Koh Phi Phi sits between Phuket and Krabi in the Andaman Sea and its combination of sheer limestone karsts, clear water, and Maya Bay’s beach — made famous by the 2000 film The Beach — makes it one of the highest-demand day-trip destinations in Thailand. Most visitors arrive by organised tour from Phuket (45 minutes by speedboat) or Krabi (45 minutes from Ao Nang), joining an island circuit that covers multiple bays, snorkel stops, and the viewpoint hike in a single day. The island’s terrain makes guided tours the efficient option: there are no roads or cars on Phi Phi Don, distances between bays require boats, and Maya Bay on the separate Phi Phi Le island is only reachable by water.
We have mapped the top Koh Phi Phi tours and day trips by traveller type below. Prices are approximate in USD as of 2026; baht equivalents will vary with exchange rates.
Quick Comparison: Top Koh Phi Phi Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi Island Circuit by Speedboat | Full day | From $40 | First-timers |
| Sunrise Snorkel Tour (early departure) | Half day | From $30 | Couples, photographers |
| Day Trip from Phuket to Phi Phi | Full day | From $45 | Phuket-based travellers |
| Day Trip from Krabi/Ao Nang to Phi Phi | Full day | From $35 | Krabi-based travellers |
| Phi Phi & James Bond Island Combo | Full day | From $60 | Panoramic Andaman tour |
| Sunset Longtail Boat Tour | 2–3 hrs | From $20 | Couples, easy pace |
| Private Speedboat Charter | Full day | From $350 (group) | Families, groups |
For Island Circuit and Maya Bay
Phi Phi Island Circuit by Speedboat
The classic Phi Phi tour covers the full circuit of both Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le by speedboat, with multiple stops: Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le (the primary draw), Pileh Lagoon (a sheltered cove enclosed by limestone cliffs with turquoise water and no beach), Viking Cave (where swiftlets build nests harvested for bird’s nest soup, visible from the water), Monkey Beach (macaques congregate on the shoreline), and snorkelling at one or two reef sites. Lunch is included on most tours.
Duration: Full day (departure 07:30–08:00, return 16:00–17:00) | Price: from approximately $40 | Includes: speedboat, snorkelling equipment, guide, Thai buffet lunch | Best booked from: Phi Phi Don pier, Phuket (Rassada Pier), or Ao Nang (Krabi)
Maya Bay access note: speedboats may not anchor directly in Maya Bay — passengers transfer by dinghy or wade in from a short distance. Visitor numbers are managed by the national park authority; early-departure tours (07:30) reach the bay before the main crowd arrives at 10:00.
Sunrise Snorkel Tour
Departing by speedboat at 06:00–07:00, this half-day sunrise tour reaches Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon before the day-trip fleet arrives, then snorkels Hin Klang reef — on the south side of Phi Phi Le, away from the main traffic, where coral coverage is in better condition than the busier sites closer to the bay. The tour returns to Phi Phi Don by mid-morning, leaving the afternoon free.
Duration: Half day | Price: from approximately $30 | Includes: speedboat, snorkelling gear, small breakfast | Best for: couples wanting the bay without crowds; photographers shooting the cliffs in morning light
Day Trips from Phuket and Krabi
Day Trip from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi
Phuket-based travellers have the most operator options for Phi Phi. Speedboats from Rassada Pier on Phuket’s eastern coast reach Phi Phi Don in approximately 45 minutes. Full-day day trips from Phuket include the island circuit, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, Pileh Lagoon, and a snorkel stop, with a buffet lunch either on the beach at Phi Phi Don or served on board. The best operators pick up from major Phuket hotels.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately $45 | Includes: speedboat, hotel pickup in Phuket (most operators), snorkelling equipment, lunch | Departure: Rassada Pier approximately 08:00 | Return: approximately 17:00
Day Trip from Krabi/Ao Nang
Krabi is 45 minutes from Phi Phi by speedboat and slightly closer than Phuket to some of the island’s snorkel sites. Day trips from Ao Nang typically depart earlier than Phuket tours (07:30) and can reach Phi Phi Le’s south-side reefs at Hin Klang and Hin Bida before the day-trip traffic builds up. The Krabi-based itinerary sometimes includes Four Islands or Railay Beach as an additional stop.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately $35 | Includes: speedboat, snorkelling gear, lunch | Note: check whether the tour includes Ao Nang pier pickup or requires travel to Krabi Town
Combined Itinerary Tours
Phi Phi & James Bond Island Combo
Travelling around the Andaman Sea by speedboat allows combining Phi Phi with Phang Nga Bay’s James Bond Island (Ko Tapu) — the spike-shaped rock made famous by The Man with the Golden Gun — in a single full day. This combined speedboat tour departs Phuket, stops at Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le in the morning, then crosses to Phang Nga Bay in the afternoon for James Bond Island, the sea caves, and the floating Muslim fishing village of Ko Panyi. The distance is significant — this is a 10–11 hour day.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately $60 | Includes: speedboat, guide, snorkel stop at Phi Phi, James Bond Island entry, Thai lunch | Best for: travellers with only one Andaman day who want maximum coverage
Sunset and Evening Tours
Sunset Longtail Boat Tour
Long-tail boats from Phi Phi Don’s pier make 2–3 hour sunset circuits around the island’s bays, departing approximately 16:30–17:00. The tour visits Lo Dalum Bay (the sheltered bay on the north side of the village, with the limestone cliffs catching the evening light), Monkey Beach, and one or two quiet coves inaccessible to speedboats. Slower-paced than speedboat tours; closer to the water.
Duration: 2–3 hours | Price: from approximately $20 | Includes: longtail boat, driver/guide | Best for: couples, those who find speedboats uncomfortable, travellers already staying on Phi Phi who want a short evening experience
Private Charters
Private Speedboat Charter
For groups of 6–12, a private speedboat charter sets its own itinerary — typically the full island circuit at a relaxed pace, with extended time at Pileh Lagoon for swimming and snorkelling, and the option to anchor at a quiet beach for lunch rather than joining the tour boat crowd. Private charters can also access sites not on the standard route, including the south-facing reefs at Hin Klang and Hin Bida in good conditions.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately $350–500 for the boat (split across the group) | Includes: boat, captain, snorkelling equipment; lunch and fuel usually extra | Best for: families with children, groups who want flexibility over the standard tour pacing
Practical Information
Maya Bay access: The beach reopened in January 2022 after a 3.5-year environmental closure. Numbers are now managed — speedboats cannot anchor inside the bay, and visitor caps apply. The beach is open for swimming; coral in the bay is partially recovered but remains fragile. Avoid touching the reef.
Best season: November to April (Andaman dry season). Speedboat services are most reliable, visibility is best, and Maya Bay is calmer. May to October brings the southwest monsoon — some tour cancellations occur in rough weather, particularly June to August.
Sea sickness: Speedboats in the Andaman can be choppy, especially on the crossing between Phuket and Phi Phi in the afternoon when swell builds. Take motion sickness tablets before departure if sensitive, and request a seat near the boat’s centre.
What to wear and bring: Swimwear and a change of clothes, reef-safe sunscreen (required in national park waters), a dry bag for phone and electronics, water shoes for rocky beach landings, and a light jacket for the speedboat journey.
Browse all Koh Phi Phi tours and day trips
See also: Koh Phi Phi travel guide · Koh Lanta vs Koh Phi Phi · Phi Phi & James Bond Island tours · Best tours in Thailand