The Phi Phi Islands are an archipelago of 6 islands in Southern Thailand. They’re known for incredible scenery, beautiful beaches, vibrant marine life, and a hopping party scene.
Despite what the English spelling might suggest, it is pronounced pee pee (not fee fee).
And when people mention the Phi Phi Islands, they are usually talking about Koh Phi Phi Don, the largest of the islands, and the only inhabited one. So this is where all the hotels, restaurants, and nightlife are located. But some of the best things to see and do are on the surrounding islands, which are easy to visit as part of day tours.
Before we jump into the best things to do on Koh Phi Phi Don, we want to cover some important details about getting there, where to stay, etc. Because this island does not have cars or motorbikes, and requires walking or boat travel to get around.
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How To Get To Phi Phi Don:
The biggest obstacle for getting to the Phi Phi Islands is the boat ride over. Because there is no airport on the island, so a boat ride is the only way. Boat routes are offered from most of the popular nearby areas, like Phuket and Krabi.
There are tons of options, from ferries to speedboats, to the iconic Thai long tail boats.
Personally, I would recommend either the ferries or speedboats because they can handle the ocean waves better, and provide a more comfortable experience. We like to use the website 12go.asia for finding and booking transportation. But boat transportation is widely available in person in most tourist locations.
In our opinion, one of the best things about the Phi Phi Islands is that there’s no cars or motorbikes. Which really just gives that pedestrian-friendly beach escape vibe that feels so different from the regular world.
Where To Stay
Since there’s no cars or motorbikes, it’s important to choose your accommodation wisely. Because you will be walking a lot or taking boat taxis to get around. And some accommodations offer cart service for luggage, which is a really nice perk, especially for places farther away from the port.
And the other important decision is whether you want to be close to the party scene or not. Loud music is a common complaint of people who book accommodation near the nightlife without realizing it.
Basically, the loud bars and nightlife are mostly concentrated in this area here. Which might be one of the main reasons you came. But don’t worry, if you don’t want to be bothered by the partying and music, there are quieter corners of the island away from the main town.
We’ve actually stayed at a nice little budget spot up the hill called Uphill Cottage. This place is really all about the great views, still walkable to the main area. But the only negative is that music from the bars carries pretty well.
Other great options near the pier and happening scene are:
If you want to be completely unbothered by the party music, you might consider a resort along Long Beach. But just note, you will need to take a long-tail boat to the main area (about 100 baht per person), or a long walk through the woods. Here are a few great options:
Or if you’re not on Koh Phi Phi Don for the party scene at all, consider staying on the west side of the island. Here you can find private resorts with great beaches. Otherwise, the main area near the pier is typically where tourists stay to enjoy the high energy, local bars, and jump on tours to nearby islands.
Use this interactive map below to search for the perfect accommodation style for your trip to Koh Phi Phi.
Alright, now lets get into our Top 10 Things to Do In The Phi Phi Islands.
Islands Tour
One of the best things to do in the Phi Phi Islands is go on a boat tour to the best sites on Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. And there are tons of boat tours that make these trips daily, starting from Phi Phi Don, or farther away like Phuket, Ao Nang, Krabi, etc.
Most tours will visit these popular spots: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, and Monkey Beach. Plus a couple of stops for snorkeling.
Maya Bay is one of the most famous beaches in Thailand. Known for its luxurious soft white sand encircled by beautiful limestone cliffs.
But with that popularity comes huge crowds of people practically all day every day.
Despite almost being loved to death, it was closed entirely for 4 years to allow the natural environment to recover. Reefs that were killed by too many boats and people, have luckily recovered, and black tip shark populations have rebounded too.
But part of that restoration effort comes with strict rules, probably the most notable of which is no swimming. So you can come enjoy the scenery, take pictures, sunbathe on the sand, but sadly no swimming.
Another highlight for us, is always Pileh Lagoon. The color of the water is just so beautiful, and tours stop for you to enjoy a swim, enjoy the scenery, and sometimes snorkel.
But there are several other great snorkeling sites along the east side of Phi Phi Leh. Where you can see coral reefs, colorful fish, sharks, and more.
And the Viking Cave is another quick landmark you pass. It’s a protected site and you cannot go inside. Famous for its cave drawings and as a home for nesting birds. But we only learned that after by searching the internet since our guides provided no information.
And then there’s Monkey Beach, a tour stop that we find rather unsettling. It’s just hundreds of people daily being dropped at a small strip of sand to see Macaques. If you have never seen these monkeys, I get that it can be exciting. But overall the scene just promotes negative behaviors between humans and monkeys.
There are tons of different boat tour options, from budget group tours by long tail boat, to private sunset cruises and more.
The cheapest longtail boat group tours are about 400 Baht per person, with private tours costing 1,200 Baht or more.
And something important to know is that there is a 400 baht fee per person for the National Park. So be sure to consider that when comparing tour options.
And here’s our take on the best time to go.
Our first time we did an Early-Bird tour via Speedboat (you must choose the early morning option), which gets you to the popular sites before the crowds. Which was nice, and we got to experience Maya Bay with like 50 people, instead of 500. But it was also before the sun was even hitting the beach.
Our second time we did an afternoon and sunset tour. Which was nice to be able to sleep in. But we visited every site basically as crowded as it gets. And the snorkeling spots are shaded in the afternoon, which makes the colors much less vibrant. And sadly the sunset wasn’t exactly a winner. And we elected to skip the bioluminescent plankton because it can be hit or miss if you see them.
Or you can extend the day and do a 7-islands tour where the tours additionally stops at Loh Samah Bay, shark point, and bamboo island.
If you are looking for more of a party boat tour, we noticed this Pirate Ship tour, with music, drinks, kayaks, and more.
Phi Phi Viewpoint
Do not miss this stunning viewpoint on Phi Phi Don! A steep hike up brings you to just jaw dropping views of the Phi Phi Islands. It’s only 50 Baht for the entrance fee, and one of the most memorable viewpoints we’ve ever been to.
But it’s a very steep hike. We recommend going in the morning before it gets too hot, and when the sunlight perfectly lights up the islands. Or sunset is the other best time to go. But I would avoid the afternoon, it will just be HOT, and glare off the ocean and shadows on the mountains makes it less colorful.
There are 3 viewpoints in total.
Viewpoint 1 is the easiest to get to and where you start to get a taste of what’s to come. And there’s a bunch of random fruit sculptures and signs.
But Viewpoint 2 is our favorite. From up here you get sweeping views of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. And there’s a cafe and restaurant up here if you want any food or drinks.
Viewpoint 3 is the highest one, and provide views in both directions. But you can skip this one if you’re feeling too hot and exhausted from the first two.
Loh Dalum Beach
This is the most popular beach on the island, mostly because of its proximity to town. This long sandy crescent in Loh Dalum Bay has great views and is lined with restaurants and bars.
Lots of them have chairs in the sand to relax and enjoy a beach day. And they are free to use as long as you buy something.
And it’s a good place to hire long tail boat rides or kayaks.
However, this beach has dramatic differences between high and low tide. At high tide it’s possible to swim, but low tide becomes a shallow shelf, making swimming practically impossible.
Watch Fire Show At Freedom Bar
Return to Loh Dalum beach at night for one of the best fire shows ever. This beach bar’s free show is such a mesmerizing display of fire dancing set against the pumping music from a legit DJ.
Bar servers can keep the drinks flowing, and they are famous for serving buckets if you’re really trying to get the party started.
And these talented fire spinners really know how to keep the energy up, always with at least one performer going at once. And more complex group formations and tricks that will blow your mind.
With some fun crowd involvement at the end too.
Weather permitting, they have two shows per night, at 7:30 and 10:30pm.
And the best seats are closest to the stage on the left or right side.
Technically you don’t need to buy anything if you just want to stand and watch the show. But the drinks are affordable, so why miss out.
There is also an impressive fire show just down the beach at Slinky Bar.
Ibiza Pool Party
If you are looking for the party epicenter of the Phi Phis, this pool party and hostel is the place.
They host regular day party’s every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday with DJs that roll deep into the night.
It’s free to enter, and they have plenty of bars to keep the drinks flowing.
They were undergoing renovations during our last visit, but we saw the party happening during our last visit here, and it always looked like a good time!
You can also stay here in the hostel, but I can’t imaging you get much sleep. As their parties are one of the bars whose music keeps half the island awake all night. So just keep that in mind.
Garlic 1992
This is probably the most famous Thai restaurant on the island.
It’s just a simple affordable local spot, that consistently delivers excellent flavors on all the Thai classics.
Our favorites are Panang Curry, or the northern specialty, Khao Soi.
But rightfully so, this place gets very busy. They’ve even opened a second dining room, and still have a line for tables most nights.
But if you visit for lunch, you can usually get seated right away.
But for a busy place, even once seated, service is always fast and friendly.
Oh and if you are trying to pre-game before the night, they serve these buckets that huge and delicious.
Long Beach
This is the best conventional beach on Phi Phi Don. True to its name, it’s a long stretch of beautiful soft sand, and it’s great for swimming.
There are some chairs and umbrellas for rent, or there’s a tree in the middle that provides a little shade for free.
From the main port, it’s about a 40 minute walk to the beach, walk the path along the coast, following like a million signs for Long Beach.
Or for an easier way, you can hire a long tail boat taxi for 100 Baht per person.
You can snorkel right from the beach, and the popular reef shark point is just offshore at the south end.
Phi Phi Don Chukit Cafe & Restaurant
This is one of our favorite restaurants on the island. Their deck and infinity pool make the perfect spot to enjoy and meal with great views.
It costs 150 baht per person to use the pool for the day, and includes a free towel.
The only thing we don’t love about the pool deck is the lack of shade. But the pool is cold and refreshing.
They serve a variety of food from Thai favorites to Western classics.
I enjoyed the Tom Kha, a coconut soup with flavors of lime, lemongrass, and fresh herbs. And Emily’s satisfied that craving for something familiar with a Crispy Chicken Sandwich.
The Mango Garden
This is our favorite restaurant to visit when coming or going from the island. It’s located right by the ferry port, and it’s air conditioned, so it’s a comfortable relief on those hot sweaty travel days.
They are famous for mango sticky rice, huge smoothie bowls, gourmet grilled cheeses, waffles and more.
I love that they have real sourdough bread, that really elevated the sandwiches to the next level.
And their hours are from 7am to 10pm, so you can stop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just for a sweet treat any time of day.
Wang Long Bay
This narrow lagoon on the west side of Phi Phi Don, is a cool hidden gem. But sadly it’s only seasonal. For part of the year, the waves are usually too big, and the long tail boat drivers told us it’s not safe. Typically January to March is the best time to visit and you have a chance of a calmer sea.
We book a private longtail boat to take us there, and enjoyed a quiet escape to this enchanting lagoon.
Plus it’s not on the regular boat tour itinerary, so you are likely to avoid the crowds.
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