A vacation in Thailand is all about the sea and sand. Once the mainland loses its appeal, a quick island getaway becomes a natural choice. In this article, we’ll discuss why the Phi Phi Islands are among the most popular.
General information
Thailand has many islands, and Phi Phi exemplifies the best of what Thailand’s islands have to offer. Some travelers highlight the famed Bounty Island located within the Phi Phi archipelago, while others are drawn by the calm, inviting sea. Despite the growing number of visitors each year, reliable and detailed information remains scarce. We aim to fill that gap.
An overview of the Phi Phi archipelago in Thailand:
- Phi Phi Don.
- Phi Phi Leh (Phi Phi Le).
- Mai Phai.
- Ko Yung.
- Bida Nok.
- Bida Nai.
Please do not confuse this archipelago with Phi Phi Noi Island, which is located near Ko Chang Island.
Only one of these islands is inhabited—Phi Phi Don. The second most important is Phi Phi Leh, where Maya Bay served as the filming location for the movie “The Beach,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, back in 1999. Even though over 15 years have passed since 1999, Thai entrepreneurs continue to use this fact as a major draw for tourists.
The archipelago is part of the Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, and visiting it requires a separate fee from the basic tour (or it may be included in the tour price). The cost is as follows:
- adult – 400 THB;
- child – 200 THB.
Additionally, there is a 20 THB per person entry fee for everyone arriving on Phi Phi Don.
Geographically, the archipelago is located in the Andaman Sea and is part of Krabi Province. A map of the islands is shown below.
The weather on the archipelago is the same as on Phuket, meaning there are two seasons—a rainy season and a dry season. High season runs from November through April (sometimes extending into early May), when rain is scarce and the weather is consistently pleasant. That is precisely when there is no rain on Phi Phi and the weather is pleasant. As for the lower season (summer), from May to October, it can rain here just as on the mainland, or it may not — it largely depends on chance. And yes, unlike the Similan Islands, you can get to Phi Phi even in summer.
All life is concentrated on Phi Phi Don, which is a small, vibrant village that exudes a distinctly Asian charm (it can’t really be compared to a European village). As for the famous Phi Phi Leh and its magnificent “Bounty” beach, there are no accommodations on Phi Phi Leh — the island isn’t equipped with residential infrastructure, and you can get to it by water taxi from Phi Phi Don or by taking a tour from Krabi or Phuket. There are no official tours to the other islands.
Phi Phi Don
Many vacationers imagine that Phi Phi is an uninhabited island, similar to the Similan Islands, but that’s not true. The neat territory and well-prepared island infrastructure bear no resemblance to the Similans. Here you’ll find hotels, guesthouses, and bungalows. Their number grows every year, and before long, Phi Phi could become the third most popular resort in Thailand, after Phuket and Samui.
The main infrastructure is located in the valley between two hills. There is a small promenade here, along which you’ll find many small shops, souvenir stalls, and street food stands serving traditional Thai dishes. There are a lot of tourists, but mostly English speakers stay for longer periods; European travelers traditionally arrive for a day or two on a tour purchased from an excursion bureau (so you can usually hear English on Maya Bay beach). But you could consider staying here for a longer period, even though most tourist companies generally do not offer such accommodation.
The only alternative is to go to the islands independently, which we’ll explain below.
Transportation within the island group is quite accessible, but on land you’ll have to walk, as motorbikes are relatively uncommon. You can use water taxis (longtail boats), which can take you around Phi Phi Don (to Long Beach or Ton Sai, on opposite sides of the valley) and also to the neighboring uninhabited islands or the famous Maya Bay.
Getting to Maya Bay by water taxi is much cheaper than arranging a ferry transfer or another means of transportation from the mainland. Water taxi prices:
- within the main beaches of Phi Phi Don – 100 THB;
- to Lo Moo Dee Beach – 600 THB;
- distant bays on Phi Phi Don – from 800 to 1,300 THB;
- taxi rental – from 1,500 THB to 3,000 THB (3 to 6 hours);
- transfer to Maya Bay – 1,500 THB;
- to Bamboo Island – 3,000 THB (two people for three hours);
- for reference, a ferry from Krabi to Phi Phi Don costs 10,000 THB for 10 people if you can find those 10 people.
Infrastructure
Phi Phi Don has everything necessary for a tourist’s stay. Naturally, some there is only one hospital, for example, but given that the population living here full-time is not huge (unlike Phuket), it’s sufficient.
Besides the hospital, the island has:
- banks;
- currency exchange points;
- ATMs;
- a market;
- several 7-Eleven convenience stores;
- cafés, bars, and restaurants.
Due to its remote location, almost everything on Phi Phi Don is 1.5–2 times more expensive than on the mainland or in Phuket. In fact, some Thai cafés can even be pricier than those in the Khao Lak resort—the less popular the resort, the higher the prices tend to be.
The cost of certain items and products on Phi Phi:
- water – 30 THB/1.5 L;
- breakfast – 150 THB;
- coffee – 80 THB;
- shakes – 50 THB;
- a Mexican dish – 230 THB;
- Thai soups – 70–120 THB;
- Italian pasta – 120–160 THB;
- fish – 350–450 THB;
- curry – 80–110 THB;
- burgers – 100 THB;
- sandwiches – 110–130 THB;
- pizza – 80 THB;
- pancakes – 60 THB;
- slice of cake – 90 THB;
- cocktail – 150–250 THB;
- beer – 80–110 THB.
All in all, having dinner at an inexpensive (by island standards) café will cost about 400–550 THB for two, whereas on the mainland you’d pay 250–350 THB for the same meal, so you can forget about saving money during your stay here.
Entertainment
As you may have noticed, photography is one of the most popular activities on Phi Phi. And what better places to snap stunning photos than the island’s many scenic viewpoints?
We recommend starting with the Phi Phi Don viewpoint. The best time to visit is in the morning, roughly before noon. It all comes down to the sun’s position—before midday, the sun will shine behind you and won’t ruin your photo. People who don’t know this often regret it later, though they don’t think to come back in the morning.
The viewpoint is 186 meters above sea level, offering a magnificent view of the valley where island life unfolds. Signs (View Point) are plentiful in the residential area, so just follow them and you won’t get lost.
There are three vantage spots on the viewpoint, each with a decent panorama—View Point 1, 2, and 3.
Entrance to the viewpoint is 30 THB per person. The ticket booth is near the top of the steep climb.
By the way, visiting in the morning is recommended not only because of the sun that blinds the camera lens but also because of the challenging ascent. The viewpoint is open from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
After you’ve explored the island, there’s no need to just sit there, when there are so many uninhabited places nearby, each one more beautiful than the last. You can reach them either on an organized tour or on your own.
An individual tour will be more expensive but offer more options, while a package purchased at a Phi Phi Don excursion bureau will confine tourists to a strict schedule.
Nevertheless, if you’re on a budget, there are many group tours here, each with a variety of possible stops.
Regarding individual tours, our recommendation is to spend the entire day on Bamboo Island and a whole day on Maya Bay Beach. Get there as early in the morning as possible, before the main tourist flow arrives, so you can take a few photos with no crowds around.
If you’re up for a little adventure, you can rent a kayak and explore the Phi Phi Don area on your own. In addition, Phi Phi boasts a magnificent underwater world (although it can’t quite be compared to the Red Sea), meaning diving is a must here.
Beyond that, you can also try rock climbing—under an instructor’s supervision with proper safety gear—or simply do some “seal-mode” lounging on the beach, because what’s a vacation without that?
Service prices on the island:
- boat trip – 350–500 THB (depending on duration);
- kayak rental – 170 THB per hour (cheaper if you rent for the whole day—700 THB);
- sun lounger with umbrella – 100 THB;
- snorkeling equipment rental – 50 THB;
- hotel room – 600–1,700 THB (depending on amenities);
- foot massage – 300 THB;
- traditional Thai massage – 250 THB.
At night, there are places to relax here as well, but you should know that the main party scene unfolds near Lo Dalum Beach—there are discos, nightclubs, and colorful fire shows.
If you want to take a walk under the moonlight on a deserted beach, it’s best to do so on Ton Sai Beach, as everything here typically closes around 11 p.m., and nightlife gradually shifts to the other side of the valley (the isthmus).
Maya Bay
Let’s take a closer look at Maya Bay—the most famous beach of them all. To truly appreciate its beauty without having to choose between lounging on the sand or exploring inland, consider staying on Phi Phi Don or booking an overnight excursion.
This place is perfect for beachside relaxation—if it weren’t for one thing… if it weren’t for the overwhelming crowds that can make the place feel like a sea of humanity.
There are people everywhere, and this is the main drawback. Imagine a Chinese market at the height of Saturday, got that? Now increase the number of people by about half again and place them on the main attraction of the Phi Phi Archipelago. That’s the complete picture. Nevertheless, it’s one of the few places on Earth that offers an unparalleled visual feast. The beauty is indescribable.
The scenery is gorgeous not only on the beach itself; don’t hesitate to move away from the main crowd into the island’s interior and you’ll be pleasantly surprised: first, it’s much quieter, and second, the views are just as good.
How to get there
You can reach the archipelago from Krabi Province or from Phuket Island. If you plan to travel independently, it’s best to purchase a combined ticket through the 12.go.asia booking service; they also have a detailed ferry schedule.
This way, once you arrive in Bangkok, you can quickly connect to your onward journey without unnecessary delays.
If you don’t plan on staying on the islands for a long time, you can buy a one- or two-day tour from anywhere in Thailand. It will cost around 2,000–5,000 THB, and for that price you can quickly see the main tourist sites of the archipelago.
Myths
There are several myths about the Phi Phi Archipelago that need confirmation or debunking. So here we go:
A paradise on earth
Indeed, this place could rightfully be called paradise, but these days there are too many construction projects here to call it that without reservation. Dust and noise from construction sites aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the good news is it’s not everywhere—just in the central part of Phi Phi Don.
Lots of parties and young people
That’s partly true and partly not. All bars, nightclubs, and discos are concentrated around Lo Dalum Beach—and only there. Everywhere else is quiet and calm at night.
It’s boring here
That’s nothing more than a myth, because there’s plenty to do on the islands. Probably this myth stems from tourists who come to the archipelago on a tour and feel that everything they saw is the only noteworthy part. Everyone has their own opinion; we won’t insist otherwise, but we’ll say again—calling Phi Phi a boring place is tough.
Lodging
For a relatively small island, Phi Phi offers a decent variety of lodging, from large hotels to small guesthouses.
Below is a list of the most popular places to stay among tourists
If you’re not satisfied with that option, you can always select and book your own lodging using the search forms below.
If hotel life doesn’t suit you at all, check out Booking.com.
Don’t forget to leave your feedback about this place and more. Share your impressions of Thailand in the comments—they’re needed by those who haven’t fully decided where to go yet.
