The Phi Phi Islands, located in the waters of the Andaman Sea, are one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. This archipelago, consisting of six islands, attracts travelers from all over the world with its white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and towering cliffs above azure lagoons. The Phi Phi Islands are considered one of the best places for snorkeling, scuba diving, and beach vacations in Thailand.
We’ve put together a detailed guide for visiting the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand. In this article, you’ll learn where the islands are located and how to get there, the cost of tours, activities to do, where to stay, the best time to visit, and other useful information to help you plan your perfect trip.
How to Get to Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are located in the south of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea, between the mainland and the island of Phuket. Administratively, they belong to the province of Krabi. The main islands of the archipelago are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley. Access to the Phi Phi Islands is only by sea, either by ferry or speedboat. Tourists typically travel to the Phi Phi Islands from Krabi, Phuket, or Koh Lanta.
From Phuket
If you want to get to the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket, you can choose between a traditional ferry and a speedboat. The ferry ride takes about two hours, and ferries depart from the Rassada Pier in Phuket Town. Ferries on this route depart approximately every hour and a half. Ticket prices start at 500 baht per person. The speedboat ride is an hour shorter, with tickets starting at 700 baht. Speedboats mainly depart in the morning.
From Krabi
Another popular starting point for the Phi Phi Islands is Krabi. The ferry ride from Krabi to the Phi Phi Islands takes about the same amount of time as from Phuket, with boats departing from the Ao Nang or Krabi Town piers. The ferry ticket price is 450 baht per person. On a speedboat, you’ll reach your destination in one hour and fifteen minutes with a ticket costing 800 baht, or in 50 minutes with a 1000 baht ticket. You can purchase your tickets via this link.
From Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is closer to the Phi Phi Islands than Krabi and Phuket. The ferry ride takes only one hour, and on a speedboat, it takes no more than 45 minutes. Boats depart from the Saladan Pier, with prices starting at 400 baht (ferry) and 700 baht (speedboat). You can check the current prices and purchase your tickets via this link.
Day Tours to the Phi Phi Islands
Many tourists visit the Phi Phi Islands as part of an organized tour. This option has both advantages and disadvantages. One of the main benefits of a day tour is that the itinerary is already planned and arranged, so you don’t have to worry about logistics and can simply enjoy the trip.
Tour programs to Phi Phi are quite similar across operators, typically including hotel transfers and visits to the most popular sights. If your tour includes water activities, such as snorkeling or kayaking, the rental of equipment is already included in the price. Some more remote destinations, like small islands or secluded coves, are not accessible independently, but by choosing the right option during your tour, you’ll be able to visit them.
It’s best to book tours in advance online. You can find a wide variety of day tours and additional options on websites like Klook or GetYourGuide. The average price for a tour is around $50 per person. Phi Phi tours depart from both Phuket and Krabi.
Payment of the Environmental Tax
Upon arrival at Phi Phi Don, each person must pay an environmental tax, which varies for local residents and tourists. Tourists are required to pay 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children (ages 4 to 11). Payment is made in cash using the local currency, so it is advisable to prepare the necessary amount in advance. The collected funds are used to maintain infrastructure and protect the environment.
What to See and Do on the Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi archipelago consists of six islands located in the Andaman Sea, and only one of them is inhabited. The archipelago is part of a national park, and the country’s authorities are working to preserve its unique ecosystem.
Phi Phi Don
Phi Phi Don is the largest and only inhabited island of the archipelago. It is the main tourist hub, with hotels, restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. Ferries and boats carrying tourists arrive at the Tonsai Pier. This island is famous for its perfect beaches, ideal for both relaxing holidays and various water activities. You can go snorkeling, with the best conditions found at Long Beach and Monkey Beach. Phi Phi Don has several dive centers offering courses for beginners as well as more advanced dives for experienced divers.
The island features several viewpoints offering spectacular views of both Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. The most popular viewpoint is located above the Tonsai village, providing a panoramic view of the entire archipelago.
If you plan to stay overnight on the island, it’s important to consider the location of your hotel and its distance from the center. To reach a hotel located on top of a hill or farther from the Tonsai area, such as the Phi Phi Holiday Resort, you will need to walk. The island has no roads for cars, and the main modes of transportation are boats, bicycles, and tuk-tuks.
Phi Phi Leh
Phi Phi Leh is the second-largest island in the Phi Phi archipelago, which gained immense popularity after the filming of The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio. The island has no hotels, restaurants, or infrastructure. It is famous for its natural beauty, its bays, coral reefs, and outdoor activity spots. The main attraction of the island is Maya Bay. Since its reopening in 2022, several rules have been put in place for visitors. First, swimming in the bay is strictly prohibited, and visitors are only allowed to wade into the water up to their knees. The number of visitors per day is regulated to preserve the environment.
You can tour the island by kayak or snorkel in the designated areas. One of the popular attractions on the island is the Viking Cave. It can only be visited by boat to avoid disturbing the many birds that have made nests inside. You can visit Phi Phi Leh by joining an excursion, which can be booked through this link.
Bida Nok and Bida Noi
To the south of Phi Phi Leh are two small additional islands: Bida Nok and Bida Noi. These islands are steep limestone cliffs rising directly above the water. Although there are no beaches on these islands, visitors don’t come for that.
Both islands are extremely popular among divers. Both experienced divers and beginners can venture underwater to explore the rich marine life. Here, you can encounter moray eels, leopard sharks, tropical fish, and sea turtles.
Mosquito Island
Ko Yung, or Mosquito Island, is located to the northeast of Phi Phi Don. It is a small, uninhabited island that is part of the Phi Phi archipelago. On the eastern side of the island, there are several beaches where visitors are few. Access to the island is only possible via a private tour.
Mosquito Island is popular among active water sports enthusiasts. There are many excellent spots for snorkeling. On the northeast of the island, you can practice scuba diving, with a depth reaching 15 meters.
Best Time to Visit the Phi Phi Islands
The ideal time to visit the Phi Phi Islands is during the dry season, which lasts from November to April. Rainfall is minimal during this period, and the sea is calm. As it is the peak tourist season, the islands can be quite crowded, and there may also be an increase in accommodation and tour prices.
From May to October, it is the low season. The number of tourists decreases significantly, but the likelihood of rain increases. If you don’t mind the rain and high humidity, you may choose to visit during this period.
