Phi Phi Island Information and Travel Guide
The number one tour destination from Phuket, is Phi Phi Island and is a must see when traveling around in Thailand. Phi Phi is actually 2 Islands, the main one is called, Phi Phi Don, and the other is Phi Phi Leh. Phi Phi Don is where all the accommodation and shops are located and Phi Phi Leh is where the day tours stop by at Maya Bay for sightseeing.Top Rated Phi Phi Hotels
Staying at Phi Phi:
There are many resorts and bungalows here to choose from and a lot of them have beautiful ocean views and are reasonable in price. There are guesthouses and cheaper hotels here to choose from for those on a tighter budget. Backpackers love to come here, and there are places that cater for the backpackers, with small cheap rooms and food.
When planning on staying at Phi Phi, be sure to book ahead and don't just rock up, otherwise the hotels and resorts will try to charge more. For some of the best deals on Phi Phi, try the search box located at the bottom of this page.
Magnificent Maya Bay, located on Phi Phi Leh Island.
Stunning Tonsai Bay with plenty of tour boats around.
Beautiful Loh Dalum Bay and its spectacular scenery.
Maya Bay and Phi Phi Leh:
Maya Bay is truly a breathtaking sight and really has to be seen to be believed. There are small beaches here that are surrounded by steep rocky cliffs and beautiful turquoise waters and is the perfect place for a snorkel and sightseeing. Some of the movie - The Beach was filmed here and the place has grown in popularity since. There is no development at Maya Bay at all and the only visitors here are the loads boats, some local fisherman and snorkelers that visit everyday. Maya Bay is located on Phi Phi Leh, which is completely undeveloped when compared with the main island.
Phi Phi Don:
The main island is just as beautiful as Phi Phi Leh and has all the facilities here, such as hotels, resorts, guesthouses, backpacker accommodation, restaurants, bars, shops and markets. The island has 2 beautiful beaches which face opposite directions to each other and are only a 5 minute walk away.
There are no cars here on the main streets, just small walking streets or alley ways and the occasional bicycle, which gives the place a unique feel. You can hire a bicycle for a day or more and ride around the island which is a lot of fun.
A long tail boat all tied up at the beach in Tonsia Bay.
The fantastic view from the Phi Phi View Point.
The surrounding islands - viewed from a distance.
Activities:
There are many activities on Phi Phi Don, you can swim, snorkel, fish, paddle ski and for the adrenalin junkie, there is rock jumping and rock climbing. You can also catch a boat to go snorkelling or to the surrounding islands or beaches. There is a beach which you can catch a boat to called - Monkey Beach where you can feed the monkeys.
Sightseeing:
Phi Phi don has a view point lookout which has fantastic panoramic views of the island. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to get to there from the main part of the island and there are some refreshments available to purchase when you get to the top. Once up here, you will be rewarded with some truly breathtaking views and magnificent surrounds with amazing views over Phi Phi and its surrounding islands and over towards the mainland of Krabi.
Nightlife:
Phi Phi Island has quiet a few bars and pubs to choose from and has a more laid back style of nightlife compared to other places such as Patong and other nightlife areas of Phuket.
On Loh Dalum side of the island, are many beachfront bars and places to have drink and you can kick back and lay on the beach and watch some of the fire shows that the bars put on here every night.
Some of the locals who work at the bars, light up sticks and spin and throw them around with rapid speed and skill which looks amazing and is great to watch when kicking back and having a drink.
On the Tonsai Bay side of the island are many restaurants and bars which have fantastic open air settings and have magnificent views of the bay. Having a drink or a meal here as the sun goes down is the perfect way to spend the evening. There are many bars, pubs, and places to eat and drink towards the middle of the island. A recommended place to have a meal here is - Cosmic Restaurant, which has amazing Italian food with freshly made pizzas and pasta.
Getting to Phi Phi Island:
You can get to Phi Phi from Phuket or Krabi and a ferry or cruiser ride usually takes around 90 minutes or more from Phuket. Its much quicker to get a speed boat or express ferry and you can get there in 50 to 60 minutes.
Most ferries and cruisers operate from Rasada Pier, which is on the other side of where most of the resorts are located. A mini bus will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the pier, then you can catch the ferry from there to Phi Phi. If you are traveling on a budget, the slow ferry is the way to go. It will cost more to get there by speedboat but it's quicker.
It takes around the same time to a little less to get from Krabi to Phi Phi. Ferries go to and from Krabi everyday, as well as some speed boats. You are more likely to get a speedboat from Krabi to Phi Phi in the Peak Season.
The walkways on Phi Phi Island with some markets and stores open for business.
Looking out over Loh Dalum Bay, from the view point.
Another breathtaking sight from the view point.
Small walking streets like this are everywhere on the island.
You can relax on a deck chair here and take in the magnificent views.