Can I stay overnight on the Phi Phi Islands?

Yes. Phi Phi Don (the main island) has many hotels, hostels, and resorts. If you stay overnight, you’ll experience the islands without the daytime tour crowds. Ferries and speedboats run from Phuket or Krabi to Phi Phi Don, typically with the last ones leaving around 3–4 PM.

Can visitors swim at Maya Bay now?

No, swimming is not allowed at Maya Bay since its post-rehabilitation reopening. Boats stop at a floating pier and visitors can walk on the beach for about an hour. You’ll be required to wear a life jacket when in the water near the boat, and rangers ensure no one swims in the bay to protect the recovering coral and wildlife.

Phuket

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Phi Phi Islands

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Phuket: Phi Phi Islands

4.5(2868)

8–10 hours

Krabi Province

Operating Hours:Monday - Sunday: Open 24 hours

The Vibe:Towering cliffs, turquoise bays, and beach party nights 🎉

Once a sleepy hideaway, these islands shot to fame after a Hollywood movie showcased Maya Bay’s perfect beach. Today this island group represents Thailand’s tropical fantasy, where dramatic cliffs meet neon-blue seas.
Speedboats buzz over turquoise reefs as colorful fish dart below. By day, the scent of sea breeze and coconut sunscreen fills the air; by night, drumbeats and laughter echo from starlit beach bars.

Maya Bay featured in “The Beach” (2000) film, cementing its legendary status
Maya Bay’s eco-closure (2018–2022) hailed as a success in sustainable tourism
Travelers’ Choice 2023: Rated among Asia’s top island destinations

Persona Fit

👨‍👩‍👧 Families: Fun snorkeling and beach stops for kids (though speedboat rides can be bumpy for toddlers)
💕 Couples: Idyllic beaches and sunset views make for a dreamy getaway
👵 Seniors: Spectacular sights accessible via boat, but expect some steps on sand and transfers; consider a ferry for a smoother ride
🎒 Backpackers: Lively hostel scene and nightly parties on Phi Phi Don for those seeking social vibes

Highlights

Maya Bay — Picture-perfect cove from “The Beach,” now protected (limited visitors, no swimming)
Phi Phi Viewpoint — Short hike on Phi Phi Don rewards you with a panoramic vista of twin bays
Coral reef snorkeling — Dive into crystal waters at Pileh Lagoon or off Bamboo Island to spot clownfish and coral gardens
Monkey Beach — Meet wild macaques on a tucked-away beach (keep a safe distance and your snacks hidden!)
Tonsai Village nightlife — After dusk, fire shows and music light up the main beach on Phi Phi Don
Bamboo Island — Hidden Gem: Uncrowded island with powdery white sands and shallow azure waters for a relaxing swim

3 Booking Options

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Phuket Local Expert

Tom Vater

10+ years of experience

Overview

Persona Fit

Highlights

Choose Best Products

Plan Your Visit (FAQ’s)

Know Your Facts

Food & Coffee Shops

Insider Tips

Photography Tips

Things To Do Nearby

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Phi Phi, Maya Bay, & Khai Islands Premium Trip from Phuket

4.2 (737)

8-9 hrs

Partial Refund on Cancellation

Covers all the must-sees: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, and more
Exclusive stop at Khai Island for beach relaxation and extra snorkeling
Small group speedboat tour with experienced guides for a personalized touch
Included buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don and fresh fruit snacks to keep you energized

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Phi Phi, Maya Bay & Khai Islands Speedboat Tour from Phuket

4.2 (910)

9-12 hrs

Partial Refund on Cancellation

Efficient day trip to Phi Phi’s highlights by speedboat
Stops at Maya Bay (for photos), Phi Phi Don (buffet lunch), and snorkeling spots
Monkey Beach visit to see resident monkeys from the boat
Round-trip hotel transfers and all fees included for a hassle-free adventure

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Best of Phi Phi Islands Snorkeling Tour from Phuket

4.6 (332)

10 hrs

Partial Refund on Cancellation

Focused on snorkeling – multiple swim stops at Phi Phi’s clearest reefs
Quality snorkel gear provided, with an in-water guide to help and point out marine life
Also includes a visit to Maya Bay and Phi Phi Don so you don’t miss the main sights
Smaller group size for a more intimate experience and less crowded water time

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Plan Your Visit

Getting There & Entrances

Amenities

Phuket/Krabi Access: Regular ferries (1.5–2 hours) and speedboats (45–60 min) connect to Phi Phi Don; tour packages handle transport and drop you at Tonsai Pier
Arrival: All visitors pay a 20 THB cash island cleanliness fee at Tonsai Pier upon landing (collected to keep Phi Phi clean)
No cars: Phi Phi Don has no roads – expect to walk or take longtail boats to get around the island. Pack light if staying overnight.

Food & Coffee Shops

Papaya Restaurant: Famous in Tonsai for delicious Thai curries (try the Massaman curry – and note their wall of carved wooden cats!)

Anna’s Restaurant: Traveler-favorite spot in Tonsai serving Thai and Western comfort food with friendly service

Papaya Restaurant: Famous in Tonsai for delicious Thai curries (try the Massaman curry – and note their wall of carved wooden cats!)

Anna’s Restaurant: Traveler-favorite spot in Tonsai serving Thai and Western comfort food with friendly service

Insider Tips

Best Time: November to March for the calmest seas; if you can, take a sunrise tour to reach Maya Bay before the crowds and heat

Hack: Staying overnight on Phi Phi Don? Visit Maya Bay with a local longtail boat early in the morning (around 7 AM) – you’ll enjoy it virtually tourist-free

Hidden Gem: Catch the sunset from Phi Phi Viewpoint or at peaceful Long Beach – most day-trippers are gone, and the island quiets down

Optional tip: Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine life – it’s actually required by some tours and better for those vibrant corals you’ll be seeing

Best Time: November to March for the calmest seas; if you can, take a sunrise tour to reach Maya Bay before the crowds and heat

Hack: Staying overnight on Phi Phi Don? Visit Maya Bay with a local longtail boat early in the morning (around 7 AM) – you’ll enjoy it virtually tourist-free

Hidden Gem: Catch the sunset from Phi Phi Viewpoint or at peaceful Long Beach – most day-trippers are gone, and the island quiets down

Optional tip: Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine life – it’s actually required by some tours and better for those vibrant corals you’ll be seeing

Photography Tips

Restriction or rule: Drones are prohibited around national park sites like Maya Bay without a permit, and on Phi Phi Don village they may bother visitors – fly with caution or not at all

Best time/light: Sunrise over Maya Bay paints the cliffs gold and the beaches empty; for the viewpoint, late afternoon gives a balanced light on both bays

Angle or vantage point: Get a classic shot of longtail boats floating in azure water against the limestone backdrop at Loh Samah Bay or from the sandbar of Bamboo Island

Storage/service availability: Bring a waterproof pouch for your phone/camera on boats. Power banks help too – salty air can drain battery and there are limited charging spots out at sea

Restriction or rule: Drones are prohibited around national park sites like Maya Bay without a permit, and on Phi Phi Don village they may bother visitors – fly with caution or not at all

Best time/light: Sunrise over Maya Bay paints the cliffs gold and the beaches empty; for the viewpoint, late afternoon gives a balanced light on both bays

Angle or vantage point: Get a classic shot of longtail boats floating in azure water against the limestone backdrop at Loh Samah Bay or from the sandbar of Bamboo Island

Storage/service availability: Bring a waterproof pouch for your phone/camera on boats. Power banks help too – salty air can drain battery and there are limited charging spots out at sea

Things To Do Nearby

Phuket Old Town — Before or after Phi Phi, explore Phuket’s cultural side: colorful colonial-era buildings, cafes, and night markets

Railay Beach — If headed to Krabi next, don’t miss this mainland gem with dramatic cliffs and caves; reachable via ferry through Krabi

Koh Lanta — Laid-back larger island south of Phi Phi with quiet beaches and diving, accessible by ferry if you’re continuing your island-hopping adventure

Phuket Old Town — Before or after Phi Phi, explore Phuket’s cultural side: colorful colonial-era buildings, cafes, and night markets

Railay Beach — If headed to Krabi next, don’t miss this mainland gem with dramatic cliffs and caves; reachable via ferry through Krabi

Koh Lanta — Laid-back larger island south of Phi Phi with quiet beaches and diving, accessible by ferry if you’re continuing your island-hopping adventure