The Ultimate Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide 2025

This Koh Phi Phi travel guide provides all the information you need to plan a trip to these popular Thai islands, including the best time to visit, how to get there, the top places to stay, and great activities to enjoy.

One of Thailand’s most well-known destinations, Koh Phi Phi is an archipelago in the Andaman Sea comprising six islands, with Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh being the largest. The former is home to the main town and tourist infrastructure, while the latter boasts famous natural attractions like Maya Bay.

The Phi Phi Islands are famous for their natural beauty, featuring paradise beaches, clear turquoise waters, and towering limestone cliffs. However, they are also notorious for overdevelopment and unsustainable levels of tourism.

I spent several days on Phi Phi and experienced both the best and the worst the islands have to offer. Although they will never be an off-the-radar paradise, it is still possible to minimise some of the negative aspects of visiting this destination.

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Are Koh Phi Phi Islands Even Worth Visiting?

Before we dive into the practical information in this Koh Phi Phi travel guide, you might be wondering if this destination is even worth visiting. You’ve likely come across plenty of negativity about the islands, including overwhelming crowds, damaging overdevelopment, and a perceived loss of identity in favour of tourism.

To be fair, these are all valid points. When my husband and I visited Tonsai Village, the main town on the islands, I found it incredibly busy. Accompanied by the occasional whiff of open sewers, it felt as though there was simply too much of everything—buildings, boats, and people—in an area that couldn’t contain it all.

The nightlife that Tonsai Village is famous for didn’t particularly interest us, so overall, I felt the town wasn’t much to write home about. However, not all of Phi Phi Don is like Tonsai.

We stayed on the northeastern coast of the island, where there are just a few resorts and affordable guest houses. The atmosphere there was completely different, with no drunken tourists in sight. You could simply enjoy the beaches, the relaxed vibe, and the tranquillity, as nightlife is limited in that area.

Also, the islands are undeniably stunning. We went on day trips to some of the popular spots, including Maya Bay, and the scenery was breathtaking. At the very least, I’d say it’s worth taking a day trip to experience these sights. Just make sure to visit very early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the worst of the crowds.

The negativity doesn’t seem to deter people, and if Koh Phi Phi is calling your name, then of course, you should go. Just manage your expectations and do your research to ensure you get what you want out of the experience.

Best Time to Visit Phi Phi Islands

For the best weather, visit the Phi Phi Islands between November and February, during the Thai winter. Although this is considered the cooler part of the year, temperatures typically hover around 28°C (82°F). The days are usually dry and sunny, making it an ideal time to explore the islands.

The catch? That’s when almost everyone else visits as well. Crowds in popular parts of the archipelago are unavoidable and can become quite overwhelming at the height of the season. Accommodation costs also rise significantly during this period, especially over Christmas and New Year.

March to May marks the hot season, with April being the hottest month of the year. If you’re comfortable with heat and humidity, it’s not necessarily a bad time to visit, as crowds start to thin out a little by April.

The rainy season lasts from June to October, and as the name suggests, this is when the islands experience the most rainfall. Showers are more frequent, and the sea can be rough, potentially affecting visibility.

Depending on your luck, you might still enjoy plenty of good weather during this period. However, not everyone gets lucky. The upside is that fewer people visit, and good deals on accommodation are more readily available.

My husband and I visited the islands in early December and enjoyed nearly perfect weather. The islands were starting to get busier, but we stayed in a quiet area and visited tourist hotspots early in the morning to avoid the worst of the crowds.

How Many Days to Spend in Koh Phi Phi

The decision on how many days to spend on Koh Phi Phi ultimately depends on what you’d like to do there.

You can see the highlights of the Koh Phi Phi islands, such as Maya Bay, on a day trip, with many organised tour options available from Phuket and Krabi. For many people, that’s more than enough time, as it allows you to experience both the immense natural beauty of the area and the overwhelming crowds for which it is notorious.

However, if you are strategic about where you stay, it might make sense to extend your visit. On the less developed northeastern coast, you’ll find a much quieter atmosphere, far from the large crowds, where you can relax and take advantage of the tours, snorkelling, and diving trips offered by local providers.

If this option appeals to you, I’d recommend staying for three to five nights. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy activities and unwind on the beach. I have more specific recommendations on accommodation further on in the article.

If you’d like to experience the nightlife at Tonsai Village, you may want to stay there for a few days. This option doesn’t personally appeal to me, as I didn’t think the town was that great, but I appreciate that it’s something that attracts many people to Phi Phi.

How to Get to Koh Phi Phi

The only way to reach the Koh Phi Phi islands is by ferry or speedboat from either Phuket or Krabi. There are daily services connecting these areas.

The ferry is the most affordable option, but it also takes the longest. The ferry journey from Phuket’s Rassada Pier to Tonsai takes about two hours, while the journey between Phi Phi and Krabi’s Klong Jilad Pier takes approximately 90 minutes. When you factor in transfer times to the piers, the total travel time becomes even longer.

Ferry prices start at around £10 (US $13) per person, depending on the travel class. Tickets can be booked at tour desks in Phuket and Krabi or online. For example, these one-way packages from Phuket and Krabi also include hotel pick-up.

I recommend booking your journey in advance. Keep in mind that ferries can get quite busy, especially during the high season.

A speedboat is the faster but more expensive option. The journey takes about an hour from Phuket and 50 minutes from Krabi. Various operators offer speedboat services, with prices starting at around £20 (US $26) per person one way.

Speedboat journeys can be booked at tour desks or online. Here are some options that can be booked in advance through GetYourGuide, which also include hotel transfers:

During my last trip to Phi Phi, my transfer was organised through the resort where I was staying. If you’re planning to stay on the island for a few days, check whether your hotel offers transfer services.

How to Get Around Koh Phi Phi

To travel between the islands, you’ll need to hire a longtail boat or join a tour boat. These can be booked in person in Tonsai Village once you arrive.

Phi Phi Don doesn’t have any motorised transport, but Tonsai Village is small and easily walkable. If you want to explore other beaches on the island, you can walk to them, as the distances are manageable.

If, like us, you choose to stay on the northeastern coast of Phi Phi Don, your options for getting to Tonsai are either walking, which takes about an hour, or taking a longtail boat, which takes around 20 minutes.

Interestingly, in the part of the island where we stayed, there were a handful of motorised taxi carts in the village. However, they didn’t travel very far due to the lack of proper road infrastructure on the island. We used these to get quickly between Loh Ba Kao Bay and Loh Lana Bay when we needed to catch a speedboat tour.

It was refreshing not to have the constant flow of cars and motorbikes that is typical in other parts of Thailand. This definitely contributed to a more relaxed atmosphere.

Best Things to Do on Phi Phi Islands

Koh Phi Phi is a popular destination to enjoy stunning scenery, relax on the beach, or party all night long. Here are the fun activities you should consider adding to your itinerary during your visit. Many of these can be done on organised day tours.

Visit Maya Bay

The beach in Maya Bay, still with relatively few tourists early in the morning

No Koh Phi Phi travel guide would be complete without mentioning the iconic Maya Bay. Located on Koh Phi Phi Leh, this natural wonder features a picture-perfect beach hugging unbelievably clear turquoise waters, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs.

It served as the backdrop to The Beach, the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which led to a surge in tourism, further amplified by the era of Instagram influencers. The issue of overtourism became so severe, and the damage to marine life so significant, that Thai authorities closed the bay to allow the ecosystem to recover.

Visitors were allowed back in 2022, albeit with new rules. Boats are no longer permitted to dock in the bay, and swimming is prohibited. You can step into the water, but if you wade too far in, you’ll likely hear a whistle from the local coastguard.

Today, boats dock in a different area, and visitors can walk along raised boardwalks to reach the bay. Entry costs 400 baht (US $12) per person. Please note that the bay is closed to visitors for two months during the low season—check the closure dates to avoid disappointment.

Despite these restrictions, thousands of people still visit Maya Bay, so don’t expect to have it to yourself. My husband and I visited on a longtail speedboat from Phi Phi Don early in the morning, but crowds had already started to gather.

If you do visit, please be a responsible tourist: don’t smoke, leave rubbish, or enter the water. A photo of you standing in the sea is not as important as preserving this area for future generations.

Tours to Maya Bay are available from Phi Phi Don, as well as from Phuket and Krabi.

Swim at Pileh Lagoon

Ksenia sitting at the top of a longtail boat with the limestone cliffs of Pileh Lagoon behind her

Another stunning spot on Koh Phi Phi Leh, which may not be as well-known as Maya Bay but still deserves a visit, is Pi Leh Lagoon.

Located to the north of the island, this bay is sheltered by dramatic limestone cliffs and features deep, turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming. Pi Leh Lagoon is only accessible by boat but is a popular stop on many Phi Phi Island day trips.

Many boats anchor around the bay to allow visitors to swim, but since the lagoon is large, the number of people doesn’t feel too overwhelming. We visited Pi Leh during our Phi Phi Leh day trip, and the swim was delightfully refreshing.

I’ve seen some advice online suggesting that Pi Leh is a good snorkelling spot, but we didn’t find this to be the case. Our longtail boat captain mentioned that it’s best to save the snorkelling gear for another location.

Since the lagoon is deep and there were many people in the water, we didn’t really see any marine life. Nevertheless, swimming in this incredible natural setting is an amazing experience in itself.

Here are a couple of high-rated day trips that feature stops at the Pi Leh lagoon.

Snorkelling and Diving

Koh Phi Phi is an excellent destination for exploring marine life through diving or snorkelling. With dozens of dive sites scattered around the islands, there are options for all experience levels. Additionally, diving is possible all year round in this part of the world.

Some of the popular dive sites in the area include the Bida Nai and Nok islands, Shark Point, Viking Cave, and the Kled Gaeow Wreck. Diving trips to these sites can be organised through the many dive centres on Phi Phi Don or from Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta.

Snorkelling is also possible at the sites mentioned above, but there are many other spots to explore. As part of our day trip around the islands, my husband and I enjoyed snorkelling at Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don. There was a great variety of marine life to observe while swimming in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea.

Bamboo Island, a small and less-visited island in the Phi Phi archipelago, is another excellent option for snorkelling. It’s much quieter than Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, providing a welcome escape from the crowds.

Since snorkelling is a more accessible activity, there are numerous organised tours that include it as part of their itinerary. For example, this sunrise Phi Phi Island tour features visits to Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island, with stops for snorkelling along the way.

Hike to Phi Phi Viewpoint

Ksenia enjoying the view from the café terrace at Phi Phi Viewpoint

If you’re visiting Phi Phi Don, be sure to include a trip to the Phi Phi viewpoint in your itinerary. The path to the viewpoint starts in Tonsai Village and is well signposted.

The hike takes about 30 minutes and includes many steps, some of which are uneven. There are also some steep sections to navigate.

Although the hike is not particularly demanding, the heat can make it more challenging than you might expect. However, the views from the top are well worth the effort.

There are actually three viewpoints located at different heights. After climbing the steep steps, you’ll arrive at Viewpoint 1, where you’ll need to pay a fee of 50 baht (US $1.50) per person to enter. This fee only covers entry to Viewpoint 1 and Viewpoint 2.

At Viewpoint 1, you’ll find seating and viewing platforms where you can take photos, as well as a basic shop selling refreshments. After catching your breath, I recommend continuing to Viewpoint 2.

Viewpoint 2 offers the iconic views often featured in promotional materials for Phi Phi. In addition to the viewing platform, there’s a café where you can enjoy drinks and snacks. Toilets are available for an additional fee of 20 baht (US $0.60), and I was pleasantly surprised by how clean they were.

If you decide to visit Viewpoint 3, there’s an additional entry fee of 20 baht. This viewpoint features a restaurant with a terrace offering stunning views. Although it’s not far from Viewpoint 2, the advantage of going there is that it tends to be less busy.

Beach Hopping

Beautiful beaches are one of the main reasons travellers visit Koh Phi Phi. While some can only be accessed by boat, such as Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don or the beach on Bamboo Island, there are also several you can easily reach while staying on the main island.

Located right in Tonsai Village, Loh Dalum Beach is a lovely stretch of soft sand with shallow waters, perfect for swimming during high tide. The beach is lined with bars and cafés, and due to its easy accessibility, it gets busy with visitors and longtail boats.

Loh Dalum Beach in Tonsai Village with many people walking along it — Loh Dalum Beach

Fortunately, you can escape the crowds by heading to a lesser-known beach. If you’re up for a hike, you can walk from Tonsai Village to beaches such as Nui Beach, Loh Lana Bay, or Loh Ba Kao, which takes about one and a half to two hours each way. Alternatively, you can charter a longtail boat to get there.

All of these beaches are much quieter and less developed than those near Tonsai. However, when we visited Loh Lana Bay, I was disappointed to see rubbish scattered along the edge of the sand.

Loh Ba Kao, on the other hand, was pristine, thanks to the efforts of the SAii Phi Phi Island Village resort located there. Since we stayed at the resort, we had easy access to the beach. However, you can still visit it even if you’re not a guest at the hotel.

Loh Ba Kao beach in the evening sun — Loh Ba Kao beach

Further north lies another paradise beach called Laem Tong. The walk from Loh Ba Kao takes about 40 minutes. While there are resorts in the area, it remains significantly quieter than the beaches around Tonsai.

Kayaking

If you’re up for an adventure, consider exploring Koh Phi Phi by kayak. While organised tours that include kayaking are available from Phuket, you can also rent kayaks from the tour desks at Loh Dalum Beach.

From Loh Dalum, you can kayak to Monkey Beach in about 20 minutes, or to Nui Beach, which takes an additional 40 minutes. It’s a fantastic way to take in the scenery while travelling at a leisurely pace.

Kayak rentals are also available at the resorts on the northeastern coast of Phi Phi Don. If you’re staying there, grabbing a kayak and exploring the local bays couldn’t be easier.

Gorge on Local Seafood

Crab curry with betel leaf and steamed rice — Crab curry with betel leaf

If you’re wondering what to eat while visiting Phi Phi, look no further than the local seafood. The Andaman Sea provides a steady supply of fish, crab, lobster, and prawns, which are prepared in a variety of ways at many local restaurants.

Seafood restaurants can be found in Tonsai, Loh Ba Kao Village, and near Laem Tong Beach. You can enjoy your seafood grilled, stir-fried, or as part of aromatic curries.

The catch of the day is often listed on the restaurant’s specials board. Some seafood spots also display the day’s catch on ice, allowing you to choose your seafood for the chef to prepare.

I’m a big fan of Thai crab curry with betel leaf and couldn’t resist enjoying it while staying on Phi Phi Don. No matter how you like your seafood, when it’s fresh and high-quality, you’re in for a treat.

If you’d like to enjoy your own catch instead, you can organise fishing trips through tourist offices across the island.

Relax with a Thai Massage

When you need a break from all the adventuring, a Thai massage is a must. There are many traditional Thai massage parlours scattered across the island. Although the settings might be basic, the massage itself is wonderfully rejuvenating.

If a full-body massage doesn’t appeal, I recommend opting for a foot massage. This is one of my favourites, as it’s so relaxing you might nearly fall asleep in your chair.

Thai massages are also quite affordable by Western standards. Expect to pay between 300 and 400 baht (US $9 to $12) for an hour-long traditional Thai or foot massage. Full-body massages featuring oil are slightly more expensive.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, consider booking a pampering session at a resort spa. Len Spa at SAii Phi Phi Island Village has a secluded hillside setting and offers a wide selection of treatments, from traditional massages to body scrubs and facials.

Where to Stay in Phi Phi Islands

Ksenia standing on a terrace of her villa at SAii Phi Phi Island Village — A villa at SAii Phi Phi Island Village

As Koh Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island in the Phi Phi archipelago, tourist accommodation is only available there.

Tonsai Village offers a concentration of affordable options, ranging from hostels to relatively inexpensive resorts. If you plan to fully embrace the area’s lively nightlife, it makes sense to stay there.

However, I personally wasn’t impressed by the town itself, and as nightlife holds limited appeal for me, I wouldn’t particularly want to stay there. Instead, if your budget allows, I recommend spending a few nights at one of the resorts on the northeastern coast of the island.

This area is not easily accessible from Tonsai, as they are not connected by road. You can only reach it by boat or on foot. Due to this isolation, fewer people visit, creating a much more peaceful atmosphere.

My husband and I spent several days at the SAii Phi Phi Island Village resort, located by the beautiful Loh Ba Kao Bay, and we highly recommend it. This stunning spot is ideal if you’re looking to get away from it all for a few days and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area.

My detailed review of SAii Phi Phi Island Village provides more information on why it’s such a great place to stay.

One of the best things about the resort is that you don’t need to go to Tonsai for snorkelling and diving trips. These activities can be arranged directly through the resort or the nearby local village.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve found this Koh Phi Phi travel guide helpful. It’s a destination that divides opinion due to its struggles with balancing nature and tourism. However, as with most things, it’s best to form your own opinion.

If you’re looking to learn more about other popular Thai destinations, check out these guides to Phuket and Bangkok. Although completely different in character, both offer plenty of amazing experiences.

FAQs: Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide

Is Koh Phi Phi a party island?

Tonsai Bay, the main town on Koh Phi Phi Don—the only inhabited island in the Phi Phi archipelago—is a party hub with numerous affordable bars and nightclubs popular with backpackers. However, beyond this area, nightlife is limited.

Why is Koh Phi Phi so popular?

Koh Phi Phi boasts immense natural beauty, but its popularity skyrocketed thanks to The Beach, the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and a steady stream of influencers sharing picture-perfect beaches on Instagram and TikTok. However, the islands have also fallen victim to their own success, with overdevelopment and significant damage to their ecosystems.

Is Koh Phi Phi expensive?

Since the Phi Phi Islands are small, with most of the infrastructure concentrated in a dense, compact area, you can expect to spend more money than you would in other parts of Thailand. While I personally didn’t find food, drinks, or services like Thai massages significantly more expensive than in places like Phuket or Koh Samui, accommodation on Phi Phi definitely comes at a premium due to limited availability. Additionally, taking boats to nearby islands for tours will further add to the cost of your stay.

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