A car-free island
On foot or by boat.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 3.0
The only inhabited island in the Phi Phi archipelago: a green, butterfly-shaped mountain island whose halves are joined by a narrow sandbar holding Ton Sai village, the island's hub of hotels, restaurants and shops. There are no cars; you get around on foot or by longtail boat. The 2004 tsunami struck it hard, and it has since been rebuilt. From Ton Sai, tour boats head to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach and the snorkelling islands, and visitors climb to the famous viewpoint. On the north-east coast are quieter resort beaches such as Laem Tong and Loh Bakao, better suited to families than Ton Sai. A small token cleaning fee is paid on arrival. Ferries arrive from Phuket in about two hours and from Krabi and Ao Nang in about an hour and a half. From May to October the Andaman Sea is rough and boat trips may be cancelled. Most of the island's original residents are Muslim, so there is a mosque and halal food is easy. A note for families: Loh Dalum beach turns into a loud party and bar zone at night, so choose a hotel on the quiet northern beaches.
On foot or by boat.
For Maya, Pileh and snorkelling.
Quieter and family-friendly.
Andaman Sea, between Phuket and Krabi
A day trip from Phuket or Krabi is possible but crowded and rushed. One or two nights lets you catch sunrise at the viewpoint and Maya Bay before the crowds.
