Ko Phi Phi (Phi Phi Islands)
Famous limestone-cliff archipelago in Krabi waters — turquoise bays, snorkelling and the Maya Bay of 'The Beach' fame, a classic Phuket day trip.
- Category
- Islands
- Entrance fee
- Islands free; Mu Ko Phi Phi / Maya Bay national park fee ~400 THB foreigners; day tours ~1,000–2,500 THB, as of 2026
- Hours
- Boat tours daytime; Maya Bay approx 07:00–17:00 (periodic closures)
- Best time
- Nov–Apr; go early to beat the tour crowds
- Time needed
- Full day
About Ko Phi Phi (Phi Phi Islands)
Phi Phi is genuinely stunning: turquoise bays hemmed by limestone cliffs, good snorkelling, and the Maya Bay made famous by 'The Beach'. It's the classic Phuket day trip and the scenery lives up to the hype.
The honest catch is that it's heavily overtouristed. Maya Bay was closed from 2018 to 2022 to let it recover and now runs with visitor caps and no-swim rules in places, which is a good thing but tells you how busy it gets.
The move is to go early or, better, stay overnight so you see it before or after the day-tour armada. Do that and it's magical; roll in at midday with everyone else and it can feel like a crowd management exercise.
Highlights
- Turquoise bays framed by dramatic limestone cliffs
- Maya Bay, made famous by 'The Beach'
- Good snorkelling in clear water
- A classic full-day trip from Phuket
Tips
- Go early or stay overnight to beat the day-tour crowds
- Maya Bay has visitor caps and no-swim zones; check current rules
- High season (Nov–Apr) is best for the water
- Speedboat is far faster than the ferry from Rassada Pier
How to get there
From Rassada Pier, Phuket Town: ferry ~1.5–2 h or speedboat ~50 min; most visit on an organised day tour.