This article may contain affiliate links.
Updated: March 23, 2025
The Phi Phi Islands are Thailand's gem, a paradise of unmatched turquoise waters that you can't miss. In this guide, I share the best Phi Phi tours to explore the other islands in the archipelago—some are perfect for avoiding mass tourism.
If you don’t have time to read the whole article, this sunrise Phi Phi island tour is my favorite. It’s a fantastic way to see Maya Bay with almost no crowds, and the price is very reasonable.
Phi Phi Islands
Before we dive into the tours, here’s a quick intro that’ll be helpful if it’s your first time in Thailand.
1. The Archipelago
The Phi Phi Islands are in the Andaman Sea and consist of four islands and two islets:
- Koh Phi Phi Don: The only inhabited island, with accommodation, restaurants and nightlife.
- Koh Phi Phi Leh: Famous for Maya Bay, where the movie The Beach was filmed, with impressive cliffs and turquoise waters.
- Bamboo Island: Small island of white sand and crystal-clear waters, ideal for relaxing.
- Mosquito Island: Mostly rocky cliffs with a small beach, now a marine sanctuary.
- Bida Nok and Bida Nai: Two rocky islets perfect for diving.
2. Mass Tourism
A common concern when planning a trip to southern Thailand is whether Phi Phi is worth visiting, considering how crowded it can get.
The truth is, Thailand is one of the most touristy countries in the world, and Phi Phi is one of its most popular destinations. If you visit during high season (December to April), you’ll definitely encounter large crowds. However, you can avoid them by choosing wisely when to travel to Thailand or how to visit the islands—something I’ll cover in the next section.
3. How to Visit the Islands
I won’t go into too much detail here since I’ve already written a guide on How to get to Phi Phi from Krabi, but here’s a quick summary:
You can visit the Phi Phi Islands on a day trip from Krabi or Phuket. This is a convenient option if you’re short on time, but you won’t avoid the crowds.
If you have more time, the best alternative is to take a ferry or speedboat to Phi Phi Don (from Krabi or Phuket), stay for a couple of nights, and explore at your own pace.
During the years I lived in Thailand, the first time I visited the islands was on a day trip. Later, when some family came to visit, I went with them to stay a couple of nights, and the difference was huge Staying in Phi Phi lets you explore spots that day tours don’t reach and enjoy a much more relaxed experience.
Once on Phi Phi Don, you’ll need to join a tour like the ones I recommend in this article to visit the other islands.
The routes vary, but all tours include a stop at Phi Phi Don (Monkey Beach, which is only accessible by boat) and several stops at Phi Phi Leh (Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Viking Cave). Some tours also visit Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island.
⭐ Related articles: What to do in Phi Phi: the Ultimate Guide and Where to Stay in Phi Phi: Best Areas and Hotels.
🤑 If you want to save on your next adventure, use this link from Booking to get 15% off your stay.
Best Phi Phi Island Day Trips
1. Phi Phi Island Sunrise Tour
This is one of the best Koh Phi Phi tours and my personal favorite. It’s the one I did with my family, and I mentioned it at the beginning of the article. This sunrise speedboat tour is perfect for reaching Maya Bay before the crowds.
That said, there’s another way to visit Maya without people, which I share later on this article—it’s tour number 5. 😉
Another great thing about this tour is the extra stop at Loh Samah Bay in Phi Phi Leh. Plus, you can opt to visit Bamboo Island.
Best of all, you’ll get incredible photos on a traditional Thai longtail boat—all to yourself. This might sound expensive, but the price difference isn’t that big compared to the luxury of a private tour. You can check availability and book here.
👉 Why choose this tour: Fewer crowds at a great price.
2. Private Phi Phi Islands Tour
If you want to explore the Phi Phi Islands at your own pace, this tour is perfect. On this private longtail boat tour, you’ll visit the most stunning spots, but with the flexibility to decide where to go and when. You can even do the tour in the afternoon to see bioluminescent plankton and watch the sunset.
The tour includes a snorkeling mask, life jackets, water, and fresh fruit.
Best of all, you’ll get incredible photos on a traditional Thai longtail boat—all to yourself. This might sound expensive, but the price difference isn’t that big compared to the luxury of a private tour. You can check availability and book here.
👉 Why choose this tour: Flexibility and amazing photo on a traditional Thai boat.
✅ Friendly Tip: Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your next adventure. I recommend Heymondo,—it’s super comprehensive, and with that link, you’ll get 5% off!
3. Half-Day Phi Phi Island Tour
If you're traveling to Thailand on a budget, this longtail boat tour is perfect—it’s the most affordable option. It’s a half-day tour (4 hours) to some of the most beautiful spots in the islands, including Loh Samah Bay.
You’ll need to pay the national park entry fee (400 baht) separately. The tour includes a snorkeling mask, life jackets, water, and fresh fruit. It’s definitely the best budget-friendly tour. You can check availability and book here.
👉 Why choose this tour: Super cheap!
4. Sunset & Plankton Tour Phi Phi
This Phi Phi island trip is perfect for capturing stunning photos of the sunset. It’s also the best time to see bioluminescent plankton, which glows like tiny blue sparks in the water—a truly magical sight.
The tour is on a speedboat and includes the same stops as other excursions, plus a couple of extras. One of the additional stops is to watch the sunset, and the other is to spot marine life, including plankton, turtles, and reef sharks.
🧐 Heads up: Seeing the plankton isn’t guaranteed. The best months to spot it are from December to February on dark nights, meaning when there’s no moon or a new moon.
The tour includes national park fees, a snorkeling mask, a life jacket, fruit, water, and soft drinks, so you don’t have to worry about anything. A unique and unforgettable experience! You can check availability and book here..
👉 Why choose this tour: Stunning sunset views and glowing bioluminescent plankton.
5. Sleepaboard Phi Phi Tour
This tour the best way to experience Maya Bay without crowds and have almost a full day to enjoy some of the most beautiful spots in Thailand. When I lived in Thailand, I had no idea this was an option, and when I visited in late 2024, I couldn’t do it. But I’ll share the experience of my cousin and her partner.
This is the most expensive tour on the list, but considering how long it lasts and everything it includes, it’s actually a great deal. The tour starts at 2:30 PM and ends the next day at 10:00 AM. It includes accommodation, which is basic but comfortable. You’ll also get to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and breakfast.
Other things you won’t have to worry about: national park fees, water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and one alcoholic drink. It also includes a snorkeling mask, a kayak, and luggage storage.
The itinerary covers breathtaking locations, plus some special moments—watching the sunset, seeing bioluminescent plankton, and experiencing sunrise at Maya Bay without crowds—a truly incredible luxury. You can check availability and book here..
👉 Why choose this tour: Sunset, plankton, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit Maya Bay without crowds.
👍 My two cents: If you’re looking to stay connected during your trip, 🤳 I recommend this eSIM for Thailand or this one for Asia both with unlimited data and work perfectly. Just use that link for a 5% discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Maya Beach is open again, but there are some restrictions to protect the area. You can stay on the beach for a maximum of one hour, and swimming is not allowed. But don’t worry—your tour will take you to other spots where you can swim and snorkel.
Yes, Maya Bay will be closed in August and September 2025. It was closed in 2024 to help marine life recover, and since it worked well, the government decided to do it again this year.
Yes, during the monsoon season, tours can be canceled. Cancellations are more common in September and October. If your tour is canceled due to bad weather, you’ll be given the option to reschedule or get a full refund.
You’ll need the usual beach essentials: Swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel.
If your tour doesn’t include the national park fee, bring 400 baht in cash to pay for it.
If you get seasick, I recommend taking motion sickness pills, which you can buy at any pharmacy for a low price. However, in the dry season (December to March), the sea is usually calm.
If you’re doing the overnight tour, don’t forget mosquito repellent.
For snorkeling, you don’t need to bring anything—at least not for these tours—since they provide masks.
🤑 If you want to save on your next adventure, use this link from Booking to get 15% off your stay.
Final Thoughts
These are the best Phi Phi Islands tours to avoid crowds and enjoy unique experiences, like seeing bioluminescent plankton and vibrant marine life. I hope this guide helps you find the perfect tour for you!
In this guide to Southern Thailand, you can keep reading all my articles about the islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea—two areas I know well because I lived there for over two years.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘
More about Phi Phi Islands
More about the Andaman Sea and Southern Thailand
Hello, I’m Andrea, the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I’m a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler. I’m passionate about good food and always looking for new adventures.