Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay in Phuket and Phi Phi Islands
Part of the Phuket and Phi Phi Islands travel guide — see every topic in All Phuket and Phi Phi Islands Guides.
The Phi Phi Islands sit between Phuket and Krabi, about 45 to 90 minutes by boat from Phuket. Phi Phi Don is the larger island, with hotels, shops and the main pier at Tonsai. Phi Phi Leh is smaller and has no hotels. It is home to Maya Bay, the famous beach from the film The Beach. Both islands are inside Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, so there are rules and fees. This guide explains how to go and what to expect.
Maya Bay rules
Maya Bay was closed for almost four years, from 2018 to 2022, because too many boats and visitors had damaged the coral. Today it is open again, but with strict rules. Boats can no longer park on the beach. They stop at a pier at Loh Samah Bay on the back side of the island, and you walk to the beach on a boardwalk. Swimming in Maya Bay is not allowed. You may only wade up to your knees. Visits are short, often about one hour. Some sun creams with chemicals that harm coral are banned in national parks, so use a reef-safe brand.
The yearly closure
Maya Bay closes every year for two months, usually from 1 August to 30 September. This gives the coral and the beach time to recover during the rough monsoon season. In 2026 the bay reopened on 1 October. During the closure, Phi Phi tours still run, but boats cannot enter Maya Bay. You can only see it from the water outside. The park can also close the bay on other days if the sea is too rough. Before you book, check the national park's latest notice and ask your boat company if Maya Bay is on the plan for your date.
Day trip or overnight
Most people visit Phi Phi on a day tour from Phuket by speedboat or big boat. A typical tour stops at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave from the outside, Monkey Beach and a snorkel spot. The park fee is usually paid on the boat or at the pier. Day tours are easy, but every boat arrives at the same famous places in the middle of the day. If you want quiet, stay one or two nights on Phi Phi Don. Then you can take a private longtail boat to Maya Bay early in the morning, before the tour boats arrive.
Ferries to Phi Phi Don
Public ferries run every day from Rassada Pier, on the east side of Phuket near Phuket Town, to Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don. Fast boats take about 45 minutes. Big ferries take up to about two hours. Ferries also run from Krabi, and in the dry season from Ao Nang and Railay. In the monsoon months, from about May to October, boats still run but there are fewer of them, and some trips are cancelled when the sea is rough. Phi Phi Don has no cars. People walk or use small carts, so pack a bag that is easy to carry.
Phi Phi Don on foot
On Phi Phi Don the best things are free or cheap. A steep path of steps climbs from the village to the viewpoint above the island. From the top you see the two bays on either side of the narrow sand neck. Go at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid the heat. Long Beach, south of the village, has calmer water and views of Phi Phi Leh. You can walk there on a path or take a short longtail ride. The main village is busy and loud at night, so pick a hotel away from the centre if you want sleep.
Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay at a glance
| Getting there | Ferry or speedboat from Rassada Pier, Phuket, about 45 minutes to 2 hours |
|---|---|
| Hours | Maya Bay day visits only; closed about 1 August to 30 September each year |
| Cost | National park fee per person, often added to tour prices; ferries and tours extra |
| Best time | About November to April for calm sea; early morning for fewer people |
| Rules | No swimming at Maya Bay, knee-deep wading only; reef-safe sun cream |