Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide: Maya Bay and Island Life

A guide to Koh Phi Phi — Maya Bay, snorkelling, the viewpoint hike, and how to visit from Phuket or Krabi.

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. Ferries sell out in high season — book Phuket–Phi Phi–Krabi tickets in advance.

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.

Where to stay

Budget: PP Princess Resort (Ton Sai village, approximately ฿700–1,500/night) — Centrally located for the village, restaurants, and boat piers. Fan-cooled and air-conditioned rooms. The most established budget property in Ton Sai and the default choice for divers and day-trip operators who want proximity over quiet.

Mid-range: Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort (Laem Tong Bay, approximately ฿3,500–7,000/night) — On the quietest bay on the island’s north coast, accessible by longtail from Ton Sai (approximately 20 minutes). Genuinely removed from the nightlife. The bay has good snorkelling and a calmer beach than anything on the Ton Sai side. The best mid-range choice for travellers who want to stay on the island without the late-night noise.

Upscale: Zeavola (Laem Tong, approximately ฿6,000–15,000/night) — 52 Thai-style cottages set in a coconut grove at the northern tip of the island. The most design-considered property on Phi Phi, with a reputation for service that stands apart from the Ton Sai village options. Accessible by resort longtail from the main pier.

Budget tip: Long Beach (Hat Yao) bungalows — The best balance of quiet and affordability on the island. Approximately ฿800–2,000/night, 15 minutes by longtail from Ton Sai pier. The beach is calmer, the atmosphere is quieter, and the snorkelling at the rocky end of the bay is better than Hat Yao’s reputation suggests.

Prices listed are approximate as of 2026; high season (December to February, and July to August) sees rates at the upper end of the ranges across all property types.

Where to eat

Papaya Restaurant (Ton Sai village) — One of the longest-running Thai restaurants on the island. Green curry, massaman, and pad kra pao at straightforward prices. Approximately ฿150–300 per person. A reliable choice in the village when the beach BBQ stalls are not what is needed.

Le Grand Bleu (Ton Sai) — The most consistently recommended restaurant for fresh seafood. Lobster, sea bass, and whole snapper grilled to order. Better sourcing than most of the beach bar-restaurants, with a more considered wine and cocktail list. Approximately ฿400–800 per person — the best option for a proper dinner on the island.

Pee Pee Bakery (Ton Sai) — Open from 7am. Fresh pastries, good filter coffee, and the cheapest sit-down breakfast in the village at approximately ฿80–200 per person. Popular before early-morning boat departures and dive trips.

Lo Dalum Bay beach bars — Evening BBQ stations set up at sunset along the Lo Dalum beach road, with grilled prawns, corn, and sausages for ฿100–200 per plate. Worth stopping for the atmosphere and the bay view rather than the food quality — the setting at dusk, with the limestone karsts catching the last light over the bay, is the point.