The Phi Phi Islands lie in Krabi province, across open water to the south-east of Phuket, and they are the most famous day trip on the island. There are two main islands. Phi Phi Don is the inhabited one, with the village of Ton Sai, ferry piers and hotels on a narrow sandy isthmus. Phi Phi Leh is a protected, uninhabited ring of limestone cliffs, and it holds the sights everyone comes for: the emerald Pileh Lagoon, enclosed by sheer rock walls; the Viking Cave, where swiftlet nests are collected; and Maya Bay, made famous by the 2000 film The Beach and now one of Thailand’s best-managed marine sites. Maya Bay closes every year in August and September to let the reef recover, and it reopened on 1 October 2026, so from November the full itinerary is back. The Tiqets tour we link is an eight-hour speedboat trip with hotel transfers, breakfast, lunch, soft drinks and snorkel gear, and it adds two quieter islands, Khai and Bamboo, where the water is shallow and clear. It is a long, busy day, but it is the easiest way to see the best of Phi Phi from a Phuket base.
How it works: the operator, SiamScapeJourneys (Oh-Hoo), collects you from hotels in Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Bang Tao and Surin and drives you to the pier. The speedboat first stops at Khai Island for a swim, then Bamboo Island for lunch and beach time, Monkey Beach, the Pileh Lagoon for snorkelling with a look at the Viking Cave, and finally Maya Bay. Snorkel gear, a kayak, life jackets and accident insurance are included. The national park fee is not: it is paid in cash on the day, with a lower rate for children, so carry Thai baht. You can cancel for free up to twenty-four hours ahead.
What to expect at Maya Bay: boats no longer pull up on the sand. They moor at a pontoon in Loh Samah Bay on the far side, and you walk five to ten minutes along a wooden boardwalk to the beach. Swimming in the bay is forbidden, and you may only wade to knee depth, because blacktip reef sharks use the shallows as a nursery. Entry runs in timed groups with a cap on visitor numbers, so your stay on the beach is usually around an hour. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone and similar reef-damaging ingredients are banned in Thai marine parks, so pack a reef-safe one.
Making the most of it: the crossing can be bumpy even in high season, so sit towards the back of the boat and take a seasickness tablet if you are prone. Do not feed or approach the monkeys on Monkey Beach. Bring a dry bag, a towel, cash and a hat, and expect crowds at the Pileh Lagoon around midday. If you want more time on Phi Phi Don, consider staying a night there rather than doing a day trip.
What to expect
The experience
A guided speedboat day with hotel pickup that visits Khai Island, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, the Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave, and Maya Bay, with meals and snorkel gear included.
Best time
November to April, the dry high season, when seas are calmest and Maya Bay is open after its annual August and September closure.
How long
About eight hours door to door, including the hotel transfers and the boat crossing from Phuket.
Tips
Carry cash for the national park fee, pack reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag, and sit towards the back of the speedboat for a smoother ride.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want to see Maya Bay and the Phi Phi cliffs in a single, well-organised day.
- Families
- Good for children who swim and cope with boats, since the snorkel stops are shallow and life jackets are provided.
- Couples
- Bamboo Island’s white sand and the green water of the Pileh Lagoon make this the most romantic of the classic tours.
- Pair with
- Phang Nga Bay on another day for the limestone towers, then a slow evening in Old Phuket Town.
- Time needed
- A full day, so keep the evening light.
Good questions
Is Maya Bay open in November 2026?+
Yes. Maya Bay closed for its annual recovery period from 1 August to 30 September 2026 and reopened on 1 October, so November tours land visitors on the beach again.
Can you swim at Maya Bay?+
No. Swimming is banned to protect the reef and the young blacktip sharks in the shallows, and visitors may only wade to about knee depth.
Is the national park fee included in the Phi Phi tour?+
No, the Tiqets tour excludes it, and it is paid in cash on the day with a reduced rate for children. Keep Thai baht in your bag.
How rough is the boat ride to Phi Phi?+
The speedboat crossing takes about an hour each way and can be bumpy, even in high season. Sit near the back and take seasickness tablets if you need them.
Where does the tour pick up?+
Hotel pickup covers Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Bang Tao and Surin. The operator confirms your exact time, and you should be in the lobby at least ten minutes early.
