Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide: Maya Bay and Island Life

Koh Phi Phi at a glance

The Phi Phi archipelago consists of two main islands: Phi Phi Don (inhabited, the tourist island) and Phi Phi Le (uninhabited, containing Maya Bay). They are 45 minutes by speedboat from Phuket and 1.5 hours from Krabi. Despite heavy visitor numbers, the natural setting — limestone karsts rising from turquoise water — is genuinely exceptional.

Phi Phi Don’s only flat land is a double-bay village (Ton Sai bay on one side, Lo Dalum bay on the other) about 300 metres wide. Everything on the island is within walking distance of the village. There are no roads, no cars, and no motorbikes — only the village paths and boat access.

Maya Bay (Koh Phi Phi Le)

The beach made famous by the 2000 film “The Beach” (filmed with DiCaprio). The bay is enclosed by limestone cliffs on three sides with a small beach at the base. Snorkelling around the bay’s perimeter has good fish density and some coral.

Access: day trips only (you cannot stay overnight on Phi Phi Le — it’s a national park). Speedboats from Phi Phi Don or direct from Phuket/Krabi stop here as part of a multi-bay circuit. The bay gets crowded by late morning; early trips (depart 7–8am) see it quieter.

The Phi Phi viewpoint

A 20-minute hike from the village (steep stairs and paths through the forest). The view from the top — looking down on the narrow island with both bays visible simultaneously — is the iconic Phi Phi photograph. Best at sunrise (5:30–6:30am) or late afternoon. Entry: ฿30.

Snorkelling

The waters around Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le have varied reef quality — some areas damaged by coral bleaching events and historical boat anchor damage, others well-recovered. The best snorkelling is at Hin Klang and Hin Bida on the south side of Phi Phi Le, away from the main tour boat traffic. Snorkel tours from Phi Phi Don pier: ฿400–700 half-day.

Ton Sai village

The sole village on Phi Phi Don. Dense with guesthouses, restaurants, tour operators, souvenir shops, and bars. The nightlife is oriented toward backpackers and is active until late. If nightlife is not the goal, choose guesthouses on the quieter north coast or east coast — accessible by longtail from Ton Sai.

Practical information

Getting there — Speedboat from Rassada Pier (Phuket): 45 minutes, ฿700–900. Ferry from Phuket: 2 hours, ฿450. Speedboat from Krabi/Ao Nang: 45 minutes, ฿800–1,000.

Day trip or stay — Day trips from Phuket or Krabi: ฿1,200–2,000 including the island circuit, Maya Bay, and snorkelling. These depart 7:30–8am, return 4–5pm.

Accommodation — The range runs from budget fan-cooled dorms (฿300–500) to mid-range cliff-side bungalows (฿2,000–5,000). The best positioned properties are on the quieter bays (Long Beach, Laem Tong) accessible by longtail from Ton Sai.

Best time — November to April (Andaman dry season). Rough weather May–October reduces boat services and closes some beaches.