Koh Phi Phi is two islands. Phi Phi Don is the larger one, where everyone stays: a narrow strip of sand between two bays, with a busy village, beach bars and limestone cliffs on either side. Phi Phi Leh, to the south, has no rooms and is visited by boat for Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon. There are no cars, so you walk or take a longtail boat. The island suits travellers who want snorkelling, a viewpoint hike and lively evenings. It is small and crowded in high season, so it suits less well if you want space or quiet, unless you stay on a beach away from the village.
Where should you stay on Koh Phi Phi?
All rooms are on Phi Phi Don. Choose between being in the middle of things and being a boat ride away.
| Area | What it is like | Getting there from the pier |
|---|---|---|
| Tonsai village | The main village by the pier, with shops, restaurants and dive shops | On foot |
| Loh Dalum | Across the isthmus from Tonsai; shallow water by day and the main nightlife beach after dark | A short walk |
| Long Beach | Wider and quieter, with clear water and views of Phi Phi Leh | About 20–30 min on foot, or a short longtail ride |
| Laem Tong | A beach in the north, away from the village | About 30–40 min by longtail |
| Loh Bagao | A sheltered bay on the north-east side | About 20–30 min by longtail |
If you stay near Loh Dalum, expect noise from the bars late into the night.
How do you get to Koh Phi Phi?
There is no airport, so everyone arrives by boat at Tonsai Pier. The usual route from Bangkok is a flight to Phuket or Krabi, then a ferry.
- From Phuket: ferries leave Rassada Pier, which is about 40–55 minutes from Phuket airport. The fastest boats take about an hour and slower ferries about two hours. Sailings run from about 9am to 5pm.
- From Krabi: ferries leave Klong Jilad Pier, about 30 minutes from Krabi airport, and take about one to two hours. Most sailings leave between 9am and mid-afternoon.
- From Ao Nang and Railay: boats run from Nopparat Thara pier near Ao Nang and from Railay East.
- From Koh Lanta: speedboats run year-round. Slower ferries run only from November to April.
Book a day ahead in December and January, when ferries fill up.
How do you get around Koh Phi Phi?
Phi Phi Don has no cars, so most places in the village are within walking distance. Longtail boats work as taxis to the outer beaches, costing roughly 100–400 baht depending on the distance.
What are the best things to do on Koh Phi Phi?
- Walk to the viewpoint. The climb starts behind the village and takes about 25 minutes at a steady pace, with steep stairs. It looks over Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays. A small entry fee is charged near the top. Go early in the morning or near sunset, and bring water.
- Visit Phi Phi Leh by boat. Longtail and speedboat trips go to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, where swimming and snorkelling are allowed. Book on the island so you can check the weather and crowds first.
- Snorkel at Bamboo Island. North of the main islands, with white sand and clear, shallow water that suits beginners.
- See Monkey Beach. A small cove on Phi Phi Don, reached by kayak or longtail. The macaques can be aggressive if fed or approached, so keep your visit short and your bags closed.
Early boats tend to be quieter, with calmer water and better visibility.
What are the rules at Maya Bay?
Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Leh, was closed from 2018 to 2022 to let the reef recover. It reopened with strict rules:
- No swimming. You may wade up to your knees at the shoreline. The bay is home to blacktip reef sharks.
- No boats in the bay. Boats moor at a pontoon in Loh Samah Bay, at the back of the island, and you walk a short boardwalk to the beach.
- Limited time. The beach is open from about 7am to 6pm, numbers are capped at up to 375 people an hour, and groups usually get about an hour.
- Annual closure. Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September, along with Loh Samah and Loh Ko. In 2026 it reopened on 1 October.
Go early, between about 7am and 9am, before most day-trip boats from Phuket arrive.
When is the best time to visit Koh Phi Phi?
The best months are November to April, with the busiest period from December to February. Book rooms two to three months ahead for that peak. The rainy season runs from May to October, with the most rain around September. It brings swell, rougher crossings and fewer boats, and ferries may be cancelled or delayed when the sea is rough, especially from June to September. Build a spare day into your plans.
What should you know before you go?
- Carry cash. You pay a 20 baht cleaning fee in cash at Tonsai Pier on arrival, and many small businesses do not take cards. ATMs in Tonsai charge foreign cards about 250–350 baht.
- Budget for the park fee. Trips to Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island are in Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Foreign adults pay 400 baht and children 200 baht. Check whether your tour includes it.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC or butylparaben are banned in Thai national parks, with fines of up to 100,000 baht.
Tip: if you want sleep as well as a night out, stay on Long Beach or further north and take a longtail into the village for the evening.
Facts checked October 2026. Ferry times and fares are approximate and change with the season and sea conditions; check timetables before you travel. Maya Bay rules, closures and national park fees are set by the park and can change.
Sources
Discover Thailand · Islands Edition
Every island, in one book.
The Islands Edition covers the Andaman and Gulf islands in depth, with ferry routes, beach maps and which coast to pick in each month. Leave your email and we will tell you the day it launches.
Notify me at launch
