The short answer
Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai): what visitors should know first
Pick Bamboo Island for a gentle beach and snorkel day when seas are calm. Ask for the ticket on landing, bring shade and water, and confirm timings because boat schedules depend on conditions.
Useful facts
Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai) facts at a glance
- Location
- North of Ko Phi Phi Don
- Experience type
- Boat-trip beach
- Known for
- White sand and shallow water
- Fee
- Reported around 200 baht for the beach
- Access
- Boat tour or private longtail
Why it matters
Why Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai) is worth your time
Bamboo Island gives a quieter beach experience than the busy Ton Sai shore, and it is a useful alternative when Maya Bay is crowded or restricted. Its simple setting suits families who want to swim and snorkel without much else.
It also illustrates the fee-and-rules system that keeps the Phi Phi marine park going. Paying the landing fee and following instructions supports patrols and waste removal, which makes a difference to a place visited by many boats every day.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
White sand
A simple, open beach.
- 02
Snorkelling in the shallows
Easy for competent swimmers.
- 03
Combine with Monkey Beach
Often paired on the same tour.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Bamboo Island, or Ko Mai Phai, lies north of Ko Phi Phi Don and is reached on boat tours, often combined with Monkey Beach and snorkelling stops. A photo on Wikimedia Commons shows it across the water from the Krabi-bound ferry route, next to Koh Yung.
On arrival, expect pale sand and clear shallows. Wikivoyage reports a fee of roughly 200 baht per person for the beach, with a higher rate for wider access, and advises always asking for the ticket.
Swim near the shore, wear a life vest if you are unsure, and keep to marked areas. Carry out everything you bring, and avoid standing on coral. Check tide and wave conditions with your operator; in rough seas tours may be cancelled.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask for and keep the ticket
- Bring a hat, water and snacks
- Wear a life vest if unsure
- Check sea conditions the morning of the trip
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- North of Ko Phi Phi Don
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours on a tour
- Best time
- Dry season, morning
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Flat sand, but landing from a boat can involve wading and uneven steps. There is little built shade, so bring a hat and water, and check conditions before committing.
- Tickets and access
- Wikivoyage reports a fee of about 200 baht for beach use (or 400 for wider access); ask for the ticket and confirm current amounts.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Flat sand, but landing from a boat can involve wading and uneven steps. There is little built shade, so bring a hat and water, and check conditions before committing.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is there a fee for Bamboo Island?
Wikivoyage reports about 200 baht for the beach; confirm the current amount.
How do I get there?
By boat tour or longtail from Ton Sai.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
The sand is flat, but boat landings can be wet and uneven.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
