Visiting the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand

If you have seen my Thailand travel itinerary, then you know that I spent a couple of days on Koh Phi Phi. This rather small island is a popular destination among Thailand travelers due to its stunning beaches, blue and crystal clear waters, a great jungle and its lively and laid-back atmosphere. It was also on top of my bucket list and did not disappoint! So, let’s throw it back to my days exploring Koh Phi Phi in Thailand!

How to get there
There are ferries departing from Phuket and Krabi to Phi Phi. The frequency and times depend on the season. One-way tickets cost 400 baht and can be purchase on almost every corner in tourist offices or hotels. The ferry ride from Krabi to the island took about two hours. Upon arrival, you are required to pay a 20 baht tax fee to enter the island. This tax is used to keep the island clean and beautiful.

The island set consists of Koh Phi Phi Don, which is the main island and the only one that is inhabited, Koh Phi Phi Leh, which is a National Park and home to the famous Maya Bay, and four more smaller islands.
Koh Phi Phi Don is basically two islands joined together by a small strait with bays on each side. While the Ton Sai Bay is used as a pier and is the rather quiet and calm side of the island, Loh Dalum Bay offers its visitors the busy main beach with beautiful limestone cliffs. This area of Koh Phi Phi Don also boasts with nightlife.
As there are no roads on the island, there are no motorized vehicles as well. You can explore everything easily by foot or by bicycle.

The Beaches
When in Thailand, days are spend at the beach of course! My go-to place on Phi Phi Don is called Long Beach. The soft white sand, the turquoise colored water and the calm atmosphere make it the perfect beach to simply relax. A bit further is the “Shark Point”, which is a great place to snorkel. You can reach Long Beach by long tail boat from Ton Sai Beach or by walking.

If you head up the hill to the other side of Long Beach, then you will find yourself on the Loh Dalum Beach. This is another stunning beach surrounded by beautiful palm trees. I will never get tired of this view!

Phi Phi Viewpoint
The viewpoint is a must-visit! It was my favorite place (besides the beach). We hiked the hill twice – once in the morning to have breakfast on top of Phi Phi Don and once to catch the sunset. The hike through the jungle (and heat) is totally worth it. You will be rewarded with an incredible scenic view over the two bays of the island. The entrance fee is 30 baht.

Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach is such a fun place. This beach is full of monkeys that mind their own business. Although the monkeys are quite curious and playful, you have to remember that they are wild animals and that they might try to steal your sunglasses or your phone or even bite you. So, don’t get too close to these little cheeky monkeys!

Koh Phi Phi Leh
We visited Koh Phi Phi Leh as part of a Phi Phi island hopping tour. The most popular place is the famous Maya Bay, which was used as a location for the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. This beautiful bay is almost completely surrounded by cliffs, which makes this place so unique. Unfortunately, it is quite crowded with tourists, so that the best time to have the beach for yourself would be early in the morning or in the evening.

Next, we stopped at the so-called “Viking Cave” that was named after cave paintings that resemble those of Vikings. It also provides the raw materials for the birds nest soup, which is a popular dish in China. The nearby bay is a great spot for snorkeling, too.

Bamboo Island
Bamboo Island can be described as a picture-perfect paradise: long beaches with soft sand and incredible clear, turquoise water. Pure bliss! This tiny, inhabitant island is a National Park, so that you have to pay an entrance fee of 400 baht. It is located north of Phi Phi Don and we visited it as part of our Phi Phi islands tour.

Have you been to the Phi Phi islands? How was your experience?