Koh Phi Phi: Things to Do and Tips for First-Timers

The Phi Phi Islands are probably one of the most famous and beautiful places in Thailand and they cannot be left out of any Thailand itinerary. In this Koh Phi Phi travel guide, we’ll share the best things to do in Koh Phi Phi and practical and useful tips for first timers.

Recommended reading: One-Month Thailand Itinerary

First Time in Southeast Asia? Read our ultimate guide to prepare a trip to Southeast Asia with essential and useful tips: How to Plan a Trip to Southeast Asia: Ultimate Guide with 21 Essential Tips.

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What is Included in this Guide?

In this Koh Phi Phi travel guide, we’ll cover the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, where to stay , and much more. You can use the links below to quickly navigate to the sections that interest you the most.

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What are the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi)?

The Phi Phi islands are a group of six islands in the Andaman sea. The main islands in the group are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh.

Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island and the only island of the Phi Phi group where you can stay overnight. It is well developed with several hotels, restaurants, bars, and much more.

Phi Phi Leh is a stunning island famous for the Maya Bay featured on the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

While you can visit the Phi Phi islands on day trips from nearby places like Krabi, Phuket, Koh Lanta, etc., we recommend spending at least a couple of nights in Phi Phi Don to get the most out of the beauty of these islands.

Related article: How to Choose a Phi Phi Islands Tour and What to Expect

10 Best Things to Do in Koh Phi Phi Don

Wondering what to do in Koh Phi Phi Don when you get there? With cristal clear blue water, white sand beaches, beautiful limestone cliffs, and amazing day trips, there is no shortage of things to do and spend a wonderful time in this little paradise. We’ve put together a list of the 10 best things to do in Koh Phi Phi Don.

1. Spend Time at the Beach

One of the best things to do in Phi Phi Don is to explore and relax at its beautiful beaches. Here, you’ll find white sand beaches with crystal clear blue water.

In our opinion, one of the best beaches to relax in Phi Phi Don is the Long Beach, accessible by a short hiking trail or by taxi boat. As the name suggests, the beach is a long stretch of sand, so you’ll always find a quiet space for yourself.

Another beautiful place is the Nui beach, accessible by kayak, boat or a hiking trail. This beach is a bit smaller and is visited by many boats and kayaks, so it’s not as quiet as the long beach, but its worth going there.

One of the most famous beaches is the Loh Dalum beach because is the closest to the central area of the island. However, in my opinion, it is not the best one to relax or swim because it’s usually crowded and when the tide is low, it reveals a soggy awful sand that is not appealing. Nonetheless, it’s worth going there to see the landscape with the limestone cliffs. Additionally, it’s a great place to rent kayaks or if you’re looking for a boat driver and private boat tours.

The Tonsai beach is the beach next to the pier. I would avoid this beach because of its proximity with the boats and ferrys, and it’s usually packed.

2. Hike to the Viking Beach and Long Beach

To get to the Long Beach, there’s a short hiking trail that will take you around 30 to 40 minutes departing from the main area of Phi Phi Don.

Throughout this hiking trail, you can explore other smaller and lesser-known beaches along the way, like the Viking beach.

To get back, you can either return on the same way or get on a taxi boat from the Long beach.

A great part of this trail goes through the “jungle”, so make sure you have use insect repellent.

3. Go Snorkeling

There are great opportunities to snorkel in the Phi Phi islands. Unfortunately, we didn’t do much snorkeling here, but I’ve heard there are excellent spots for snorkeling right off the beaches in Phi Phi Don. Some of the best locations include Loh Dalum Beach, the eastern tip of Long Beach (where you might even catch sight of sharks if you’re lucky), and Nui Beach.

Alternatively, you can also go on a snorkeling tour. The tour we did on the Phi Phi islands also included snorkeling. We saw a great variety of different tropical fish and vibrant marine life, but we did better snorkeling tours in Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe.

Related article: Koh Ha and Koh Rok Snorkeling Tour (from Koh Lanta) – Is It Worth It?

4. Kayak to Nui Bay and Monkey Beach

Rent a kayak at the Loh Dalum beach and go to Nui Bay and the Monkey Beach. We rented a kayak for the two of us for 400 baht for four hours and we had a great time. They even provide a dry bag so that we could take our stuff with us safely, so there’s no need for you yo buy one.

We recommend going to Nui Bay first. It’s approximately 45 minutes kayaking from Loh Dalum. Spend some time relaxing at the beach and snorkeling. There are no facilities at the Nui Bay beach, so make sure you pack some snacks and water.

Then, go to the Monkey Beach. It’s around 40 minutes from Nui Bay. Spend some time taking pictures to the monkeys, but be cautious with your stuff so you don’t get stolen.

Finally, to return to Loh Dalum. It will be around 20 to 30 minutes.

5. Hike to the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoints

There are three main viewpoints in Koh Phi Phi where you can have beautiful panoramic views of the island. It’s easy to find your way there as there are several signs in the “city” indicating the way to the viewpoints.

These are very popular spots to watch the sunset. The hike to get to the viewpoints is very uphill, so make sure you take some water with you.

To get to the first viewpoint, it will take approximately 15 to 10 minutes from the center. The entrance is 50 baht per person. This viewpoint has a nice decorated garden with some weird sculptures.

Continue walking along the trail and within around 10 minutes you’ll find viewpoint number 2. This one is much better than the first one. It has a wooden platform where you can get great pictures, but it’s usually very crowded. There’s also a bar next to this viewpoint where you can grab some drinks and have a great time watching the sunset.

If you want a much quieter place to watch the sunset, continue walking until viewpoint number 3. It’s approximately a 15-minute walk from viewpoint number 2. In this viewpoint you need to pay a 20 baht fee per person. The views at this viewpoint are similar to the previous one, but there’s barely no people here. Additionally, there’s a small bar where you can get some fresh drinks after your hike.

6. Maya Bay

The Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi Leh is one of the most famous places in the Phi Phi Islands and it is absolutely worth the hype. You can arrange a tour to visit Maya Bay or go with a private driver if you want to do a specific route or visit at a specific time. For example, I’ve heard that going super early in the morning, around sunrise time, is great to beat the crowds.

Unfortunately, due to its popularity, Maya Bay suffered environmental damage due to excessive tourism. Swimming is banned to protect marine life and coral. Additionally, authorities closed it temporarily and limited visitors to aid recovery. Make sure you check online if Maya Bay is open for visitors at the time of your visit.

We visited Maya Bay on a tour, and we went after lunch time. Although many people were heading there, the beach wasn’t as crowded as I expected. It’s long, and if you walk away from the entrance, you can find a long stretch just for yourself and you can even see baby sharks like we did. This was my personal experience, it might vary depending on the season, or even the time of the day you’re visiting.

7. Swim at the Pileh Lagoon

The Pileh lagoon in Koh Phi Phi Leh, the second largest island of the group, is one of the most beautiful places you’ll swim on. It’s a secluded bay with the bluest turquoise water we’ve ever seen. The whole setting is just beautiful with the contrast of the blue water with the lush green limestone cliffs making a stunning natural landscape.

This place is included in most Phi Phi island tours. Alternatively, you can arrange a boat driver to take you there and to the Maya Bay. You can easily arrange a driver at the Loh Dalum beach or next to the Tonsai pier.

Even though this place is absolutely stunning, it is also one of the most crowded with tons of long-tail boats and speedboats in a small area.

8. Trip to Bamboo Island and/or Mosquitto Island

The Bamboo island is a smaller island of the Koh Phi Phi group. Most Phi Phi tours, usually include a stop at this island. Here, you’ll find paradise-like beaches with white soft sand and crystal clear blue waters.

It’s a great place to spend an afternoon or morning at its beautiful beaches. Usually, most tours will give you a maximum of one hour at the island. If you want to spend more time, consider arranging transportation from Phi Phi Don instead of going on a tour.

The Mosquitto island, not far from the Bamboo island, is a great place for snorkeling.

9. Phi Phi Islands Tour

A great way to see the most beautiful places on the Phi Phi islands is going on a day tour from Phi Phi Don. You’ll find several agencies in Phi Phi Don selling this kind of tours. You can opt to go on such tours or hire a private driver to take you to the same places.

Related article: How to Choose a Phi Phi Islands Tour and What to Expect

Usually, these tours include the following stops, but might vary slightly depending on the operator and weather conditions:

• Monkey beach: a beach where you can see monkeys in Phi Phi Don;
• Viking Cave: not open to visitors, you just pass by and see it from afar;
• Pi Leh Lagoon: a beautiful lagoon in Phi Phi Leh with the bluest water I’ve ever seen. It was one of the most beautiful places we saw in Thailand and it is great for swimming. It was also the most crowded place in the tour;
• Maya Bay: a beautiful bay with the softest sand and beautiful turquoise water with limestone cliffs;
• Bamboo island: a smaller island with paradise-like beaches with crystal clear blue water;
• Mosquitto island: a great place for snorkeling in the surrounding waters;
• Snorkeling: most tours will make several stops for snorkeling;
• Nui Bay at Phi Phi Don to snorkel or watch the sunset and swim with bioluminescent plankton.

This tour was the highlight of our time in the Phi Phi islands. It took almost all day starting at 11AM and finishing around 7:30PM. After sunset, we went snorkeling with the bioluminescent plankton—what a great experience. We absolutely recommend it. You can read all about our Phi Phi islands tour experience in this article.

We booked our tour with Phi Phi Brazuca because they organize tours in Portuguese (and we are Portuguese). Even though the tour was a bit overpriced, it was just perfect.

Most tours will offer a similar experience, so you can search the itineraries and schedules on different tour agencies or book your tour in advance on Get Your Guide.

10. Watch the Fire Shows

Every day, at the Loh Dalum beach, the bars organize fire shows to attract tourists. You can order a drink and watch the fire shows or simply seat down on the sand and watch the performances from afar.

One of the places that stood out was the Slinky Bar. They’ve got everything to keep you entertained, from incredible and somehow dangerous fire shows to adrenaline-pumping activities like fire jump ropes, fire limbo, and even a bull ride.

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How to Get to the Phi Phi Islands

You can easily reach Koh Phi Phi by ferry from Phuket, Krabi or other nearby islands (like Koh Lanta, for example).

If you’re arriving at Thailand by plane, we recommend going to Phuket or Krabi airports and then get a ferry to Koh Phi Phi Don (Tonsai Pier). From Phuket town, the journey will take around two hours and from Krabi (Ao Nang) around one and a half hours.

Alternatively, you can also get on a speedboat, which will be a bit faster, but also a bit more expensive. You can arrange your transportation in advance booking through websites like 12GoAsia, or you can book at travel agencies in Phuket or Krabi.

You can also visit the Phi Phi islands on a day tour from Phuket or Ao Nang (Krabi). That’s a great option if you have limited time. Otherwise, I recommend staying in Koh Phi Phi Don at least a couple of nights, you won’t regret it.

Related article: Ao Nang Travel Guide for First Timers (Krabi, Thailand)

How Many Days in Koh Phi Phi

In our opinion two to three full days are enough time to explore the main highlights of the Phi Phi islands and spend some time relaxing.

You can easily see the main highlights of Phi Phi Don in one day, and do a day trip to Phi Phi Leh and other highlights of the Phi Phi islands on the following day. If you want to explore at a more relaxed pace, spend more time at the beach, relax at the hotel, snorkeling, and kayaking, add one extra day.

How to Get Around Koh Phi Phi

There are no cars or motorbikes in Koh Phi Phi Don. Everything in the main area (around Tonsai Pier) is within walking distance and the only way to get around is by walking. You can also get a long tail boat or get a taxi boat to other more remote parts of the island (like the northern part of the island where you can find some luxury resorts).

To explore the nearby Koh Phi Phi islands, you can arrange transportation by long tail boat with a taxi boat driver, or go on organized trips.

Best Time To Visit Koh Phi Phi

For more pleasant weather consider going between November and April. Avoid the months of September to early October because of heavy rainfall. We went in November and we had a mix of clear and cloudy skies.

Where to Stay in Koh Phi Phi

If it’s your first time staying in Koh Phi Phi, we recommend staying near Tonsai village (next to the pier) or Loh Dalum. These places are where everything happens in the island and they are close to the main beaches and the pier, which is great if you intend to get out to explore the other nearby islands.

If you want something more quieter, the Long Beach can be a good option. However, it’s a bit further from the “center”.

For something more high-end, tranquil and luxurious, look for Laem Tong Beach or Loh Bagao Bay.

Many accommodations are located on a hill and you’ll have to walk there because there are no other transportation options—take that into account when you’re booking a place to stay.

Here are some suggestions of highly rated options for different budgets:

• Blue Flow Hostel (budget)
• P2 Wood Loft (mid-range)
• P.P. Palmtree Resort (mid-range)
• SAii Phi Phi Island Village (luxury) – accessible by longtail boat.

Tip: consider booking a place to stay some time in advance, specially if you’re travelling in high season. We only booked our hotel in the day before and there was very little availability. Additionally, all the best places were already sold out.

We stayed at the Phi Phi Hotel. It was a bit dated, but better than we expected and it was located right in front of the Tonsai pier, which was very convenient.

Where to Go From Koh Phi Phi?

From the Phi Phi islands, you can continue your Thailand itinerary to the following destinations:

• Phuket: known for its nightlife, it’s also a great place to use as a base for island hopping (James Bong Island Tour, Tour to the Similan Islands, etc.);
• Ao Nang (Krabi): if you’re getting back to the airport, this is the closest option—you can also explore the islands off the coast of Krabi;
• Khao Sok: a beautiful National Park with a lake where you can sleep on an overwater bungalow;
• Ko Samui or Ko Pha Ngan: popular beach destinations in the Gulf of Thailand;
• Koh Lanta: beautiful local island with great snorkeling day trips—this is where we headed next—read our Koh Lanta Travel guide here;
• Koh Lipe: one of our favorite islands—we recommend a stop in Koh Lanta to split the travelling time and make the journey less tedious (read our Koh Lipe travel guide).

If you started you Thailand adventure in the south and you want to head north, you should not miss Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai.

Related article: Two Months Traveling in Southeast Asia: Our Itinerary

9 Things to Know Before Going to Koh Phi Phi

Finally, we’ve just compiled a short list of things you must know before going to Koh Phi Phi:

1. There’s not much local culture. The Koh Phi Phi islands are almost one hundred per center catered to tourists. Even though there’s not much local culture here, you’ll feel a great vibe.
2. There are many western restaurants. You’ll find a wide variety of international restaurants here with indian, western, middle-eastern, italian cuisines and much more. Even though you can find some traditional Thai restaurants, they are not as common as in other places.
3. It’s crowded, but beautiful. Regardless of the amount of people, the places in Koh Phi Phi are absolutely worth it.
4. Book your tours with local agencies. Usually, booking your tours directly with the agencies in Koh Phi Phi Don will be cheaper than buying online in advance.
5. There are no cars or motorbikes. In Koh Phi Phi Don, there are no cars or motorbikes, you simply walk or get a boat depending on where you want to go.
6. Book your accommodation some time in advance. Koh Phi Phi Don is a small island, so consider booking your hotel some time in advance, specially if you’re looking for a nice place. Otherwise, you’ll end up with what’s left.
7. You cannot swim at the Maya Bay. To protect the ecosystem, currently, boats are not allowed and you cannot swim at the Maya Bay, but you can visit the beach.
8. Maya Bay may be closed. To regenerate the ecosystem, the government might close Maya Bay to visitors. Check in advance if Maya Bay is open at the time of your visit.
9. You can see bioluminescent plankton. Our Phi Phi island tour included snorkeling after sunset in the dark to see the bioluminescent plankton. Even though it’s not as bright as you see in some photoshopped pictures, it’s an absolutely incredible experience.

Wrapping Up

The Phi Phi islands was one of our favorite places in our trip to Thailand. They are touristy and they are crowded, but absolutely stunning. Our stay at the Phi Phi islands absolutely exceeded my expectations and we really recommend spending at least a couple of nights.

We hope our travel guide to the Phi Phi islands helps you plan your Thailand itinerary. We have other Thailand travel guides you may find useful:

Preparing a Trip o Thailand? Take a look at our One-Month Thailand Itinerary.

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