Phi Phi Islands
A cluster of limestone islands in the Andaman Sea, famous for Maya Bay from the film 'The Beach' and the cliff-ringed turquoise waters of Pileh Lagoon.
Phi Phi Islands right now · July
Coming up
- 💦SongkranApr 13–Apr 15in ~37 weeks
Travel videos from Phi Phi Islands
Videos belong to their respective creators
Phi Phi Islands travel vlog — where we stayed, activities, prices
▶ Morgan Venn
Exploring Phi Phi Islands — a day trip from Phuket
▶ HollyCaputoWanderlust
Phi Phi Islands 4K drone footage
▶ Escape Pulse 4K
Koh Phi Phi 4K aerial drone footage
▶ Travel Penguin
Scenes of Phi Phi Islands
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Top spots
- 1
Maya Bay
The cove made famous by the film 'The Beach' — now entered via a boardwalk from Loh Samah Bay, with swimming banned.
2Phi Phi Viewpoint
A hilltop lookout above Tonsai Village, overlooking both Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays.
3Monkey Beach
A small beach home to wild long-tailed macaques — a short longtail-boat ride away.
4Bamboo Island
An uninhabited island with some of the Phi Phi area's best coral for snorkeling.
5Pileh Lagoon
A near-enclosed turquoise lagoon ringed by limestone cliffs — swim and snorkel straight off the boat.
6Loh Dalum Bay
The shallow bay opposite Tonsai — Phi Phi's nightlife hub, with beach bars and fire shows.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
When to visit Phi Phi Islands
Best months & festivals — filled = recommended
☀️Peak dry season
The busiest and priciest window.
🌊Calmest seas
Also the clearest visibility.
🌧️Monsoon season
Watch for boat cancellations and Maya Bay's seasonal closure.
Key events & festivals
- 💦
SongkranApr 13–Apr 15
The water-splashing New Year — celebrated especially big on nearby Phuket.
What to eat in Phi Phi Islands
Signature local dishes to try
🍲Tom yum goong
Hot-and-sour prawn soup — island versions often come loaded with extra seafood.
🍜Pad Thai
Tangy tamarind-sauced stir-fried noodles — a beachfront-restaurant staple.
🥗Som tam
Sour-spicy green papaya salad — a bright counterpart to grilled seafood.
🦐Kung yang (grilled prawns)
Charcoal-grilled fresh prawns — a signature of the beachfront food stalls at Tonsai and Loh Dalum.
About Phi Phi Islands
- 🌤️ Best season
- Dry season Nov–Apr, driest in Feb. Rainy season May–Oct, with possible boat cancellations Aug–Oct — the opposite pattern to Gulf-side Koh Samui.
- ⛴️ Getting there
- No airport — reached by ferry (1.5–2 hrs) from Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV); Krabi is slightly closer.
- 🚶 Getting around
- No cars or motorbikes — the island is walkable, and longtail boats reach the outlying beaches.
- 🕒 Time & currency
- Indochina Time (UTC+7). Currency: Thai baht (THB).
Tips & hidden gems
💡 Maya Bay: no swimming, capped entry
Boats now moor at Loh Samah Bay and visitors walk in — swimming is banned and visits are capped at ~1 hour. Closed roughly Aug 1–Oct 1 for ecological rest.
💡 Visit the viewpoint at sunrise or sunset
A 30–45 min staircase climb from Tonsai Village rewards you with the iconic view over both bays.
💡 Decide day-trip vs. overnight
Maya Bay, Pileh and Bamboo Island are commonly bundled into a day tour — but staying overnight lets you enjoy Loh Dalum after the day-trippers leave.
💡 Loh Dalum by night, Phi Phi Leh by day
Loh Dalum Bay is the lively nightlife hub with fire shows; Phi Phi Leh is a day-use-only conservation area with no swimming — also watch for jellyfish.
Travel essentials
Payments, transport, connectivity and safety — before you go
Payments
Cards and PromptPay QR in cities; cash for street stalls and rural areas.
Getting around
Grab and Bolt dominate; great for airport transfers.
SIM / eSIM
Tourist SIMs (AIS/True) at airports; eSIM available.
Plugs & voltage
Types A/B/C, 220V.
Tipping
Not required, but rounding up or 20–50 baht is appreciated.
Tap water
Don't drink the tap water — buy bottled.
Safety
Generally safe; watch for scams and pickpockets in tourist spots.
Suggested routes
Classic boat tour — full day
~1 day / speedboat
The standard day-tour combination of Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island.
- 1Maya Bay (via the boardwalk)
The cove made famous by the film 'The Beach' — now entered via a boardwalk from Loh Samah Bay, with swimming banned.
- 2Swim & snorkel at Pileh Lagoon
A near-enclosed turquoise lagoon ringed by limestone cliffs — swim and snorkel straight off the boat.
- 3Snorkel & lunch at Bamboo Island
An uninhabited island with some of the Phi Phi area's best coral for snorkeling.
Phi Phi Don on foot — half day
~half day / walking only
No boat needed — the viewpoint hike and Tonsai Village on foot.
- 1Hike to Phi Phi Viewpoint
A hilltop lookout above Tonsai Village, overlooking both Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays.
- 2Swim at Loh Dalum Bay
The shallow bay opposite Tonsai — Phi Phi's nightlife hub, with beach bars and fire shows.
- 3Dinner & shopping in Tonsai Village
Overnight Phi Phi escape
1–2 days / ferry & longtail
Ferry in from Phuket or Krabi and stay overnight for a fuller experience.
- 1Ferry arrival at Tonsai Pier
- 2Snorkel at Monkey Beach
A small beach home to wild long-tailed macaques — a short longtail-boat ride away.
- 3Sunset at the viewpoint, then Loh Dalum by night
A hilltop lookout above Tonsai Village, overlooking both Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays.
Live highlights
Live cameras for Phi Phi Islands are coming soon.
Plan your trip to Phi Phi Islands
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