By Kylian Dev
1
Maya Bay at sunrise
Visit at first light to take in the sheltered bay in total calm.
Destination guide · Andaman Sea
Koh Phi Phi: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
Made legendary by the film "The Beach", Maya Bay and its giant cliffs plunging into translucent water are simply breathtaking. A lively pedestrian island with fire shows at night.
- Best: November to April
- €40 - 80 / day
In short
Koh Phi Phi (Andaman Sea) — The legendary Maya Bay and cliffs rising from the ocean. Best time to go: November to April; average temperatures 30°C. Budget: about €40 - 80 / day. Weather: 30°C • Crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming
RegionAndaman Sea
TypeIsland
Best seasonNovember to April
Avg. temperature30°C
Budget / day€40 - 80 / day
Thai nameหมู่เกาะพีพี
Must-sees
Things to do in Koh Phi Phi
The legendary Maya Bay and cliffs rising from the ocean
2
Phi Phi Viewpoint 1 & 2
A climb through the vegetation to admire the double crescent of turquoise bays.
3
Pileh Lagoon
A giant natural pool ringed by limestone walls draped in greenery.
More things to do in Koh Phi Phi
- 4
Snorkelling at Shark Point and Bamboo Island
Sea & islandsHalf dayShort boat trips reach coral spots, including Shark Point, where blacktip reef sharks are often seen. Bamboo Island has one of the whitest beaches in the area.
- 5
Long Beach
BeachHalf a day or moreA 20-minute walk or short boat ride from Tonsai, a calmer beach with clear water and a view of Phi Phi Leh.
- 6
Monkey Beach
BeachAbout 1 hReachable by kayak or boat, a small beach with a troop of monkeys. Do not feed them and hold on to your belongings.
- 7
Diving around the archipelago
Sea & islandsHalf dayPhi Phi has many dive sites, such as Bida Nok and Hin Daeng further south. Dive schools in Tonsai run courses and fun dives.
- 8
Kayaking along Phi Phi Don
Activity2 to 3 hRent a kayak on Loh Dalum or Long Beach and paddle along the cliffs to hidden coves.
- 9
Loh Dalum at night
NightlifeEveningBeach bars, fire shows and parties on the sand. Lively but short-lived: many things close before 2 am.
- 10
Viking Cave
CultureAbout 1 hSeen from the boat, a cave where swiftlet nests are harvested for bird's nest soup. Visits are not allowed, but boats stop in front.
Great forBeaches & RelaxingDiving & ReefsNightlife
Weather
When to go to Koh Phi Phi?
30°C • Crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayRain / monsoon
- JunRain / monsoon
- JulRain / monsoon
- AugRain / monsoon
- SepRain / monsoon
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovIdeal
- DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Koh Phi Phi: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €40 - 80 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Mid-range
40–80 € / day
Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)
Accommodation
~24 €
Food
~15 €
Activities
~12 €
Local transport
~9 €
Transport
How to get to Koh Phi Phi
Transport tip
Regular 2-hour ferry from Phuket (Rassada Pier) or Krabi (Klong Jilad Pier).
From Bangkok → Koh Phi Phi
Long haul: a domestic flight or night bus/train is usually easier
Flight
~904 km
Nearest destinations
Koh Phi Phi → Krabi & Railay
Boat
45 min–1h15
Koh Phi Phi → Koh Lanta
Boat
30–45 min
Koh Phi Phi → Phuket
Boat
1h–1h45
Times and tickets Bangkok → Koh Phi PhiPartner link
Where is Koh Phi Phi?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Koh Phi Phi
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Tonsai Village
In the thick of it, near the arrival pier — restaurants, shops and bars, but noisy at night. Dorm bed: 300-500 THB; mid-range air-con room: 1,500-3,000 THB.
Loh Dalum
The beach-bar and fire-show bay, steps from Tonsai, white sand and turquoise water by day. Beachfront pool resorts: from 2,500-3,000 THB.
Long Beach
Quieter, 15-20 minutes by longtail (about 100 THB) or a 30-40 minute walk from Tonsai. A good compromise for sleeping away from the noise while staying close to the action.
Food
What to eat in Koh Phi Phi
Spicy, lemongrass-scented Tom Yum Goong
Spicy, lemongrass-scented Tom Yum Goong
Grilled sea bream fillets barbecued on the sand
Crispy pizzas and fresh watermelon juice
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Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Koh Phi Phi
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Island health centreClinic
Serious cases are transferred to Krabi, about 1.5 h by boat and road.
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Koh Phi Phi
What are the best things to do in Koh Phi Phi?
The must-sees are Maya Bay at sunrise, Phi Phi Viewpoint 1 & 2, Pileh Lagoon. Also worth your time: Snorkelling at Shark Point and Bamboo Island, Long Beach, Monkey Beach, Diving around the archipelago.
How do you get to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket or Krabi?
How much is the national park entrance fee?
About 400 THB per foreign adult, paid on arrival at Tonsai Pier or included in boat trips to Maya Bay and the nearby islands.
Can you swim at Maya Bay?
No: swimming has been banned since the bay reopened to protect the reef and the blacktip reef sharks that breed there. The bay also closes every year from 1 August to 30 September to recover.
How many days should you spend on Koh Phi Phi?
When should you go to Koh Phi Phi?
The dry season, November to April, gives the calmest sea for snorkelling and boat trips. From May to October, the monsoon can churn up the sea and disrupt some outings.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Koh Phi Phi
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