Phi Phi Island Tour from Krabi

A phi phi island tour from Krabi leaves Nopparat Thara pier in Ao Nang. By speedboat, Phi Phi is 45 minutes to an hour away. The day takes in Bamboo Island, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay and Phi Phi Don.

Each year the park closes Maya Bay from 1 August to 30 September. On GetYourGuide, tour 467133 holds a 4.9 rating from 3,613 reviews.

Below, each section answers one question. Which pier and boat suit you? What does each stop hold? How does the 4 islands add-on work, and when is the sea calm? Park rules, safety, lunch and GetYourGuide listings follow. For other regions, the Thailand Tours homepage lists every destination we cover.

What stops does a phi phi island tour from Krabi make?

A phi phi island tour from Krabi covers five locations in about seven hours by speedboat. One guide lists them as Bamboo Island, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay and Phi Phi Don. Lunch and Monkey Beach come on Phi Phi Don.

The five locations stay the same from day to day, but the order does not. The same guide says the tide, the visitor cap at Maya Bay and group routing set the order. The captain decides on the morning of the tour. So a phi phi island tour from Krabi keeps its stops but not its sequence.

The guide’s plan runs like this.

• Bamboo Island: the snorkelling stop, placed first on this plan.
• Pileh Lagoon: the swimming stop.
• Maya Bay: a boardwalk visit on Phi Phi Le.
• Phi Phi Don: lunch, then Monkey Beach.

After the boardwalk visit at Maya Bay, the speedboat crosses the channel to Phi Phi Don. Viking Cave also sits on Phi Phi Le. On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, lunch is on Phi Phi Don. The boat then calls at Monkey Beach.

One operator lists eight stops. Bamboo Island and Viking Cave come first, as on the guide’s plan. Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Bay, Maya Bay and Monkey Bay follow. Lunch is on Phi Phi Don. The day closes with open-sea snorkelling near Phi Phi Don.

A second operator reads the route the other way round. Its first stop is Loh Samah Bay, then Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon. Snorkelling on the east side of Phi Phi Le comes next. The boat slows past Viking Cave and carries on to Monkey Beach.

After free time at Tonsai pier and a Thai-style lunch on Phi Phi Don, the final stop is Bamboo Island. This phi phi island tour from Krabi ends where the guide’s plan begins.

A third operator lists nine places for a seven-hour phi phi island tour from Krabi. Its list opens with Maya Bay and closes with Viking Cave. In between it names Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island, Koh Yung, Loh Moo Dee Beach and Loh Da Lum Bay.

The same list places the last two beaches on Phi Phi Don. It calls Koh Yung an island in the Phi Phi archipelago.

All four plans name Maya Bay, Viking Cave and Bamboo Island. They differ on the order and on the extra beaches. Compare these stop lists first, then choose your phi phi island tour from Krabi.

Combined listings pair Phi Phi with a “4 Islands” route in the title. One GetYourGuide title reads “Early bird Maya Bay Phi Phi + 4 Islands by Speedboat”. That title names Maya Bay and Phi Phi before the four islands.

Check the first and last island on each plan, and check where lunch is served. Next, look through our Thailand tours and pick a day trip with the stops on your list.

How fast is each boat on a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

A speedboat on a phi phi island tour from Krabi reaches Phi Phi in 45 minutes to an hour. A catamaran takes 90 minutes. A ferry takes about two hours from Ao Nang. The slower boats ride smoother.

The speedboat is the standard boat on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One guide gives the crossing as 45 minutes. A second guide gives 45 minutes to 1 hour.

GetYourGuide lists a fast speedboat transfer from Ao Nang to Phi Phi at 50 to 70 minutes. A Railay to Phi Phi transfer is listed at 40 minutes. GetYourGuide gives a shuttle that links Ao Nang, Railay and Phi Phi a time of 45 minutes to 1 hour.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, the speedboat ride is genuinely rough on choppy days, one guide says. A ferry guide calls the ride bumpy but exciting. It adds that speedboats are smaller and can get closer to the shore. A second ferry guide says speedboats can be bumpy, especially in rough weather.

A catamaran is slower but smoother on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One guide gives 90 minutes for the crossing and says the twin-V hull cuts smoothly through waves. The same guide lists a covered shaded deck and an onboard toilet.

Wikipedia says a catamaran has two parallel hulls of equal size. It adds that a catamaran can reduce wave-induced motion compared with a monohull.

The ferry is the slowest boat on the route. That guide adds that a larger ferry gives you more time to rest and unwind.

GetYourGuide lists an Ao Nang to Phi Phi ferry transfer at 2 hours.

A ferry is more stable than a speedboat, one ferry guide says. Another guide calls the ride smooth and calm. It lists air conditioning and an open deck. The first guide cites speedboats that hold 45 to 75 people and a ferry that carries around 400.

A longtail is a different kind of boat. GetYourGuide has a private day trip by longtail that leaves Krabi and Ao Nang for Phi Phi. The listing is a longtail phi phi island tour from Krabi and runs 10.5 hours.

Wikipedia says a longtail can have a lightweight, long canoe hull and a canopy. Its defining feature is a second-hand car or truck engine. The driveshaft is extended by a metal rod to position the propeller. Wikipedia adds that speedboats hold more people and travel faster.

The boat name sits in the listing title. GetYourGuide shows “Ao Nang: Phi Phi Islands Speedboat or Catamaran Tour”. It also shows “Krabi: Phi Phi & 4 Islands Sunset Tour Premium Speed Catamaran”. Check the boat type before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

Which Krabi pier does a phi phi island tour from Krabi use?

A phi phi island tour from Krabi meets at Nopparat Thara pier in Ao Nang. One operator collects guests from hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang and Tubkaek. The boat also picks up guests at Railay Beach.

Two operators name Nopparat Thara pier as the meeting point for their Phi Phi trips. One asks you to meet 30 minutes before departure. The other keeps a check-in booth inside the pier. Each phi phi island tour from Krabi on those listings starts at this pier.

The pier lies about 15 minutes from the Ao Nang beachfront. A shared songthaew or a private taxi covers the short ride. The taxi drops you at the ticket booth.

Klong Jilad pier serves Krabi town. It lies south of the town centre, about 15 minutes away by taxi. Boats to Phi Phi and to Railay East leave from it. If your phi phi island tour from Krabi starts in town, two operators list Krabi town hotel pickup.

Ao Nam Mao lies between Ao Nang and Krabi town. Tigerline and Railay Eco Tour speedboats land there. Two operators list Ao Nam Mao as a pickup zone. A third operator does not pick up there on its tour.

Boats are only one way to spend time around Ao Nang. A visit to an elephant sanctuary in Krabi is described in its guide, from feeding to bathing.

Pickup zones differ by operator. Two operators list Ao Nang pickup as free. They add a charge for Krabi town, Klong Muang and Tubkaek. Always read the zone list before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

Pickup times depend on the tour. One operator starts in Krabi town at 5:20 am. It collects Ao Nam Mao and Ao Nang guests from 5:50 am. Tubkaek follows at 6:00 am and Klong Muang from 6:10 am.

Two other tours start later. On one, guests are collected between 8:00 and 9:00 am. The other picks up in Ao Nang from 8:00 to 8:30 am.

Railay has no road. Boats from Krabi dock at East Railay Beach. Longtail boats for hire run to Ao Nang, 15 minutes north of Railay.

Operators treat Railay in two ways. One operator picks up at 7:00 am at one of two points. These are the floating pier on Railay East and the front of Railay Village Resort on Railay West. Another operator does not pick up on Railay, so those guests hire a longtail to Ao Nang.

Guests at Centara Grand Beach Resort get no pickup on one operator’s tour. A shuttle boat leaves the resort at 6 am for Nopparat Thara pier.

Ask each operator for the pier and the pickup zone. One operator confirms the exact pickup time the day before. Another confirms it when you book. One operator sends an SMS if the pickup time changes. A third says the driver does not wait for late guests. Be ready early for a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

What is Maya Bay like on a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

You walk into Maya Bay on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. Your boat moors at Loh Samah, a boardwalk leads to the sand, and a visit lasts about one hour. Swimming is banned. Limestone cliffs close in on three sides.

Boats are not allowed to enter Maya Bay from the front or to drop anchor there. At low tide, shallow water and coral block boats from reaching the beach. The boats anchor at Loh Samah, where the water runs deeper. A floating pier there takes passengers ashore. It has a stairway and a ticket booth.

No boat lands on the sand. Visitors walk the last stretch.

A phi phi island tour from Krabi reaches the beach by an elevated wooden walkway. The walkway runs from Loh Samah through a natural gap in the limestone. The walk takes about five to ten minutes each way. Signs warn visitors that the site is protected and ask them to keep to the pathways.

Swimming in Maya Bay is banned because of the blacktip reef sharks in the shallows. The ban applies to every passenger on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. A ranger sits in the lifeguard watchtower to make sure visitors respect the rules. Rangers also patrol the beach. Visitors who break the rules face fines.

Tour guides must pass the rules on to their customers. On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, you can stay at Maya Bay for one hour only. Visits run in 11 shifts a day, with up to 375 visitors in each. The cap is 4,125 visitors a day.

The bay is open daily from 7am to 6pm. According to one operator, the boardwalk entry is where the visitor cap is enforced. Visitors on the sand can walk, take photos of the bay and its cliffs, and sit for a short while. You can also stroll or rest on the white sandy beach.

Maya Bay is a sheltered cove that curves inward in a crescent shape. The sand is fine and white. Sheer limestone walls close in on three sides. The water in the cove is clear and stays a pale turquoise. Blacktip reef sharks swim in the shallows close to the shore, and they began breeding in the bay again.

Two Krabi listings on GetYourGuide name the stop in the title. One is “Krabi: Phi Phi Islands & Maya Bay Speedboat Tour with Lunch”. The other is “Krabi: Early bird Maya Bay Phi Phi + 4 Islands by Speedboat”. Each one is a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

Which months shut Maya Bay to a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

Maya Bay closes each year on 1 August and stays closed until 30 September. In those two months, a phi phi island tour from Krabi does not enter the bay. The closure ends on 30 September.

The national park sets the dates. Hat Noppharat Thara and Mu Ko Phi Phi, a national park in Krabi Province, announced the closure. The notice names Maya Bay, then Loh Samah Bay, and finally Lor Kor Bay. The notice calls the closure annual. Other reports name the DNP, short for the Department of National Parks, as the announcer.

Two reasons are given. One reason is tourist safety during the rainy season. The second reason is so nature can rehabilitate itself. One news report adds that strong winds and waves prevail in the monsoon season. In one closure period, park staff also maintained buoys to protect the coral reefs.

Boats still sail in those months. One operator says tours to the Phi Phi Islands run as scheduled, but boats cannot enter Maya Bay. So a phi phi island tour from Krabi in August or September goes without that stop.

A news report says visitors can still enjoy other spots around the park. It names Phi Phi Don Island, Ton Sai Bay, Monkey Beach and certified dive sites. The same report adds that all activities stay subject to park regulations.

The yearly closure is not the long closure. The long closure began in June of two thousand and eighteen. Officials first planned to shut Maya Bay for four months, from 1 June until 30 September. The bay was off limits to tourists, so no phi phi island tour from Krabi was able to visit it.

Before the closure, the bay took an estimated 5,000 visitors a day. Each day, 200 boats set anchor there.

By October of two thousand and eighteen, the bay was shut by the DNP until further notice. It wanted more time for the ecology to recover. Tests in the four months found far more damage than first thought. An official said the beach was completely destroyed, along with the plants that covered it.

In December of two thousand and nineteen, the DNP extended the closure by two years. It wanted the ecosystem and tourism management to improve. The bay reopened on 1 January, after more than three years, in the year two thousand and twenty-two. From that day, a phi phi island tour from Krabi was able to visit Maya Bay again.

Travel limits in the COVID-19 pandemic lengthened the restoration period. Once one yearly closure ended, the DNP confirmed Lor Kor Bay, Loh Samah Bay and Maya Bay had reopened.

Today’s closure is shorter than that first plan. The first plan covered four months. The yearly closure covers only August and September.

Check the park’s dates before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi. If Maya Bay is on your list, choose a date outside August and September.

How close does a phi phi island tour from Krabi get to Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave?

A phi phi island tour from Krabi takes you close to both stops, but only by boat. Boats enter Pileh Lagoon through a gap in the rock. At Viking Cave they stay outside, because tourists cannot enter the cave.

Both stops sit on Phi Phi Le, the uninhabited island in Krabi Province. Pileh Lagoon has no land access, so every visit is by boat. One travel guide says day-trip boats from Ao Nang and Krabi Town include Phi Phi Le in longer itineraries.

One travel guide describes the walls of Phi Phi Le as sheer limestone. It says they rise directly from the sea and are stained in rust, olive and grey.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, the lagoon sits behind a narrow sea entrance. After the boat slips through the gap, the open sea is out of sight. The inlet is roughly 600 metres long, counting from its mouth to the rear wall. One travel guide says sheer limestone cliffs seal it on nearly all sides.

Wikipedia spells the name Pi Ley. It describes the place as a large, shallow inlet like a fjord, with a small coral reef by the entrance. Another guide says the lagoon is not open ocean, so waves are minimal inside. The colour of the water changes from pale jade by the entrance to deep green near the back wall.

Guides give different stop times at the lagoon. One travel guide puts the stop time on tours at 20 to 40 minutes. A Krabi tour page says the time inside is 30 to 45 minutes. The itinerary of your phi phi island tour from Krabi gives the exact stop time.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, Viking Cave is viewed from out on the water. It sits on the north-eastern side of Phi Phi Le. Boats do not land at the cave. One guide says the interior is generally off-limits to protect both the nests and the historical art.

The cave ceiling is home to colonies of swiftlets. Their nests are the core ingredient of bird’s nest soup. Wikipedia says edible bird’s nests are harvested in a thriving industry on Phi Phi Le, with Viking Cave named there. Workers with permits reach the upper cave by bamboo scaffolding. One guide calls the practice tightly regulated.

The walls carry paintings of boats. One guide describes red ochre paintings believed to be centuries old. The painted boats looked like Viking ships to observers, and the label caught on. Another guide says the origin of the paintings remains unknown.

Time at the cave is short. One Krabi tour page gives 5 to 10 minutes for photographs. Another guide says boats circle the entrance and pause for 10 to 20 minutes.

Two Krabi tour pages list Viking Cave before Pileh Lagoon on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One lists Viking Cave second and Pileh Bay fourth.

What rules apply at Monkey Beach on a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

At Monkey Beach on a phi phi island tour from Krabi, never feed the macaques. The national park bans feeding, and violators face a fine. Keep food in closed bags and do not touch the monkeys.

Phi Phi Don, the largest island of the group, is where Monkey Beach lies. Its Thai name is Ao Ling. Long-tailed macaques form a resident troop here, and the troop walks to the shore as boats pull in. One guide says the monkeys are wild and show no fear of people.

The beach sits inside the national park of Hat Noppharat Thara and Mu Ko Phi Phi. Park rules therefore apply to a phi phi island tour from Krabi at this stop. The park says feeding monkeys is strictly prohibited. All violations are subject to legal penalties under the National Parks Act.

Warning signs in Thai, English and Chinese state that feeding monkeys is prohibited. Violators are subject to a fine. Park officials have also urged tour operators to inform tourists of the rules before arriving on the beach.

The park says feeding disrupts the animals’ natural behaviour and makes them vulnerable to diseases. It warns that the monkeys can become aggressive when they look for food.

Phuket boats stop at Monkey Beach too. For the passport question, see the Phi Phi Islands trip from Phuket guide. Whether James Bond Island sits in Phuket or Phang Nga Province is settled in the James Bond Island tour guide.

A park chief also described what happens when a tour boat stops. The monkeys gather and move toward the tourists. If the tourists have no food, the monkeys get agitated and sometimes bite or scratch them.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, one Ao Nang operator lists the monkey stop as boat sightseeing. According to one guide, a number of tour firms have stopped letting passengers go ashore because of the monkeys. Even so, boats still pull in nearby for pictures.

A ferry operator’s guide boils the rules down to four. Never feed them, never hold food, keep bags closed, and never stand between an infant and an adult.

On touching, the guides agree. One says do not reach out to touch or hand-feed the monkeys. Another says do not pick the monkeys up. A third advises keeping a safe distance.

Before a phi phi island tour from Krabi reaches the beach, close every bag. One guide says to keep all food inside closed bags or on the boat. Another warns that monkeys can and will unzip regular bags. A third reports that monkeys have boarded longtails tied close to shore and checked unattended bags.

One guide says the monkeys run off with cameras, hats and sunglasses. Another says to leave food, drinks and backpacks hidden in the boat. It adds that not even a water bottle is safe.

Bites are the risk behind these rules. One guide rates a bite as a serious risk, as rabies is present in Thailand. According to Wikivoyage, local hospitals warn about rabies.

A park chief said not feeding the monkeys serves the monkeys, the ecosystem and the tourists themselves. Any guest on a phi phi island tour from Krabi can follow that rule.

What waits on Phi Phi Don during a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, Phi Phi Don is the lunch stop. No other island in the group has permanent inhabitants living on it. The main village, Ton Sai, sits on a thin band of level ground.

Wikipedia says Phi Phi Don nearly divides into two islands. The two halves are joined by a thin stretch of flat ground, with the largest settlement on it. The isthmus climbs to under two metres over the level of the sea. Wikipedia gives the meaning of the name Ton Sai as banyan tree.

Where is lunch on a phi phi island tour from Krabi? One guide places the restaurant on Loh Dalum Bay or Tonsai Bay, depending on the operator’s contract for that day. Wikipedia says semicircular bays lined with beaches lie on both sides of Ton Sai. It names them Ton Sai Bay and Loh Dalum Bay.

Wikivoyage lists restaurants, bars, hotels and guesthouses at Ao Ton Sai. One operator lists a stop at Ton Sai Pier, from where guests walk to the restaurant for lunch. Another operator lists lunch at a restaurant on the beach of Phi Phi Don.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, you cover the village on foot. Wikivoyage says Phi Phi is supposed to have no motorised transport. Transport on land is by foot or bicycle. In the populated part of Ton Sai, no spot is more than about ten minutes’ walk from another.

On Phi Phi Don, you can also walk to any beach, says Wikivoyage. Longtail boats sail between all beaches. One operator lists free time to explore the island path of Ton Sai. The path runs along the curved bays of Ton Sai and Loh Dalum Bay. One guide gives the lunch break as 60 minutes.

Loh Dalum Bay has no pier, says Wikivoyage, so boats anchor in the sand. At low tide, people walk on the wet sand and watch the fish. Far in the distance, the page says, you can see Ko Hin Ut, also called Camel Rock Island.

Wikipedia says over 80 percent of the Thai residents on Phi Phi Don are Muslim. In the village on a phi phi island tour from Krabi, cover up. Wikivoyage advises shorts or a sarong in town, to avoid offending your hosts.

The Phi Phi Viewpoint stands 186 metres above sea level, says Wikivoyage. The page points to dawn or sunset for the view and tells walkers to bring a torch. It adds that the climb shows how narrow the sand strip is between the two main parts of the island.

Ask the operator of a phi phi island tour from Krabi whether the lunch stop leaves time for the climb. One Wikivoyage hotel listing sits 30 metres from the viewpoint stairs and 12 minutes’ walk from the pier.

What are Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island on a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Phai) and Mosquito Island (Koh Yung) are two small islands north of Phi Phi Don. A phi phi island tour from Krabi can stop at Bamboo Island, which is 718 metres long.

Bamboo Island sits about 5 km north-east of the northern tip of the Phi Phi Islands. It lies about 2 km east of Koh Yung. The island is 718 metres long and 530 metres wide at its widest point. Wikipedia ranks it third by area in the Phi Phi group, after Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le.

At Bamboo Island, a phi phi island tour from Krabi gives you time on the beach. One guide describes a wide curve of white sand and clear shallow water. The Wikivoyage guide says Ko Mai Phai Beach is the only bay where you can swim.

Another guide says the sand is deep, soft and ultra-fine, with small shells and rocks scattered about. It puts the length of all the beaches together at 2.2 km.

The name Koh Mai Phai came from mistaking the casuarina trees along the shore for bamboo. The trees are casuarinas, not bamboo. The island is densely covered by a casuarina grove.

Bamboo Island is also a snorkelling stop on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. Coral also lies close under the surface on the other sides of the island.

A guide to the island also warns about currents. One guide lists 45 to 60 minutes at Bamboo Island on its phi phi island tour from Krabi.

The moorings are small, and a sailing guide says they lie right beside the edge of the reef. Speedboats and longtails are the only boats that fit them, it says. One guide says the boat you arrive on is the boat you leave with.

Koh Yung is a jagged island. One guide puts it about 3 km from the northern tip of Phi Phi Don. Wikipedia ranks it fourth by area in the Phi Phi group. Its name comes from the legions of mosquitoes that show up around sunset, says one guide.

Koh Yung is a snorkelling and diving spot. One guide says it is teeming with coral reefs. Another says even snorkellers here can see large shoals of reef fish and black-tip reef sharks. Wikivoyage lists two bays at Koh Yung, West and East.

Check the listing before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi that promises Koh Yung. The Krabi tour pages we read name Bamboo Island but not Koh Yung.

GetYourGuide lists a phi phi island tour from Krabi called “Ao Nang: Bamboo Islands Speedboat Day Tour with Snorkeling”. It runs 6.5 hours. Another listing, “Krabi: Phi Phi, Maya Bay & Bamboo with Snorkel Care”, runs 9 hours.

Which of the 4 islands join a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

A combined phi phi island tour from Krabi adds four stops. They are Koh Poda, Chicken Island, the Koh Tup sandbar and Phra Nang Cave Beach. One guide lists exactly these four stops. Phra Nang is a beach on the Railay peninsula, not an island.

GetYourGuide shows the add-on in its listing titles. One is called “Early bird Maya Bay Phi Phi + 4 Islands by Speedboat”. Another is “Phi Phi & 4 Islands Sunset Tour Premium Speed Catamaran”. In both, the four islands sit inside the same booking as the Phi Phi stops.

Koh Poda is one stop on a phi phi island tour from Krabi that carries the add-on. It is a small, uninhabited limestone island about 8 kilometres off Ao Nang. Poda is the largest island in the Poda group. Its main beach faces the mainland. The sand is long and white, and a small rock islet stands just offshore.

Chicken Island takes its name from a distinctive limestone rock. One guide says the rock looks like a chicken’s head. One operator lists the stop as “Chicken Island (Koh Kai)”.

Koh Tup is the sandbar stop. One operator lists it as “Tup Island (Koh Tub, Koh Mor)”. One guide calls the sandbar Thale Waek. At low tide, a sandbar reveals itself between Tup and the nearby island. One operator says it connects Tup to Chicken Island.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, the sandbar depends on the tide. One visitor says Tup gets crowded. The same visitor says the sandbar appears as the tide drops.

Phra Nang Cave Beach sits on the Railay peninsula, between Krabi town and Ao Nang. High limestone cliffs cut Railay off from the mainland, so it is reachable only by boat. One guide says a longtail boat from Ao Nang reaches the cave.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, the cave stands right on the beach. It sits at the far end of Railay, next to Phra Nang Beach. One guide describes Hat Tham Pranang as a sweeping beach with fine-grained white sand.

The cave holds an active shrine to Phra Nang, a sea goddess said to watch over fishermen and seafarers. Local people leave wooden phallus offerings there as fertility blessings. One guide treats the cave mainly as a religious site. That guide says the cave itself takes minutes.

The order of stops on a phi phi island tour from Krabi changes by operator. One operator starts at Koh Poda, then visits Phra Nang Cave Beach and Chicken Island, and ends at Tup. Another lists Tup first, then Chicken Island and Poda, with Phra Nang Cave Beach last. One operator says weather and tides can change the plan.

Go through the stop list first, then pay for a seat. Check the listing text of any phi phi island tour from Krabi for the names of all four stops.

What will you see snorkelling on a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, you snorkel over coral reefs and meet schools of reef fish. One guide puts the Bamboo Island reef in 2 to 4 metres of water, just off the beach. Operators we checked supply masks and life jackets.

On that guide’s route, Bamboo Island is the snorkelling stop. It lists schools of sergeant fish and parrotfish, plus clownfish near the anemones. It describes clear, shallow water there.

A national park guide says coral reefs surround Bamboo Island in all directions. A dive guide describes a bank of coral reefs, mainly antler corals, on the island. The bank stretches from the north to the south. Stop lists differ by operator, so check that your phi phi island tour from Krabi names a snorkel stop.

Loh Samah Bay on Phi Phi Le is the next reef stop. One operator lists it for colourful fish and coral. A second operator says you snorkel there among colourful fish and coral reefs. It also lists snorkelling at Monkey Beach.

Snorkel stops are part of other Andaman Sea trips as well. Readers can find out in the Similan Islands snorkelling tour guide whether tips or cash are needed.

The reefs lie within a national park named for Hat Noppharat Thara and for Mu Ko Phi Phi. Wikipedia calls it a marine national park with coral reefs. A phi phi island tour from Krabi visits islands in that park.

Wikivoyage says corals and marine life are plentiful across the park. The park’s wildlife list includes tree coral, leaf coral and thorn coral. A dive guide calls the reefs at Koh Yung, also known as Mosquito Island, diverse and colourful. A national park guide says Phi Phi Le is known for its coral reefs.

One operator’s phi phi island tour from Krabi ends with open-sea snorkelling near Phi Phi Don.

Tide changes the view. Wikivoyage rates the snorkelling off Bamboo and Mosquito Islands as quite good. It says the reefs sit a long way below you at high tide.

At low tide, Wikivoyage says the coral at Bamboo Island is very close to the surface. It adds that this makes snorkelling quite difficult. Ask your guide about the tide before your phi phi island tour from Krabi reaches Bamboo Island.

Gear differs by operator, so read what your phi phi island tour from Krabi includes.

• One operator’s list gives a life jacket, a mask and a snorkel.
• A second operator lists a snorkelling mask and a life jacket.
• A third guide hands out masks and life jackets, and says fins are not provided as standard.

That third guide says the water at Bamboo Island is shallow enough that fins are not strictly needed. Its packing list still names fins as an item you bring yourself.

Does an early start beat the crowds on a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

Yes, an early start helps on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One operator says the Maya Bay visitor cap fills by 10:30 am in peak season. Early-bird boats leave Ao Nang at about 7:00 am, ahead of the main fleet.

A standard day sets the baseline. One Krabi operator sends its boat from the pier at 9:00 am sharp. The boat reaches Phi Phi Leh at about 9:45 am. The operator says this puts guests inside the Maya Bay visitor window before the cap fills.

Later boats on a phi phi island tour from Krabi face a different morning. The same operator says that in peak season, late-arriving boats can face queues at the boardwalk. They can be turned away until the next visitor window opens.

Choose an early-bird departure for the biggest head start. One listing has the boat leave Ao Nang between 6:45 and 7:00 am. Another gives a 7:00 am departure, with hotel pickup from about 6:00 am and a breakfast box.

One early-bird operator says its boat leaves Krabi before the main tour fleet. It adds that by 10:00 am the bay is ringed with speedboats. A second operator says its early phi phi island tour from Krabi beats the crowds. It names Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh and Bamboo Island as less busy.

One travel writer tested the idea from the water. He reached Maya Bay at about 7:40 am. He never counted more than nine other people in over an hour. Just before 9:00 am, the first speedboats of the day began to arrive with group tours.

An early start has a cost. One listing tells guests to expect a 6:00 am pickup. It adds that guests can plan to sleep on the boat ride out. The same writer notes that the sun is still low early on, so the water is less dazzling for photos.

Season changes the picture for a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One operator says peak crowds run from December to February.

A guest on a Krabi tour page wrote that the guide chose stops to suit the time of day. The guest linked this to the weather and how busy each place was. One standard tour runs about seven hours.

GetYourGuide shows seven Krabi tours for Phi Phi with early bird, early morning or beat-the-crowds in the title. Read each pickup note, since start times differ by operator.

If you cannot start early, there is another window. Boatmen quoted by the writer say Maya Bay is quieter after 3:00 pm. Ask when your phi phi island tour from Krabi reaches Maya Bay.

Can you charter a private phi phi island tour from Krabi?

Yes. You can book a private phi phi island tour from Krabi by longtail, speedboat or yacht. One GetYourGuide speedboat charter runs 8 hours and holds a 4.8 rating from 41 reviews. Only your own group travels on that boat.

A private phi phi island tour from Krabi gives your group a whole boat. One operator lists a 39-foot private speedboat with a captain and crew. Fuel to agreed destinations is included. The listing also names a marina passenger fee, accident insurance and safety jackets. Shore activities are not included.

One private longtail version of a phi phi island tour from Krabi runs 8 hours. Another operator lists a full-day private longtail from Krabi. It describes your own private boat with a native captain. The page says to customise your itinerary and explore stops such as Maya Bay, Bamboo Island and Pileh Lagoon.

A private speedboat fits a full day. One operator lists an 8-hour private speedboat tour. Its page says the tour gives you complete control over your day. You can linger longer at spots you love or skip ahead when you are ready to move on.

Yachts are on offer from Krabi too. One listing is a 65-foot flybridge yacht, based in Krabi, for up to 20 guests. On that listing, a phi phi island tour from Krabi runs 8 hours with a captain and crew. The page says availability is subject to existing bookings. It advises booking early for holidays and weekends.

Group limits differ by boat, so check the cap before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi. The listings read for this page give these limits:

• 39-foot private speedboat: up to 10 guests
• Private speedboat day tour: group capped at 12 guests
• Private longtail charter on the Krabi four-island route: up to 15 guests, in four or six hours
• 65-foot flybridge yacht: up to 20 guests

GetYourGuide lists the hours of each private trip. The Phi Phi full-day private speed boat tour runs 7 to 8 hours. It holds a 4.3 rating from 69 reviews. The Phi Phi luxury private longtail tour runs 4 to 6 hours. It holds a 4.1 rating from 4 reviews.

Two more GetYourGuide listings widen the choice. A private speedboat tour named for Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon runs 4 to 6 hours. An Ao Nang private yacht charter runs 8 to 10 hours.

Reviewers on one operator’s site disagree about private trips. One reviewer advises that anyone who wants long sunbathing and snorkelling time book private. Another booked a private longtail for a four-island tour. That reviewer says the added autonomy gave no extra benefit and felt a group tour was the better route.

Read the listing before you book a private phi phi island tour from Krabi. Check the hours, the group cap, the stops it names and what the charter lists as included.

What happens after dark on a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

A phi phi island tour from Krabi can end with a BBQ dinner and a plankton swim after dark. GetYourGuide lists sunset Phi Phi trips with BBQ dinner or plankton swims at 7 to 10 hours. Plan a full day.

Three GetYourGuide listings pair the Phi Phi stops with a sunset BBQ dinner. Another runs 8.5 hours and lists a chance to see glowing plankton. The third starts in Ao Nang and runs 8 to 10 hours.

One sunrise and sunset table puts sunset in Krabi between 6:01 pm and 6:46 pm across the year. A phi phi island tour from Krabi with a plankton swim stays out past that time.

Wikipedia says dinoflagellates in the sea’s surface layers cause the sparkling light sometimes seen at night in disturbed water. One operator says the plankton make blue lights as they move with the water.

Check the sky before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi with a plankton swim. One operator says the swim only shows up well on clear, dark nights away from artificial light. Another says the glow depends on moon and water conditions. It is not guaranteed to be dramatic on every date.

On all three listings above, dinner on a phi phi island tour from Krabi is a BBQ at Poda Island. Two of them place it on the beach. One seven-island listing from Ao Nang names halal and vegetarian options for its sunset BBQ dinner. One operator serves a Thai buffet dinner on deck, with vegetarian and vegan options.

Shorter plankton trips stay in Krabi waters. A Phra Nang sunset and plankton longtail tour runs 3 hours. A Railay and Diamond Cave sunset plankton tour runs 5 to 6.5 hours. A 4-island small-group sunset tour with a night snorkel runs 6.5 hours. None lists Phi Phi, so none is a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

Island-hopping sunset trips inside Krabi serve BBQ dinner too. A 7-island listing runs 6 hours and lists a BBQ sunset dinner with glowing bioluminescent plankton. A 4-island longtail cruise with a beach BBQ dinner runs 7 to 8 hours.

Two Hong Islands sunset listings run 7 and 8 hours. One lists a simple beachside BBQ dinner and an optional chance to see glowing plankton. The other lists a sunset mini buffet and a swim among bioluminescent plankton after dark.

One operator’s 7-hour plankton trip picks up from Ao Nang hotels at 12.30 pm. It lists a two-hour sunset stop at Phranang Beach, then a 15-minute plankton swim after dark.

Read the listing title before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One premium speed catamaran listing names sunset only and describes a Thai buffet lunch. Others name BBQ dinner, plankton or both in the title.

What does the national park ask of a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

A phi phi island tour from Krabi runs inside a national park, Hat Noppharat Thara and Mu Ko Phi Phi. The park covers 388 square kilometres. An entry fee applies on the islands. The park asks every visitor to leave coral, shells and marine life alone.

It is a marine national park, set up in nineteen eighty-three. It is an IUCN Category II protected area with coral reefs. Its area is 242,437 rai. It lies in the Ao Nang, Sai Thai and Pak Nam sub-districts of Mueang Krabi district. The Department of National Parks governs it, and its full title adds Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

The park has two zones. One is a stretch of mainland coast called Hat Noppharat Thara. The second zone is the Phi Phi island group further south. The head office sits at the northern end of Noppharat Thara Beach in Ao Nang.

The entry fee rule is tied to the islands. The charge starts once you leave the boat and land on Phi Phi Don, Bamboo Island or Phi Phi Le. A phi phi island tour from Krabi triggers it when it lands you there. Walking on Noppharat Thara Beach costs nothing.

The fee is charged per person, and the rate depends on who you are. Foreign adults pay more than Thai adults. Children pay less than adults in both groups. This page prints no amounts, because pages that list them give different figures.

Operators differ on how a phi phi island tour from Krabi handles the fee. Two pages from operators list it as outside the tour price. One of them says a ranger takes it in cash at the pier on the morning of the tour. A guide says organised day tours fold it into the ticket price.

In that operator’s version, the ranger gives you a paper receipt. The receipt works as your park pass for the day. A separate guide says a ticket is valid for any number of entries on the purchase date. It adds that you only need to pay once.

Every phi phi island tour from Krabi falls under the same park rules. One operator says the official rules apply to all visitors across every stop in the park. Park authorities urge tourists, tour guides, boat operators and captains to follow them. The core rules are short:

• No littering and no dumping of food waste into the sea.
• No anchoring on coral reefs.
• No touching or stepping on coral or marine animals.
• No taking coral, shells or other marine life.

One operator says rangers enforce these rules. The Krabi regional director of the Thai Marine and Coastal Resources Department says violators face arrest and fines. Camping overnight has been banned at Bamboo Island and Maya Bay since two thousand and sixteen.

An assistant park chief has told visitors to heed only official notices from the Department of National Parks about fees. Apply that advice to a phi phi island tour from Krabi. Compare any amount on a tour page with the department’s own notice.

Which season suits a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

A phi phi island tour from Krabi suits the park’s dry, hot season, which runs from January to April. Rain dominates the rest of the year, from the fifth month until December. Boats run less frequently then, and bad weather can cancel a day.

The park of Hat Noppharat Thara and Mu Ko Phi Phi has two seasons, says the Department of National Parks. The rainy season starts in the fifth month and lasts to December. The hot season runs from January to April. Temperatures in the park range between 17 and 37 degrees Celsius.

Rain swings through the year. The park’s figures put average rainfall at about 2,231 millimetres a year. July is the peak month and February is the low. A phi phi island tour from Krabi in February falls in the month with the least rain.

Two monsoons shape the weather across Thailand. The southwest monsoon, which brings the rainy season, ends in mid-October. The northeast monsoon is active from mid-October till mid-February. In southern Thailand, abundant rain falls in both monsoon seasons. Krabi has a tropical monsoon climate. Sustained heavy rains fall for days at a time during the monsoons.

One advisory from the Thai Meteorological Department gives wave heights for the Andaman Sea in two zones. It names an upper sea, from Phuket northward, and a lower sea, from Krabi downward. In the lower sea it put waves at about 2 metres. It told small boats in the upper sea to keep ashore.

One park guide says the water is clearer and calmer from around November or December. One travel guide calls November to April the peak season. One operator calls October the tail end of the monsoon, with conditions that improve gradually. It adds that the Andaman can be choppy on a given day, even in the dry season.

Seasons shape other island trips in the Andaman Sea as well. The Koh Lanta Koh Rok tour guide sets out whether to tip the crew or the guide.

Boats to the islands run less frequently in the rainy season, says the park guide. It adds a risk of cancellation on days with bad weather. One operator does not run its phi phi island tour from Krabi in conditions the Andaman marine authority deems unsafe.

That operator says the marine authority can close the open-ocean route in unsafe weather. It adds that such closures are more common on the Phi Phi route than on coastal island routes. It links this to the longer crossing. It also says light rain alone does not cancel a trip, and the boats still run.

In borderline conditions, the same operator confirms a phi phi island tour from Krabi by 7 am on the day. It sends word through WhatsApp. After a weather cancellation, the trip is rescheduled at no extra cost or fully refunded, as the traveller chooses.

Say a traveller cancels a phi phi island tour from Krabi on a forecast. If the trip still runs, the same operator applies its standard cancellation policy. A second operator’s terms say it can change the programme because of the weather.

What goes in your bag for a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

Pack a dry bag, a quick-dry towel and reef-safe sunscreen for a phi phi island tour from Krabi. Wear swimwear under quick-dry clothes, and skip large bags and valuables you cannot afford to lose.

One Krabi tour guide lists swimwear under quick-dry clothes, because changing space is limited. It adds a sun hat, sunglasses and a light long-sleeved top or rash guard. Another guide says sun exposure on open water is intense. It adds that a full day of snorkelling without protection leads to serious burns.

Your shoes matter on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One guide lists shoes with grip, such as sandals or water shoes. It names the snorkelling stops, the Maya Bay boardwalk and Phi Phi Don as places to wear them. It warns that flip-flops without grip are dangerous on the wet boardwalk.

One guide gives this packing list for a phi phi island tour from Krabi:

• A quick-dry towel, which the guide says is not provided.
• A dry bag that shields your phone, wallet and passport from spray during the open-ocean crossing.
• An underwater camera or a waterproof phone case.
• Cash in Thai baht.
• A passport or ID photo, confirmed at booking for the mandatory marine insurance.

Bring enough baht for the day’s small costs, rather than relying on card payments or island ATMs. A second guide says ATMs exist on Phi Phi Don, but they carry a foreign transaction surcharge.

The sunscreen rule changes what you pack for a phi phi island tour from Krabi. The Department of National Parks, or DNP, bans four named sunscreen chemicals in marine national parks. The DNP also handles wildlife and plant conservation. The ban covers bringing and using them. TAT, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, describes it as covering every national park nationwide.

Butylparaben, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, octinoxate and oxybenzone are the four. Check the label before you pack. TAT tells travellers to look for coral-friendly sunscreen with mineral-based ingredients, such as zinc oxide. It also suggests hats and long-sleeved swimwear, so you need less sunscreen.

Seasickness is the last item to plan for on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One guide says to take a seasickness tablet 30 minutes before pickup if you are prone to motion sickness. It also suggests upgrading to the catamaran. Another guide says tablets are worth considering if you are sensitive to boat movement, especially on speedboats.

The NHS gives these tips for motion sickness. Take a seat at the centre of the boat to reduce motion. Keep your eyes on a fixed point straight ahead, like the horizon. Breathe fresh air if possible. Avoid reading, watching films or using electronic devices.

The NHS also advises against alcohol, spicy foods and heavy meals just before or during a journey. Ginger is on its list in tablet, biscuit or tea form.

Who can join a phi phi island tour from Krabi safely?

Fit adults and children above the operator’s minimum age can join a phi phi island tour from Krabi. Life jackets are supplied. Operator listings exclude pregnant women and set their own limits for back problems and reduced mobility.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, one national rule covers every passenger. Every passenger aboard a boat must wear a life jacket for the whole trip, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand. It also tells visitors to listen to the crew, so they know every safety instruction.

Operator pages agree that the boat supplies the jackets. Another lists life jackets on all boats and accident insurance from every operator.

Weak swimmers have an option. One operator says non-swimmers can stay close to the beach in a life jacket. They still see the fish through the clear water.

Age limits on a phi phi island tour from Krabi depend on the operator. One listing excludes children under 2. Another excludes children under 3. A third says children must be over 4 years of age to take part.

One operator calls the speedboat’s high-speed ride too rough for infants. It advises children under 4 to travel by catamaran instead. A listing with a child fare for ages 4 to 11 adds a rule. An adult over 18 must supervise children at all times.

Pregnancy is a clear exclusion on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One listing says pregnant women are not allowed to join the trip. Three more listings call the tour unsuitable, or not permitted, for pregnant women. One operator calls the speedboat medically inadvisable in pregnancy and tells you to consult a doctor about late-pregnancy travel.

Upper age limits exist too. One listing says adults must be aged under 70 for its speedboat excursions. Another operator says the speedboat’s hard slamming can be physically jarring for travellers aged 60 and over. It names cardiovascular concerns in the same warning. One listing bars guests with back or heart problems. Another excludes guests with serious medical conditions.

Back problems and reduced mobility draw their own wording on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One operator flags back issues, recent surgery, and hip or knee problems, because the speedboat slams hard through choppy water.

Boarding and walking matter as well. One listing says guests must be able to get in and out of the speedboat and walk on uneven terrain. Another calls the tour not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. A third says it is not wheelchair accessible.

Before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi, read the restrictions on the listing. Operators set these limits themselves, and they differ between tours. If a limit applies to you, ask the operator before you pay.

What is served for lunch on a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

Operators describe lunch on a phi phi island tour from Krabi as a Thai buffet. A restaurant on Phi Phi Don serves it. Fruit, soft drinks and bottled water come on board. Halal and vegetarian meals are available when you ask at booking.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, one operator lists this buffet menu. It has Thai green or red curry, stir-fried chicken or vegetables, and fried rice or noodles. The same operator says the restaurant sits on Phi Phi Don, the main inhabited island.

Menus differ between tours. One operator lists a Thai buffet. A reviewer of a 4 Islands tour describes a simple lunch box eaten on Koh Poda beach. Reviewers on one operator’s page rate the lunch differently. One writes that it was “very average”, and another writes that the food in the restaurant was “great”.

Two operators list halal food on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One states that the buffet lunch at Phi Phi Don is halal. The other says halal-friendly preparation is available if you request it at booking. It adds that the meal is halal-friendly preparation in a shared tourist restaurant, not a fully halal-certified facility.

Vegetarians have options on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One operator says vegetarian options are possible with notice. Another lists vegetarian meals by request. A reviewer on a 4 Islands tour writes, “We got Vegetarian lunch as requested.”

For allergies, one operator says to flag them at booking. It adds that it coordinates with the restaurant in advance to prepare your portion. Two other operator pages do not mention allergies at all, so state yours in the booking notes.

Operators include drinks on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One operator lists bottled water and fresh fruit as included. Another lists fruit, soft drinks, snacks and bottled drinking water. On a third operator’s page, a reviewer describes a big fridge on the boat with cool water and cola. The reviewer says all drinks were unlimited.

One operator names pineapple and watermelon as the fruit. A reviewer had lunch on the last island. On the way back, the crew handed out fresh slices of pineapple and watermelon. Another reviewer says juice and coffee were served in the morning.

One guide says drinks beyond those included are an extra cost. Check each inclusions list to see exactly which drinks the operator supplies.

Titles on GetYourGuide name the meal on certain listings. One reads “Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Tour with Buffet Lunch”. Another reads “Phi Phi Islands One-Day Tour by Speedboat or Catamaran + Lunch”.

The early-bird listing, “From Krabi: Phi Phi Early Bird & 4 Islands by Speedboat”, names no meal in its title. Open its inclusions list before you book a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

How do GetYourGuide listings for a phi phi island tour from Krabi compare?

All five main GetYourGuide listings for a phi phi island tour from Krabi show Pickup available and Free cancellation labels. Durations run from 7 hours to 9.5 hours. Tour 467133 has the top rating, 4.9 from 3,613 reviews.

Tour 467133 leads the list. Its title reads “From Krabi: Phi Phi Early Bird & 4 Islands by Speedboat”. Its highlights name an early start to beat the tourist crowds. They add swimming, snorkelling and a Thai buffet lunch on the beach. They also name limestone cliffs and islands linked by a white sandbar.

The list below sets the five main listings side by side. Each line gives the duration, the rating and the booking cut-off.

• 467133, early bird with 4 islands: 9 hours, 4.9 from 3,613 reviews, book at least 9 hours ahead.
• 143931, early bird with Maya Bay: 9 hours, 4.7 from 1,001 reviews, book at least 7 hours ahead.
• 457337, speedboat or catamaran with lunch: 7 to 7.5 hours, 4.7 from 1,898 reviews, book at least 8 hours ahead.
• 431598, speedboat tour with buffet lunch: 7.5 hours, 4.6 from 1,070 reviews, book at least 10 hours ahead.
• 566515, sunset tour with BBQ dinner and plankton: 9.5 hours, 4.7 from 3,072 reviews, book at least 10 hours ahead.

Listing 457337 names Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and the beach seen in the film The Beach. A phi phi island tour from Krabi on listing 431598 adds an international buffet on Phi Phi Don. Its highlights also name the white sand of Bamboo Island.

Tour 200710 is the small-group option. Its title reads “Krabi: Phi Phi Small Group Tour & Early Maya Bay with lunch”. It lasts 7.5 hours and scores 4.9 from 36 reviews. It carries the same two labels. It also has the longest cut-off in this comparison, at least 14 hours ahead.

Three listings add a weather note on a phi phi island tour from Krabi: 1063163, 1123421 and 566515. Each note says what happens if the trip cannot run.

Tour 1063163 is a third early-bird option. It lasts 9.5 hours and scores 4.8 from 45 reviews. Tour 1123421 is a speedboat tour with buffet lunch. It lasts 8 hours and scores 4.6 from 464 reviews.

Search results for early bird tours also show Hong Islands trips, such as tour 1045913, which lasts 7 hours. Its title names the Hong Islands, not Phi Phi. Filter by title when you want a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

Choose by duration. Take 467133 or 143931 for a 9-hour early start. Take 457337, 431598 or 200710 for 7 to 7.5 hours. Take 566515 for the sunset tour at 9.5 hours. Check the cut-off first on every phi phi island tour from Krabi. It runs from 7 hours to 14 hours.

How is sleeping on Phi Phi Don unlike a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

A phi phi island tour from Krabi is a round trip in one day. One operator lists the return between 4:30 and 5:30 pm. Staying overnight on Phi Phi Don means taking a scheduled boat and sleeping on the island.

One guide says a day tour includes hotel pickup in Ao Nang or Krabi Town. It also includes a speedboat trip and lunch on the island. The same guide calls a day trip feasible if you have little time. So a phi phi island tour from Krabi suits a short stay.

For only Maya Bay and the snorkelling, one guide calls a day tour from Ao Nang or Krabi Town efficient. Another guide notes that visitors based in Ao Nang can day trip or move to Phi Phi.

One guide points to the sunset viewpoint and the beaches once the day boats have gone. To enjoy those, it says to catch the scheduled ferry and stay a night or more. An overnight stay gives you the time left after a phi phi island tour from Krabi is over.

One tour blog lists its restaurants, dive shops and accommodation. Another guide calls Ton Sai Village the main hub for ferries, restaurants and nightlife. A third says there are no cars on that part of the island, so you walk to the hotels.

A ferry is the other way across, next to a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One guide says boats to Phi Phi leave from three parts of Krabi. Ao Nang boats leave Nopparat Thara pier. Krabi Town has Klong Jilad, Kong Ka and Krabi River Marina. Railay boats use the floating pier on Railay East.

The same guide lists Songserm and Andaman Wave Master ferries leaving Klong Jilad at 09:00. It lists the Ao Nang Princess ferry leaving Nopparat Thara at 09:30. Another page says exact departure times vary by operator and season, so check the timetable before you book.

Wikipedia says frequent ferry boats run to Ko Phi Phi from Phuket, Ko Lanta and Krabi. One guide says every ferry takes about two hours to Tonsai. Another source gives 90 minutes to two hours from Klong Jilad. Speedboats are quicker.

Tonsai Bay has a government pier that Wikipedia describes as large, modern and deep water. Andaman Wave Master also carries on to Laem Tong, the beach resort area in the north. That ferry takes about three hours to Laem Tong. If you stay there, pick a boat that continues to it.

Ferries and piers shape any stay on the islands. On the waterways beside the Chao Phraya River, the Bangkok canal tour guide names its boat and pier.

One guide says one ferry a day leaves Ao Nang and East Railay for Phi Phi. Choose a phi phi island tour from Krabi if you want Maya Bay and snorkelling. For the island itself, take the ferry.

How did the islands on a phi phi island tour from Krabi form?

Every island on a phi phi island tour from Krabi is non-volcanic and primarily made of limestone. The group lies 42 km from the Krabi coast, inside Krabi Province, and holds six islands. Only Phi Phi Don has permanent residents.

The Phi Phi Islands are administratively part of Krabi Province. They fall under the Ao Nang sub-district of Mueang Krabi District. The group has two administrative villages, Laem Thong and Ko Phi Phi. A phi phi island tour from Krabi visits islands that belong to the same province.

Ko Yung, Ko Mai Phai, Bida Nai, Bida Nok, Phi Phi Le and Phi Phi Don are the six islands. Together they cover 12.06 km². Ko Mai Phai measures 0.265 km² and Ko Yung 0.21 km². Little more than big limestone rocks stand out of the water at Bida Nok and Bida Nai.

The largest island that a phi phi island tour from Krabi reaches is Phi Phi Don. It covers 10.27 km² and measures 8 km long and 3.5 km wide. A thin band of flat land nearly cuts it into two islands.

That settlement is Ton Sai village. It is built on a sandy isthmus, a narrow link of land, between two long, tall limestone ridges.

Phi Phi Le comes second in size. Two shallow bays, Loh Samah and Maya Bay, lie inside the island’s ring of steep limestone hills. One national park page calls Maya Bay a cove with steep limestone karsts of around 100 metres. Each phi phi island tour from Krabi that shows this bay passes under that rock.

The film The Beach put this island on the world map. Director Danny Boyle made it from a novel by Alex Garland, published in nineteen ninety-six. The film came out in two thousand, and its beach scenes were filmed in Maya Bay. The islands on a phi phi island tour from Krabi came to worldwide prominence through it.

The islands got the name Phi Phi from Malay. Pulau Api-Api was the first name, and it means “the fiery isle”. The grey mangrove is the tree the name points to, and it grows on the islands. In the late nineteen-forties, Thai Malay fishermen became the first settlers on Phi Phi Don. The island became a coconut plantation after that.

The Indian Ocean tsunami hit on 26 December of two thousand and four. It wrecked a large part of the settled area on Phi Phi Don. Water from both bays reached Ton Sai and met midway across the isthmus. The wave in Ton Sai Bay stood three metres high. The wave in Loh Dalum Bay stood 6.5 metres high.

Roughly 70% of the island’s buildings were wiped out. Tourists were counted among the estimated 10,000 people on the island that day. A phi phi island tour from Krabi reaches an island that was rebuilt after that day.

Which dive sites suit a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

Bida Nok and Bida Nai suit divers who add scuba to a phi phi island tour from Krabi. Both islets lie at the southern end of the Phi Phi chain, with depths from 8 to 28 metres.

One travel guide says the majority of one-day dive trips from Ao Nang go to the Ko Phi Phi area. The same guide names Shark Point and the King Cruiser wreck as dives on these trips. Ask which sites your phi phi island tour from Krabi visits before you book a dive.

One dive listing describes shallow reefs and steep walls at both islets. Soft corals mix with hard coral reefs, and moray eels and scorpionfish hide among them. Turtles are seen on the reef at times. Leopard sharks rest on the sand, though one dive centre calls the leopard shark elusive.

On a phi phi island tour from Krabi, Bida Nai is the site with an archway full of baitfish. The archway leads to a shallow hard coral garden. One dive centre lists soft corals, sea whips and giant barrel sponges on the walls. The north and east sides drop to 20 to 25 metres.

Bida Nok has swimthroughs on the west side, where giant boulders lie in a jumble. One dive centre places a small cave at a depth of 20 metres. It lists visibility of 5 to 22 metres at Bida Nok and 5 to 18 metres at Bida Nai.

One guide lists Hin Bida with Bida Nok and Bida Nai as Koh Phi Phi dive sites. A diver’s trip report calls Hin Bida rarely visited, because open-sea currents reach it.

One guide describes a standard Krabi diving trip as two dives, one in the morning and one after lunch. One operator lists the return at 5 pm after two dives and at 6 pm after three dives. Plan your phi phi island tour from Krabi around those return times.

For a PADI Open Water Diver card, the depth limit is 18 metres. Its Advanced Open Water limit is 30 metres for ages 15 and over. One guide says an Open Water card is enough for coral reefs and calm sites. It recommends Advanced for deep pinnacles, wrecks and strong currents.

The same guide advises showing recent cards and logbook entries before you dive advanced sites. Carry yours on a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

No card? PADI Discover Scuba Diving is a trial dive, and certification is not required. The minimum age is 10. Depth stops at 6 metres in the pool session and 12 metres on the optional open-water dive. One guide says you cannot dive independently after it.

A phi phi island tour from Krabi with trial dives is listed as one day with two dives. The listing needs no certification and sets a minimum age of 10. It says the dive sites are decided on the dive day.

What else do travellers ask about a phi phi island tour from Krabi?

Expect patchy phone signal at sea on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. Drones need permission at Maya Bay. Tips are optional. One operator’s catamaran has a toilet. The Phi Phi name has Malay roots.

Is there phone signal at sea?

It is easy to stay connected in Tonsai and Loh Dalum on Phi Phi Don. On the water, it is harder. Near Bamboo Island, Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay, one independent traveller sees mobile data as a bonus.

That traveller saves the ticket, screenshots the meeting point and downloads an offline map before every ferry or longtail day. Do the same before a phi phi island tour from Krabi.

Can I fly a drone?

Not without permission on a phi phi island tour from Krabi. One travel guide lists “no drones without permission” among the Maya Bay rules. One operator lists “no drones” in its national park rules and says they apply at every stop.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand tells visitors to check national park requirements before flying. It also says registration with both the NBTC and the CAAT is mandatory for legal flights.

Does the boat have a toilet?

That depends on the boat. The same guide does not say whether its speedboat has one, so ask before you book.

Toilets on a phi phi island tour from Krabi also wait on land. Two travel guides place public toilets at the Loh Samah mooring point on Phi Phi Le. One adds that Maya Bay’s beach itself has no facilities.

Do I tip the guide and crew?

Tips are optional. Wikivoyage says Thais do not tip themselves, and that the habit is uncommon in Thailand. It adds that you need not feel odd if you do not tip at all.

One operator’s listing for a phi phi island tour from Krabi says gratuities are not included. It adds that tips are at your discretion.

Where does the name Phi Phi come from?

The name refers to the Pokok Api-Api, a grey mangrove that grows on the islands.

Wikivoyage agrees that the name refers to the mangrove wood found there. So a phi phi island tour from Krabi sails among islands named for a tree.

Does the guide speak English?

Three operator pages list an English-speaking guide on their speedboat tours. One calls it a professional English-speaking guide. Another lists an English guide next to snorkel gear and a Phi Phi Don lunch.