Things to do in Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands sit in the Andaman Sea between Phuket and Krabi. Phi Phi Don is inhabited and has no cars, while Phi Phi Leh, where The Beach was filmed, is not. Every trip here starts at Tonsai Pier.

What the boats visit

• Maya Bay. The film location on Phi Phi Leh, closed from 2018 until early 2022 so the reef could recover. Rules on landing and swimming have changed since, so ask the crew what applies.
• Pileh Lagoon. A sheltered cove between limestone cliffs, and a good place to swim.
• Viking Cave. Swiftlets nest here, and their nests are harvested for soup.
• Monkey Beach. Long-tailed macaques, on the shore of Phi Phi Don.
• Bamboo Island. White sand and shallow water for snorkelling.
• Shark Point. Small reef sharks are common at the snorkelling spots.

Longtail or speedboat

Longtails are slow, quiet and cheaper, and the half-day run takes about five hours. Speedboats cover more stops in around seven.

• Sunrise. A speedboat leaves at 06:00, with Maya Bay first on the route.
• Sunset. Boats leave between 11:30 and 15:15 and stay out after dark. On a good night the plankton glow when you swim.
• Private longtail. Priced for one or two adults, and it ends with the sunset.

None of these collect you in Phuket or Krabi, so they suit anyone sleeping on Phi Phi Don.

Practical

• Weather. Daytime highs hold at 31C to 33C all year. November to April is calm and dry. September and October bring over 300 millimetres of rain a month, and rough seas can cancel trips.
• Getting here. The ferry from Phuket or Krabi takes about two hours.
• Park fee. The national park charges from 400 baht a person, and some trips include it while others do not. Carry cash.
• Swimming. Life jackets and snorkel gear come with the trip, but you do need to swim.
• Sun. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof bag for phones.