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Phi Phi Island: A Comprehensive Travel Guide by You Know Thailand
Embark on an unforgettable journey to discover the mesmerizing allure of Thailand. Let You Know Thailand be your guide to experience the enchantment of Phi Phi Island, just a step away. Start planning your ideal getaway now!
Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi Island is a group of islands situated in the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Thailand. It is famous for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and lively nightlife. The primary island, Phi Phi Don, boasts several resorts and is a popular destination for tourists seeking relaxation, swimming, and water activities like snorkelling and diving.
It takes about 90 minutes by boat from Phuket (pronounced Poo-Get) to reach Phi Phi (pronounced "pee pee") No I'm not joking. Phi Phi is the name of the group of islands, and you will be staying on Phi Phi Don but Phi Phi Leh is where people love to visit.
Snorkelling and diving are the most popular activities, and many tours combine snorkelling with island hopping or party boats. You can choose from different types of boats, such as relaxing or sailing boats, to see the islands all at once.
Ko Phi-Phi islands are in the Andaman Sea. The bigger one, Phi-Phi Don, is a party lover's dream, where you can swim in clear blue water by day and dance on soft sand by night. The smaller one, Phi-Phi Leh, is a natural wonder, with no hotels or development, just coral reefs and cliffs that you can explore on a boat trip.
Koh Leh is a must-see destination if you're in Thailand you have to take a tour to get there. It's a gorgeous island with a famous beach called Ao Maya on the west side. You might recognise this beach from The Beach movie. It was so popular that it got overcrowded and damaged by tourists, so the Thai government had to shut it down for a few years to let it heal. It was closed in 2018.
But guess what? It just opened up again on October 1, 2023, after almost four years of restoration, so this is your chance to see the Koh Phi Phi islands!
The beach is like a dream come true. It's surrounded by high limestone cliffs. The water is crystal blue. The sand is soft and white and feels amazing on your feet. This is what heaven looks like!
Of course, you're not the only one who wants to see this beauty, so there are a lot of tourists around.
If you love exploring the underwater world, you'll be blown away by the snorkelling in Koh Phi Phi. This island group in Thailand has some of the most diverse and beautiful marine life you can find. You can snorkel right off the beach at Nui Beach or Long Beach on Koh Phi Phi Don
You can go to Shark Point where you might spot cuttlefish, lionfish, and reef sharks. Snorkelling in Koh Phi Phi is an unforgettable experience that you don't want to miss!
Loh Samah is undoubtedly one of the top diving spots in Koh Phi Phi, offering excellent conditions for divers of all levels. Located conveniently, it allows for easy access to the dive site both during the day and night. Boats can anchor in the calm waters for an overnight stay or a single dive, making it a popular destination for diving enthusiasts. The maximum depth of the dive site is 25 metres, but most of the attractions are shallower, making it an ideal location for divers who prefer to explore the colourful and vibrant marine life without going too deep.
The water conditions at Loh Samah are known to be clear and calm, thanks to the shelter provided by Koh Phi Phi Lei, which allows marine life to flourish here. The area is home to a diverse range of fish. Moreover, the snorkelling experience here is equally amazing, with a shallow area near the rocks that provides a truly mesmerizing view of the high cliffs.
Bamboo Island, also known as Koh Pai, is a small island located at the northeast of the Phi Phi archipelago, about 5 km away from the northern end of Koh Phi Phi Don. The island offers a tranquil and scenic escape from the busy tourist areas. The island is almost heart-shaped, with a white sandy beach around it and a green forest in the middle. There are bamboo and casuarina trees that provide shade and a natural atmosphere.
If you want to see the amazing beauty of Phi Phi Island, you should definitely go hiking to the viewpoints. There are different trails that you can take, depending on how adventurous you are and what you want to see. Some of the best viewpoints are Phi Phi Viewpoint and Ao Lo Dalam Viewpoint, where you can see the whole island and the blue sea around it. You will love the views of the white beaches and green hills. It's like a paradise on earth. Hiking to the viewpoints is one of the best things you can do on Phi Phi Island.
Phi Phi Island boasts an exciting nightlife with a wide variety of pubs and bars where you can enjoy drinking, dancing, and socializing with other travellers. These hotspots are located conveniently in the centre of the island, allowing you to easily move around. Most places play music until the early hours of the morning. An essential element of Phi Phi's nightlife is the famous buckets - plastic containers filled with an assortment of booze and mixers that you can share with your friends. While this may not be everyone's cup of tea or mixer, it's certainly fun for some.
TRANSPORT
Looking to travel to Phi Phi Island? Taking a ferry from Phuket or Krabi is a popular option. Many ferry companies offer regular services to the island, with travel times ranging from 1.5 to 2 hours from Phuket and 2 to 2.5 hours from Krabi. Depending on your preference, you can choose between economy and speedboat options. And to make things even easier, you can use the Asian Public Transportation widget below to book your ferry online without any hassle!
If you want a guided experience and to visit multiple attractions in one day, a day tour is an excellent way to see Phi Phi Island. These tours typically include transportation from your hotel in Phuket or Krabi, as well as a visit to Phi Phi Island, snorkelling or diving opportunities, lunch, and sometimes visits to other nearby islands. Visit the tours section on this page if this sounds like a better fit for you.
For more information on getting tours from Phuket use this link
ACCOMMODATION
TOURS
These tours depart from Phi Phi Island. If you want to book your boat from Phuket, then go to the Phuket page
If you're looking to explore the stunning islands and attractions near Phi Phi Island, Island Hopping Tours would be perfect for you! You'll get to visit Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, and Viking Cave, and enjoy activities like snorkelling, swimming, and relaxing on beautiful beaches.
For those interested in snorkelling, some tours take you to various snorkelling spots where you can marvel at the vibrant marine life and coral reefs. The area around Phi Phi Island is also known for its incredible diving opportunities, with certified divers able to explore underwater caves and coral gardens, and encounter diverse marine species.
Finally, for those who want to enjoy a leisurely cruise around the islands while taking in the breathtaking sunset over the Andaman Sea, Sunset Cruises could be the perfect choice. These tours often include a mix of sightseeing, relaxation, and sometimes dinner.
Phuket
Phi Phi Islands
Phuket is one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. It boasts magnificent beaches, a rich culture, great food, and an array of activities. Phuket has something for everyone, whether you want to relax on the sand, explore the underwater world, or party all night. However, Phuket is not the only site in the region worth visiting. The islands provide breathtaking scenery.
- Koh Phi Phi: This island group is well-known for having appeared in the film The Beach, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and even more exciting James Bond Island is a popular tourist destination in Thailand, famous for its appearance in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun.
Phi Phi islands are known for their beautiful turquoise sea, white sand beaches, and stunning limestone cliffs. Take a boat tour around the islands, snorkel or dive with the colourful fish, or trek to the viewpoint for a panoramic view.
NEARBY
Krabi is a very popular destination in Thailand, famous for its stunning natural scenery. It has many beautiful beaches, islands, and mountains that attract visitors from all over the world. Krabi offers snorkelling, kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking. You can enjoy the beauty of nature and relax in a tropical paradise.