We discover the Phi Phi Islands, in the province of Krabi: one of the favorite destinations of travelers who want to spend a few days on the Thai beaches. Find out what to see and what to do on Phi Phi. Phi Phi is a place of photography: it offers the typical image of white sand and turquoise water surrounded by cliffs. You should bear in mind that the charm of these islands has made it a very popular place. So if you are looking for absolute relaxation and solitude, due to its popularity, you will find more suitable places than Phi Phi. Even so, if you are looking to practice sports such as climbing or water sports, you will love Phi Phi. It is a destination that is close to highlights of Thailand, such as Phuket or the Krabi peninsular area, so it is common for day trips to be organized from these points to the Phi Phi Islands. Even so, if you feel like it, you can also spend one or more nights on the islands. If you are wondering how many days to go to Phi Phi, we recommend a stay of 3 or 4 days.
Do you want to know more beach areas in Thailand? We have prepared a Guide to the beaches of Thailand. We hope you find it useful!
The Phi Phi Islands
This archipelago is made up of six islands, with Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island being the most prominent. The Phi Phi Islands are located in the Andaman Sea, that is, on the west coast of Thailand. Now that you have a general idea of the islands, we go into detail about what to see on Phi Phi and what to do on Phi Phi so you don’t miss out on the essential areas and beaches.
Koh Phi Phi Don
The largest and most developed island
Koh Phi Phi Don Island is the most developed and largest of all the Phi Phi Islands. In it you can enjoy the beach but also leisure, supermarkets and restaurants where you can taste typical Thai cuisine. The most outstanding beaches of Koh Phi Phi Don are:
- Monkey Beach: It is only accessible by boat. It is a curious beach, with hundreds of monkeys inhabiting it. Perfect for snorkeling.
- Long Beach: it is a quiet beach with restaurants around it
- Laem Tong: accessible only by boat. Ideal place to relax or practice water sports.
Koh Phi Phi Don viewpoint
If you are in Koh Phi Phi Don and want to enjoy panoramic views of the sea and the island, we recommend you go up to the Phi Phi Don Viewpoint. The mount where this viewpoint is located is about 185 meters high, so in 20 minutes on foot you can reach the top. From Loh Dalam Bay you can start the journey, which is indicated to the top. If you can go to the viewpoint during sunset, the image you will see will be even more impressive. You cannot miss the Koh Phi Phi Don viewpoint if you want to enjoy one of the best views to see on Phi Phi.
the fire shows
On the beaches of Koh Phi Phi Don you can attend fireshows, or fire shows. There are some bars that offer this show that takes place in the sand on the beach. During the show the artists play and juggle with fire torches, creating beautiful images. The shows last until after midnight.
Staying on Koh Phi Phi Don
Koh Phi Phi Don is the only one of the 6 islands in the archipelago that has accommodation. The island is divided into two parts: the first, which is the area of shops, bars, restaurants and cheap hotels (Tonsai Bay) and a second area, in the north of the island, with 4* and 5* hotels.
Tonsai Bay: close to the entertainment area but at the same time quiet
In Tonsai Bay there are quite correct 3* accommodation. It is an excellent area to stay since you are a little away from the nightlife and the party but at the same time close to restaurants and shops. One of the hotels we recommend is the Phi Phi Bayview Premier Resort 3* (score of 7.7 on Booking). If you have any questions about accommodation or hotels in Phi Phi, remember that at Directia Travel we can advise you so that you can find the best option according to your interests.
Koh Phi Phi Don North – Charming area, away from the hustle and bustle
In the north of Koh Phi Phi Don there are 4* and 5* hotels with cabin-type accommodation, in the middle of the jungle. It is an area with a lot of charm and very relaxing, ideal if you travel on your honeymoon. The cabins are located in front of the white sand beach and crystal clear waters, perfect for unwinding. The hotels offer boat or snorkeling excursions, so that during the day you can enjoy water activities. You must bear in mind that at night you cannot access the area of shops and restaurants from this area, you can only do it during the day by reaching it by boat. The hotels in the north of Koh Phi Phi Don are perfect if you want to get the most out of accommodation in this category and its immediate surroundings. Some of the hotels that we recommend in Koh Phi Phi Don are:
- Zeavola 5* ( score of 8.6 on Booking ): very well located accommodation, with wooden suites with swimming pool and surrounded by gardens.
- Holiday Inn Resort 4* superior ( score 8.4 on Booking ): excellent location, has all the comforts. Good option if you also want to eat seafood in its restaurant.
- Phi Phi Island Village Resort 5* ( Booking score of 8.7 ): luxury bungalows, with infinity pools and all the comforts.
Would you like to get to know Krabi’s beaches in depth? We recommend that you read our article Discovering the beaches of Krabi
Koh Phi Phi Leh
An island surrounded by nature
Koh Phi Phi Leh is the second largest island on Phi Phi. It is located 1.5 kilometers south of Koh Phi Phi Don and in it you will find an impressive landscape surrounded by cliffs, jungle, crystal clear waters and white sand.
Maya Bay, a movie beach
On Koh Phi Phi Leh you will also find a movie set: Maya Bay. It was in this precise place where the movie The Beach was shot in 2000 , with Leonardo DiCaprio. This catapulted it to fame and made it a very popular place year after year for travellers, who want to see and experience this beautiful beach firsthand. Since 2018 Maya Bay has been closed to tourists indefinitely by the Thai Department of National Parks and Plant and Wildlife Conservation. Its objective is to try to recover the damage caused by mass tourism in the corals and the entire ecosystem of the bays.
The cave of the Vikings
Apart from the popular Maya Bay, one of the most notable places on Koh Phi Phi Leh is the Viking cave. This cave is located in the north of the island, inside a cliff. Inside you can see some famous paintings, which are believed to be relatively recent, painted by sailors who hid there during a storm. To get to the cave of the Vikings you must do it by longtail or speedboat. Excursions depart from Tonsai Bay, on the neighboring island of Koh Phi Phi Don. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
Koh Pai (Bamboo Island)
A quiet island without hustle and bustle
Bamboo Island is the northernmost of all the islands in the Phi Phi archipelago. It is about 5 kilometers north of Koh Phi Phi Don. Its beaches are white sand and tropical, and are a good place to relax and unwind. So, if you are wondering which Phi Phi beaches are ideal for disconnecting, this may be a good option for you. At Bamboo Island you can also snorkel or swim. Its seabed is very beautiful, with very diverse fauna and coral reefs. These types of activities should be on your list of things to do in Phi Phi if you want to enjoy a unique experience and get in touch with nature. Unlike the other beaches on the Phi Phi islands, Koh Pai’s beaches are not surrounded by cliffs. As you enter the water, yes, you can find some rock formations.
Koh Yung (Mosquito Island)
An island surrounded by cliffs
Mosquito Island is located north of Koh Phi Phi Don Island. Its beach is quite lonely and a bit rocky. What is really spectacular about Mosquito Island is its setting surrounded by cliffs, which offers a very attractive image. In fact, currently only the immediate vicinity of the island can be visited and not the island itself. A recommended visit to make an excursion and learn more about the Phi Phi Islands.
How to get to the Phi Phi Islands?
To go to the Phi Phi Islands, there are organized day tours that will show you the main places on these islands.
- From Ao Nang, if you are in the peninsular area of Krabi, there are daily ferries that leave at 9:30 in the morning from Ao Nang, the tourist center of Krabi. The journey takes about 2 hours.
- From Phuket, also by ferry. The journey takes about 45 minutes. The ferry makes several departures throughout the day.
If you want to go on excursions in Phi Phi we can help you organize the visit so that you can enjoy a unique stay.
What is the best time to visit the Phi Phi Islands?
The Phi Phi Islands have a tropical climate, which means that the temperatures are always pleasant. We can distinguish two seasons:
- From November to April is the dry season, so it is the ideal time to visit the island and take a dip in its beaches. From January to April is the hottest time.
- From May to December is when it rains the most, although it should be borne in mind that the rains are intermittent and in most cases they will not prevent you from visiting the island in peace.
Phi Phi Islands Map
Below you will be able to see where the Phi Phi Islands are located and their most outstanding places to help you prepare your trip and decide which places you are going to visit.
If you want to discover more beaches in Thailand, we recommend you read our definitive guide on the beaches of Thailand
Have you been wanting more about the Phi Phi Islands? Would you like to travel to Phi Phi? Now that you know what to see on Phi Phi and what to do on Phi Phi and if you are thinking of visiting these islands in Thailand, discover our itineraries through the beaches of Thailand. Would you like to travel to Phi Phi? If you are thinking of visiting these islands of Thailand, discover our itineraries through the beaches of Thailand.