Phi Phi islands are a group of six islands in Southern Thailand’s Andaman Sea. These islands are famous for their beautiful tropical scenery, featuring white sandy beaches and stunning turquoise waters that look like a postcard. Although it can get very crowded and packed with tourists, exploring Phi Phi islands definitely became a highlight of our Thailand trip! Learn all about this beautiful destination in this ultimate guide to Phi Phi Islands.
How to visit Phi Phi Islands
Many people visit Phi Phi Islands on a day trip from Phuket or Krabi. Just remember that it takes some time to get from Phuket or Krabi to Phi Phi. We stayed two nights on Phi Phi Don and suggest you do the same to save yourself a lot of time. This way, you can arrange an early private tour to explore Phi Phi, which is totally worth it! If you do decide on doing a day trip from Krabi or Phuket, you should know that you probably won’t be in Phi Phi before 9 AM. Most places in Phi Phi will already be packed by then.
How to get to Phi Phi Islands
To get to Phi Phi Don we took a ferry from Phuket, which took about two hours. It cost us around € 25 for both of us. We recommend booking your tickets a few days in advance to secure a seat on your preferred day. To enter Phi Phi Don you’ll have to pay a fee of 20 baht (about € 0,50).
When we got to Phi Phi Don, we were a bit surprised. It was so crowded and touristy! The island didn’t feel authentic at all. Right away, you see McDonald’s and Burger King on the shore, which we found pretty strange. On top of that, everything is much more expensive (just check any 7-Eleven on the island), and there are loads of tourists here to party. A bit of a shock, but the tour we did the next day totally made up for it!
Phi Phi islands by private longtail boat
On Phi Phi Don, there are lots of tour companies offering private boat tours early in the morning. They all advertise the same price, which gave us the impression that haggling was impossible. Maybe if you talk to a sailor directly he can give you a better price, who knows. The advantage of a private tour is that you decide where to go and for how long. You can choose to visit only the highlights, or book a private longtail boat for a whole day. That way you can discover all the beautiful places around Koh Phi Phi, and trust us there’s loads of them. It’s a bit more expensive, of course, but well worth every penny!
We paid 3000 baht (around € 75) for a 5-hour private trip on a longtail boat. We started at 6 AM to catch the sunrise and dodge the crowds. Phi Phi Islands were truly unforgettable for us! We heard from lots of people who went on group tours to Phi Phi that it was too crowded. We were some of the first to see Maya Bay and didn’t have to deal with crowds. Phi Phi Islands were truly unforgettable for us.
Which places to visit
There are so many things to do at the Phi Phi Islands, from exploring different islands to visiting tourist spots and going snorkeling. Here are our top picks for places to visit at Phi Phi Islands:
Phi Phi Leh
Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited island known for its limestone cliffs, emerald green waters in Pileh Lagoon, and of course, stunning Maya Bay. More on that later. Phi Phi Leh is an incredibly gorgeous island to explore, with great snorkeling spots where you can spot exotic fish and colorful coral. It’s a cool place to do some sunbathing on the boat, too. Just watch out for jellyfish if you decide to take a swim, we saw quite a few!
Maya Bay
When we think of the Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay comes to mind right away. Therefore, this place could not be missing from this ultimate guide to Phi Phi Islands. This stunning bay, with cliffs on three sides and soft white sand is part of Phi Phi Leh, and looks like something from a postcard. It’s one of the most famous and photogenic places in Thailand, all because of the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio that was shot here.
Seeing Maya Bay in person was truly magical for us. It’s among the whitest beaches we’ve ever seen, the water is crystal clear, and the backdrop of the bay is just… wow. But it’s not all perfect. Too many people visiting has harmed the coral reefs and marine life. That’s why Maya Bay will be closed for 2 months from August 1, 2024, to help the ecosystem recover. It is also the reason you can’t swim here anymore! So be sure to keep this in mind when planning your visit.
Good to know
You need to pay 400 baht (a bit over € 10) to enter Maya Bay. This fee isn’t included in the cost of most tours. Since swimming at Maya Bay is not allowed, you can only go in the water up to your knees.
Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach boasts pristine white sands, emerald waters, and a majestic limestone cliff. Here you can encounter playful monkeys in their natural habitat, hence its fitting name. 😉 First warning: make sure to hide all your food and belongings, because the monkeys will take it from you! And don’t think that you’re safe on the boat either, because these monkeys can (and will) swim to get anything they can get their hands on. It is really funny to see them swim, but best to do so from a safe distance. We recommend not getting too close to the monkeys and definitely not to feed them!
Bamboo Island
Bamboo Island, also called Koh Pai, is like stepping into a tropical dream. It’s a bit more peaceful compared to the popular Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay. That’s why we think it’s a must-visit spot! The island gets its name from the bamboo trees that decorate its shores. There used to be a lot more of them, but it’s still a sight to behold. And let’s talk about the water at Bamboo Island: it’s some of the clearest we’ve ever seen!
Where to stay at Phi Phi Don
Finding accommodation on Phi Phi Don was not easy. We waited too long to book, so there were only expensive options or really budget ones left. That’s how we ended up at Panmanee Hotel, where we paid a whopping € 100 a night. Surprisingly, it turned out to be one of our favorite stays in Thailand! The room was huge and luxurious, with everything we needed. Plus, we swear it had the biggest bed we’ve ever slept in! 😂 The staff were also incredibly friendly, going out of their way to make our stay perfect. So if you’re searching for a place to stay in Phi Phi Don, Panmanee Hotel is the way to go.
Where to eat at Phi Phi Don
Phi Phi Don has a variety of trendy restaurants serving both Thai and international food. Even on a budget, we discovered two delicious local eateries with affordable prices. And if you’re craving something different from Thai cuisine, we’ve included a recommendation for a trendy spot with international dishes as well.
Pooky
After spending 6 weeks in Thailand, we’ve discovered that a street food stall with just 2 plastic tables and chairs is where you’ll find the best food! This was the case at Pooky. The fried garlic and pepper shrimp was the best we’ve ever eaten. “Pooky” is a very friendly woman, too! We paid around € 8 for 2 dishes, a little pricier than most street food but oh so tasty.
Thai Duck Noodle Soup
Thai Duck Noodle Soup is another street food stall you cannot miss. You really have to try the duck noodle soup from this street food stall. It’s the best! Kelvin can’t stop thinking about how delicious and flavorful it was. Definitely a must-try on Phi Phi Don!
Patcharee
Craving something different from Thai cuisine? Patcharee is a trendy spot that serves brunch all day. The choices and flavors here are endless. When we looked at the menu, we couldn’t decide what to get! Pages and pages of great food, Patcharee is a must (re-)visit! It’s always busy and a tad bit pricier, but the quality of the food is worth it. The pumpkin and egg quesadillas are unexpectedly delicious!
Looking for more Thailand inspiration?
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