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 4290 reviews
The best day
We really enjoyed our day visiting the Phi Phi islands, Dee was brilliant and all the crew on Simba 8 as well as the staff at the SOHO club! It was very special to see the sunrise and all of the activities were amazing and well planned. Everything ran smoothly and the fresh fruit and drinks provided were a nice touch. The experience felt very exclusive and never rushed!
Fantastic day - stops - beat crowds
Amazing day. All stops were fantastic. Definitely worth beating the crowds. Lunch excellent. Super speed boat (not luxury). Great guide Harry.
BEST EARLY MORNING TOUR PHANG NGA BAY
Extremely well organised, great communication regarding pick up time. Harry our guide was the AWESOME
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