Phi Phi Don vs Phi Phi Le: Which Island Should You Visit?
A lot of people think Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are the same island. They're not. They sit about 4 km apart. Phi Phi Don is the big one with hotels and beaches. Phi Phi Le is small, uninhabited, and a national park. Want to stay 2-3 nights? Pick Phi Phi Don. Want to see Maya Bay in one day? Go to Phi Phi Le. Here's the full breakdown.
Are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le Really Two Different Islands?
Yes. They're two separate islands in the Phi Phi group, off the coast of Krabi. "Don" means big in Thai. "Le" means sea or small. The names tell you which is which.
Phi Phi Don is about 28 square km — hotels, shops, and people. Phi Phi Le is smaller at 6.6 square km. No one lives there. It's part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, so you can't camp or stay overnight. There's an entry fee too.
For more on the islands, check out the Phi Phi Islands Travel Guide..jpg?1778736867778)
Who Should Pick Phi Phi Don?
Phi Phi Don is where you can stay. Hotels go from 600-1,200 baht per night for guesthouses to 8,000-15,000 baht for beachfront resorts. Pick this if you want 2-3 nights of beach time, seafood dinners, and some nightlife.
What Can You Do on Phi Phi Don?
Tonsai Bay is the heart of the island — food, shops, dive gear rentals. Next door is Loh Dalum Bay. Waves are calmer, so kids can swim safely. At night, this side turns into the bar scene.
The top photo spot is the Phi Phi Viewpoint. It's a 30-45 minute walk up. You'll see Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays meeting in a butterfly shape. Entry: 30 baht.
Long Beach is quieter. It's on the south side with clear water and good snorkeling. Walk from Tonsai in 25-30 minutes, or grab a longtail for 100-150 baht.
Activities to Try
- Scuba diving at Bida Nok — 1,800-2,500 baht per trip
- Kayak rental — 200-300 baht per hour
- Thai cooking class — 1,200-1,800 baht per course
- Day trip to Phi Phi Le — 1,200-1,800 baht per person
Who Should Pick Phi Phi Le?
Phi Phi Le works best as a day trip from Phi Phi Don, Ao Nang, or Krabi Town. It has 3-4 main spots you can hit in one boat tour.
Maya Bay
Maya Bay is the most famous spot in Phi Phi Le. It's where they filmed The Beach (2000). The bay closed in 2018 to let nature recover, then reopened in 2022 with new rules. You can walk in from the back, but no swimming in the bay. Only 375 people at one time. Park fee: 400 baht for foreigners, 200 baht for Thai visitors.
Pileh Lagoon
Pileh Lagoon is a small bay ringed by tall limestone cliffs. The water is bright emerald green and about 15 meters deep. Great for swimming and photos. Most boats stop at the entrance since anchoring inside isn't allowed.
Loh Samah Bay and Viking Cave
Viking Cave is where locals have collected swiftlet bird nests for ages. Old paintings on the cave walls look like Viking ships — that's how it got the name. You can't go inside, but you can see it from the boat.
Loh Samah Bay sits across from Maya Bay. It's the drop-off point for people walking into Maya Bay.
Comparing the Two Islands
| Topic | Phi Phi Don | Phi Phi Le |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 28 sq km (large) | 6.6 sq km (small) |
| Stay overnight? | Yes — 200+ hotels | No — day trips only |
| Entry fee | Free | 200-400 baht (park) |
| Main activities | Relax, dive, nightlife | Photos, swim in lagoon |
| Cost per person | 1,800-3,500 baht/night | 1,200-1,800 baht/day |
| Crowds | Busy at Tonsai Bay | Busy where boats stop |
| Best for | 2-3 night stays | One-day visits |
How to Get to Each Island
For Phi Phi Don, take a ferry or speedboat from Ao Nam Mao Pier or Krabi Pier. Ferry: 1.5-2 hours, 350-450 baht each way. Speedboat: 45-60 minutes, 700-900 baht each way.
For Phi Phi Le, you have two options. One — book a one-day tour from Krabi or Phuket for 1,200-1,800 baht per person (boat, guide, lunch, park entry included). Two — stay on Phi Phi Don and rent a longtail for a half-day at 1,500-2,500 baht per boat (fits 4-6 people).
For schedules and pier details, read our guide on traveling to Phi Phi.
What's the Best Time to Go?
November to April is the best time for both islands. Clear skies, calm seas, and you can see fish and coral easily. Hotels cost 30-50% more during this time, so book 1-2 months ahead.
May to October is the rainy season. Big waves can stop boats from going to Phi Phi Le. You can still get to Phi Phi Don, but the water is murkier. Hotels are way cheaper, which is good for budget travelers.
The Sweet Spot
Late November to early February is when the water is clearest. Temperatures sit around 25-30°C with very little rain. Great for snorkeling and seeing coral. If you want to plan a full Krabi trip with Phi Phi included, see our ultimate Krabi travel guide.
Visit Phi Phi With a Local Krabi Guide
Don't want to spend hours planning? Railay Eco Tour runs a Phi Phi Islands one-day trip that hits Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, and Tonsai Bay all in one day.
Our guides are Krabi locals. They've been going to Phi Phi since before it got famous. They know the snorkeling spots where coral is still healthy, the photo spots that aren't crowded, and the best times to visit each stop so you skip the big tour groups.
Want a private 2-3 night stay on Phi Phi Don? Contact Railay Eco Tour and we'll plan a trip around your dates and budget.
Final Take
Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are two different islands. Phi Phi Don is the big one — hotels, food, nightlife. Stay there if you want 2-3 nights of beach time. Phi Phi Le is the small one — uninhabited, a national park, full of photo spots like Maya Bay. Go there for a day trip.
The smart move for first-timers? Stay on Phi Phi Don for 2 nights. Take a half-day boat to Phi Phi Le on day two. You see both islands, you don't rush, and you have plenty of time to swim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stay overnight on Phi Phi Le?
No. Phi Phi Le is part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. You can't sleep on the island, and boats can't anchor inside Maya Bay overnight. The closest place to stay is Phi Phi Don, just 4 km away.
How far apart are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le?
About 4 km. From Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Don to Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le, a longtail boat takes 25-30 minutes. A speedboat takes 15 minutes.
Where do I pay the Phi Phi Le entry fee?
You pay at the drop-off point, usually Loh Samah Bay. Park rangers collect 400 baht from foreign visitors and 200 baht from Thai visitors. Kids under 14 enter free. The fee covers all spots in the park for that day.
Does Phi Phi Don have white sand beaches like Phi Phi Le?
Yes. Long Beach and the northern beaches on Phi Phi Don have soft white sand and clear water just as nice as Phi Phi Le. The vibe is different though. Phi Phi Don has restaurants and people. Phi Phi Le is cliffs and small bays surrounded by mountains.
What if I only have one day?
If you have just one day and you're staying in Krabi, book a one-day tour that hits both islands. You'll see the main Phi Phi Le highlights in the morning and stop at Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Don for lunch. It's the best use of limited time.
References
- Wikipedia: Phi Phi Islands
- Wikipedia: Maya Bay
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: TAT
- Bangkok Post: Krabi travel feature
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.
Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le opens every day from about 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The park entry fee is around 400 baht for foreigners and 200 baht for Thai visitors. But there are new rules you need to know. Boats can't park in the bay. Each time slot has a max number of visitors. And the bay closes every year from August 1 to September 30 so corals can rest. Here's how to plan a smooth trip.
A lot of people think Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are the same island. They're not. They sit about 4 km apart. Phi Phi Don is the big one with hotels and beaches. Phi Phi Le is small, uninhabited, and a national park. Want to stay 2-3 nights? Pick Phi Phi Don. Want to see Maya Bay in one day? Go to Phi Phi Le. Here's the full breakdown.
Going to Krabi for the first time? You'll need 10 things to make the trip smooth. Your ID, Thai cash, sunscreen, beach clothes, sandals, a waterproof phone case, basic meds, a light jacket, a power bank, and your hotel booking. Pack these and you'll skip a lot of common headaches — especially when you're hopping on boats to islands.
The sea in Krabi is clearest from February to April. You can see 15-25 meters underwater. Skies are clear, waves are small, and snorkeling is amazing. From May to October, it's monsoon season — the water gets cloudy from sediment. Visibility drops to just 5-10 meters. If you want the clearest water, plan your trip in the dry months.