The Phi Phi Islands are Phuket's best-known day out at sea: limestone cliffs rising from turquoise water, enclosed bays, snorkelling and the famous Maya Bay on the small island of Phi Phi Leh. They lie about 40 to 50 km offshore, in Krabi province, and are visited as a day trip from Phuket by speedboat or large boat. The prices below are ranges found on booking sites and with operators in October 2026: confirm the price and what it includes when you book.
Highlights
Maya Bay
Ringed by tall cliffs, this is the bay from the film "The Beach". It closes every year from 1 August to 30 September to let the coral recover (check the dates for the current year). Since it reopened, swimming in the bay is not allowed and boats dock at a pier at the back of the island: you walk on the beach but do not swim there.
Phi Phi Leh and its lagoons
The trip usually circles the small island: Pileh Lagoon, Viking Bay and coves where you stop to swim with mask and snorkel. The cliffs hold caves where swiftlets nest.
The Phi Phi Don viewpoint
On the larger, inhabited island, a climb of about half an hour leads to the viewpoint over the twin bays of Ton Sai village. Some trips leave free time on Phi Phi Don for lunch or the climb; others only stop at sea.
Practical info
Tips
- According to online booking offers found in October 2026, a shared speedboat costs about 50 to 80 USD per adult for the day, lunch included; a private boat costs far more (several hundred euros per person in some offers). The national park fee is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child: some tours include it, others charge it separately at the pier. Also check the hotel transfer and extras (mask, drinks). Bring reef-friendly sunscreen, a towel, a dry change of clothes, cash and seasickness tablets: the crossing can be rough. Do not touch or feed the fish. Speedboats are fast but noisy and crowded; a large boat is slower and often calmer.
How to get there
From Phuket (Chalong or Rassada pier), by boat only. Most operators include hotel pick-up (sometimes with a surcharge depending on the beach) and a transfer to the pier; the crossing takes about an hour by speedboat, longer by large boat. Book the day before, or earlier from December to February.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
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