you plan to go back on your own instead, check the time of the last boat from Tonsai Pier before you book.
Two days: stay one night
Arrive in the morning, check in, rest, then climb to the viewpoint in the late afternoon for sunset. Spend the evening around Tonsai or Loh Dalum. On day two take an early longtail or speedboat to Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island and Monkey Beach before the crowds, then catch an afternoon ferry.
Three days: slow down
Use the first two days as above, then spend day three at Long Beach or Laem Tong. Snorkel the reefs, go diving if you are certified, or book the sunset and plankton trip. This is also the easiest plan for avoiding rushed transfers in the monsoon months.
Koh Phi Phi FAQ
Is Koh Phi Phi worth visiting?
Yes, if you like dramatic scenery, boat trips and beaches. It is busy and not cheap, so go early in the day for the best light and fewer crowds, and consider a night or two on the island rather than a quick day trip.
How many days do you need on Koh Phi Phi?
Two days and one night is enough to see the viewpoint, Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon. Three days lets you add a quiet beach, snorkeling or diving without rushing.
How do I get to Koh Phi Phi?
By ferry or speedboat from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang or Koh Lanta. Crossings take roughly 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the boat. Most arrive at Tonsai Pier, where a 20-baht clean-up fee applies.
Can you swim at Maya Bay?
No. Swimming is not allowed, and visitors may wade to about knee depth. You can swim at Pileh Lagoon and snorkel at other stops on the standard tour routes.
Is Maya Bay open now?
Maya Bay reopened on 1 October 2026 after its annual two-month closure, according to Time Out Bangkok. It normally closes again from 1 August each year, with exact dates confirmed by the national park in July.
Are there cars or scooters on Koh Phi Phi?
No. Motor vehicles are banned on the roads of Phi Phi Don apart from emergency services. People walk, cycle or take longtail boats, and porters push luggage carts.
What is the best month to visit Koh Phi Phi?
February is the driest month and mid-January to mid-March has the calmest seas and best visibility. November to April is the broader dry season.
Which area is best to stay on Koh Phi Phi?
Tonsai Village suits first-timers because the pier, restaurants and boats are close. Long Beach and Laem Tong are quieter, and Loh Dalum is the party area.
Do I have to pay a national park fee?
Most visitors do. Sources quote ฿400 per adult and ฿200 per child for the islands, though the official park page lists ฿200 and ฿100. Group tours usually include it, so ask your operator.
Is Koh Phi Phi expensive?
It is one of the pricier islands in Thailand, mainly because accommodation and tours cost more than on the mainland. Book early in peak season and compare tour inclusions before you pay.
Is Koh Phi Phi safe?
It is generally safe for visitors who take normal precautions. Respect sea conditions and currents, use life jackets on boats, and ask your hotel about the tsunami evacuation route when you check in.
Ready to see Koh Phi Phi by boat?
Check dates and prices for the full-day tour with Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island and the sunset plankton swim.
Plan the Rest of Your Koh Phi Phi Trip
Use these guides to plan each part of your visit to Koh Phi Phi, from the boat to the beach.
Prefer to read in German or French? These guides are written for German and French readers:
Photo credits: View over Loh Dalum Bay by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Tonsai Bay by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Maya Bay by Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); longtail boats by Anton Zelenov (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons). Tour photos: GetYourGuide.
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This guide is compiled from published park, operator and traveler information, checked on 26 October 2026. We have not run these trips ourselves for this page. Prices, schedules, fees and rules around Koh Phi Phi change often, so confirm with your operator before you travel.