The Phi Phi Islands in Thailand’s Andaman Sea remain one of the world’s premier tropical destinations. Famous for dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and powder-white beaches, a day tour of this archipelago promises an unforgettable getaway.
This updated 2026 travel guide covers the top highlights, conservation rules, logistics, and planning tips for a Phi Phi Island day tour. BOOK THIS TOUR
Key Highlights of the Tour
[ Maya Bay ] ———> Iconic limestone beach & eco-sanctuary
[ Pileh Lagoon ] ——> Emerald natural swimming pool
[ Viking Cave ] ——-> Ancient murals & swiftlet nests
[ Monkey Beach ] ——-> Playful macaques along the shoreline
[ Bamboo Island ] ——> Powder-white sand & coral reefs
- Maya Bay: The Iconic Cinematic Cove
Made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2000 film The Beach, Maya Bay is a striking bay enclosed by 100-meter-tall limestone cliffs.
The 2026 Experience: Following extensive ecological restoration, strict conservation rules apply. Speedboats dock on the opposite side at Loh Samah Bay. Visitors walk across a wooden elevated boardwalk to enter Maya Bay without disturbing fragile coral reefs.
Rules & Tips: Swimming directly in Maya Bay remains prohibited to protect blacktip reef sharks and regenerating coral. Shallow wading is occasionally permitted.
Seasonal Note: Maya Bay undergoes an annual conservation closure every year from August 1 to September 30. During these two months, tours still run to all other spots, and boats view Maya Bay from outside the cove.
2. Pileh Lagoon: Nature’s Emerald Swimming Pool
Located on Phi Phi Leh, Pileh Lagoon is a towering fjord filled with emerald-green water.
What to Do: Speedboats anchor in the center of the bay for swimming, paddleboarding, and boat jumping.
Pro Tip: Hire a local wooden longtail boat inside the lagoon for 15–20 minutes. It offers classic Thailand photo opportunities against the green cliffs.
3. Viking Cave: History & Bird’s Nests
Located at the base of a high limestone cliff on Phi Phi Leh, Viking Cave is known for its historic wall paintings resembling Scandinavian longships.
What to See: Boats pause briefly outside the cave mouth for photo opportunities.
Local Insight: The cave serves as a site for harvesting edible swiftlet bird nests—a prized delicacy in Chinese cuisine. Entering the cave is restricted to protect the nesting birds.
4. Monkey Beach: Wild Shorelines
Situated on the coast of Koh Phi Phi Don, Monkey Beach features lush jungle hills dropping down to white sand where crab-eating macaques live.
What to Expect: Boats slow down along the shoreline to observe the monkeys interacting with the coastal trees.
Safety Warning: Maintain distance and do not feed or touch the monkeys. They are wild animals that can defend their territory or snatch loose personal belongings.
5. Bamboo Island (Koh Pai): Snorkeling & White Sands
Unlike the sheer limestone cliffs of the main islands, Bamboo Island is a flat, circular island surrounded by a vibrant coral reef system.
Why Visit: Bamboo Island offers expansive soft white sand and shallow, crystal-clear water ideal for sunbathing and offshore snorkeling.
Marine Life: The shallow reefs host clownfish, parrotfish, and sea anemones.
Tour Fees & Practical Rules
Important Fee Notice: The Phi Phi archipelago is part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Most tour operators do not include the cash national park fee in the base ticket price.
National Park Fee: ~400 THB for foreign adults / ~200 THB for foreign children (must be paid in cash in Thai Baht upon island arrival).
Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Thailand strictly enforces the use of reef-safe sunscreens. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC, or butylparaben are banned in national parks to protect coral reefs.
Plastic Ban: Single-use plastics are banned across the national park islands. Carry a reusable water bottle.
Best Time to Visit
Peak Season (November – April): Calm seas, clear blue skies, and high underwater visibility. Ideal for snorkeling and boat travel.
Monsoon / Shoulder Season (May – October): Lower tour prices and fewer crowds, but choppy sea conditions can occur. Note that Maya Bay closes completely during August and September.
Crowd Avoidance Tip: Book an Early Bird Sunrise Tour departing Phuket or Krabi by 6:00 AM–7:00 AM. This ensures arrival at Maya Bay before the peak daytime crowds arrive between 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM.
Essential Packing Checklist
Waterproof Dry Bag: Essential for protecting cameras and phones during longtail boat transfers.
Swimwear & Quick-Dry Towel: Change options for moving between snorkeling spots and national park boardwalks.
Water Shoes: Protects feet when walking over slippery wooden docks and shallow rocky shores at Loh Samah Bay.
Cash (Thai Baht): Required for national park entry fees, longtail boat upgrades, and local beach snacks.
