Highlights of Phi Phi Islands
Description
Pictured on many postcards with its sandy beaches, bays with crystal clear waters and towering limestone cliffs, the Phi Phi islands are among Thailand’s most famous destinations. Experience the barefoot lifestyle and tropical landscape of the Phi Phi Islands in the Andaman Sea on our half day sunset tour. Swim with colorful fish at Loh Samah and Monkey Bay and snorkel among coral gardens. NOTE 1: This tour starts and ends on Koh Phi Phi (Tonsai). It does NOT start from Ao Nang (Krabi) or Phuket. Participants have to travel to Koh Phi Phi by themselves and need to stay at the island for at least one night because of the ferry schedule. NOTE 2: This tour is really about swimming, snorkeling and visiting beautiful spots around Koh Phi Phi, not about story-telling. NOTE 3: The Phi Phi Islands are part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. National Park fee of THB 400 per person is NOT included and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meeting point is in front of the McDonalds, near the Tonsai pier on Koh Phi Phi Don. Board the boat and head to Monkey Bay, a small jungle fringed bay where snorkeling is excellent with clear water and a great variety of colourful fish. The fascinating Long-Tailed Macaques clamber down the rock face to come and greet the boats and tourists. Big chance you’ll see them, but of course we cannot guarantee. The sequence of the places we visit may differ from the description and the time we stop at each place during the tour is approximate and includes travel time. NOTE: National Park fee is not included in the tour price and has to be paid cash on day of the tour (THB 400 per person; price subject to changes).
Viking Cave is one of the most unique natural sites on Koh Phi Phi Leh. The cave was so named, due to the prehistoric drawings that were found on the cave walls that resemble ancient viking ships. It is believed that these drawings were made by sea gypsies or pirates who stopped here to shelter from the monsoon storms. When the boat stops in front of Viking Cave you can see one of the most profitable local industries: the harvesting of swiftlet birds’ nests. Within the cave there are lots of ledges which are inhabited by thousands of swiftlets. These birds make their nests out of their own saliva, the nests are harvested and later sold to make birds nest soup, a Chinese delicacy, and believed to promote good health, specifically for the skin. The sequence of the places we visit may differ from the description and the time we stop at each place during the tour is approximate and includes travel time.
Pileh Lagoon or Phileh Bay is one of the most impressive sites on Koh Phi Phi Leh. The lagoon is surrounded by giant rocks and the water inside this beautiful lagoon is of the most crystal clear azure waters you may have ever seen. It’s very shallow and the bottom is made up of white fine sand that just slips between your toes. Pileh Lagoon is a wonderful place to snorkel. The sequence of the places we visit may differ from the description and the time we stop at each place during the tour is approximate and includes travel time.
We make our way to the next snorkeling spot, Maya Bay. With its sandy beach, jungle and steep limestone cliffs Maya Bay is Phi Phi’s most famous beach. It is the location where the 2000 adventure drama ‘The Beach’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed. (NOTE: every now and then Maya Bay is closed due to government regulations to help the ecosystem and coral reefs recover from tourism, so in that case we will go past this area for a photo only.) The sequence of the places we visit may differ from the description and the time we stop at each place during the tour is approximate and includes travel time. PLEASE NOTE: Maya Bay might be closed 1-2 months every year as per a government regulation. If Maya Bay is closed we will spend more time at one of the other bays for snorkeling and swimming. Maya Bay closure in 2024: from 1 August 2024 to 30 September 2024.
Loh Samah Bay is located in the southern part of Koh Phi Phi Leh island, precisely on the opposite side of Maya Bay. Dive into the shallow waters for some more snorkeling to explore the abundant marine life. The sequence of the places we visit may differ from the description and the time we stop at each place during the tour is approximate.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- National Park fee of THB 400 per person has to be paid cash on day of the tour
- Maximum number of participants per group is 10 persons.
- As per a government decision, Maya Bay will be closed annually from 1 August to 30 September to allow for natural rehabilitation of the area. During this period, all other locations on the itinerary remain accessible, and more time will be spent at those spots for swimming and snorkeling.
- Regarding the stop at Monkey Bay: You must always remember that, no matter what, monkeys are wild animals, not pets. Even though they may look cute, especially the young ones, we always recommend to keep your distance, not bring any food with you and keep all your belongings in your bag. You don't need to come close as it’s just as fun to watch the monkeys from a distance.
- This tour does NOT start from Ao Nang (Krabi) or Phuket. If you want to join this tour from Ao Nang (Krabi) or Phuket you have to arrange transport to Koh Phi Phi by yourself. Because of the ferry schedule you have to stay overnight at Koh Phi Phi for at least one night when coming from Ao Nang (Krabi) or Phuket.
- This tour is really about swimming, snorkeling and visiting beautiful spots around Koh Phi Phi, not about story-telling. No guide on this tour, only a local boat driver.
- All participants need to come to the meeting point which is in front of the McDonalds at the Tonsai pier on Koh Phi Phi. We do NOT pick up from other beaches on Koh Phi Phi.
- As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day, though a rescheduling fee will apply. No refund will be provided in case of late arrival.
- Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund. For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
- The tour operates rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand are usually short. During the rainy season, we recommend bringing a raincoat or poncho. Please note that cancellations due to weather conditions are not eligible for a refund. Only in the event that the boat driver determines it is unsafe to go out on the open sea will the tour be cancelled. In that case, a full refund will be provided.
Reviews(87)
Good boat and nice captain. We went solo in a private tour across main tourist points. There are 2 stops for snorkeling.
Wow, five stars! We’re excited to hear you had a great experience with us. Thanks so much for the perfect rating!
This was such a fun half day trip visiting the highlights of Phi Phi Island! We saw several monkeys on Monkey Island, cruised through some beautiful scenery and finished with snorkeling in the beautiful and clear water! We also visited Maya Island but it was so crowded with long lines to walk to the beach on the other side, which you’re not allowed to get into the water at and also pay a National Park fee to visit so I would skip this part. Other than that, we had a great time!
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the highlights of Phi Phi. Regarding the National Park fee, we would like to clarify that this fee is always required, even when Maya Bay is not visited. The fee applies to the entire Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park area and is mandated by the authorities. We appreciate your feedback about Maya Bay and are glad that, overall, you had a great experience. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again on another tour in Thailand.
Unreliable because the meeting point was wrong, once we left the guide was kind, tried to show me the beauty of these islands
Dear Nicola, Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you had trouble finding the meeting point for your Phi Phi tour. We’ve checked both the meeting point link on the Viator tour page and the one we sent in the private confirmation message, and both show the exact location at McDonald’s at Tonsai Pier, which is the correct meeting point. Could you please let us know what exactly was incorrect or unclear about the meeting point information (info@wandersiam.com)? Your feedback will help us understand what went wrong and how we can make it clearer for future guests. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour itself and appreciated the guide’s effort, and we hope to hear back from you soon.
We really enjoyed this tour. The sights were breathtaking! The tour guide is helpful in assisting you on getting on and off the boat at the stops. Doesn’t give you a tour guide as such. It didn’t bother us as we were just so taken by the gorgeous sights.
Sawadee kha Janine, Thank you so much for your kind words! We really appreciate your positive review and it was great to have you on our tour. We look forward to welcoming you again!
The tour of the Phi Phi islands was great. It was just me and my daughter, so we had time to enjoy all of the sights without the crowds that we saw on the other boats. Manus, our tour guide, was really friendly and made sure that we knew where we were going and what to do when we got there. It had been raining that morning, so Maya Bay was empty. Definitely a good choice if you want to see the islands.
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and for awarding us a 5-star rating! We’re thrilled to hear about your fantastic experience with us. Your glowing feedback truly brightens our day!
We had a private tour and everything worked out great. Everything was there from the orfanization to flexibility
We are so grateful for your kind words. Thanks for sharing your review with us and the community and hope to see you again!
Me and my wife really enjoyed this experience as it was only us and another couple on the longtail which felt a lot more relaxed. Our guide was really nice and spoke a little English but took to us all the places on our itenary and let our small group tell him how long we wanted to stay rather than being given specific times as would be with a large boat tour of the Island. Phi Phi is stunning and would definitely recommend this tour for anyone looking for a 4-5hr tour of the islands and some amazing snorkelling!
Sawadee kha Dean, Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re really happy to hear that you and your wife had such a great time. The smaller group size definitely makes for a more personal and flexible experience — and it sounds like the boat driver did a great job making sure everything went smoothly. Phi Phi truly is breathtaking, and we’re glad you got to enjoy it at your own pace, with some fantastic snorkeling to top it off! Thanks again for recommending the tour. We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures anytime!
Amazing experience! I was the only person on the boat, and everything was smooth and perfectly organized from start to finish. The crew was incredibly professional, ensuring I had the best possible time while also giving me the freedom to enjoy each stop at my own pace. Each island was breathtaking, with crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and stunning limestone formations. The highlight for me was having entire stretches of beach all to myself—it felt like a private paradise! The snorkeling spots were vibrant and full of marine life, making it an unforgettable adventure. The boat was comfortable, the service was excellent, and everything ran seamlessly. If you’re looking for a peaceful, personalized island-hopping experience, this is the perfect tour. Highly recommend it! 🚤🏝️
Sawadee kha Etienne, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable and peaceful experience. It’s great to know you enjoyed the beautiful islands, the freedom to explore at your own pace, and the personal service from our crew. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
We basically had a private trip as there were no other guests. We had a great experience. Also the guide was friendly. I recommend it.
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are thrilled to hear you had a blast and we hope to see you again!
The entire trip was so beautiful! We’re so glad we got to see more of the phi phi islands!! We highly recommend this!
Sawadee kha Taylor, Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour with us and we would love to see you back.
