Phi Phi Islands

Explore the Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands are beautiful and known for their sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and tall limestone cliffs. They are located in the Andaman Sea between Phuket and Krabi.

There are six Phi Phi Islands: Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Leh, Ko Yung, Ko Mai Phai, Ko Bida Nai, and Ko Bida Nok. Only Phi Phi Don has people living on it. The islands are a popular choice for day trips from Phuket and Krabi, but you can also stay overnight on Phi Phi Don where there are many hotels for different budgets.

Things to See and Do

Visitors love the natural beauty of Phi Phi, especially Maya Bay, which is the most famous spot. The islands are also great for snorkeling and diving. The best dive sites are Ko Bida Nai, Ko Bida Nok, and Hin Klang.

On Phi Phi Don, you can walk around using pathways or hike trails to different beaches. You can also rent kayaks or take longtail boats. Be sure to visit the viewpoint for an amazing view of the islands.

Monkey Beach has long-tailed macaques, but be careful as they can be wild and may scratch or bite. Avoid feeding them to support responsible tourism.

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh became famous after it was featured in the movie “The Beach” in 2000. Due to too many visitors, it was closed in 2018 to allow recovery and reopened in January 2022 with visitor limits.

Boat tours also visit Phi Leh Lagoon with its clear waters and Viking Cave, where you’ll see bamboo scaffolding used to collect birds’ nests. These nests are valuable and used to make bird’s-nest soup.

Ko Mai Phai (Bamboo Island)

Ko Mai Phai, or Bamboo Island, is a small island north of Phi Phi Don. It’s perfect for relaxing, walking on white sand beaches, and snorkeling.

You can also visit Mosquito Island nearby, which is great for snorkeling.

Ko Bida Nai and Ko Bida Nok are small limestone rocks but known for their marine life and corals, making them perfect for diving.

The beauty of the Phi Phi Islands attracts many visitors, especially after the release of “The Beach” movie. Over-tourism led to Maya Bay closing in 2018. The area now has controlled access to protect the environment.

Tips for Visiting Responsibly

• Use sunscreen that is safe for reefs.
• Don’t feed the fish or monkeys.
• Choose tour operators that practice responsible tourism.

The Marine Discovery Centre at Saii Phi Phi Island Village explains the marine life around the islands. It’s the first of its kind in Thailand and recognized for its eco-friendly activities.

Where to Stay

All accommodations are on Phi Phi Don. Budget options are near Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays, while more luxurious resorts like Zeavola and Saii Phi Phi Island Village are on quieter beaches.

How to Get There

You can reach Phi Phi Don by boat from Krabi and Phuket. There are also boats from Ko Lanta during the high season. The ferry trip from Phuket and Krabi takes about two hours, and speedboats take about one hour.

Useful Information

The Phi Phi Islands, locally called Mu Ko Phi Phi, are part of Krabi province and a national park. You need to pay a fee to visit islands other than Phi Phi Don (400 Baht for adults and 200 Baht for children in 2022). Phi Phi Don has a small entrance fee of 20 Baht. The smaller islands are closed to visitors in June and July.

The best weather is from December to April, although it may still rain in early December. It’s warm all year, and even during the rainy season (May to October/November), you can expect plenty of sunshine.