Phi Phi Ley Travel Guide

By Paula Parker

Travel Tips and Vacation Ideas

The picturesque Phi Phi Ley, lies to the south of Koh Phi Phi Don.

With its unspoilt natural beauty, towering limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, rocky coves and famous caves.

Phi Phi Ley has several stunning bays, the most popular and well known tourist attraction is Maya Bay.

For those that aren't familiar with the area, Maya Bay was made famous from the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo Di Caprio.

Maya Bay

Loh Samah Bay is now the only entry point to Maya Bay 

Entering Maya Bay via Loh Samah Bay before the floating pontoon

Below is a picture of the ladder and a maze of ropes you had to negotiate if entering Maya Bay from Loh Samah Bay before construction of the new floating pontoon and walkway..

This picture was taken on high tide, on low tide the rocks are visible and there was also a hole in the rock wall in which you can climb through.

On low tide and during the high season when the seas are calm this was probably quiet safe, however on high tide during low season it was a dangerous entry point.

On a trip a few years back, we were told that we couldn’t get to Maya Bay as the seas were too rough and that we would have to go in the back way via Loh Samah Bay.

At first the water in the bay seemed relatively calm, but that changed quickly. As we swam closer to the rock wall where the ladder is positioned the calmness of the bay changed into what felt like being in a washing machine.

It was at this point we realised what the maze of ropes hanging from the rock walls were used for.

The ropes are used to hang on for dear life or alternatively get washed into the rock wall.

Consequently from trying to hold on to the ropes while trying to pull myself closer to the ladder my legs were swept from under me and repeatedly pounded on rocks that were hidden under the surface of the water.

We were not the only people caught unaware of the dangers of entering Maya Bay through Loh Samah Bay that day.

The long-tail boat drivers continued to ferry more unaware passengers, even though the water currents around the area of the ladder hadn’t improved..

Below is a short video clip showing what it is like.

Watch to see what it was like entering Phi Phi Ley from Loh Samah Bay before construction of the floating pontoon

Pileh Bay

Viking Cave

Phi Phi Ley Travel Tips

On the northwest side of the island is another bay called Palong Bay, this area is an ideal spot for scuba diving.

During the day Phi Phi Ley is a constant buzz of activity with day trippers from Phuket and Krabi coming and going and long-tail boats ferrying people from Phi Phi Don.

Unlike the larger island, Phi Phi Ley is uninhabited; however there are basic facilities available including toilets, a snack bar and park ranger amenities.

Getting to Phi Phi Ley

Getting to Phi Phi Ley is easy!
If you are staying on Phi Phi Don you can rent a long-tail boat for 1,000 baht for three hours or 2,000 baht for a full day.

Speed boats are also available with prices starting from around 3,500 baht.

There is lots of day trips and tours available from both Phuket or Krabi, or you could contact our friends at Easy Day Thailand who will be able to assist you with a range of different tour options.