Phi Phi Island Tour from Krabi
Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Snorkeling

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The upside of doing Phi Phi from Krabi is that it's a shorter trip than starting from Phuket. A shared speedboat tour takes around 45 minutes, while the big ferry runs roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Most people go for the speedboat day tour because you cover Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, a snorkel stop and either Bamboo Island or Khai Island all in one day. But if you'd rather stay overnight on Phi Phi Don to dodge the midday tour crowds, taking the ferry over yourself is the route a lot of people end up preferring.

The highlights your tour will hit

The Phi Phi islands split into Phi Phi Don (the big island with the hotels and restaurants) and Phi Phi Leh (the limestone island that's home to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, with no residents). Almost every day tour loops the same set of stops below — they just differ in the order and timing of each one to avoid the crowds.

Tour prices and what's included or not

A shared speedboat day tour from Krabi runs around 1,390–1,590 THB per adult and roughly 1,050–1,200 THB per child, depending on the program and the season. That price normally covers hotel–pier transfers, the speedboat, life jackets, snorkel masks, a buffet lunch, fruit and drinking water. But the thing people miss most often is that the national park fee is not included in the tour price — you pay it separately on the day.

• Shared speedboat tour — around 1,390–1,590 THB per adult, 1,050–1,200 THB per child. Covers all the stops in one day, leaving in the morning and back in the afternoon.
• National park fee — much cheaper for Thais than for foreigners. Foreigners pay around 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, collected separately on the day. Bring cash.
• Round-trip ferry on your own — ferry tickets from Ao Nang or Klong Jilad run roughly 450–650 THB per adult, 450 THB per child. Good for people who want to stay overnight or explore on their own.
• Private boat / private speedboat charter — a lot pricier but you set your own schedule. Suits big groups or families who want to avoid the crowds.

Piers and getting there

There are two main ways to get from Krabi to Phi Phi by pier, depending on whether you buy a tour or take the ferry yourself. Most speedboat tours already have a van picking you up from your hotel and dropping you at the company's own pier, so you don't have to make your own way there.

Snorkeling and where you'll see coral

Phi Phi is one of the clearest snorkel spots on the Andaman coast. A day tour stops at 1–2 snorkel sites, and masks and snorkels are already included. But if you have your own gear that fits your face properly, it'll be more comfortable. The usual snorkel spots are Loh Samah Bay, around Bamboo Island and near Koh Yung — the water is clear enough to see coral and schools of sergeant fish clearly.

• Use reef-safe sunscreen — the park is strict about sunscreen that damages coral, and standard ones may be banned. Bringing a reef-safe one is the safer bet.
• Don't step on or touch the coral — shallow water makes it easy to stand on coral without realising. Try to float and wear fins if you have them; it helps protect the reef.
• Check the sea conditions before getting in — some days the waves are strong and the water is murky, and the boat crew will switch snorkel spots. Listen to the guide about currents and where's safe.
• Bring a waterproof camera — the clear water is great for underwater shots, but attach a wrist strap so it doesn't slip away, since it's hard to recover in the deeper spots.

Maya Bay rules and the 2026 closure

Since Maya Bay reopened, the park has enforced strict rules to let nature recover. If it's your first visit, it's worth knowing them beforehand so you aren't disappointed on the day. The main rules in force right now: no swimming in Maya Bay, boats dock at Loh Samah Bay round the back and you walk in, and the number of people on the beach per round is capped.

• No swimming in Maya Bay — you can only wade to knee depth for photos, no full swimming. If you want a proper swim, head to Pileh Lagoon instead.
• Boats don't dock at the beachfront — they have to pull in at Loh Samah Bay, then you walk a wooden boardwalk roughly 80 metres out to Maya Bay.
• Capped per round — the beach is limited to around 380 people per time slot, so tours have to queue. You may have to wait for a slot during high season.
• Recovery closure — Maya Bay closes roughly 1 August–1 October 2026. During this period tours can still visit the other Phi Phi stops but you won't get onto Maya beach. Check the dates before booking.

Planning your Phi Phi trip from Krabi

Most people do Phi Phi as a day trip from Krabi, but if you have an extra night, staying on Phi Phi Don lets you see the islands in the quieter early morning and evening, before and after the tours pour in. Here are two options to pick from depending on how much time you have.

Getting ready before you go

• Cash for the park fee — collected separately on the day, around 400 THB per adult for foreigners. Bring enough; some points don't take transfers.
• Wear your swimsuit from the hotel — changing on the boat is awkward, so wear your swimsuit underneath with a sun shirt over the top.
• Prevent seasickness — speedboats run fast and slam through the waves. If you get seasick easily, take a tablet about 30 minutes before departure. Sitting mid-boat is steadier than the stern.
• Waterproof bag — keep your phone, camera and documents dry getting on and off the boat, and watch the monkeys at Monkey Beach who'll grab your things.
• Check the weather and closure dates — some rainy-season days the boats don't run, and Maya Bay has its recovery closure. Confirm with the company before paying in full.