Bamboo Island
Bamboo Island (known in Thai as Koh Phai) is a small, almost perfectly circular island sitting roughly seven kilometres north of Phi Phi Don, within the boundaries of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. It is fringed entirely by white sand and shallow, clear water, and at just 0.27 square kilometres it is an island you can walk around in minutes. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in the quality of its surroundings: calm, colourful water and the kind of quiet that has become increasingly rare in the Phi Phi Islands.
Tours that visit here
Join-In TourPhi Phi Islands Sunrise Tour
The Best Phi Phi Island Tour From Phuket
Escape the crowds and experience the stunning beauty of the Phi Phi Islands in ultimate comfort. This exclusive Phi Phi Island tour from Phuket by Simba Sea Trips is designed for travelers who want to explore these world-famous islands before the masses arrive. Glide across the turquoise waters on a premium speedboat and witness the breathtaking landscapes of Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave and more.
Join-In TourPhi Phi Island Shark Spotting Sunset Tour
The Phi Phi Sunset Shark Tour
Escape the crowds and experience the stunning beauty of Phuket in ultimate comfort on the Phi Phi Sunset Shark Tour. This exclusive Phi Phi Island tour by Simba Sea Trips is designed for travelers who want to explore these world-famous islands before the masses arrive. Glide across the turquoise waters on a premium speedboat and witness the breathtaking landscapes of Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave and more.
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Why Visit Bamboo Island?
Most visitors to the Phi Phi Islands focus their attention on Phi Phi Leh — and understandably so, given Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon. But Bamboo Island offers something different: a wider stretch of beach, shallower water ideal for swimming and snorkeling close to shore, and a noticeably calmer atmosphere.
Because Bamboo Island is not on every tour itinerary, it sees a fraction of the visitor traffic that the more famous bays receive. Even during high season, mornings here can feel genuinely peaceful — it is the kind of place where guests often say they could have stayed for the rest of the afternoon.
The reef surrounding the island has benefited from the same national park protections that apply to the wider Phi Phi area. Fish life is diverse and abundant, and the water is clear enough in the dry season to see the seabed in detail from the surface. Snorkeling here connects directly with the Snorkeling and Wildlife and Animals experiences featured across our Experiences pages.
What to Expect at Bamboo Island
The Beach
Bamboo Island is surrounded by a continuous stretch of fine white sand with no breakwaters or large structures. The shoreline shelves gently into clear water, making it easy to enter for swimming. Just a short swim from the beach, the sandy bottom transitions into coral patches where fish life becomes visible. The island remains natural and undeveloped, with shade mainly provided by the trees lining the beach.
Snorkeling
Bamboo Island is one of the better snorkeling locations on a typical Phi Phi tour. The shallow reef close to shore offers an easy entry point for both experienced snorkelers and beginners, and morning conditions are usually calm with good visibility. Common marine life includes parrotfish, angelfish, wrasse, and occasionally lionfish in deeper reef areas. Simba’s crew selects the best entry point depending on the day’s conditions, and snorkel equipment is provided.
Beach Time and Swimming
Bamboo Island is also ideal for guests who prefer to relax rather than snorkel the entire stop. The warm, shallow water is perfect for swimming or wading, and the quiet beach offers beautiful views back toward the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh on the southern horizon.
Activities and Experiences at Bamboo Island
Bamboo Island lends itself to a focused set of activities suited to the pace of a Simba sunrise tour:
- Snorkeling over shallow reef close to shore, with crew guidance for beginners and space for confident snorkelers to explore further afield.
- Swimming in calm, warm water with easy entry from the beach.
- Beach time — walking the shoreline, relaxing in the shallows, or simply taking in the view.
- Photography of the island, the water colour, and the surrounding landscape, which includes distant views towards the limestone karsts of Phi Phi Leh.
The stop at Bamboo Island also connects with the Sunrise experience category on Simba’s site, given that the broader Phi Phi sunrise tour is framed around the quality of early-morning light and uncrowded conditions at each location.
How We Visit Bamboo Island on Our Phi Phi Islands Tour
Bamboo Island is included as a stop on our Phi Phi Sunrise Tour and can also be featured prominently on our private Phi Phi Islands charters.
When Maya Bay is closed for annual ecosystem rejuvenation during August and September, Bamboo Island becomes the first stop of the morning on the Simba Sea Trips Phi Phi Sunrise Tour from Phuket. Guests arrive early to enjoy a peaceful beach setting and have breakfast right on the sand, with time to swim, snorkel, or simply relax before continuing the journey to the other highlights of Phi Phi.
On the Phi Phi Sunset Shark Tour, Bamboo Island is also the first beach stop, where guests can enjoy breakfast on the beach and take in the quiet morning atmosphere before the day’s snorkeling and island exploration begins.
During the stop, guests have time to snorkel, swim, and enjoy the beach before the boat continues on to the next locations. The crew brief guests on the reef before entering the water, reinforcing care around coral and reminding everyone that marine life should never be touched or disturbed.
On a private Phi Phi Islands charter, Bamboo Island can be given more time if your group wishes — for an extended snorkel, a longer beach stop, or simply a relaxed pause in the middle of the day. Private tours allow the itinerary to be shaped around what your group values most, while maintaining the same standard of comfort, safety, and small-group experience.
Best Time to Visit Bamboo Island
Seasonal Overview
High season — November through April
The optimal window for Bamboo Island is the high season — November through April — when the Andaman Sea is generally at its calmest and underwater visibility is at its best. The clear water and bright morning light during these months make for excellent snorkeling conditions.
Low season from May to October
During the low season from May to October, conditions are more variable. Bamboo Island is relatively sheltered, but some swell can reach the north side of the island during stronger weather systems. On good days in the wet season, the island can still be a beautiful stop — and quieter than at any other time of year.
Simba monitors conditions and will adjust the itinerary if a stop at Bamboo Island is not suitable on a given day.
What Our Customers Say
Excellent
4.9 based on 4301 reviews
Great experience
We spent a really nice day on the boat. The crew was very helpful, friendly, and made the trip fun and enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Unreal snorkelling and sunrise (we booked Simba twice for a reason)
We did the “Luxury Small Group Phi Phi Sunrise” tour with Simba Sea Trips our second tour with them in the space of a few days and it was another standout experience. The early start is absolutely worth it. Sunrise over the islands (and from the boat) was something else, and getting out ahead of the crowds made a huge difference to the whole day. The team were excellent once again friendly, organised, and everything ran on time, including the morning pickup which was spot on. The snorkelling was a real highlight. We saw a huge moray eel (very chonky boy), two sea snakes (a first for me), several sharks, and plenty of beautiful fish. Easily some of the best marine life I’ve seen on a tour like this. The whole day felt relaxed and well-paced, never rushed, and just genuinely enjoyable from start to finish. We booked Simba twice within a few days for a reason if you’re considering Phi Phi, this is definitely the way to do it.
Worth every dollar a completely different Phuket tour experience
We booked the “Luxury Small Group Phang Nga Bay and Beyond” tour with Simba Sea Trips and it was easily one of the highlights of our trip. The early start makes a huge difference. We were ahead of the crowds all day, which meant places that would normally be packed felt calm and almost private. The scenery in Phang Nga Bay is incredible, but what really stood out was how well the whole day was run. Harry and the team were excellent organised, friendly, and clearly experienced. One thing that really stuck with me was Harry taking the time to pick up rubbish whenever he saw it, which says a lot about the kind of operation they run. The kayaking through the caves and lagoons was a standout. It never felt rushed, and the small group size made it a much more relaxed experience. We were also very well fed and watered throughout the day, which just added to the overall comfort and enjoyment. If you’re comparing this to cheaper, bigger group tours, don’t this is a completely different experience. Absolutely worth it.
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