The Phi Phi Islands from Phuket: Tours in Russian, Maya Bay and Ferries

About the islands

The Phi Phi Islands are an archipelago of Koh Phi Phi Don in the north, the smaller Koh Phi Phi Leh in the south and four small islands. They were declared a national park in 1983. Here are white beaches, azure water and caves, and the emerald waters are shown in the film “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio. Snorkelling is the main activity: near the islands there are many places with tropical fish.

How to choose a tour

Where to sail: Maya Bay, Monkey Beach and the lagoons

Phi Phi (หมู่เกาะพีพี) is Koh Phi Phi Don with its village and Tonsai pier, and the small Koh Phi Phi Leh, where Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, the Viking Cave and Loh Samah Bay are hidden. Tours from Phuket usually add Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Hai and Mai Thon. The film “The Beach” made the bay legendary, but after it was closed for the recovery of the coral reefs, boats do not enter the bay itself and instead drop visitors on a path at the back, by Loh Samah lagoon.

How to get there and when to go

On your own the easiest way is to take a ferry from Rassada pier in Phuket Town: it takes an hour and a half to two hours to Tonsai, and speedboats are faster. From Krabi and Koh Lanta the ferries go to the same Tonsai pier. A “ferry plus return” package is cheaper than two separate tickets, and the last departures from Phi Phi leave in the second half of the day, so don’t be late. If you specifically want Maya Bay, take a boat tour with a Russian-speaking guide: it includes the fee and snorkelling over 6–7.5 hours.

• When to leave. Group tours collect guests from 7:00 in the morning. The quietest hours in the bay are the very start of the day and the end, before dozens of boats arrive.
• The park fee. 400 ฿ per person is charged for entry to the national park, and in some tours it is already included. Check this in the ticket description.
• Season. The best weather is from November to April; from May to October the sea is rough, and tours and ferries may be cancelled. Maya Bay is periodically closed to let nature rest, so check the date.

Which tickets and tours are available

Prices are as of 10 October 2026. See the content, language and terms on the page of the chosen offer.

Limits and tips

• Sun cream. In Thailand’s marine parks sun cream with filters harmful to corals (oxybenzone, octinoxate) is prohibited. Take a mineral one, otherwise you may be fined and have to throw it away.
• No swimming in the bay. Swimming in Maya Bay itself is forbidden; for a swim people choose Loh Samah or Monkey Beach.
• Passport and money. Take the original or a photo of your passport for registering the tour, and cash baht for food, sunbeds and tips.
• Seasickness. A speedboat rocks a lot: take a pill in advance and sit nearer the stern.
• What to take. A swimsuit, a waterproof case for your phone, flip-flops, a light scarf. Drones over the park are prohibited. Don’t feed the monkeys and fish.

The description is based on Trip.com listings; opening hours and the contents of offers may change.