Koh Phi Phi Island Guide

Koh Phi Phi, or the Phi Phi Islands, is one of the most gorgeous places in Thailand! The Phi Phi Islands have perfect sandy beaches, amazing snorkeling, huge limestone cliffs, and who can forget the infamous Maya Bay?!

The Phi Phi Islands (pronounced ‘pee pee’) are an archipelago of islands in the Andaman sea. They are actually a group of 6 different islands, but only one of the islands is inhabited.

The Phi Phi Islands are located about 25 miles (40 km) south of Krabi. It’s easy to reach Koh Phi Phi from Phuket, from Krabi, or to just go on a day tour from either of the above. Read on to see everything you need to know about this picture perfect location!

The 6 Different Phi Phi Islands

So we already told you the Phi Phi Islands are an archipelago made up of 6 different islands. That can be kind of confusing if you are wondering which Phi Phi Island to go to!

It’s also important to note that the 6 islands make up the Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park. As part of the national park, you need to pay a 400 baht fee ($10.50 usd) to visit the different islands. Here is a little info about each island:

Phi Phi Don

Phi Phi Don is the biggest of the Phi Phi Islands and also the only inhabited Phi Phi island. The Phi Phi pier is also located on Phi Phi Don. If you say you’re going to Koh Phi Phi, you are probably talking about this island!

The island is quite small. There are actually no cars allowed on it! You can walk to most of the island from the pier. Some places on the island are only accessible by boat, so keep that in mind when booking your accommodation.

Phi Phi Leh

Phi Phi Leh (sometimes written Phi Phi Ley) is the second biggest of the Phi Phi Islands. It is also home to Maya Bay. Maya Bay is arguably the most beautiful beach in the world! It was made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach from the year 2000.

Maya Bay was recently closed due to over tourism killing much of the marine life. Luckily the closure gave the area time to recover. You are now able to see sharks again! The coral has also had time to recover.

Maya Bay is the only beach on Phi Phi Leh, although the island does have other famous locations such as the Viking Cave and the Pi Leh Lagoon. You need to be on a boat tour to access these locations.

Koh Pai (Bamboo Island)

Bamboo Island is a small island to the northeast of Phi Phi Don. There are no buildings on the island except for a small hut that sometimes serves drinks/snacks.

Bamboo Island is surrounded by picture perfect white beaches. It’s a great place to snorkel and to escape the crowds of Phi Phi Don. You can either take a tour here or pay a boat to take you privately (although you still need to pay the 400 baht national park fee).

There are supposed to be tours you can book on Phi Phi Don to stay overnight on Bamboo Island and camp in a tent.

Ko Yung (Mosquito Island)

Mosquito Island is located north of Phi Phi Don. It is a very remote island with no buildings on it. The east side of the island is rocky, but there is a small beach on the west side. It is a great place to snorkel. As you can tell by its name, there are said to be many mosquitos on this island at dusk!

Ko Bida Nai & Ko Bida Nok

Ko Bida Nai and Ko Bida Nok are the last two of the six Phi Phi Islands. However they could be considered large limestone rocks as opposed to islands. These two islands are famous for their diving and snorkeling as they are surrounded by reefs!

How to Get to Koh Phi Phi

The only way to get to the Phi Phi Islands is by boat. Most people take a boat to Koh Phi Phi from either Phuket or Krabi. It’s equally easy to get to Koh Phi Phi from either city.

If you’re trying to get to the Phi Phi Islands from Bangkok (or outside of Thailand), I would advise flying to Krabi as the Krabi airport is closer to the pier. You may prefer to fly into Phuket if flights are cheaper, but keep in mind that the Phuket airport is about an hour drive from the pier in Phuket.

The main pier on Koh Phi Phi is on Phi Phi Don – the biggest of the Phi Phi Islands. The main pier is called Ao Ton Sai Pier. It’s very central on Phi Phi Don and you can walk to most places from the pier. There is a secondary pier – Laemtong Pier – however it is usually only used to access certain hotels on the east side of the island.

Another thing to keep in mind is the Phi Phi Island Pier Fee. Once you arrive on Koh Phi Phi, you’re asked to pay 20 baht cash per person as a ‘pier fee’. This is only $0.50 USD so it isn’t expensive, however it’s something to be prepared for!

From Phuket to Phi Phi

The main pier in Phuket is Rassada Pier. It’s close to Phuket Old Town. It can take up to an hour to drive to Rassada Pier depending on where you are in Phuket.

We recommend using one of the many tour operator stands that you see all over Phuket to book your ferry/speed boat to Koh Phi Phi! We booked our ferry at one of them and had a free transfer from our hotel to the pier which saved us a couple hundred baht!

By Ferry: The ferry is the cheapest option from Phuket to Phi Phi. It takes about 2 hours from Rassada Pier. There are different ferry companies that have their own prices and times, however ferries will depart multiple times a day. Most of the ferries are quite spacious complete with bathrooms, a snack bar, air conditioned seats, and also an open rooftop deck to both tan and watch the amazing limestone cliffs go by. They often have a VIP section in the front where you can pay more for a more comfortable trip.

By Speedboat: The speedboat is the fastest option to get from Phuket to Phi Phi. It only takes about 1-1.5 hours. However it is also more expensive.

By Private Transfer: You can also pay more to have a private boat take you to Phi Phi Don. If you are traveling with a group of people this could be a good, and more flexible, option for you!

From Krabi to Phi Phi

The main pier in Krabi is the Klong Jilad Pier (also known as the Phi Phi Island Pier). It is a half hour from the Krabi airport. There is another pier in Ao Nang with less frequent trips to Koh Phi Phi. While there isn’t a ferry from Railay Beach to Koh Phi Phi, it’s easy to take a long tail boat from Railay to Ao Nang and then take the ferry.

By Ferry: The ferry is the cheapest option from Krabi to Phi Phi. It takes less than 2 hours from the Klong Jilad Pier. There are 4 ferries a day from Krabi to Phi Phi between 9am-3pm.

By Speedboat: The speedboat is the fastest option to get from Krabi to Phi Phi. It takes about an hour. However it is also more expensive.

By Private Transfer: You can also pay more to have a private boat take you to Phi Phi Don. If you are traveling with a group of people this could be a good, and more flexible, option for you!

From Koh Lanta to Phi Phi

During high season (November-April) there are also ferries between Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi! Koh Lanta is another gorgeous island in Thailand!

Day Trip to Koh Phi Phi

If you don’t want to stay overnight on Koh Phi Phi, there are many day trips available! While these are much more expensive than just taking a ferry to the island, they often stop at 3 of the 6 different Phi Phi Islands – usually including a stop by the famous Maya Bay! They also have a lot of extras included and are a guaranteed way to see as much of the Phi Phi Islands as possible in one day!

Tours to the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket:

Klook.com

Tours to the Phi Phi Islands from Krabi:

Klook.com

Where to Stay on Koh Phi Phi

So you know you want to stay overnight on Koh Phi Phi. But where should you stay? There are many options on this small island! From budget hotel rooms to party hostels, affordable resorts, and 5 star hotels, Koh Phi Phi has it all!

Best Budget Hotel on Koh Phi Phi

If you want a great budget hotel that’s right in the center of Koh Phi Phi, look no further than Panmanee Hotel! This was actually the first hotel we stayed in on Koh Phi Phi and we weren’t disappointed! It was only a 2 minute walk from the pier. Surrounded by restaurants and bars, yet only minutes to both beaches, this hotel couldn’t be in a better location! While it lacks extra amenities (such as a pool), the rooms are very spacious for the price you’re paying!

Best Party Hostel on Koh Phi Phi

The Blanco Beach Bar Hostel is one of the most popular hostels on Koh Phi Phi which means you’re guaranteed to meet lots of people and have a great time! It’s located right on the beach. It also has different events every night to make sure you have a great time. It’s even better as it won’t break the bank! Hostel beds start for as little as 480 baht/night ($13 USD).

Best Affordable Resort on Koh Phi Phi

The PP Princess Resort is excellent value for your money! Not only is it in the center of Phi Phi Don – walking distance to all the bars and restaurants – but it’s also right next to the beach. If you need more convincing, just look at the amazing infinity pool! This is one of the best places you can stay on Koh Phi Phi while still being close to all the action!

Best 5 Star Hotel on Koh Phi Phi

Zeavola Resort is the best 5 star hotel on Koh Phi Phi! If you want to relax in a luxurious resort away from the crowds, this is the place to go. It’s located on the northeast tip of Phi Phi Don, about as far away from the party center as you can get while still being in the Phi Phi Islands. Everything about this resort makes you want to relax and enjoy the amazing views without lots of other people.

What to do on Koh Phi Phi

While many people opt to just do a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands, we wanted to stay a couple days and see all these gorgeous islands have to offer! We were surprised that there was actually a lot to do both on and off the island!

Hike to the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint

Hiking to the top of the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint is a must do while on Phi Phi Don! The middle of Phi Phi Don Island is very narrow. So much so that from the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint you can see the ocean on both sides of the island at the same time! It’s a gorgeous view that is very unique to Phi Phi Don.

There are actually two viewpoints along the same path. If you head to the east of the island, you’ll see many signs that say ‘viewpoint’ directing you where to go. You need to pay 30 baht (less than $1 USD) to enter at the top of the stairs. It takes about a half hour to hike from the town to the viewpoint 2. Keep in mind there are many stairs so some breaks may be needed. Viewpoint 1 is a great place to rest as the view is already nice! However, keep going to viewpoint 2 if you can as the view is much better!

There is a little cafe at viewpoint 2 selling beverages and snacks. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset!!

Walk Around the Streets of the Tonsai Village

Phi Phi Don is also a unique island in that there are no cars! Due to the lack of traffic, many of the roads are very small and windy. It can be great fun to walk aimlessly around the streets and see what you find. Luckily the island is very small so it’s impossible to get lost – you’ll run into a beach eventually!

Soak up the Sun on the White Sand Beaches

Koh Phi Phi has some of the most stunning beaches we’ve ever seen! Ton Sai Beach and Loh Dalum Beach are right in the center of the island. Both have white sand, warm turquoise water, and views of gorgeous limestone cliffs!

If you want to get farther away from the crowds, there are many other beaches around the island just waiting for you to find them!

Walk to Long Beach

Long Beach is one of the best beaches on Phi Phi Don! It’s on the southeast part of the island – about a half hour walk from Ton Sai Beach. As it’s farther from the center, there are usually less people here. It’s also one of the best beaches for snorkeling as it’s close to shark point! Pick up a snorkel on the way here and be prepared to see tons of colorful fish – and hopefully a couple (harmless) sharks!

Kayak to Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach, not to be confused with Monkey Bay, is to the northwest of Loh Dalum Beach. It’s easily reachable in a kayak and you’re almost guaranteed to see wild monkeys! Be careful not to feed the monkeys. Not only are the Phi Phi Islands a national park so you shouldn’t feed animals, but feeding monkeys makes them aggressive and less afraid of people. Feel free to admire these amazing wild animals, but keep your distance as you don’t want one to bite you!

After kayaking to Monkey Beach, continue to kayak around Phi Phi Don! There are many little beaches and places you can pull your kayak out of the water. What sounds better than having your own private beach on one of the best islands in the world?!

Snorkel!!!

It might sound obvious, but snorkeling is one of the best things to do on Koh Phi Phi! You can rent a snorkel or even buy an inexpensive one. Take it with you everywhere! Warm turquoise water is the best to snorkel – and it’s all over the Phi Phi Islands! It’s also great to have on hand if you’re kayaking. You can jump off your kayak and see what’s underneath you whenever you want to cool off!

Party on the Beach with Fire Shows

The nightlife on Phi Phi Don is on another level. After dark, there are many bars playing music right on the beach! Many of these bars have the famous bucket drinks that you can find around Thailand. They’re also a fun place to relax at the end of the day after exploring the island.

Even if the partying isn’t for you, make sure you stop by to see a fire show! You can witness many of these just walking down the side of Loh Dalum Beach. It’s definitely an experience you won’t forget!

Enjoy a Pool Party

It’s no secret that Koh Phi Phi has a lot of parties. All you need to do is walk down the beach at night and you will see tons of them. However there are also many daytime pool parties!

Ibiza House even claims to have the biggest pool party in Thailand. It’s a great place to meet people from all over the world at their beachfront pool! Their famous pool parties are from 1-9pm every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

Go to Maya Bay

In some people’s minds, Maya Bay IS Koh Phi Phi. It is the most famous landmark in maybe all of Thailand!

Maya Bay is actually part of Phi Phi Ley, not Phi Phi Don. That means you will have to take a boat from Phi Phi Don to get there. This is usually done on a group tour that you can reserve in the center of Phi Phi Don, however you can also pay more to take a private longtail boat there.

Maya Bay was also closed for almost 3 years from June 2018 until the beginning of 2022. After the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, The Beach, made Maya Bay very popular, it suffered from over tourism. Many of the fish disappeared and a lot of the coral was being destroyed. In the beginning of 2022 it reopened with rules such as boats can only pick up/drop off tourists at a specific dock and no one is allowed to swim in the water.

Unfortunately after being open for just 6 short months, the progress that was made over 3 years started to reverse again. The Thai government decided to close Maya Bay for two more months starting August 1st, 2022. Maya Bay just reopened again a few days ago on October 1st, 2022!

If you do end up visiting this iconic landmark, please FOLLOW THE RULES!!! When we visited after the reopening there were many young tourists trying to break the rules whenever possible. It was not only damaging to the beach, it was also embarrassing to be around.

Swim at the Pi Leh Bay Lagoon

Behind Maya Bay, this is the second most impressive place on the Phi Phi Islands! Pi Leh Bay Lagoon is the most picturesque place you could imagine! With crystal clear, turquoise water and limestone cliffs surrounding it on all sides.

It’s also on Phi Phi Leh, but included with most boat tours you do. You could also hire a boat to bring you here separately. Whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to jump into this gorgeous lagoon!

See the Famous Viking Cave

The Viking Cave on Koh Phi Phi Leh is one of the most famous places to visit on the Phi Phi Islands. While you can no longer enter the cave, most tours stop close by so you can see the cave and take pictures from the outside. The cave is named so because of the prehistoric drawings of viking ships that were found inside of it.

The Viking Cave is also famous for the many swift birds that build nests inside of it. Swifts are famous for their nests which they make using their saliva. The nests are then harvested and sold to make Bird’s Nest Soup. Bird’s Nest Soup is actually one of the most expensive soups in the world!

On our tour we stopped by the Viking Cave. It was a cool site to see, although there wasn’t too much to see as we couldn’t enter the cave. What we did love about the cave was the snorkeling we did right next to it! It was one of our favorite places we went snorkeling on the Phi Phi Islands!

Visit Bamboo Island or Mosquito Island

Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island are two of the six Phi Phi Islands. They are both uninhabited and just a few kilometers from Phi Phi Don. I would definitely advise you to visit at least one of these islands during your time on Koh Phi Phi!!

Both of these islands are much more remote than Phi Phi Don or Phi Phi Ley. If you arrive when there aren’t other tour groups, you can enjoy almost the entire island to yourself. Both islands have great white sand beaches and lush green forests in the middle of them. Make sure you take a snorkel so you can check out what lives under the water!

You can stop at one of these islands while on a tour (if it’s included), or you can rent a private boat to take you there directly. Just remember that as the Phi Phi Islands are a national park, you might be charged the 400 baht national park fee to visit.

Take a Long Tail Boat to Shark Point

Shark Point is a couple hundred meters away from the shore of Long Beach on Phi Phi Don. It’s one of the best places to snorkel in Koh Phi Phi! While you can get close with a kayak, it’s much better to go with a boat. The boat will take you out farther, closer to the coral. It’s also good to have a local boat captain as they’ll know where you’re most likely to see sharks!

While it sounds like it would be dangerous to snorkel with sharks, the black tip sharks that are normally found at Shark Point aren’t dangerous. They have started to become more common again after Maya Bay closed.

Snorkel with Glow in the Dark Plankton

This was something that we were unaware of that our boat tour had scheduled at the end of the night! Once it is completely dark outside, it is possible to see bioluminescent plankton close to Koh Phi Phi!

We opted to do this part of the tour, however we weren’t that impressed. It was actually quite scary jumping off the boat in the middle of the night into pitch black, deep water. All of the lights had to be turned off. Our guide told us to wave our hands in front of our faces to be able to see the plankton light up.

While we were able to see it a little in person once our eyes adjusted, it wasn’t possible to capture on the GoPro. It was very subtle. Hopefully some days are better than others, but we were expecting it to be cooler than it was.

Boat Tour of the Phi Phi Islands

While all of the above things that you must do on the Phi Phi Islands can be done separately, you can also do many of them at the same time by signing up for a boat tour! As soon as you arrive on the Phi Phi Islands you will be bombarded with people selling tours right next to the pier. There are so many different options, with different prices and different things included!

DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE!

You don’t need to sign up for a tour the second you arrive! Take your time, talk to different tour operators, ask for the price and inclusions at multiple stands before you sign up! We asked a couple different people at the pier. We asked at another stand on the way to our hotel and tours were cheaper there. When we checked into our hotel, we asked at reception and they gave us an even cheaper price – which we ended up booking later that night!

The main difference in tours is if you want a speed boat or a longtail boat. Many of the tours include the same stops. Some tours include the 400 baht national park fee in the price, some do not. Make sure to double check if yours is included! Also check if the tour includes a lunch or snacks.

Is Koh Phi Phi Worth It?

So is Koh Phi Phi worth it? We’ve seen many people say the Phi Phi Islands are a must see while many others are against visiting these touristy islands. In our opinion, it is definitely worth visiting Koh Phi Phi! The Phi Phi Islands are the epitome of Thai Islands! Yes – they might be becoming overdeveloped and a large party destination, however there is a reason so many people want to go there. If you want to avoid the crowds, there are hotels on the outskirts of the islands. You can also pay extra to do private tours and avoid the tour boat crowds. However, you should not miss these gorgeous islands while visiting Thailand!

Check out our YouTube Video from Koh Phi Phi!