Phi Phi Island 🏝️ How to Visit & Best Things to Do
Phi Phi Islands are the most popular day trip from Phuket, and I understand why. The limestone cliffs rising from turquoise water, the famous Maya Bay from “The Beach” movie, and the parties on the sand at night. It’s all real, and it’s only 40 km south of Phuket.
The archipelago has two main islands. Phi Phi Don is where you’ll find all the hotels, restaurants, and bars. No cars here, just narrow walkways packed with shops and tattoo parlours. The smaller island, Phi Phi Leh, is a national park territory. That’s where Maya Bay and Pi Leh Lagoon are. You can only visit by boat.
I’ve been to Phi Phi dozens of times since 1994. The islands still impress me every time. Yes, it gets crowded, especially at Maya Bay and during peak season. But the scenery makes up for it. The water is impossibly blue. The cliffs are dramatic. And if you stay overnight, you get the viewpoint at sunrise and the beach parties after dark.
Phi Phi Islands – Quick Info
You can do Phi Phi as a day trip or stay a night or two. Both work. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Pros and Cons of Visiting Phi Phi Islands
Pros:
- Beautiful scenery: Great beaches, turquoise water, and limestone cliffs. Popular spots include Maya Bay, Loh Dalum Bay, and Bamboo Island.
- Plenty to do: Snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and boat trips to quiet bays like Pi Leh Lagoon.
- Lively nightlife: Beach parties, bars, fire shows, music, and unique experiences like “buckets” and Muay Thai matches.
- Easy to reach: Ferries and speedboats run daily from Phuket.
Cons:
- Crowded popular spots: High foot traffic at top attractions, especially during peak season.
- Higher prices: Accommodations, food, and activities can be more costly than on less-touristy islands.
- Lack of tranquillity: Bustling nightlife may not appeal to those seeking a quiet escape.
- Environmental concerns: Frequent visitors can strain natural resources, so eco-conscious tourism is encouraged.
Popular Pages About Koh Phi Phi
Popular Day Trips to and around Phi Phi Islands
If you come from Phuket, day trips usually include transfers from and to your hotel, lunch on Tonsai Bay and National Park fees to Maya Bay. If you sleep on the island, you can easily rent a long-tail boat. Expect to pay around 1,500 to 3,000 baht, depending on what you want to visit. If you want to enjoy super blue waters, don’t go too early, as the shadows of the cliffs can affect the colour rendering of the amazing blue water in Loh Dalum Bay. Maybe leave at 10.30 or 11 am.
Here are the usual places where boats will take you: Maya Bay (when open, which is not always predictable), Viking Cave (Used to be open to the public, but it’s now restricted), Loh Dalum Bay, Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island, and sometimes Mosquito Island next to it.
How to Get to Phi Phi Island from Phuket?
There are two easy ways to get to Phi Phi Island: by ferry or speedboat. A Ferry costs around 400 baht and takes about 2 hours to reach Phi Phi from Phuket. A speedboat ride costs 900 baht per person but only takes 50 minutes. (A ferry from Krabi will take one and a half hours). Usually, the transfer includes pick up from your hotel and is a return ticket, but double-check anyway. Any hotel or street tour counter in Phuket can arrange this for you. If you rented a car, you could also park at the Rassada pier in Phuket town and buy your ferry ticket directly there, but it’s not really cheaper.
What to Do in Phi Phi?
On the following page are some of the best places to discover. Of course, you can expect these places and islands to be busy. It may be a good idea to stay overnight and explore early in the morning to beat the crowds.
As we all sadly remember, a tsunami wiped out the island in 2004, and since then, despite the promises of keeping the island small and manageable, Phi Phi has grown busier but not always better. Nevertheless, Phi Phi is still the most popular of the many islands around Phuket.
Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island
Access to Maya Bay is open, but boats can’t enter the bay directly, so you will be dropped off on a pier in the bay behind. It’s quite a queue, but ultimately, it is a lot less crowded than before. Visitors can’t swim in the bay; they only walk knee-deep.
Pi Leh Lagoon
Pi Leh Lagoon has green water surrounded by tall limestone cliffs. The lagoon is inside a semi-circular bay, which makes it feel cut off from the rest of the world. It gets busy, especially in high season. If you want a quieter experience, visit early in the morning before the tour boats arrive.
Bamboo Island
Bamboo Island is a small, uninhabited island 8 km northeast of the main Phi Phi island. It has white sand beaches, clear water, and good snorkelling. Coral reefs surround the island, and you get nice views of the Andaman Sea. There’s a small bamboo forest, which is where the name comes from. Most people visit on a day trip from Phuket or take a short boat ride from Phi Phi.
Loh Dalum Bay
Loh Dalum is a beautiful shallow bay on the southern side of Phi Phi Island. It is easily recognisable as the wide expanse of turquoise water that is visible on the right-hand side of the famous panoramic photo taken from the viewpoint. Despite its size, Loh Dalum is a relatively narrow stretch of beach, measuring only 160 meters in width. You can actually walk from the main town of Tonsai to Loh Dalum in just a minute or two.
Phi Phi Viewpoint
Reaching Phi Phi Viewpoint is a bit challenging, but it’s not too hard if you go at your own pace. Expect to sweat and maybe be bitten by local mosquitoes each time you stop breathing in the shade of a tree. Mosquitoes are smart as they ambush themselves in those strategic locations. At the end of the first long flight of stairs, you will reach Viewpoint Number 1 and the ticket counter. It costs 30 baht from that point on.
Scuba Diving
Diving in Phi Phi Island is a unique experience you shouldn’t miss, as not many places in the world can offer such unique, clear dive sites. If you have never experienced diving before, just remember that there is a very cool option called ‘Discover Scuba Diving’ that doesn’t really require any training, just a briefing usually given on the deck of the boat on the way to the dive sites! I did it and it was fantastic.
Where to Stay on Phi Phi Islands?
Phi Phi Island hotels come in a surprisingly wide range to fit different budgets and preferences. Some of the best hotels on Phi Phi Island cater to those seeking luxury and privacy with all-villa beachfront resorts that offer breathtaking views and modern facilities.
PP Princess Resort
Situated on Phi Phi Don Island, PP Princess Resort offers direct access to Loh Dalum Bay’s stunning beach. With a focus on warm tropical hospitality, the resort provides a safe and relaxing haven. It features deluxe rooms and pool villas, two picturesque swimming pools, diverse dining options, and beach bars serving international cuisine and fresh seafood. Guests can enjoy sophisticated design and beautiful views, making it an ideal destination for a dreamy getaway. Read more about PP Princess Resort.
Location: Tonsai Bay
Range: 4-star
Swimming pools: 1
Restaurants and bars: 2
Distance to the beach: across the garden to reach the superb Loh Dalum Bay
Distance to Phi Phi centre: 500 m
SAii Phi Phi Island Village
SAii Phi Phi Island Village is a luxury beachfront resort located on the island of Phi Phi Don in Thailand. The resort features 201 rooms, villas, and suites, each beautifully designed with modern amenities such as air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private balcony or terrace.
Location: Loh Ba Kao Beach
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 2
Restaurants and bars: 1
Facilities: Fitness centre, Spa
Distance to the beach: Beachfront
Distance to Phi Phi centre: 2.5 km
Check the rates
Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort
Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort is a beautiful beachfront hotel on the island of Phi Phi Don in Thailand. The resort features 48 rooms, including bungalows and villas, designed in a traditional Thai style, with modern amenities such as air conditioning, a mini fridge, and en-suite bathrooms.
Location: Loh Dalum Beach
Range: 4-star
Swimming pools: 1
Restaurants and bars: 1
Facilities: Fitness centre
Distance to the beach: Beachfront
Distance to Phi Phi centre: 1 km
Check the rates
The Islands of Phi Phi Archipelago
In case you didn’t know, Phi Phi consists of several islands, but you can only stay on one. You will notice that many islands’ names start with ‘Koh, ‘ which means ‘Island’ in Thai. So you will sometimes hear ‘Koh Phi Phi’ or ‘Phi Phi Island’, but for an apparent reason, rarely ‘Koh Phi Phi Island’.
Phi Phi Don
Phi Phi Don is the largest and only inhabited island in the Phi Phi archipelago in Thailand. It is known for its 4 main beaches, clear water, and lively nightlife. Popular activities on Phi Phi Don include snorkelling, diving, hiking, and visiting the island’s many bars and restaurants. Despite its popularity among tourists, the island has kept much of its appeal, mainly in the northern part.
Koh Phi Phi Leh
Phi Phi Leh is where you will find the famous Maya Bay, which was closed for three years and has recently reopened. It’s just a few kilometres south and about 30 minutes by long-tail boat. The main attractions are Maya Bay and Pi Leh Bay, a superb enclosed lagoon with amazing blue waters. Popular activities on Phi Phi Leh include snorkelling, diving, and exploring the island’s caves and lagoons.
The geography of Phi Phi Don – Main Island
Phi Phi Don is the largest and only inhabited island in the Phi Phi archipelago in Thailand. It is known for its 4 main beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and lively nightlife. Popular activities on Phi Phi Don include snorkelling, diving, hiking, and visiting the island’s many bars and restaurants. Despite its popularity among tourists, the island has maintained much of its natural beauty and charm, mainly in the northern part. 
Tonsai Bay – Phi Phi Central Area
Phi Phi Don looks like a mad maze between 2 bays: Tonsai Bay, where ferries drop you off, and Loh Dalum Bay, where the main beach is.
To imagine what walking down that maze feels like, picture the following: a T-shirt shop, a tattoo parlour, a bar, a dive centre, a tattoo parlour, a fast food, a bar, a travel agency, a massage parlour; repeat again and again. I’ve never seen so many tattoo shops per square meter! I’ve never seen so many cats, either!
Most shops don’t open in the morning but stay open until late at night. It is probably because most of the island’s population is away exploring the islands. Other visitors enjoy the soft sand and the beautiful scenery (if tides permit). The remaining tourists are probably still in bed, trying to get over a massive hangover from one of these cheap ‘buckets’ that looked so cool the day before.
Long Beach
Long Beach is a superb sandy bay located just next to Tonsai Bay and is easy to access by walking along the coast. The place is home to excellent hotels and bungalows like the Phi Phi Villa Resort.
Laem Thong Beach
Laem Thong Beach is a quiet beach on the northern tip of Phi Phi Island. The beach has clear turquoise water and soft white sand, making it a good spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling. The area is less developed than other beaches on the island, providing a peaceful atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. Some of the popular hotels in the area include Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island and Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort.
Loh Ba Kao Beach
Loh Ba Kao, often pronounced and spelt ‘Loh Bagao’, is a long and wide bay on the northeast coast of Phi Phi Don, the main island of the archipelago. Known for the popular Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort, Loh Ba Kao Bay is blessed with stunning white sands along a picturesque coconut grove. Thai-style bungalows nestled under the trees’ shade dot the beach. At the beach’s southern end, Villa 360 Resort & Spa Phi Phi offers high-end accommodations with a modern design. Meanwhile, the northern end holds one of Phi Phi Island’s best-kept secrets.
All around Phi Phi Don, there are other beaches of different sizes (see map at the end of the page).
Where to Party in Phi Phi?
The beach party and the street party are easy to join. Walk from one bar to another and follow the music, the crowd, and the atmosphere.
Slinky
Slinky Bar on Phi Phi Island is a lively spot right on Loh Dalum Beach, known for its nightly fire shows, club music, and energetic parties. The open-air setup attracts crowds who enjoy dancing in the sand, body painting, and affordable buckets of drinks. It’s a favourite for party lovers.
Stones Bar
Stones Bar on Phi Phi Island sits right on Loh Dalum Beach and is one of the biggest party bars in the area. The bar is known for its nightly fire shows, loud music, and a lively crowd that keeps going until late. Guests can join in fun games like limbo and jump rope for free shots, and there’s also a body paint kiosk for those who want to add some colour to their night. The bar has a social, friendly atmosphere, making it a favourite for travellers looking to meet new people and enjoy the party scene.<,p>
Reggae Bar
Reggae Bar on Phi Phi Island is famous for its central boxing ring, where tourists and locals can join friendly Muay Thai matches for fun and prizes. The bar is lively and often packed, with loud music, sports on big screens, and buckets of drinks. Entry is free, but you must buy a drink, which can be a bit expensive for the island. The matches are the main draw—most are lighthearted, but sometimes you’ll see more serious fighters. It’s a classic Phi Phi experience for those looking for something different in the nightlife scene.
Phi Phi Backpacker Bar
Phi Phi Backpackers Bar, formerly known as Stockholm Syndrome, sits in the heart of Tonsai Village on Phi Phi Island. The name has changed, but the lively atmosphere remains. It’s a favourite among young travellers for beer pong, affordable drinks, and a social crowd. The bar is still a top spot for backpackers looking to meet new people and enjoy a fun night out. Most of the original features are still there, just with new signage and the same energetic vibe.
Other popular places to party in Phi Phi
- Dojo Bar
- Breakers
- Kong Siam Live Bar has a fantastic singer who is able to entertain the crowds with drinking songs.
- Carlito’s Bar is a waterfront bar on the other side of the bay. It also has club music and fire shows but with a better sitting area.
What’s a ‘Bucket’?
Buckets are extremely popular in Phi Phi, and you can find them everywhere after sunset. Usually, a cheap mix of local whiskey (Sang Som), a Red Bull (you know what), a mixer and ice in a small plastic bucket, and a couple of straws. You can take this around as you party. As it’s sweet and cold and often uses cheap local alcohol, you don’t feel you are drinking much, and the Red Bull boosts you. Most people get drunk much faster and more than they think. Fun.
Where to get a tattoo in Phi Phi?
That’s a tough one; they are everywhere, and they all claim the same thing: a sterile environment and a new needle for each customer. Bamboo tattoos are also available. So, follow your instincts, but let us know if you can recommend one shop. I looked at a couple of standard-size tattoos; they cost between 5,000 and 10,000 baht and take 3 to 6 hours to execute.
Where to Eat on Phi Phi Island?
There are hundreds of places to choose from on Phi Phi Island. Walk along the few pedestrian walkways, and you can pick as you go. It’s a lucky draw. It’s more fun by the waterfront, but this is just us, so we tried the following: they were quite good.
Tonsai Seafood
Tonsai Seafood sits right on the beachfront in Tonsai Bay, Phi Phi Island, directly across from Phi Phi Banyan Villa. The restaurant is not only a popular spot for fresh seafood and Thai dishes, but it is also the beachfront restaurant of the Phi Phi Banyan Villa hotel. Guests staying at the hotel enjoy breakfast here, and the restaurant is open to everyone for lunch and dinner.
The connection means you can expect a steady flow of hotel guests, especially in the mornings, but the place remains busy throughout the day, particularly at sunset. The menu features grilled fish, lobsters, and other classic Thai dishes, making it a convenient choice for both hotel guests and visitors looking for casual seaside dining.
Garlic 1992 has been around for decades and remains one of the most popular spots on the island. The menu focuses on authentic Thai dishes like khao soi, massaman curry, and green papaya salad. Portions are generous, and prices are low, which is why there’s often a queue at dinner time. The setting is basic, just plastic chairs and simple tables, but people come for the food, not the decor. Arrive before 6 pm if you want to avoid waiting. Cash only.
Papaya serves a mix of Thai and Indian dishes with big portions that will fill you up after a day of swimming and snorkelling. The pad thai is reliable, the curries have a decent kick, and the fruit shakes are a good way to cool down. The restaurant is in Tonsai Village, easy to find on the main walking street. Service is quick, and the prices are fair. A solid choice when you’re hungry and don’t want to walk around looking for somewhere to eat.
Pirates House is near the pier and offers two separate menus: Thai and Indian. You could visit twice and have completely different meals. The green curry and massaman are both good, and the Indian dishes like butter chicken are better than you’d expect on a small island. The staff are friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed. It’s a good spot for families or groups who can’t agree on what to eat. Open for lunch and dinner.
The Mango Garden is a small cafe that specialises in mango everything. The mango sticky rice is the main draw, served fresh and not too sweet. They also do smoothies, fresh juices, and all-day breakfast if you’re up late. The place is popular with the Instagram crowd because the food looks as good as it tastes. It’s not a dinner spot, more of an afternoon treat or a breakfast stop. Prices are reasonable for what you get.
Oasis Bar & Restaurant is away from the main tourist area, in Loh Bagao village, behind the Phi Phi Island Village Resort. The setting is rustic, built from bamboo and driftwood, and the atmosphere is more relaxed than anything in Tonsai. Seafood is the speciality here, especially the prawn tempura. They also do Thai and international dishes. It’s a good option if you’re staying on the quieter side of the island or want to escape the crowds for a meal.
Shopping on Phi Phi Island
The famous expression “Same Same but Different” was probably coined here. ‘Phi Phi island’ tee shirts, short pants, light skirts, swimsuits, bags… everything you need for a holiday on a small island. Don’t expect much originality, but browsing is always fun, especially when there is not much to do.
Phi Phi Island Map
Contact a local tour agent in Phuket
John Welcome Family Tours
Get in touch with a local tour agent to get better prices as well as local information or even custom tours by using this link: https://www.johnwelcometravel.com/
WhatsApp +66619516982
PHI PHI ISLANDS PHOTOS
Useful information about Phi Phi
▷ There are many convenience stores, banks, ATMs, and pharmacies everywhere. There is a hospital and a large modern clinic, so you know you won’t have to worry about these. ▷ There are no cars on Phi Phi, but you will hear “Peep-Peeeep!” a dozen times as locals try to push carts loaded with all kinds of stuff. ▷ Phone signal coverage is surprisingly good from Phuket to Phi Phi! But Wi-Fi in hotels is useless.
| 📷 Main attraction: | Maya Bay |
| ⛱️ Main beach: | Loh Dalum Beach |
| 🏝️ Nearby island: | Bamboo Island |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Zeavola Resort |
| 🧳 Best mid-range hotel: | SAii Phi Phi Resort |
| 🛌 Best budget hotel: | Phi Phi Banyan Villa |
| 🛥️ Time by speedboat: | 50 mn (900 baht) |
| ⛴️ Time by ferry: | 2 hours (400 baht) |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 40 km |
Video of Phi Phi Islands
Popular Ways to Discover Phi Phi Island
Your Phi Phi Travel Guide
