Travel Guide to Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Phi Phi islands is the group of five islands located in the Andaman Sea between Phuket and Krabi.

The most well-known and the only populated island is Koh Phi Phi Don. The other one is Ko Phi Phi Le which where Maya Bay is located.

This arguably the most well-known beach in Thailand that became famous after the movie “The Beach”.

The other three islands are Bamboo Island, Bida Nok and Bida Nai.

How to Pronounce Phi Phi?

Some people incorrectly pronounce it as fye-fye however the right way to say it is actually pee-pee.

How to Get to Phi Phi Islands?

There are many ferries going to Phi Phi Don from Phuket, Krabi and even Koh Lipe.

Phi Phi islands is the main tourist distinction in southern Thailand and getting there is really easy.

If you arrive in Thailand via Bangkok, you can take an hour-long flight to Phuket and then a ferry to Phi Phi. Keep in mind that you will need to take a taxi from Phuket airport to ferry terminal at Rassada Pier.

The flight will cost you around 65 USD during the busy season. If you are on a tighter budget, you can look into taking a train from Bangkok but it will be a much longer journey.

Most people stay a couple of days in Phuket before going to Phi Phi.

You can also fly from Bangkok to Krabi instead if you want to avoid Phuket and spend a few days there before going to Phi Phi island.

On my trip, I took a ferry from Koh Lipe to Phi Phi and it took me I believe around 4 hours which was not that bad.

Is Phi Phi Island Closed?

Phi Phi Island is not closed. It was affected by the 2004 Tsunami but everything was rebuilt pretty fast.

Is it True that Maya Bay Beach is Closed?

Yes, unfortunately at the time when I was writing this guide Maya Bay was still closed (April 2019). However, all the tour boats still go to the bay and you will have a chance to take some pictures there.

However, you will not be able to go onshore. There are many other unique spots on Phi Phi islands so don’t cancel your trip because of the Maya Bay.

Where to Stay on Phi Phi Islands?

I recommend staying close to Ao Tonsair Pier. This way you will be close to all the action on the island.

If you are staying a little further on the island, you might need to take a long tail boat to your hotel or hostel. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are no taxis on Phi Phi so you will need to prepare for a little bit of walking if you are planning to explore the island.

I stayed at Phi Phi Andaman Beach Resort. It was relatively close to all the action and had a nice lovely beach.

The cost per night was reasonable as well when I compared it with other lodging options on the island.

The hotel staff met me at the pier when I arrived at Phi Phi and they carried my luggage all the way to the hotel which was pretty nice considering that it was really hot and I had two big bags.

If you are looking for budget accommodations on Phi Phi, there are many hostels on the island.

There are also several high-end hotels if you don’t mind spending some extra cash.

Is Phi Phi Island Worth Visiting?

Definitely. Even though the islands are becoming more touristy with each year, there are still many unique spots on Phi Phi and nearby islands that make the visit worthwhile.

If you have time, I highly recommend taking a speed boat tour to explore other nearby islands.

Also, don’t be scared by the island’s reputation as a party island because most of the nightlife is concentrated in just one spot that you can easily avoid.

Is Phi Phi Expensive?

Phi Phi is definitely not cheap in comparison to northern Thailand but pretty comparable in pricing to any other tourist destination in Southern Thailand.

Are Phi Phi Islands Safe?

Like the rest of Thailand, Phi Phi islands are relatively safe if you follow common-sense rules.

I was walking around the island past midnight and didn’t feel unsafe. The only time you might run into trouble is when you get too drunk to the point where you cannot control yourself.

Another thing that you should be careful about is not to leave your drinks unattended if you decide to visit one of the Phi Phi nightlife spots. Drugging seems to be occurring in all of Thailand’s party destinations.

Obviously you should also be aware of natural hazards like sea currents and jellyfish in the water which are relatively rare but some swimmers still end up being stung.

Does Phi Phi Island Have Sharks?

I personally only encountered small Black Tip Reef Sharks at the Shark Point during the tour.

I was told that Black Tip Reef Sharks are friendly and don’t attack people. There are a few more types of sharks that can be seen in the area but those are not really common. 

What are the Places to Visit Around Phi Phi Islands?

The easiest way to visit most of the spots that I am going to list below is to do a day-long tour.

The speed boat tour will cost you around 1500 baht and will include all the permits and food.

1. Visit Monkey Beach

This is one of the coolest places that I visited on Phi Phi Islands.

Located on Phi Phi Don this beach can be accessed by boat. If you take a tour, this will likely be one of your first stops.

I heard that some people use a kayak to get there but I personally didn’t see anyone doing that.

Someone also mentioned hiking to Monkey Beach but I don’t see how this can be done safely unless there is a really low tide.

Monkey Beach is the perfect place to take a few cool selfies with the monkeys.

One thing to keep in mind is not to bring any food or otherwise you will most definitely get attacked by the monkeys.

Not sure if the monkeys have rabies or any other diseases but getting bitten will definitely ruin your vacation.

If you don’t feed them, you will be completely fine.

2. Hike to Phi Phi Viewpoint

If you want to get the best aerial view of Phi Phi islands you will need to hike to famous Phi Phi Viewpoint.

The hike itself is not hard if you compare it to any mountainous hike in North America or Europe but the thing that can make it challenging is the heat.

You definitely should bring some water with you to avoid dehydration.

I made a mistake of not having any water with me thinking that it will be a walk in the park and was really exhausted by the time when I reached the peak.

Fortunately, they sell cold water and snacks on the top.

The trailhead to Phi Phi Viewpoint starts in Tonsai Village.

It is well marked and easy to find it. There are three viewpoints along the way.

All three charge a small entrance fee so bring some cash. The hike from the village to viewpoint #3 will take you around 30-45 minutes depending on how fast you walk.

The total elevation gain is around 180 m. You might also meet some monkeys along the way which is pretty cool but for safety reasons avoid feeding them.

3. Maya Bay, Also Known as “The Beach”

One of the most gorgeous spots in Thailand.

As I mentioned it was closed in 2018 for restoration so check online before going.

4. Shark Point

Great spot to watch Black Tip Shark at Phi Phi.

Most tours will stop at Shark Point for about half an hour.

5. The Viking Cave

Cool looking cave.

6. Bamboo Island

Gorgeous Island located around one hour away from Phi Phi Don.

It has one of the most stunning beaches in Thailand. Please keep in mind that there is a 400 baht entrance fee because the island is part of the national park.

The best and likely the cheapest way to get to Bamboo Island is by booking a tour.

I also highly recommend trying a night swim with plankton on Phi Phi.

It is a really unique experience and something that you shouldn’t miss.

There is bioluminescent plankton in the waters close to Phi Phi. When you touch it will create fireworks of light in the water.

The best way to swim with plankton is to book a tour. Tour guides know the area where you can find glowing plankton and can make the experience safer and more enjoyable.

How is Phi Phi Islands Nightlife?

Phi Phi is famous for its wild nightlife however it is concentrated in just one part of the island so you have nothing to worry if you are not into the partying scene.

Most clubs and bars are located on Loh Dalum beach.

If you want to watch an amazing fire show while listening to older house and acid trance music head out to Slinky Bar.

That’s one of the busiest nightlife spots on Phi Phi. There are several other bars literally a few minutes away.

You will meet hundreds of friendly party-goers with their drinks buckets.

Nightlife on Phi Phi is different from what you will see at Patong, Bangkok or Pattaya.

The crowd is pretty young and mainly European. The party scene is similar to Full Moon parties on Ko Pha Ngan.

Does Phi Phi Island Have an Airport?

There is no airport on Phi Phi island. The closest cities with an airport are Phuket and Krabi.

Are there ATMs on Phi Phi Island?

You don’t have to worry much about having cash when you arrive at Phi Phi.

There are dozens of ATMs on almost every street in Tonsai Village.

However, I personally like to have some cash on me just for the peace of mind.

Can I get Tattoo on Koh Phi Phi Island?

There are dozens of tattoo salons around the island and all of them seemed to be pretty busy when I was visiting the island. So you can definitely get a tattoo there.

Did you know that your internet service provider can track your online activity? Want to hide your identity online and keep your browsing habits private? Try NordVPN!