What to do in Phi Phi Islands?

Update 2023: Access to Maya Bay is now possible but limited to a few daily visitors. Check with your tour agent or hotel.

Maya Bay in Phi Phi island

In 2023, Phi Phi islands are open, and the beaches and other nearby islands are more beautiful than ever. The island is busy again, and shops, restaurants and hotels are open. There are a lot of visitors and you can eat, shop a bit and easily ride a longtail boat to the nearby islands and other beaches. In summary, the island is as beautiful, and nature is recovering nicely.

A Video of Phi Phi Islands

 

What to do in Phi Phi Islands?

Phi Phi islands (Koh Phi Phi) are a popular archipelago 40 km south of Phuket. If you were wondering, you would pronounce Phi Phi ‘Pee-Pee’, not ‘Fee-Fee’! They don’t need an introduction anymore since Leonardo DiCaprio took care of this in 2000 with the movie The Beach. Since then, the island has kept developing.

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 just grew 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 in 2023!

Update 2023: Access to Maya Bay is now possible but limited to a few daily visitors. Check with your tour agent or hotel.

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island has reopened but access is quite limited. Boats can’t enter the bay itself and therefore will drop you 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, only walk knee-deep.

Maya Bay in Phi Phi Island, today

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However, the young crowd travelling to Phi Phi Island all year round seemed to love it so much that we decided to revisit it. The verdict? Yes, it’s crowded, especially at night, but the islands are stunning and great places to party!

 

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’ name starts 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 Islands

Phi Phi Don is where everything is: the main town, all the hotels, restaurants, shopping, bars and the party! The landing pier is on Tonsai Bay, and the opposite side is Loh Dalum Beach. Phi Phi Don has several beaches, and hotels are mostly around the narrow part of the island. However, hotels are also on remote beaches, but it requires a short longtail boat ride to reach them. So if you plan to enjoy the party, you should pick the right beach! Of course, those hotels provide a free shuttle boat, but a boat ride might not be fun if you party too hard.

Koh Phi Phi Leh

Phi Phi Island in Thailand

Phi Phi Leh is where you will find the famous Maya Bay, which closed for three years and has recently reopen. It’s just a few kilometres south and about 30 minutes by long-tail boat. The island gained international fame as the filming location for the movie “The Beach.” Popular activities on Phi Phi Leh include snorkelling, diving, and exploring the island’s caves and lagoons.

Koh Mai Phai (Bamboo Island)

Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Pai)

Bamboo Island is a small, uninhabited island located 8 northeast of the main Phi Phi island. It is known for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and abundant marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and diving. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and offers breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. It is also home to a small bamboo forest, which gives the island its name.

Ko Yung (Mosquito Island)

Mosquito Island, also known as Koh Yung, is a small island located just next to Bambo Island mentioned above Phi Phi in Thailand. The island is uninhabited and is known for its beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and diving. Despite its name, Mosquito Island is not known to have a significant mosquito population.

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.

Phi Phi island map

Tonsai Town – 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.

Tonsai in Koh Phi Phi

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 meter square! I’ve never seen so many cats, either!

Shopping on Koh Phi Phi

Most shops don’t open in the morning but 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 (read about it lower on the page)

Phi Phi Irish Bar

In the afternoon, the crowd emerges to hang in the streets: shopping, drinking too early or having a massage. Plenty of small restaurants for all tastes and budgets, but most look somewhat touristy. We tried a decent beachfront restaurant called ‘Tonsai Seafood’, which was quite good and ‘The Point Restaurant’, below average. However, our best dining experience was at ‘Le Grand Bleu’, a long-established French restaurant serving an excellent choice of French and Thai food at reasonable prices.

Phi Phi explodes with life from 9 pm as bars start fire shows, live bands and Muay Thai performances (Thai boxing). There are bars after bars all along the main streets but for the best party, aim at Loh Dalum Bay, where fire shows take place. Young people buy a ‘bucket’ on their way there and sit on the beach before a makeshift stage to enjoy or even participate in small fire shows. The music is loud and pretty good, making people dance on the beach. Everyone seems to have the time of their life.

The general impression is that Phi Phi is not real Thailand apart from some fantastic cliffs and bays. It’s a bit of the Khaosan of the south, with a permanent Full Moon Party. Anyone not selling something on Phi Phi is a Farang (a foreigner). You will never see or hear a Thai person saying: “I’m going to spend a weekend on Phi Phi Island”. On the other hand, the young Thais working on the island are very smiling and helpful.

There are some mosquitoes, mostly once the sun has set, but many convenience stores and pharmacies are on Phi Phi island.

Long Beach

Long beach on Phi Phi Island

Long Beach is a superb sandy bay located just next to Tonsai Bay and 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 Tong Beach or Laemtong bay in koh Phi Phi

Laem Thong Beach is a beautiful and secluded beach located on the northern tip of Phi Phi Island. The beach boasts clear turquoise waters and soft white sand, making it an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling. The area is less developed than other beaches on the island, providing a peaceful and serene atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. Some of the popular hotels in the area include Zeavola Resort, Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island, and Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort.

All around Phi Phi Don, there are other beaches of different sizes such as the beautiful Loh Bagao beach further down (see map at the end of the page).


What to do in Phi Phi?

On the following page are some of the best places to see here. Of course, you can expect these places and islands to be busy. It may be a good idea to stay overnight and explore early morning to beat the crowds. Read more

Loh Dalum Bay

Loh Dalum Bay

Loh Dalum is a stunningly beautiful shallow bay located on the southern side of Phi Phi Island. It is easily recognizable 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. In fact, you can walk from the main town of Tonsai to Loh Dalum in just a minute or two.

Phi Phi Island - Long Beach

 

Despite its small size, Loh Dalum is a popular destination for tourists visiting Phi Phi Island. There are several hotels, restaurants, and bars located along the beach, which makes it an ideal spot for travellers looking for a lively atmosphere. The party scene on Loh Dalum is legendary, with music and dancing continuing into the early hours of the morning.

 

Phi Phi Viewpoint

Phi Phi Viewpoint Number 2

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 a 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.

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Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach

Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Pai)

Bamboo Island - Iles Phi Phi

Bamboo Island is a popular snorkelling spot located 8 kilometres northeast of the main island. This island is often part of the day trips travellers usually book in Phuket, or as a short boat ride from Phi Phi island itself.

Buying a typical day trip around Phi Phi

Viking cave and swallow nests harvesting

If you wish to rent a boat, expect to pay around 1,500 to 3,000 baht, depending on what you want to visit. Here are the usual places where longtail boats will take you to.

To Phi Phi Leh and around

  • Maya Bay
  • Viking Cave (Used to be open to the public, but it’s now restricted)
  • Loh Dalum Bay
  • Monkey Beach

Then to the north of Phi Phi Don

  • Mosquito Island
  • Bamboo Island

Diving in Phi Phi Island

Diving in Phi Phi

Diving around Phi Phi Island is a fantastic experience you shouldn’t miss. Not many places in the world can offer such unique dive sites. If you have never experienced diving before, remember that a cool option called ‘Discover Scuba Diving’ doesn’t require any training, just a briefing usually given on the boat deck on the way to the dive sites! I did it, and it was fantastic.

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Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi

Phi Phi Banyan Villa

Phi Phi Banyan Villa Info

Location: Tonsai Bay
Range: 3-star
Swimming pools: 1
Restaurants and bars: 1
Facilities: Fitness room
Distance to the beach: 350 metres to Loh Dalum Bay
Distance to Phi Phi centre: 250 m
Address: 129 Moo 7 Tambon Ao Nang, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81210
Phone: 075 601 023
Bookings: see the rates

PP Princess Resort

PP Princess Resort

Phi Phi Princess Resort Info

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
Phone: 075 601 166
Bookings: see the rates

Phi Phi Villa Resort

Phi Phi Villa Resort Info

Location: Long Beach
Range: 3-star
Swimming pools: 1
Restaurants and bars: 1
Facilities: Fitness centre, Spa
Distance to the beach: on the beachfront of a superb beach!
Distance to Phi Phi centre: 450 m, easy to walk
Address: 1/5 Moo 7 Phi Phi Island, Muang, Krabi 81000
Phone: 075 628 900
Bookings: see the rates

To see more great hotels all over the island of Phi Phi, click on the link below:

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Where to party at Night?

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

Beach Party on Phi Phi Island

Slinky is a beach bar famous for its fire show and club music right on the beach.

Stones Bar

Stoned Bar

Stones Bar is on Loh Dalum Bay and has a fire show.

Reggae Bar

Muay Thai fight at Reggae bar on Koh Phi Phi

Reggae Bar, unlike a reggae bar, is somewhat famous for organising friendly Muay Thai fights between customers. As you wear head protection, it doesn’t seem to hurt (much), but it depends on your opponent. Nevertheless, it seems to be a lot of fun.

Stockholm Syndrome

Stockholm Bar

Stockholm Syndrome invites customers to drink games outside the bar; games involve a hose and a funnel and how fast you can drink from these.


Other popular places to party in Phi Phi

  • Dojo Bar
  • Breakers
  • Kong Siam Live Bar has a fantastic singer able to entertain the crowds with drinking songs.
  • Carlito’s Bar is a waterfront bar on the other side of the bay. Als,o with club music and fire shows but with a better sitting area.

What’s a ‘Bucket’?

Buckets in Phi Phi island

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 much more than they think. Fun.

Where to get a tattoo in Phi Phi?

Tattoo parlour in Phi Phi Island

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, also Bamboo tattoos are available. So follow your instinct but let us know if you can recommend one shop. I looked at a couple of standard-size tattoos; they cost between 5,000 to 10,000 baht and take 3 to 6 hours to execute.

Where to eat

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.

Le Grand Bleu

Le Grand Bleu French Restaurant in Phi Phi

Le Grand Bleu is a great French restaurant that has been famous since 1992.

Ciao Bella

Ciao Bella Italian restaurant on the Beach

Ciao Bella is an Italian restaurant right by the sea, on Loh Dalum Beach, just next to the party.

Tonsai Seafood

Tonsai Seafood

Tonsai Seafood serves seafood and Thai food on the Tonsai waterfront opposite Phi Phi Banyan Villa, where we stayed.

Shopping in Phi Phi

Shopping in Phi Phi Island

The famous expression “Same Same but Different” was probably coined here. ‘Phi Phi island’ tee shirts, short pants and 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.


More Photos


Useful information about Phi Phi

📷 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

▷ There are many convenience stores, banks, ATMs, and pharmacies everywhere. There are 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!” 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.


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 hour and a half). Usually, the transfer includes pick up from your hotel and is a return ticket, but double-check anyway.

Ferries to Phi Phi Island

Any hotel in Phuket will be able to arrange this for you. If you rent a car, you could also park at the Rassada pier in Phuket town and buy your ferry ticket, but it’s not cheaper. You also can check this site for available discount tickets by Kohlife.

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Where is Phi Phi Island?

See all Phuket Maps!

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Best Hotels in Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi Island hotels come in a surprisingly wide range to fit different budgets and preferences. Some of the best hotels on the island cater to those seeking luxury and privacy with all-villa beachfront resorts that offer breathtaking views and modern facilities. The traditional ... Read More
Phi Phi Viewpoint
Phi Phi Island viewpoint is probably one of the main things you will visit during your stay on Phi Phi island. You can easily reach the Phi Phi viewpoint on foot, and this is where visitors take the iconic ‘2 bays view’ photo of ... Read More
What to Do in Phi Phi Island
Here are some of the best places to see and the best things to do in the Phi Phi islands. Of course, as they are so popular, those places can be bustling, so it is recommended to stay overnight in Phi Phi and try ... Read More
Ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi Island
There are several ways to catch a ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi Islands. You can prebook in advance and include your hotel transfer, or if you are on a super tight budget you can even go to the Rassada Pier in Phuket Town ... Read More
Maya Bay in Phi Phi Islands
The famous Maya Bay has reopened after a long and much-needed break from the increasing herds of tourists who were travelling all the way to see with their own eyes what this bay of Phi Phi Islands seen in the old Movie ‘The Beach ... Read More
Phi Phi 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 a unique clear dive sites. If you never experienced diving before, just remember that there is a very cool option called 'Discover ... Read More

FAQs about Phi Phi Island

Q. Is Phi Phi Island open?

a. Yes, Phi Phi Island is open as well as all the attractions and other islands around. The famous Maya Bay is also open to a limited amount of visitors.

Q. What are the best things to do on Phi Phi Island?

a. Explore the islands around and party on the beach are some of the many things to do in Phi Phi:
Relax on Loh Dalum Beach
Climb to the viewpoint
Take a longtail boat to
Monkey Beach
Bamboo Island
Try scuba diving

Q. How long does it take to go from Phuket to Phi Phi Island?

a. Phi Phi Island is 46 km southwest of Phuket Island, and 2 hours to reach by ferry from Rassada Pier in Phuket Town.

Q. How to get to Phi Phi Island?

a. Tours will send a van to our hotel and drive you to Rassada Pier in Phuket Town; then a ferry will take you to the island.

Q. How much does the ferry cost and where to book it?

a. Booking online is surprisingly cheaper than booking at the pier, expect to pay from 300 baht per person, 450 baht including transfer from the hotel.

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Willy Thuan
https://www.phuket101.net/
Born in France a long long time ago, I started to travel the world early and never stopped until I settled in Thailand in 1994. Then for the past 27 years, my passion for photography and my natural curiosity has taken me to every corner of Thailand, jumping frequently between Bangkok and Phuket and basically everywhere I could go. I run Phuket101.net and manage large international online travel guides.