Sitting right between the Strait of Malacca Coast of Thailand and Phuket is Koh Phi Phi. To be precise, Koh Phi Phi is a group of islands that can be rightly called Paradise on Earth.
Bestowed with extraordinary beauty, Phi Phi Island, Thailand, is home to clear turquoise water, lofty mountains, lush greenery, serene white sand beaches, and eerie caves.
This small archipelago of six islands namely Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi Leh, Koh Bida Nai, Koh Bida Nok, Koh Young (Mosquito Island), and Koh Phai (Bamboo Island) is replete with postcard-worthy beaches and adventure opportunities that any digital nomad will yearn for.
If you’re planning a trip to Koh Phi Phi, this list of the best things to do in Phi Phi Island, Thailand, will give you the head start you are looking for.
Read on!
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Top 10 Very Best Things to Do on Phi Phi Island, Thailand: TL;DR
- Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay
- Pileh Lagoon
- Viking Cave
- Koh Phi Phi Don
- Phi Phi Viewpoint
- Monkey Beach
- Tonsai Village
- Bamboo Beach
- Koh Phi Phi Don Nightlife
- Go Scuba Diving
Top 10 Very Best Things to Do on Phi Phi Island, Thailand
1. Tour Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay
The uninhabited island Koh Phi Phi Leh is the second largest island of the Phi Phi archipelago and this is where you will find the famed Maya Bay which is home to the island’s solitary beach.
Maya Bay became famous because of the Hollywood flick ‘The Beach.’ However, because of over-tourism, the marine ecosystem of Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay took a beating, forcing the Thai government to shut down Maya Bay tourism in 2018.
The good news is that Maya Bay reopened in 2022 but Thai authorities may shut down tourism temporarily for inspections. So, make sure that you check with local authorities before planning a visit.
If you are lucky enough to set foot there, the famous Maya Bay will impress you with its enchanting beauty. It has all the postcard clichés in a single place.
Tall limestone cliffs, a white sand beach, turquoise water, and lush tropical vegetation – Maya Bay will give you ample photo opportunities.
Pro Tip: Take a boat from Koh Phi Phi Don and reach Maya Bay before 10 AM to avoid the crowd from organized tours. Also, carry cash because Maya Bay has an entry fee of 400 Baht.
2. Swim at the Pileh Lagoon
Head straight to the Pileh Lagoon if you are already at Maya Bay. A spectacular cove, the Pileh Lagoon is surrounded by lofty limestone karsts jutting out of the most emerald water you will see.
The cliffs are covered with lush vegetation creating a cinematic setting. The crystal clear water gives glimpses of colorful fish even if you are on your boat.
If you are a good swimmer, the shallow water of this inlet makes it a perfect spot for a refreshing swim.
Coral life is scant, but if you are lucky, you can spot colorful fish and swim along while snorkeling.
Pro Tip: Hire a private longboat to spend as long as you want there. Also, be careful and watch out for sea urchins. They are extremely painful to step on, believe me I know!
3. Stop by the Viking Cave
On the northeastern side of Koh Phi Phi Leh is the Viking Cave – an impressive natural cavern.
On the eastern and southern walls of the cave are paintings of different types of boats including one resembling a Scandinavian Drakkar or Viking ship. This explains the name.
Unfortunately, you cannot enter the cave because inside is a thriving industry of harvesting Swiftlet birds’ nests. These nests are edible and particularly prized in Chinese cuisine.
Your boat operator will take you close enough so that you can peek inside and click a few photos.
Pro Tip: Take a longtail boat from Tonsai Bay – the main pier of the Phi Phi Islands, and you’ll get there in 30 minutes.
4. Visit the Koh Phi Phi Don Beaches
Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest and the only inhabited island of the Phi Phi archipelago. It is also home to some of Phi Phi’s best beaches including the Tonsai Bay or the Ton Sai Bay and the Loh Dalum Beach.
Tonsai Bay or Ton Sai Beach leaves no room for a refreshing swim because of the longtail boats lining the shoreline. Instead, Loh Dalum Bay is a better choice, which is the main beach.
Only a short walk from the Tonsai Pier, the Loh Dalum Beach offers soft sand and turquoise waters perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming.
There are a few beach bars that serve awesome cocktails and ice-cold Singha or Chang beer.
Pro Tip: For more secluded beautiful beaches, consider Laem Tong Beach (longtail boats will take you there) or Long Beach, which is a 3-kilometer walk from Tonsai Village.
5. Hike to the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint
The Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint gives sweeping and of course, breathtaking views of the Koh Phi Phi Don island. The island has a dumbbell shape.
Dalum Bay is on the north and Tonsai Bay is on the south. In the middle is the 100-meter flat sand strip where the Tonsai Village sits.
From the top, you can catch an incredible view of the light teal waters of Loh Dalum Bay and the deep blue waters of Tonsai Bay.
There are three viewpoints – 1, 2, and 3. Viewpoint 3 gives the most breathtaking views. Carry some cash because you can access viewpoints 1 & 2 for 30 baht and another 20 baht will give you access to the third viewpoint.
Pro Tip: Be there at sunset to watch the sun dwindle beneath the waves.
6. Chill With Monkeys at Monkey Beach
On the southwestern side of Tonsai Bay is the famous Monkey Beach. The beach gets its name from the monkeys that live on the nearby cliffs.
They often come down to greet the tourists in the hopes of getting some food. Feeding the monkeys is prohibited and you can be fined if caught.
Monkey Beach is a National Park and it’s better not to disrupt the environment by feeding them.
The beach is 150-meter wide with soft white sand and offers excellent snorkeling opportunities.
Also, if you want some exercise, kayak to the beach from Loh Dalum Beach (aka Loh Dalum Bay). It takes about 45 minutes to reach Monkey Beach.
Pro Tip: Avoid Monkey Beach during the breeding season because the monkeys can get quite aggressive.
7. Shop at the Tonsai Village Market
The Tonsai Village Market is teeming with shops and food stalls. So, if you’re itching for some souvenir shopping or if you are feeling hungry and want to eat incredible Thai food, this is the place where you should be.
Most of the shops are on the main street running along Tonsai Beach but don’t stop yourself from visiting the ones in the alleyways.
For foodies, the market offers fresh seafood, fruit smoothies, and local desserts.
Pro Tip: If you hate heavy crowds, avoid the market between 11 AM and 1 PM because that’s when tourists from Krabi and Phuket arrive there.
8. Spend a Night at Bamboo Island
Located nearly 5 kilometers northeast of Koh Phi Phi Don, Bamboo Island is a picturesque small island spanning 600 meters in width and 700 meters in length.
Surrounded entirely by a white strip of sand, the Bamboo Island has ample snorkeling opportunities because of the beautiful coral reefs at a short distance off the shore.
There is a small bar there to offer some drinks and snacks, and the best part is that you can stay overnight on Bamboo Island and sleep in a tent.
Pro Tip: From Bamboo Island, visit Mosquito Island on a long tail boat and marvel at its beauty from a distance because tourist visits are strictly prohibited now due to the damage caused by over-tourism.
9. Enjoy the Nightlife at Koh Phi Phi Don
Koh Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island, and so that’s where you will be staying. If you are a party animal, the open-air discos, restaurants serving delectable Thai food, and plenty of bars will keep you busy.
The Slinky Beach Bar is where you can enjoy open-air discos. Another open-air disco is at Apache Beach Bar on Loh Dalum Bay.
Visit Stockholm Syndrome to participate in drinking games just outside the bar.
Pro Tip: For a crazy pool party, head to the Ibiza House where you can enjoy the Ibiza Pool Party every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
10. Go Scuba Diving off the Coast of Phi Phi Island, Thailand
