SeaTV · Thailand · Andaman Coast · Phuket Region · Ko Phi Phi Don
Ko Phi Phi Don — The Seven Anchorages of the Andaman’s Twin-Bay Island
~30 NM SE of Phuket · 7 distinct anchorages around a fish-shaped limestone island · two world-famous twin bays at the narrow waist (Tonsai S, Loh Dalum N) plus five quieter coves at the NE tip and along the W and E coasts · part of Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park · seasonal anchorage choice is essential.
Ko Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island in the Phi Phi archipelago and the natural overnight stop on every Phuket-to-Lanta charter route. The island is shaped like a butterfly with a narrow sandy strip joining two limestone-cliff hills · the waist is filled by Tonsai Village (south) and Loh Dalum (north). Around the rest of the coast lie five more anchorages, each with a different character: Laem Tong at the NE tip with four resorts and quiet sand · Loh Bagao on the NE coast with a wide bay and a single resort village · Loh Moo Dee on the E coast with white sand and almost no crowds · Lanah Bay on the NW with a small fishing settlement · and Nui Bay tucked into the W cliffs. The anchorage you choose depends on the monsoon — the W-coast anchorages (Loh Dalum, Lanah, Nui) work in the NE-monsoon dry season (Nov-Apr) · the E-coast anchorages (Loh Bagao, Laem Tong, Loh Moo Dee) work better when SW-monsoon swell hits the W coast.
⚠ Reality check:
→ National Park fee applies · 400 THB adult / 200 THB child for Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi NP (cash only)
→ Tonsai Bay is the busy entry · expect heavy ferry, longtail and dive boat traffic
→ Tonsai Bay anchoring · enter from the W side only · the E side has reef dropping from 20 m to less than 1 m
→ Loh Dalum is shallow at low tide · check tide tables · large yachts may bottom out
→ No marinas anywhere on Phi Phi Don · all stops are anchorages or mooring buoys
→ Choose your anchorage by monsoon · W coast in NE monsoon (Nov-Apr) · E coast in SW monsoon (May-Oct)
⚓ Phi Phi Don at a Glance
Position
~7°44’N · 098°46’E
Distance from Phuket
~30 NM SE from Yacht Haven
Anchorages
7 distinct · seasonal choice
Park fee
400 THB / 200 THB child · cash
Best season
Nov-Apr (NE monsoon)
Provisioning
Tonsai Village · 7-Eleven, market
Hospital
Tonsai West (small clinic)
Status
Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
VHF
Ch 16 distress · no port control
The 7 Anchorages — by Coast
The seven anchorages around Phi Phi Don sit on three distinct coasts. Match your choice to the wind and the season — the wrong side in the wrong monsoon is uncomfortable at best.
South Coast — The Main Hub
1 · Anchorage
Ao Tonsai (Tonsai Bay) — South
The main entry to Phi Phi. Tonsai Pier handles all ferries from Phuket and Krabi, longtail traffic is constant, and the bay is the busiest anchorage in the archipelago. Surrounded by tall limestone cliffs · backed by the village. Anchor in the W half of the bay in 8-15 m sand · stay clear of the ferry approach to the pier.
⚠ Enter on the W side only. The E side has a reef dropping from 20 m to less than 1 m — a known hazard for newcomers.
⚠ Heavy night-time traffic · ferries until late afternoon, longtails through the night · expect noise and wake.
Use it for: arrival, provisioning, dinner ashore, crew swap. Don’t plan to sleep here.
2 · Anchorage
Ao Loh Dalum — North (opposite Tonsai)
The N twin of the village isthmus. Almost completely enclosed and well-sheltered from N and E winds. Walk 300 m across the sandy strip to Tonsai Village. The “party beach” of Phi Phi · expect bars, fire shows, and music ashore until late.
⚠ Very shallow at low tide · the bay is barely passable for tenders at lowest astronomical tide · check tide tables before approaching at night.
⚠ Fully exposed to NW-W winds · uncomfortable when wind shifts west of N.
Use it for: sheltered overnight in calm NE-monsoon weather + nightlife.
East Coast — Quiet & Resort-Backed
3 · Anchorage
Ao Loh Bagao (Loh Ba Kao) — NE
An 800 m-wide bay on the NE coast · white sand backed by a coconut grove · home to a single major resort village (Phi Phi Island Village) and Villa 360 at the southern end. The water is clear, holding is good in 8-15 m sand. A small mangrove river at the N end of the bay leads to a small village with bars and restaurants.
Approach: straightforward from the E or NE · no offshore hazards.
⚠ Exposed to E/NE swell when SW-monsoon weather pushes around the island · check forecast.
Use it for: peaceful overnight away from the village crowds.
4 · Anchorage
Laem Tong — NE Tip
The most remote anchorage on Phi Phi Don. Sits at the NE tip with four upmarket resorts (Zeavola, Holiday Inn, Erawan Palms, Phi Phi Natural). White sand, calm clear water, very limited longtail traffic. The local fishing community (Chao Leh sea gypsies) live here. Mosquito Island and Bamboo Island are visible to the NE.
Anchor: 8-12 m sand · holding is good · plenty of swing room.
Use it for: the quietest overnight on Phi Phi Don · base for the Bamboo and Mosquito Island excursion.
5 · Anchorage
Ao Loh Moo Dee — E Coast
A 500 m white-sand beach on the E side with a small informal fishing settlement and almost no tourists. Calm emerald water, good for swimming and snorkelling, no resort infrastructure. One of the few Phi Phi spots where you can be alone in peak season.
⚠ Bring all supplies · the beach has minimal infrastructure · don’t expect to find food or water ashore.
Use it for: quiet snorkel stop · away-from-everything overnight.
West Coast — Cliff Bays (NE Monsoon Only)
6 · Anchorage
Lanah Bay (Loh Lana) — NW
A small bay tucked into the NW coast · backed by limestone cliffs and a small fishing community. Anchor 12-15 m offshore on sand · not many other yachts here. Connected by a hill path to Loh Bagao on the E side.
⚠ NE monsoon (Nov-Apr) only. Fully exposed to SW swell · do not stop here in May-Oct.
Use it for: calm-weather lunch stop with very few other boats.
7 · Anchorage
Nui Bay — W Coast
A small hidden cove on the W cliffs · accessible by tender from Loh Dalum, or by yacht to anchor offshore in deeper water (15-20 m). White sand, tall palms, towering limestone walls. Best visited in the morning before tour boats arrive.
⚠ NE monsoon only · day-stop only. Not a recommended overnight · open to W wind/swell · holding less reliable.
Use it for: early-morning swim and snorkel before the day-trip fleet arrives.
Seasonal Anchorage Strategy
NE Monsoon · Nov-Apr (Charter High Season)
All seven anchorages are usable. First choice: Loh Bagao or Laem Tong for quiet overnight, Tonsai for daytime provisioning, Loh Dalum for the village/nightlife but plan the depth carefully. Day stops: Nui Bay early morning, Lanah Bay for lunch.
SW Monsoon · May-Oct (Low Season)
Avoid the W coast entirely (Lanah, Nui, Loh Dalum exposure). Best: Loh Bagao, Laem Tong, or Loh Moo Dee on the E side. Tonsai itself can be choppy with W swell wrapping around the bay · check forecast carefully and consider moving E for the night.
Pro Tips for Phi Phi Don
Anchor in Loh Bagao or Laem Tong, not Tonsai. Use Tonsai only for the dinghy run for provisioning · the noise and wake make it impossible to sleep there.
Pay the National Park fee in cash. 400 THB adult / 200 THB child for Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi NP · keep your receipt · valid for the area including Phi Phi Le, Maya Bay, Bamboo Island.
The Tonsai E-side reef is the classic mistake. Approach from the W half of the bay only · the E side drops from 20 m to less than 1 m on a coral shelf.
Loh Dalum at low tide is sketchy. Check the tide table · the bay can dry to less than 0.5 m · plan the dinghy ride carefully.
Hike to Viewpoint 2 at sunset. 20 minutes from Tonsai Village · 50 THB entry · the iconic view across the twin bays · and yes, the hike is worth it.
Provisioning at Tonsai Village. 7-Eleven stores, small market, ATMs, money exchange · prices ~10-20% higher than Phuket town · adequate for top-up but not full provisioning.
Hospital is small. Phi Phi Hospital in Tonsai West handles minor cases · serious injuries need evacuation back to Phuket or Krabi.
Day Plan from Phi Phi Don
Phi Phi Le (S): ~2 NM S to Maya Bay, Hong Pileh, Viking Cave. See Ko Phi Phi Le · Maya Bay.
Bamboo and Mosquito Islands (NE): ~3 NM NE from Laem Tong · day-stop snorkel · see Ko Mai Phai & Lanah Bay.
Ko Lanta (S): ~25 NM S to Klong Dao or Kantiang Bay. See Ko Lanta · Klong Dao & Kantiang Bay.
Krabi mainland (NE): ~15 NM NE to Ao Nang and Railay. See Krabi Coast.
Emergency Numbers — Phi Phi
Tourist Police (24/7, English): 1155
General Emergency: 191
Marine Emergency & SAR: 1196
Coastguard Distress: VHF Ch. 16
Phi Phi Hospital: +66 75 622 151 (small clinic, minor cases only)
National Park Office: +66 75 661 145
Useful Links
→ Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park (official)
Related SeaTV Pages
Phi Phi Group & Day Trips
→ Ko Phi Phi Le · Maya Bay & Hong Pileh
Routes To & From Phi Phi Don
→ Phuket Yacht Haven Marina (charter base)
→ Krabi · Ao Nang & Railay Beach
Hub & Routes
Planning Phi Phi?
Seven anchorages around one fish-shaped island. Tonsai for the village, Loh Bagao or Laem Tong for the night. National Park fee 400 THB · pay in cash · keep the receipt.
→ Phi Phi Le S · Lanta S · Krabi NE
“Seven anchorages around one fish-shaped island, two world-famous twin bays at the narrow waist filled by a village that never sleeps, and five quieter coves where the longtail traffic thins out and the limestone cliffs rise straight from the water. Tonsai is loud, Loh Dalum is loud and shallow, Loh Bagao is wide and calm, Laem Tong is the quietest end, Loh Moo Dee is the locals’ beach, Lanah and Nui are for the dry-season days when the west coast settles. Choose by monsoon, pay your park fee in cash, hike up to Viewpoint Two before sunset, and remember that the east side of Tonsai Bay drops from twenty metres to less than one — every season, every charter, the same reef, the same mistake.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Andaman Coast Edition
