Six islands between Phuket and Krabi, and the most photographed water in Thailand. Also the most crowded, unless you get the timing right.
Between eleven and three, several thousand day-trippers arrive from Phuket and Krabi. Before and after, it's a different place.
The standard day tour leaves Phuket around nine and reaches the islands with everyone else. Two things fix that: take the first boat of the morning, or stay overnight on Phi Phi Don and see the bays at seven and at five when the fleet has gone. Staying over also means the viewpoint at sunrise, which is the best half-hour anywhere in southern Thailand and one almost no day visitor ever sees.
Six islands, one inhabited. Almost everything is reached by longtail.
Closed for years to let the reef recover, now reopened with limits — no boats moor in the bay and swimming is restricted. Still extraordinary, and busy.
A sandbar island north of Phi Phi Don with the clearest water in the group. Usually the quietest stop on any tour.
A twenty-minute climb up steps to the view over both bays. Go at sunrise — you'll likely have it to yourself.
A flooded crater ringed by cliffs, entered through a gap. Swim rather than snorkel; the water is deep and green.
Exactly what it sounds like. Look, don't feed, and don't carry loose bags — the macaques are bold.
Shark Point for blacktip reef sharks in the shallows, best early. Phi Phi is also a cheap place to learn to dive.
Only Phi Phi Don has hotels. Where you stay on it matters a lot.
The isthmus where the ferries land. Bars, restaurants and noise until late.
Fifteen minutes by longtail or a walk at low tide. Calmer, with the same water.
Quiet resorts at the northern tip, reached only by boat. The most secluded option.
Perfectly reasonable — just take the first boat out rather than the mid-morning one.
Andaman coast season — November to April, the same as Phuket and Krabi.
December to March gives the calmest crossings and the clearest water. The ferries are more comfortable in that window too, which matters on a ninety-minute open crossing. May to October brings rough seas, and boat trips are frequently cancelled — some smaller operators stop entirely.
Ferry from Phuket or Krabi, 90 minutes to two hours. Speedboats are faster and considerably bumpier.
On foot and by longtail. No roads and no cars anywhere on the islands.
Thai baht, and bring cash — ATMs are limited and charge heavily.
Payable for Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. Usually not included in tour prices — check before you book.
We'll build it into a Phuket or Krabi trip, or book you two nights on the island, and write the payment plan out in full.
If the photographs are why you're going, yes. Sunrise at the viewpoint and the bays before eleven are what people remember.
It reopened after a long conservation closure, with visitor limits and no boats mooring inside. We'll confirm current access against your dates.
A day trip is fine on the early boat. Two nights turns it into the best part of the holiday.
The boat crossings can be rough and there are no roads for buggies. Fine for older children; harder with toddlers.
Flights, accommodation and transfers as one package. Every one can be reshaped — different dates, different board, a different airport, or a stopover on the way.
Guide prices, per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, accommodation and transfers. They indicate what a holiday of this type has typically cost and are not an offer or a quotation. Your price depends on dates, party, board basis, departure airport and availability, and is confirmed in writing before any payment is taken.
Ready-built itineraries with flights, transfers and internal hops booked as one package, ATOL protected. Every one can be reshaped around your dates.
12 nights · Apr–Oct · from £1,749pp
13 nights · Nov–Mar · from £1,649pp
13 nights · Nov–Mar · from £2,099pp
13 nights · Dec–Mar · from £1,599pp
14 nights · Apr–Oct · from £1,849pp
15 nights · Apr–Oct · from £2,199pp
14 nights · Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov · from £2,999pp
12 nights · Nov–Mar · from £1,849pp
