Krabi, Thailand · 7°44′N 98°46′E

Ko Phi Phi, properly explained

Two limestone islands in the Andaman Sea, a car-free village on a sandbar and the most famous bay in Thailand. This guide covers everything you need to plan the trip: when to come, how to get there, which beach is yours and how to see Maya Bay without the crowds.

Start planning Island map
01When to goDry season, monsoon and the two months Maya Bay is closed. 02Getting thereFerries and speedboats from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang and Koh Lanta. 03Where to stayLively Tonsai or quiet Laem Tong? Each area compared. 04Maya BayOpening hours, fees, the no-swimming rule and the best time to arrive.

The archipelago

Six islands, one village, no cars

The Phi Phi Islands lie roughly halfway between Phuket and the Krabi coast. Only the largest, Phi Phi Don, is inhabited: two jungle-covered limestone massifs joined by a narrow, flat isthmus where Tonsai village, the ferry pier and most guesthouses squeeze between two bays. There are no roads and no cars. You walk, take a longtail boat, or let a porter push your suitcase on a cart.

A few kilometres south, Phi Phi Leh is a ring of sheer cliffs enclosing Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and the Viking Cave. It is uninhabited and protected as part of the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, so you visit it by boat during the day only.

Phi Phi is busy, beautiful and occasionally exhausting. Day-trippers from Phuket and Krabi crowd the famous spots between about 10:00 and 15:00. Stay overnight, get up early and you will see a very different place. Our day trip or overnight guide explains why.

Province
Krabi, southern Thailand
Main island
Phi Phi Don (inhabited)
Famous for
Maya Bay, the Viewpoint, snorkelling
Closest hubs
Phuket (about 1–2 h by boat), Krabi (1–2 h)
Best months
December to April
Island fee
20 THB on arrival at Tonsai Pier
Currency
Thai baht (THB)

Islands

Limestone, lagoons and a famous film set

Phi Phi Don is where you sleep; Phi Phi Leh and the outlying islets are where you spend your days on the water.

IslandsPhi Phi DonThe main island: Tonsai village, beaches and viewpoints. IslandsPhi Phi LehCliffs, lagoons and Maya Bay: the boat-trip island. IslandsMaya BayOpening hours, closure, fees and the no-swimming rule. IslandsPileh LagoonAn emerald lagoon inside the cliffs, made for swimming. IslandsViking CaveSwiftlet nests and old paintings, seen from the boat. IslandsBamboo IslandFlat, white and ringed by reef: the best sand around. IslandsMosquito IslandRocky neighbour of Bamboo, with good snorkelling.
Explore the section

Beaches

Nine beaches, nine different moods

From the party sand of Loh Dalum to the hushed north at Laem Tong, the beach you base yourself on shapes your whole trip.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins show approximate locations.

  1. Loh Dalum BeachThe famous bay behind the village: lazy days, wild nights.
  2. Tonsai BeachThe harbour beach in front of the village.
  3. Long BeachSoft sand, clear water and a view of Phi Phi Leh.
  4. Monkey BeachA small cove with resident macaques. Watch, don't feed.
  5. Laem Tong BeachThe quiet, upmarket north with the best swimming.
  6. Loh Bagao BeachA secluded east-coast bay for peace and quiet.
  7. Ranti BayHammocks, coral and a jungle hike from the Viewpoint.
  8. Loh Moo DeeA wild, uncrowded beach near Long Beach.
  9. Nui BayA tiny hidden cove, perfect by kayak.

Things to do

Climb, paddle, dive, repeat

The classic Phi Phi day starts with a sunrise hike, continues with a longtail boat tour and ends with a fire show on the beach.

Things to doPhi Phi ViewpointThe island's signature view over the twin bays. Things to doBoat toursLongtail and speedboat tours compared, with prices. Things to doSnorkellingThe best spots from the shore and by boat. Things to doDivingCourses and fun dives at Bida Nok, walls and wrecks. Things to doKayakingPaddle to Monkey Beach, Nui Bay and secret coves. Things to doNightlifeFire shows, beach bars and quieter evening spots.

Best time to visit

Sun from December, storms from May

Phi Phi sits on the Andaman coast, so it follows the southwest monsoon. The dry, calm season runs from about December to April, with flat seas and the best visibility for snorkelling.

From May to October the rain arrives in heavy bursts, boats are cancelled more often and Maya Bay closes completely from 1 August to 30 September. Prices drop, though, and the island is much quieter.

Best time to visit
Phi Phi weather by monthRainfall Avg. high
33°50Jan 34°24Feb 34°81Mar 34°135Apr 33°237May 33°249Jun 32°240Jul 32°309Aug 32°350Sep 32°336Oct 32°178Nov 32°82Dec

Average daily high and monthly rainfall. Source: WMO climate normals 1991-2020 for Phuket, the nearest long-term weather station (about 45 km away). Sea temperature is a rounded long-term average. Click a month for details.

How to get there

There is no airport. Here is how you arrive.

All boats land at Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don. Fly into Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV), then take a ferry or speedboat. Details in our getting there guide.

From PhuketFerry about 2 h · speedboat about 1 hRassada Pier · from about 600 THB From Krabi & Ao NangFerry about 1.5–2 hKlong Jilad or Nopparat Thara Pier · from about 450 THB From Koh LantaFerry about 1–1.5 hSaladan Pier · mainly November to April

Itineraries

How many days do you need?

1The day tripPhi Phi Leh by speedboat from Phuket or Krabi. Beautiful, but busy and rushed. 2One nightSunset at the Viewpoint and Maya Bay at opening time, before the crowds. 3The sweet spotAdd Bamboo Island, Long Beach and a dive or snorkel trip. 5Slow Phi PhiMove to a quiet beach, learn to dive, climb, kayak to Monkey Beach.

Where to stay

Where you sleep matters more than what you book

Tonsai and Loh Dalum are convenient but loud at night. Long Beach, Laem Tong and Loh Bagao are calm, with fewer restaurants. Start with our area guide.

Where to stayLuxury resortsPool villas and beachfront resorts in the quiet north. Where to stayMid-range hotelsComfortable rooms near the village or on Long Beach. Where to stayBudget stays & hostelsDorms, guesthouses and simple bungalows. Where to stayFamily-friendly hotelsResorts with pools, calm beaches and quiet nights.

Guides

Know before you go

GuidesNational park rules & feesWhat is allowed, what is not and what it costs. GuidesPhi Phi vs other islandsPhi Phi, Koh Lanta, Railay and Phuket compared. GuidesSafetySea, sun, tsunami routes, nights out and scams. GuidesHistory & the 2004 tsunamiSea nomads, The Beach and the tsunami. Plan your tripCosts & budgetWhat things really cost on Phi Phi in 2026. Plan your tripPhi Phi with kidsFamily-friendly beaches, hotels and boat trips.

Frequently asked questions

Is Maya Bay open in 2026?

Yes, except for the annual closure from 1 August to 30 September, when the bay rests during the monsoon. When open, boats land at Loh Samah Bay on the back side of Phi Phi Leh and you walk to the beach on a boardwalk. Swimming is not allowed. See Maya Bay.

How much does it cost to visit Phi Phi?

Everyone arriving at Tonsai Pier pays a 20 THB island fee. Visiting Maya Bay and the national park islands costs 400 THB for foreign adults and 200 THB for children. Budget travellers can manage on about 1,500–2,000 THB a day; see Costs & budget.

Is one day on Phi Phi enough?

A day trip shows you Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay, but you will share them with thousands of others. Two or three nights let you see the islands early and late, when they are at their best. Read Day trip or overnight?.

Should I go from Phuket or Krabi?

Both work. Phuket has more flights and more boats; Krabi and Ao Nang are a little closer and usually a bit cheaper. If you are island-hopping, Phi Phi fits neatly between Phuket and Koh Lanta.

Are there cars or scooters on Phi Phi?

No. Phi Phi Don has no roads. You get around on foot, by longtail boat or water taxi, and luggage is moved on push carts. See Getting around.

Is Phi Phi good for families?

Yes, if you choose the right area. The quieter beaches in the north have family resorts and calm water, while Tonsai can be noisy at night. Read Phi Phi with kids.