Phi Phi Islands

Phuket Yacht Charter Destinations

The Phi Phi Islands are easily the most famous of the islands off Phuket, and are the most popular sailing and boat charter destination. The largest is Koh Phi Phi Don, which is the only one with a resident population. The other five islands in the group are Koh Phi Phi Ley, Koh Bidah Nok, Koh Bidah Nai, Koh Yung and Koh Phai aka Bamboo Island.

The waters around the islands are home to beautiful coral reefs, making them popular for snorkelling and diving. There are plenty of striking natural sites to see and beaches to relax on, too, if you would rather stay above the waves. Covering a total area of 42 sq km, it can take at least a full day to explore and enjoy them fully.

Popular sites: Maya Bay, Loh Dalum Beach, Ton Sia Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Plile Lagoon and Bamboo Island.

Maya Bay - Made famous by its starring role in the 2000 Leonardo Di Caprio movie The Beach, Maya Bay is extremely picturesque both above and below the water, having a lovely isolated beach and colourful coral gardens. It can get very busy with day trippers, though.
Ton Sai Bay - This is probably the longest bay in the Phi Phi Islands, incorporating both the sheer cliffs and busy pier of Ton Sai Village and the aptly named Long Beach. The sheer cliffs around the deep natural harbour make a great spot for a kayaking trip, with the chance of seeing Brahmin Raptors soaring above you in the early evening or the bustling coral reefs below.
Loh Dalum Beach - Popular with the young backpacker crowd, Loh Dalum is probably the easiest beach to get to from the pier on Koh Phi Phi Don. With a good choice of nearby restaurants and bars, it's a nice place to enjoy a day in company while still getting the stunning view and soft sand of the more private places.
Loh Samah Bay - Loh Samah is also a good spot for snorkelling, thanks to its flourishing coral beds, but also offers an amazing panorama of the beautifully blue seas.
Viking Cave - A small refuge in the side of sheer cliffs, the cave takes its name from the remarkable ancient paintings on its walls, which appear to show viking longships, as well as boats of other historical European, Arab and Chinese types. The cave is now revered by local people, who collect the nests of the resident swifts for use in Bird's Nest Soup.
Monkey Beach - Another famous spot on the Phi Phi Islands, and one with a name which says all you need to know about it - it's a beach and there are monkeys. You can wade to shore from your charter boat to feed them as they are very used to tourists and are generally friendly.
Pileh Lagoon - This is one of the most private spots in the area - effectively a chamber eroded out of the limestone rocks to form an almost completely enclosed sea lake. Its crystal-clear waters are fantastic for swimming in and the dramatic cliffs make for stunning photos.
Bamboo Island - Known as Koh Phai in Thai, this is one of the many popular tourist destinations in the area. The star attraction is the beaches which, as the island is uninhabited, are pristine and unspoilt.
Laem Tong Beach - In contrast to Maya Bay, Laem Tong is quite remote and, with no movie fame, is generally quiet. It gets a cooling breeze on its unspoilt sands, making it a great place to chill out and relax, far from the crowds.
Loh Ba Gao Bay - This spot is even quieter than Laem Tong Beach, mostly because it is even more remote and secluded. It is no less striking than Maya Bay, with its nodding palms, white-sand beaches and sheer limestone cliffs. It's an especially good spot for watching the sunset and Camel Rock offers a particularly good view.
Long Beach - Sometimes called Yao Beach (which is 'Long' in Thai), this is one of the most popular resort destinations on Phi Phi. The broad, sweeping beach is popular with sunbathers while the reef just off the coast is great for snorkelling. This is also home to Shark Point, which is a popular gathering point for small reef sharks.
Phak Nam Bay - A fantastic snorkelling or diving spot, this peaceful spot on the untouched eastern side of Koh Phi Phi Don has a fantastic coral reef. Being harder to reach without your own charter boat, it is generally quiet and peaceful, too.
Koh Bidah Nok - This small limestone islet is the best dive site in the Phi Phi Islands thanks to its amazing selection of sea life. Underwater, the sheer sea cliffs are covered with soft corals and brightly coloured anemones, which create a home for many different fish species.
Koh Bidah Nai - Like its brother, Pida Nai is also a tiny rocky island and popular with scuba divers. It has a greater diversity of dive sites, though, making it good for both new and advanced divers.
Laem Hin - This beach is said to have the softest, finest white sand on the island, which is really saying something as almost every beach on Phi Phi is amazingly soft and fine. Laem Hin is excellent both for sunbathing and snorkelling, making it the perfect beach holiday destination.
Mosquito Island - Also known as Koh Yung, the island gets its name from the clouds of the little blood-suckers which emerge at sunset at certain times of the year. During the day, though, it is perfectly safe and home to some of the best coral gardens in the area, making it popular with snorkelers.