A Natural Swimming Pool on Phi Phi Leh Island
Pi Leh Lagoon is a swimming stop on most Phi Phi Island tours, located just around the corner from Maya Bay. The lagoon sits inside a dramatic bowl of limestone cliffs on the uninhabited Phi Phi Leh island. Unlike Maya Bay, where swimming is banned, you can actually get in the water here. That’s what makes it special. The colour is that bright emerald green you see in photos, and yes, it really looks like that.
What to Expect When You Visit
Your boat will enter through a narrow gap in the cliffs. Inside, the lagoon opens up into a semi-circular bay with calm, shallow water. Most tour boats stop here for 40 minutes to an hour. You can swim, float around, and take photos from the boat. Life jackets are provided.
The water depth varies, but it stays shallow enough that you can see the bottom in most spots. Snorkelling is allowed in designated areas only. Don’t expect amazing coral or fish here. It’s more about the scenery and the swimming experience itself.
One thing that’s changed recently: longtail boat rides inside the lagoon cost extra. Shared boats run about 300 Baht per person. Private boats go for 1,500 to 1,800 Baht and fit up to 8 people.
New Rules Since March 2024
The national park introduced strict regulations in March 2024 to control the chaos. Boats now have a speed limit of 3 knots inside the lagoon. There’s a maximum of 300 people and 50 boats allowed at any time. All boats must anchor on designated buoys only.
These changes have made a real difference. Before, the lagoon was noisy with engines revving and boats jostling for position. Now it actually sounds like a lagoon again.
Best Time to Visit Pi Leh Lagoon
Timing matters more than anything else here. Standard tours from Phuket arrive between 10 am and 2 pm. That’s when you’ll find 20 or 30 boats packed inside, with over a thousand people waiting their turn.
The sweet spot is early morning, between 6:30 and 9 am. Sunrise tours departing around 6 am get there before the crowds. Some visitors who arrived at 6:30 am reported having the lagoon nearly to themselves.
If you’re staying on Phi Phi Don, you have a big advantage. The lagoon is only 10 minutes away by longtail. Book a private boat for 6:30 am, and you’ll beat every tour group from Phuket and Krabi.
Late afternoon, after 4 pm, can also work, but you’re gambling on whether the morning crowds have cleared.
Pi Leh Lagoon Info
Location: Phi Phi Leh Island (part of Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park)
National Park Fee: 400 Baht for foreign adults, 200 Baht for children under 120 cm
Swimming: Allowed (unlike Maya Bay)
Typical Visit: 40 minutes to 1 hour
Best Time: 6:30 am to 9 am or after 4 pm
Pi Leh Lagoon Map
Your Travel Guide to Phi Phi Islands
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