Destination Guide
Phi Phi Islands Guide
phi phi, Thailand
A trip to Thailand is not complete without visiting Phi Phi Islands. Phi Phi Islands is located in the South and is one of the most famous destinations in Thailand. It’s well known for its paradise-like islands, beaches and incredible limestone rock formations!
Phi Phi Islands includes two large islands, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh, as well as four smaller islands nearby, Koh Yung, Koh Mai Phai, Koh Pida Nok, and Koh Pida Nai.
This Phi Phi Islands Guide is everything you need to know from how to get there, how to get around, where to stay, where to eat, the best things to do….basically everything!
You can either do a day trip to Phi Phi Islands or stay on Koh Phi Phi Don. I highly recommend staying for at least 2 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 websites to book your boat tickets are bookaway.com and https://12go.asia. Check both websites to find the best price.
For a day trip to Phi Phi Islands, you can find many tours from Krabi and Phuket on getyourguide.com.
Note that on arrival there is a 20 Baht entrance fee per person to enter 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.
You will need to take a long tail boat to get to some hotels and resorts as there is no accessible path.
The 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.
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.
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 offering an open-air restaurant, outdoor infinity pool and swim-up bar.
Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel features 2 restaurants, 2 outdoor swimming pools, 2 beaches and a game room.
Koh Phi Phi Don Nightlife
Koh Phi Phi Don is a great place for nightlife. Here are the best places to party:
- The Dubliner
- Koh Phi Phi Backpacker Bar
- Reggae Bar
- Slinky Bar
Places to dine 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.
Chukit Cafe and Restaurant. Dine on their beachfront terrace with incredible views of the ocean and swim in their pool on the edge of the island overlooking the ocean.
Photo by: alikainwanderlust
Things to do on your visit to Phi Phi Islands
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. At Viewpoint 1 you will need to pay a 30 Baht entrance fee to enter Viewpoints 1 and 2.
Photo by: alikainwanderlust
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. The views are incredible from there.
Explore the streets of Koh Phi Phi Don
Bargain at the market stalls or get a massage at Mandarin Massage Phi Phi. It's only 200 Baht for a 1-hour massage.
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.
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 place.
Here are the 5 must-visit destinations on your boat tour:
- Maya Bay
- Pi Leh Lagoon
- Viking Cave
- Bamboo Beach
- Monkey Bay
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 3,500 Baht with Visa Travel Phi Phi (if you want to book in advance). There are tons of boat tour places on Koh Phi Phi so you can easily book one while you are there at perhaps an even cheaper price.
Photo by: alikainwanderlust
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. Swimming is not permitted at Maya Bay.
Photo by: alikainwanderlust
Watch the Fire Show at Carlito’s Bar
Every night at 10 p.m., an entertaining fire show takes place on the beach in front of Carlito's Bar. It lasts 45 minutes and requires you to purchase food or a drink from the bar in order to sit and enjoy the show.
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 beautiful hidden beach) or Monkey Beach. Make sure to rent kayaks at low tide or when the ocean is calm.
Photo by: alikainwanderlust
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. The above Phi Phi Islands Guide will provide you with all of the information you need to plan your trip there.