Located in the north of Andaman Sea, Phi Phi islands are one of the most famous and beautiful place in Thailand and South-East Asia. And there is a good reason for this: Koh Phi Phi archipelago contain the islands of Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi Leh, Koh Mai Phai and Koh Yung, and the islets of Koh Bida Noi and Koh Bida Nok, which, together, have all the things that describe a tropical paradise: white sand beaches, clear seawater, tropical forest and more.
Before its touristic development, Koh Phi Phi was actually a paradise on Earth. A group of Islands with high rock formations, cliff with hidden virgin beaches, bays with white sand beaches and turquoise sea water, sea wild life… This wonderful place become well known and its development begun. The massive tourism started after the movie “The beach”, with Leonardo Di Caprio, boost its fame around the world.
Despite the challenges that massive tourism has brought, Koh Phi Phi still have some of the best beaches in Thailand and Asia (and perhaps in the world). Ton Sai, the main Town, can look too populated – or too visited – when you arrive but, actually, you still have many alluring and quiet places around the archipelago, and there are several excursion to do, it is still a paradise to explore.
ℹ️ Top Things to Do in Koh Phi Phi
Boat trip around Koh Phi Phi
From Koh Phi Phi Don there are all kind of boat tour to do in the archipelago, from quiet trip to party ones with free alcohol on board. The most popular is the one which visit Koh Phi Phi Leh, and usually offer navigation, beach and snorkeling. You can go around Koh Phi Phi Don as well by long tail boat. If you travel with Friends, and your budget allow it, I would recommend to rent a long tail boat for yourselves and make your own itinerary.
Diving in Koh Phi Phi
You also can find a paradise under the sea! Koh Phi Phi Islands are a Great option to diving among coral, subaquatic walls and the company of a rich colorful sea wild Life. In Koh Phi Phi Don you will find several operator that offer diving tour. Here you can diving during the whole year, but the best time is between November and February. Most of the inmersion are done around Koh Phi Phi Leh, however they can be done around Koh Bida Noi y Koh Bida Nok as well.
Go up to the viewpoints
If you like hiking, take the chance to climb to any of the viewpoints on top of the hills in Koh Phi Phi Don. You will get an unforgetable view of the archipelago, its blue and turquoise seas, and also a superb sight of the isthmus of sand that joins the two rocky and jungle bodies of the island. There is 3 viewpoints and you have to pay an small fee to get them (30-50 THB). And, if you want to walk more, the track continue to other pretty beaches.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a very popular option among the ones who loves doing sport surrounded by the beauty of tropical nature. During your trip you can get some nice nearby beaches whose access by land is quite complicated. Ao Dalam beach is a good options for renting kayak and Monkey beach is a nice place to get in this way. Be aware of your belongings when visit that beach as the monkeys there will try to steal them!
Koh Phi Phi Leh
Koh Phi Phi Leh is well known due to Maya Bay, an awesome beach which become popular thanks to it appearance in the movie The Beach starred Leonardo Di Caprio. This beach become more famous than Di Caprio itself (and it deserve it), attracted a lot of tourist until it had to be closed in 2018 to recover from the ecological problems related to mass tourism. Other great place nearby are Pilah, an island with an inner salt water lagoon and Tham Phaya Nak (Viking Cave).
Koh Mai Phai
Also known as Bamboo island, it is a common stop among the tour around the archipelago. It is a big beach with white sand and clear seawater that invite you to take a bath or relax under the sun. This place is well prepared to Receive people: it has several tables for picnic. Most of the tour go there about lunch time, so is better to visit it in the morning or after 15.30 Hours.
🏨 Where to stay in Koh Phi Phi
Best Areas & Beaches in Koh Phi Phi:
Phi Phi Don is the only island with tourist accommodations. Most of the hostel and hotels are away from the Pier but they commonly offers free transport to help you to get them. Anyway, if you don’t book beforehand, you will find many option as soon you get the pier at Ton Sai. Be aware that some areas in Koh Phi Phi Don are more noisy, due to the parties, so you have to choose carefully if you want to have a good sleep. Also, consider that during high season accomodation are more expensive and if you don’t book in advance could be hard for you to get a room that fulfill your expectation.
Ton Sai
Best for: Backpackers and party animals.
Accommodation available: Hostels and 3 to 4 star hotels.
Advantages:
✔️ Lots of nightlife and shops.
✔️ The main pier of the island is in Ton Sai.
✔️ it has the cheapest option for accomodation.
✔️ If you like non-stop parties, it is your place (if you don’t, better stay away).
Loh Dalam Bay
Best for: for travelers who likes parties but not very heavy ones.
Accommodation available: Mostly cheap bungalows and 3 star hotels.
Advantages:
✔️ beautiful white sand beach.
✔️ Still have options of bar and restaurant to party next to the beach.
✔️ In the north end of the beach there are several accomodation with nice view.
✔️ You can find good price bungalows.
Long Beach
Best for: Looking for a tranquil beach but not far from the party area.
Accommodation available: 3 to 5 star resorts.
Advantages:
✔️ It is a quiet beach good for swimmingto stay.
✔️ it is 30 minutes waking distance from Ton Sai.
✔️ Its long white sand beach is good for swimming.
Loh Ba Gao Bay
Best for: People who travel with family and kids.
Accommodation available: mostly 2 to 4 star bungalows and hotels.
Advantages:
✔️ Quiet place with beautiful beach.
✔️ Accomodation does not affect its landscape.
✔️ No mass tourism.
Laem Thong Beach
Best for: Visitors who want a relaxing luxury vacation.
Accommodation available: 3 to 5 star hotels.
Advantages:
✔️ Quiet place, but with many visitors during high season.
✔️ nice white sand beach.
✔️ Good for relaxing.
🏖️ Best beaches in Koh Phi Phi
We’ve been to all of them, these are the best:
1️⃣ Tonsai Beach
Ton Sai beach has the main pier of Koh Phi Phi Don and is next to the main Town of the archipelago, named Ton Sai as well. Day and Night time this is the most animated place on the island.
2️⃣ Loh Dalam Bay
It is a nice white sand beach behind Ton Sai bay. It is more tranquil than Ton Sai but still an animated place where you can have parties. Also is a good place for renting kayak.
3️⃣ Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi Leh
Maya Bay is the most famous beach in Thailand. It’s located in Koh Phi Phi Leh, one of the protected islands of the Phi Phi Archipelago. To preserve it, it was closed on 2018 and it will remain so at least until mid-2021.
4️⃣ Loh Mo Dee Beach
It is a beautiful 300 meter long beach that can be reached on foot from the Tonsai town and it is a good alternative for those who want a quiet place that can be reached by walking.
5️⃣ Loh Ba Gao Bay
This beach has one of one of the best resorts on the island: the Phi Phi Island Village, that use the entire beautiful beach of white sand and transparent waters. Most people usually get here by boat.
6️⃣ Loh Lana Bay
It is a long beach that still preserves a sort of virginity air quite well. It can be reached from the previous beach, Loh Ba Gao Bay, on foot or by boat from anywhere.
7️⃣ Nui Beach
A small and beautiful cove just behind Loh Lana Bay that is usually got to by sea either by boat or kayak. It is one of the smallest beaches on the island, but still very enjoyable.
8️⃣ Long Beach
It is a beach 5 minutes by boat from Tonsai. During the day you can also go by walking. The beach is quite good and has very fine white sand. From this beach you can do snorkel easily.
9️⃣ Monkey beach
Monkey beach is full of monkeys that welcome the visitors to get the chance to steal some food from them. It’s better to leave the monkeys alone, they bite!
8️⃣ Bamboo island Beach
It is a huge beach with white sand and beautiful waters that well worth a stop to enjoy swimming or relax under the sun. This beach is well prepared for receiving tourists and has many wooden tables good for picnics.
✈️ Arriving to Koh Phi Phi
You can get there by ferry from Phuket, Krabi or Ao Nang:
Ferry from Krabi or Ao Nang
➡️ Trip from Klong Jilad Pier, Krabi to Ton Sai, Koh Phi Phi Don. During high season, 4 trip per day, between 9.00 and 15.30 hours. During low season, depending on demand
➡️ Trip from Ao Nang, Krabi to Ton Sai, Koh Phi Phi Don. One trip per day.
➡️ Between piers, the trip takes about 1.5 hour.
Ferry from Phuket
➡️ From Rassada Pier, Phuket to Ton Sai, Koh Phi Phi Don.
➡️ Trip takes about 2 hours.
➡️ During high season it makes 4 trips per day, between 9.00 and 15.30 hours. During low season frequency depend on demand.