Bamboo Island Krabi: How to Get There and Why It's Worth It
Bamboo Island Krabi (Koh Mai Phai) is a tiny island in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. It's only about 0.5 square kilometers. But it has the whitest, finest sand and the clearest water near Phi Phi. Families love it. The water stays shallow far from shore, so kids can play safe. And shallow coral rings the whole island, so snorkeling is easy and fun. This guide covers how to get there, entry fees, what to do, and why bamboo island phi phi keeps making "must-visit" lists.
Where Is Bamboo Island, and Why Do So Few Travelers Know It?
Bamboo Island sits 4 kilometers northeast of Phi Phi Don. By longtail boat, it takes 15 to 20 minutes. By speedboat, 10 minutes. On park maps, it's called Koh Mai Phai. But foreign travelers call it Bamboo Island.
Nobody lives here. No hotels. No real restaurants. That's why fewer people know it. The island closes on rough sea days and during park-led coral recovery periods. Most months of the year, it's open. Just skip late September when storms hit hardest.
Want the wider picture first? Read our Phi Phi Don vs Phi Phi Le guide. Bamboo Island sits in the same protected area and uses the same boat routes.
How to Get to Bamboo Island
You have 3 main ways to reach Bamboo Island. The right one depends on your start point and budget.
Option 1: A Day Tour From Phi Phi
This is the easiest if you're staying in Krabi or Ao Nang. Most Phi Phi day tours stop at Bamboo Island in the afternoon. You get 45 to 60 minutes on the island.
Tours cost 1,200 to 1,800 baht per person. That covers the speedboat, a guide, lunch on the boat or on Phi Phi Don, the national park fee, snorkel gear, and water.
Boats leave Ao Nam Mao Pier or Krabi Pier between 8:00 and 8:30. You're back at the pier by 16:30 to 17:00.
Option 2: A Private Boat From Phi Phi Don
If you're already on Phi Phi Don, hire a longtail from Tonsai Bay. The trip takes 20 minutes. A half-day private boat costs 1,500 to 2,500 baht. It fits 6 to 8 people.
The upside? You pick the time. Go early at 7:00 to beat the tour groups arriving at 10:00. Or go late at 15:00 after the tours leave. The island gets quiet, and the water is much clearer.
Option 3: A Half-Day Tour From Phi Phi Don
A half-day afternoon tour from Phi Phi Don includes Bamboo Island. It costs 800 to 1,200 baht per person. Runs from 13:00 to 17:00. The route covers Bamboo Island, Pileh Lagoon, and the outside of Maya Bay.
This works well if you're staying 2 nights on Phi Phi Don. Day one: explore nearby. Day two: pick a single activity to dive deeper into.
Entry Fees and Other Costs
Bamboo Island sits inside Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Everyone pays the park entry fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Park entry (Thai) | 40 THB/person |
| Park entry (foreigner) | 400 THB/person |
| Thai kids under 14 | Free |
| Foreign kids under 14 | 200 THB |
| Boat hire (if going alone) | 1,500-2,500 THB/boat |
| Snorkel gear rental | 150-250 THB/day |
The day's park fee covers all park spots, including Phi Phi Le, Maya Bay, and Bamboo Island. You only pay once per day.
Good tours include the park fee in the listed price. Beware of tours that quote a low price then charge the fee on top. Always read what's included before booking.
What to Do on Bamboo Island
Bamboo Island isn't packed with activities. But here are 4 or 5 things you can fit into a 1- to 2-hour visit.
Snorkel Around the Island
This is the top koh mai phai feature. Shallow coral rings the island, 30 to 50 meters out from shore. You'll see schools of fish like clownfish, butterflyfish, sergeant majors, plus table corals and branching corals.
On clear days, visibility runs 10 to 15 meters. You can clearly see the sand and coral below. Just put on a mask and snorkel and walk in from the beach. No long swim needed.
Walk Around the Island
A walking path circles the island. It takes 30 to 40 minutes. The ground is sand and smooth rock. The beach changes color and texture around every corner. The east side has large oddly shaped boulders that make great photo spots.
You'll pass bamboo plants, which gave the island its name. There's less bamboo now than in the past. Tourists used to take pieces as souvenirs, which was banned.
Take Photos and Relax
Bamboo Island has the finest, whitest sand near Phi Phi. It's whiter than Phi Phi Don's beaches and finer than Poda. Best photo times are golden hour: 6:30 to 8:00 in the morning and 16:30 to 18:00 in the evening.
There's no big shade tree on the island. Pack a small sun umbrella. Or use the shadow of the big rocks on the east side.
Scuba Dive
Experienced divers know the north side of Bamboo Island has a dive site at 12 to 15 meters. You'll see soft coral, moray eels, and lobsters. You need a dive guide. You can't just walk in.
Bamboo Island With Kids and Family
A bamboo island tour is one of the most family-friendly trips in Krabi. Four reasons.
Shallow Water Far Out
Water is only 0.3 to 1 meter deep for 30 to 50 meters from shore. Kids can play with a parent standing next to them. No strong swimming skills needed.
Clean White Sand
No sharp rocks. No broken shells. No slippery seaweed rocks. Kids can run barefoot safely.
No Strong Waves
The main bay faces east. It blocks the southwest monsoon in the rainy season. In high season, the northeast wind isn't strong either. Read more in our Krabi season guide to pick the best month.
Shallow Coral
Kids can snorkel by floating with a pool noodle. Just put on a mask and they'll see fish. No need to go deep enough to scare them.
Bamboo Island vs Nearby Islands
| Compare | Bamboo Island | Koh Poda | Phi Phi Le |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Small 0.5 km² | Medium 1.5 km² | Large 6.6 km² |
| White sand | Whitest | Very white | Medium white |
| Shallow water | 30-50 m | 50-100 m | 5-10 m |
| Shallow coral | Lots | Some | Little |
| Crowds | Few | Medium | Many |
| Family-friendly | Yes | Yes | Medium |
Rules to Follow on Bamboo Island
Don't pick coral or shells. It's illegal under park law. Fines run 10,000 to 50,000 baht. Take only photos and memories.
Don't use sunscreen with oxybenzone. It kills coral. Only use reef-safe or mineral-based sunscreen.
Don't feed the fish. It ruins the ecosystem. Fish start expecting food from people instead of finding it themselves.
Don't leave trash. Bring your own plastic bag and take your trash back to the boat or shore. The park has a big litter problem from tourists.
Wear a life jacket on every boat ride. Good operators hand them out before you board. Don't accept a boat without life jackets.
Family Trips Where Kids Have Fun and Parents Relax
At Railay Eco Tour, our Phi Phi day tours include Bamboo Island. We have special routes for families with young kids and seniors.
Our full-day Phi Phi Islands tour uses a Luxury Speedboat. It's big and steady. Kids don't get seasick like they would in a regular boat. Our guides carry snorkel gear in all sizes, including kid sizes (ages 6 to 12). We have pool noodles for the smallest kids.
We schedule Bamboo Island for the late afternoon when other tour groups have left. The island gets quiet and your family photos turn out great. Our guides know the best photo angles and will take pictures for you.
Families wanting a chill, private trip can reach out for a private speedboat plan. Pick your own route. Starts at 12,000 to 18,000 baht per boat. Fits 6 to 8 people.
Read our Phi Phi activities guide to see other things you can add to the same day as Bamboo Island.
At Bamboo Island — Don't Miss These Experiences
Bamboo Island Krabi is a small island with the whitest sand and clearest water near Phi Phi. It's just 0.5 square kilometers, but shallow coral wraps it for great snorkeling all day. Nobody lives there. No hotels. Only open during daylight.
It's great for families with young kids. The water stays shallow far out. The sand has no sharp things. There are no strong waves. Easiest way to get there: book a Phi Phi day tour from Krabi (1,200 to 1,800 baht per person). Or hire a longtail from Phi Phi Don (1,500 to 2,500 baht per boat).
When you visit, follow the park rules. Don't pick coral. Don't leave trash. Use reef-safe sunscreen. That way Bamboo Island stays beautiful for the next generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bamboo Island and Koh Mai Phai the same place?
Yes, same island. Bamboo Island is the English name foreign tourists use. Koh Mai Phai is the official Thai park name. Locals use both.
Can you stay overnight on Bamboo Island?
No. The island is inside a national park. Overnight stays are banned on the island and at anchor in nearby bays. The nearest place to stay is Phi Phi Don, 4 kilometers away, 15 to 20 minutes by boat.
Can you scuba dive at Bamboo Island?
Yes, but only with a guide who has a PADI or SSI cert. The dive site is on the north side of the island at 12 to 15 meters. A dive trip from Phi Phi Don costs 2,800 to 3,500 baht per person for 1 dive.
Is Bamboo Island open during the rainy season in Krabi?
Yes, on days when waves are calm. The bay faces east, so it blocks the southwest monsoon well. Tours run 70 to 80 percent of days from May to October. Skip September when tropical storms hit most often.
How long do you need at Bamboo Island?
1 to 2 hours is enough. Most tours give you 45 to 60 minutes, which covers swimming, snorkeling, and photos. If you hire your own boat, you can stay longer. But there's no shade, no restaurant, and no proper toilet. 1 to 2 hours is the sweet spot.
References
Ao Nang things to do go beyond the main beach. The area has classic beach views with mountain backdrops, a night market open every day, beachfront cafes that open at 6:30 a.m., the famous Tiger Cave Temple, and the best sunset viewpoint in the province. This guide covers 10 spots first-time visitors should see, with opening hours, prices, and how to get to each. You can fit them into 1 to 2 days without leaving the Ao Nang area.
Bamboo Island Krabi (Koh Mai Phai) is a tiny island in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. It's only about 0.5 square kilometers. But it has the whitest, finest sand and the clearest water near Phi Phi. Families love it. The water stays shallow far from shore, so kids can play safe. And shallow coral rings the whole island, so snorkeling is easy and fun. This guide covers how to get there, entry fees, what to do, and why bamboo island phi phi keeps making "must-visit" lists.
Phi Phi activities go way beyond Instagram photos. You can dive deep with healthy coral reefs. You can kayak into quiet bays no big boat can reach. You can climb limestone cliffs loved by climbers worldwide, right next to the sea. You can hike to a 360-degree viewpoint. This guide shows the best things to do at Phi Phi with prices and the top spots for each one.
Krabi rainy season clear water sounds impossible to most travelers. But it isn't. The open sea gets choppy when monsoon winds arrive, yet Krabi has many bays and islands that block the wind. The water there stays calm and clear all year. This guide shows you 5 spots that stay snorkel-friendly during the rains, plus the best months to visit each one.
Ao Nam Mao Pier is a small dock 10 km east of Ao Nang. It connects you to Railay, the 4 Islands, Hong Island, and even Phi Phi. Boats run 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Prices start at 100 baht for a public longtail. Charters cost 1,500 baht and up. Here's the full schedule, prices, and routes in one place.
Pick a speedboat if you want speed, comfort, and lots of stops in one day. Pick a longtail if you want a cheaper ride, a local feel, and great photos. Speedboats go 2-3 times faster. Longtails cost 50-70% less. This guide breaks it all down so you can choose in 5 minutes flat.