Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide: Things to Do & Tips

Why Koh Phi Phi? Iconic island beauty: the famous Maya Bay, snorkelling reefs, viewpoints and a lively beach nightlife.

Few places are as instantly recognisable as Koh Phi Phi: sheer limestone cliffs plunging into impossibly blue water, the crescent of Maya Bay made famous by 'The Beach', and longtail boats bobbing over coral gardens. The group lies in Krabi province between Phuket and the Krabi coast, with most life concentrated on the larger island, Phi Phi Don, while uninhabited Phi Phi Ley is protected national park. It is stunning, and it knows it - which means crowds and a full-throttle party scene around the main village.

Stay one to three nights and you get the reward the day-trippers miss: the beaches at dawn and the viewpoints at dusk, all to yourself. One night covers the highlights; three lets you snorkel, dive and find a quieter bay.

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What to do in Koh Phi Phi?

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BeachMaya BayThe legendary cliff-ringed beach from 'The Beach', now beautifully recovered.
SnorkelingBamboo Island snorkellingPowder sand and shallow reefs full of fish.
NaturePhi Phi ViewpointSteep climb to the postcard shot of the twin bays.
BeachPileh LagoonSwim in a glowing emerald cove enclosed by limestone walls.
DivingDive with reef sharksBlacktip reef sharks and turtles at Bida Nok and Shark Point.
NatureSunset longtail tourMonkey Beach, plankton snorkelling and a fire show to finish.
NightlifeBeach fire show & barsLoh Dalum's buckets, fire dancers and party sand.
BeachMonkey BeachLongtail to a cove where cheeky macaques roam the sand.
SnorkelingLoh Samah Bay snorkelColourful coral and fish in a sheltered turquoise bay.
AdventureCliff jumping & kayakingPaddle to hidden coves and leap off the limestone (with guides).
BeachLong Beach (Hat Yao)Quieter white sand with the best reef right off the shore.

Getting there & around

There are no cars and no airport on Phi Phi - you arrive by ferry from Phuket's Rassada Pier or from Krabi and Ao Nang, taking roughly 1.5-2 hours, or by faster speedboat in under an hour. In high season boats also run from Koh Lanta. Almost everything docks at Tonsai Pier, where a small island entry fee is collected. From there it is all on foot along narrow lanes, or by longtail boat to reach the outlying beaches and viewpoints; agree the fare before you step aboard. Porters with trolleys will carry heavy bags to your hotel for a fee. Book ferries a day ahead in high season, and allow a buffer if you have a flight to catch.

Where to stay

The busy, walkable strip around Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays is party central - convenient, loud until late, with cheap dorms through to mid-range hotels. For calm, spend a bit more on the resorts around Long Beach (Hat Yao), a short longtail hop or a sweaty 30-minute walk away, with better swimming and a view back to the cliffs. Serious quiet-seekers head to the far bays of Phi Phi Don such as Laem Tong in the north, where larger resorts have their own beaches and boat transfers. Rooms are pricier than on the mainland for what you get, as everything comes in by boat, so book early for December to March.

Beaches, snorkelling & viewpoints

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Ley reopened with visitor limits after a long recovery - go early on an organised trip, expect a national park fee, and note you can no longer swim off its main beach. The bay also closes for a couple of months each year, usually around August and September. Nearby, Pileh Lagoon is an emerald cove enclosed by limestone walls. Snorkelling is superb around Bamboo Island and the reefs, easily combined by longtail. Sweat up to the Phi Phi Viewpoint for the classic shot over the twin bays - unbeatable at sunset - and take a boat past Monkey Beach, watching the macaques from a distance rather than feeding them.

Diving & island hopping

Phi Phi is one of the Andaman's most popular dive bases, with schools offering courses and fun dives from Tonsai. Favourite sites include Bida Nok and Bida Nai, steep walls where blacktip reef sharks and turtles are regular visitors, and Shark Point, while wrecks and the pinnacles towards Phuket add variety. Half-day longtail tours bundle Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and snorkel stops; sunset versions end with plankton snorkelling after dark. Choose operators that respect park rules and visitor caps, wear reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on coral. A longer trip can combine Phi Phi with Koh Lanta or Krabi's Railay on the way through.

Food & nightlife

Tonsai village is a maze of Thai kitchens, bakeries, roti stalls and seafood grills, with cheap pad thai beside pricier beachfront spots and a few good coffee places for the morning after. After dark Loh Dalum beach lights up with fire shows, buckets and beach-bar DJs - Phi Phi's party reputation is well earned and not subtle. If that is your scene, it is one of the best in Thailand; if not, retreat to Long Beach or the far bays, where the loudest sound is the surf. Bring enough cash, as ATMs are limited outside Tonsai and card fees are common.

When to go

The best time to visit is November to April, the dry season on the Andaman coast, when seas are calm, visibility is good and all ferry routes run. December to February is peak season, with the highest prices and busiest boats. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings showers, choppier crossings and occasional cancellations, although many days are still sunny and rates drop sharply. Remember that Maya Bay usually closes for recovery for part of the low season. Whatever the month, go early - the first boats out beat the day-tripper crowds.