Staying on Ko Phi Phi, Krabi
Ko Phi Phi Don's busy village, quieter bays and Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le. Where to stay, how to get there and what to know about visiting.
The Phi Phi islands lie in the Andaman Sea between Phuket and Krabi. Ko Phi Phi Don is the larger, inhabited island, with all the accommodation. Ko Phi Phi Le, to the south, is uninhabited and home to Maya Bay, made famous by the film The Beach. Both are part of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
Where to stay on Phi Phi Don
- Tonsai Village, on the narrow strip between Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays, is the heart of the island, with the pier, shops, restaurants and nightlife. It is busy and noisy at night.
- Long Beach (Hat Yao), a short boat ride or walk from Tonsai, is quieter, with good snorkelling.
- Laem Tong and Loh Bagao, in the north, have a few secluded resorts reached by boat.
Who it suits
Tonsai suits young travellers and groups who want beaches by day and parties by night. Couples and families looking for peace should choose the outlying bays. Phi Phi has no cars and steep paths in places.
Visiting Maya Bay
Maya Bay was closed from 2018 to 2022 to allow the coral and beach to recover. It has since reopened with rules: no swimming in the bay, boats dock at a pontoon on the back side of the island, and visits are time-limited. The bay closes every year for a few months, usually around August and September. Check the national park’s announcements before you go.
Getting there
Ferries and speedboats run from Phuket (Rassada pier), Krabi (Klong Jilad pier) and Ao Nang, and in season from Ko Lanta. Visitors pay a small island entrance fee on arrival at Tonsai pier.