Phi Phi Islands: The Ultimate Guide
To fully experience Thailand, a visit to the Phi Phi Islands is a must. This stunning destination, situated in the southern part of the country, is famous for its picturesque islands, pristine beaches, and awe-inspiring limestone cliffs.
The Phi Phi Islands consist of two large islands, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh, along with four smaller nearby islands: Koh Yung, Koh Mai Phai, Koh Pida Nok, and Koh Pida Nai.
Getting to Phi Phi Islands
To ensure you make the most of your trip, be sure to check out the below blog post, covering everything from transportation options and how to get around, to where to stay, where to eat, and the best things to do.
You can either take a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands or stay on Koh Phi Phi Don. I highly recommend staying for at least two nights, as there is plenty to do and see on Koh Phi Phi Don.
The two main ways to get to Koh Phi Phi Don is by speedboat or ferry from either Krabi or Phuket. From Phuket, it takes around 2 hours by ferry and from Krabi, it takes about 1 and a half hours. Speedboats are faster e.g. From Krabi it only takes 1 hour to reach Koh Phi Phi Don.
The best website to book your boat tickets is 12go.Asia.
For a day trip to Phi Phi Islands, you can find many tours from Krabi and Phuket with Get Your Guide.
Note: On arrival there is a 20 Baht entrance fee per person to enter Koh Phi Phi Don.
Getting around Koh Phi Phi Don
The best way to get around is to walk as there is no public transport. The island is small and it won’t take you long to walk around the town or to get to the beaches and resorts around Tonsai Village.
It’s important to know especially when booking accommodation that you may need to take a long tail boat from the harbour and town to get to some hotels and resorts as there is no accessible path. It’s best to find accommodation near Tonsai Village.
Best Time to Visit
Although peak season, the best time to visit the Phi Phi Islands is during the dry season (November to April). This means that hotel prices are much higher, and the island is at its busiest with tourists.
If you decide to visit during the monsoon season (May to October), be prepared for heavy downpours. However, the temperature remains warm, and you will get to see some sunshine.
If you want to avoid it at its busiest, visit between May and October, and make sure to visit destinations early in the morning.
Koh Phi Phi Don Accommodation
The best area to stay in on Koh Phi Phi Don is near Tonsai Village. Here you will be close to restaurants, bars, shops and beaches.
The best website to book accommodation on Koh Phi Phi Don is Booking.com. Here are some coupons for Booking.com.
- Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort has cute bungalows within a short 1-minute walk away from the beach.
- PP Princess Resort is a beachfront hotel close to the town with an open-air restaurant, outdoor infinity pool and swim-up bar.
- Phi Phi Harbour View Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool with a gorgeous view.
Koh Phi Phi Don Nightlife
Koh Phi Phi Don is a great place for nightlife. Here are the best places to party:
Restaurants on Koh Phi Phi Don
- Atom Resto serves the best Italian food on the island! Happy hour is every hour here. Selected cocktails are only 99 Baht.
- Pirates House Restaurant and Bar serves Thai, Indian and International food.
- Phi Phi Don Cafe and Restaurant features a beachfront terrace offering breathtaking ocean views. Guests can also enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool situated at the island’s edge, overlooking the ocean.
Things to do on Phi Phi Islands
1. Hike to Phi Phi Viewpoints
To get to the viewpoints from Tonsai Village head east toward the edge of the village and follow the signs. The trail starts with a very steep set of stairs and it will take about 5-10 minutes to reach Viewpoint 1. You will need to pay a 30 Baht entrance fee to enter Viewpoints 1 and 2.
From Viewpoint 1 to Viewpoint 2 it’s only a 10-minute walk. Most people stop here and go back but I recommend making your way to Viewpoint 3. The trail to this viewpoint is behind View Point Cafe and it takes about 5-10 minutes to get there. There is a separate entrance fee of 20 Baht to enter Viewpoint 3.
Allow at least an hour for the hike to and from all three viewpoints. Make sure to take some time to enjoy the views and even enjoy a drink on the rooftop of View Point Cafe.
2. Watch Muay Thai Fighting
Watch as drunk tourists attempt Muay Thai fighting! Every night at 9 p.m., Muay Thai fighting takes place at the Reggae Bar. If you’re brave enough to volunteer, you get a free bucket of alcohol.
3. Take a Longtail Boat Tour around Phi Phi Islands
I highly recommend booking a private boat. That way you don’t have to wait for people, you can customize the boat tour and decide how long to stay at each destination.
Here are the 5 must-visit destinations on your boat tour:
Start your tour at 6 am so you can beat the crowds and enjoy it while it’s not as busy. A private 6-hour long-tail boat tour costs 4,500 Baht with Visa Travel Phi Phi (if you want to book in advance) for 2 people. There are tons of boat tour companies on Koh Phi Phi so you can easily book one while you are there at perhaps an even cheaper price.
Maya Bay, made famous by the film “The Beach,” is closed for part of the year to allow it to recover from tourism and restore its marine ecology and coral reef. If you want to visit the beach you will need to check if it’s open before planning a trip there.
The ministry’s regulations limit the number of visitors to 380 per hour. The boats are required to dock at Loh Sama Bay (back of the island) and you will have to walk five minutes along a wooden trail to get to the beach.
Note: Swimming is not permitted at Maya Bay.
4. Watch a Fire Show
Every night at 10 p.m., an entertaining 45-minute fire show takes place on the beach in front of Carlito’s Bar. You are required to purchase food or a drink from the bar to sit and enjoy the show.
5. Kayak or Paddleboard at Loh Dalum Beach
Loh Dalum Beach is known as the “party beach.” Several restaurants, bars, and resorts can be found on the right side of Loh Dalum Beach as you walk from Tonsai Village. Ibiza Pool Party is one of the best places to go for a good time. At night time, a fire show is also held on this side of the island.
Kayaks and paddle boards can be rented at Loh Dalum Beach. You can kayak to Nui Beach (a tropical hidden beach) or Monkey Beach. Be sure to rent kayaks at low tide or when the ocean is calm.
You can also take a 5-minute long-tail boat ride to Nui Beach. If you want to visit a paradise beach with white sand, tall palm trees, and surrounding limestone cliffs, this is the place to go. The advantage of this beach is that it is less crowded than the Phi Phi Islands.
When visiting Thailand, you should not miss a trip to the Phi Phi Islands. It is one of the most stunning places on earth!
Check out my blog posts on 10 things to do in Krabi and 5 Best Islands Near Krabi. These blog posts are filled with exciting ideas, from beach adventures to temple explorations and island hopping.
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a payment I will earn a commission. I link these websites because they give the best value/service and not because of the commission I receive. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to pay using these links is completely up to you. I only recommend websites to book through that I use myself and I know will be beneficial!
