Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay: How to Visit in 2026

You can visit Maya Bay in 2026 on a day trip from Phuket or Krabi, but swimming in the bay is not allowed, boats no longer enter the beach, and the bay usually closes for about two months in the rainy season. The best way to see it is an early departure that reaches Phi Phi Leh before the main wave of boats.

The Phi Phi islands are the most famous day trip on Thailand's Andaman coast, and the most crowded. That does not make them a mistake. Pileh Lagoon in the morning light, the limestone walls of Phi Phi Leh and the water around Bamboo Island are worth the early alarm. What makes the difference is timing, the type of boat and knowing the rules before you arrive.

Maya Bay today: the rules

Maya Bay was closed in 2018 after years of overtourism had damaged the coral and the beach. It reopened in 2022 under a new system that still applies, as of 2026:

• No swimming. You may paddle at the water's edge, but swimming in the bay is prohibited, partly to protect the blacktip reef sharks that returned while it was closed.
• Boats do not land on the beach. They moor at a pier on the far side of Phi Phi Leh, and you walk along a boardwalk through the forest to the sand.
• Time is limited. Visits are managed in time slots, typically about an hour on the beach. Rangers enforce it.
• Seasonal closure. The national park normally closes Maya Bay for around two months during the monsoon, in recent years roughly August to September. Check dates before you book if you travel then.
• Park fee. A national park fee is charged per person, payable in cash. Some tours include it, many do not, so ask.

None of this ruins the visit. The beach is quieter and cleaner than it was in the 2010s, and seeing small sharks in the shallows from the shore is now one of the highlights.

What a Phi Phi day trip covers

Most itineraries include the same core stops, in an order that depends on the operator and the tide:

• Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi Leh: an enclosed emerald lagoon between cliffs. Swimming is usually allowed here from the boat.
• Viking Cave: seen from the water only; landing is not permitted because of the bird's-nest harvesting.
• Maya Bay: via the pier and boardwalk, as above.
• Monkey Beach: a small beach with macaques. Do not feed them and keep bags closed.
• Bamboo Island: a flat island with a long white beach, the best swimming stop of the day.
• Snorkelling stops around Phi Phi Leh or Phi Phi Don, depending on conditions.
• Lunch, often on Phi Phi Don near Tonsai, the only inhabited island of the group.

From Phuket or from Krabi?

Both work. The difference is distance and therefore time on the water.

	From Phuket	From Krabi (Ao Nang)
Speedboat crossing	About 45 to 75 minutes, depending on pier and sea	Usually a little shorter
Choice of trips	Very wide	Wide, often combined with Krabi's own islands
Typical combination	Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island	Phi Phi plus the Krabi 4 islands

From Phuket, a speedboat trip to Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island is the classic route and covers the essentials in a full day. From Krabi, an early Phi Phi and 4 Islands speedboat trip with Maya Bay leaves before the crowds and adds Krabi's own beaches on the way back, which makes for a long but very full day.

Speedboat or private longtail?

Shared speedboats are fast and efficient, but you move to a fixed schedule with 30 to 40 other people. A private boat gives you control over the order of stops and how long you stay. A private longtail boat day on Phi Phi from Phuket with Maya Bay suits couples, families and photographers who want to linger at Pileh Lagoon or skip a stop that is too busy. Longtails are slower and more exposed to sun and spray, so they are best in calm weather.

How to avoid the worst of the crowds

• Go early. Boats that reach Phi Phi Leh before about 9 am see Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay at their emptiest. This is the single most effective choice.
• Reverse the order. Some boats visit Bamboo Island first and Phi Phi Leh last. Ask how your operator plans the day.
• Choose shoulder months. November and April are often a good balance of calm sea and fewer boats than the December to February peak.
• Consider staying overnight. If you sleep on Phi Phi Don, you can reach the lagoon by longtail in the late afternoon when the day boats have left.

When to go

The Andaman sea is calmest from roughly November to April. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings rain and stronger waves; trips still run on many days, but some are cancelled at short notice and the speedboat ride can be rough. Add the usual Maya Bay closure in the late rainy season and the dry months are clearly the safer choice.

If your dates fall in the rainy season anyway, do not plan Phi Phi for your last full day. Keep a spare day in reserve, so that a cancellation for weather can simply move the trip instead of losing it, and check with your operator the evening before.

What to bring

• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a light long-sleeved top: there is little shade on the boat.
• Cash for the park fee, drinks and toilets on the islands.
• Water shoes, useful at Bamboo Island and on rocky landings.
• A dry bag for phones and documents.
• Seasickness tablets if you are sensitive; take them before boarding.

FAQ

Can you swim at Maya Bay in 2026?

No. As of 2026, swimming in Maya Bay is prohibited. You can walk on the beach and stand in the shallows, and swimming is possible at other stops such as Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island.

When is Maya Bay closed?

The national park usually closes it for about two months in the rainy season, recently around August and September. Exact dates are announced each year, so check before booking.

Is Phi Phi better from Phuket or Krabi?

Both are good. Krabi is a little closer and often combines Phi Phi with the 4 Islands; Phuket offers the widest choice of boats, including private options.

How long is a Phi Phi day trip?

Usually 8 to 11 hours including hotel pickup, depending on where you stay and how many stops are included.

Is the trip suitable for children?

Yes, in calm weather. Choose an early departure, bring life jackets for small children if the boat lacks the right sizes, and avoid the roughest months.