About Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay (off the island)
Another trip that leaves from Phuket for a different province: the Phi Phi Islands belong to Krabi and lie about 46 km to the southeast. Boats depart from Rassada Pier, near Phuket Town, and speedboats cross in 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the arrival pier. Phi Phi Don, the largest and most populated, was devastated by the 2004 tsunami, which destroyed about 70% of its buildings.
On neighboring Phi Phi Leh lies Maya Bay, known from the 2000 film The Beach. To let the ecosystem recover, the bay was closed from June 2018 to January 2022, reopened with visitor limits and now closes every year in August and September. Even when it is open, swimming there is prohibited to protect the coral.
