The gorgeous Koh Phi Phi (aka the Phi Phi Islands) is the ultimate island paradise. With crystal turquoise waters, white sand, abundant marine life and towering limestone cliffs, this is not a stop to miss! I have curated this perfect 3-day Koh Phi Phi Itinerary, which includes some of the best things to do. You are certain to fall in love with this stunning destination.
This tropical paradise can be visited as a day-trip, but I would recommend spending a few nights here. This will give you enough time to soak up the beauty of this tropical paradise. Plus, you can enjoy the island before the day-trip crowds arrive!
How to get to Koh Phi Phi
The Phi Phi Islands consist of six islands in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Southern Thailand. The six islands are:
- Phi Phi Don
- Phi Phi Leh
- Ko Mai Phai (Bamboo Island)
- Ko Jung (Mosquito Island)
- Ko Bida Nai
- Ko Bida Nok.
The only inhabited island is Phi Phi Don. This is where you will arrive, eat and stay on your trip.
There are two ways to get to Phi Phi Don: ferry or speedboat. Both boats depart from Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta – personally, I travelled from Phuket to Phi Phi Don, then Phi Phi Don on to Krabi.
The ferry from both Phuket and Krabi takes approximately 2 hours. The speed boat takes 50 minutes – 1 hour. See the below links to book tickets through 12Go Asia.
The ferry from Koh Lanta takes approximately 1 hour, and the speed boat takes 30 minutes.
The ferry from Krabi takes approximately 2 hours as well, and the speed boat takes 1 hour.
Koh Phi Phi Itinerary
So now you know how to get to Koh Phi Phi, what should you do while you’re there? Answers below!
Day 1: Scuba Diving
For Day 1 of your Koh Phi Phi itinerary, put on a snorkel and tank and try scuba diving!
Before Koh Phi Phi, I had never scuba-dived before and was quite nervous to do so. I was convinced to give it a go… and oh my goodness it was AMAZING! If there is any place in the world to give scuba diving a try – or if you’re a certified scuba diver already – it’s on the gorgeous Phi Phi reefs of Bida Nok and Bida Nai.
Of course, if you aren’t a strong swimmer or this doesn’t sound like something you’d be interested in – feel free to replace this with a day of relaxing by the beach or exploring the town.
I completed a full-day try-dive with Princess Divers. I would definitely reccomend this company. They were accommodating, friendly and professional. My partner is a certified scuba diver and he was able to go on the same tour as me so we could be together. My instructor was so kind and attentive and I got to complete two dives on a half-day tour with lunch included. You can find this dive company by clicking the link here.
Koh Phi Phi is one of the top diving locations in the entire world. On my dive, I saw an unbelievable amount of colourful, tropical fish, reef sharks and sea turtles! The water was clear and warm and the day was sunny.
Quick Note:
To protect these beautiful reefs, make sure to be respectful and not touch the coral or sea life.
After a day of swimming in the sea you will be exhausted (trust me!). So head back to your accommodation and lie down, or sit by the gorgeous limestone cliffs (as I did) and soak up the cool evening breeze.
Day 2: Full-Day Island Guided Tour featuring Maya Bay and Bamboo Island
No Koh Phi Phi itinerary would be complete without a tour by boat of the gorgeous islands and beaches that aren’t accessible by foot.
On a boat tour from Tonsai Pier, you can visit Phi Le Bay, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Bamboo Island, the famous Maya Bay and more!
I recommend doing a full-day early-bird tour to make the most of your day and see Maya Bay before the crowds. Plenty of companies are offering tours. It is easiest to book one through your hotel (or one of the many stalls near the Pier) the day before.
Day 3: Phi Phi Don town, viewpoint and nightlife
After two crazy days, it’s time to remember you’re on island-time and spend a day relaxing and exploring!
While the main island of Phi Phi Don is not huge, it is still worthwhile to explore. There are a bunch of cute market stores, fun coffee shops and places to eat, tattoo parlours (if that’s your thing) and beaches.
If you have a spare 20-minutes and want a gorgeous view over the island, hike to Koh Phi Phi viewpoint. It’s easy to get to and the entrance fee is 50 THB.
When the sun goes down, Tonsai Village comes to life with music, alcohol, fire shows and tourists. Try a famous cocktail bucket from a stall, for as little as 200 THB. Or, go to one of the many famous bars in the area:
Well-known bars/clubs include:
- Reggae Bar
- Ibiza Beach Club
- Banana Bar
- Slinky Bar
- Apache Beach Club
Optional Day 4: More Scuba Diving or Relaxing by the Beach
3 full days on the Phi Phi islands is a perfect amount, but if you find yourself with an extra full or half-day, then you should use your time to relax by the beach or to scuba or snorkel in another of the island’s fantastic dive sites.
Ferries leave from Tonsai Pier to Phuket, Krabi Town and Ao Nang, so you can move to your next destination. For more guides on Thailand, see:
Where to stay Koh Phi Phi
There are a few different areas you can stay in Koh Phi Phi – and where to stay very much depends on your priorities. Overall, however, the hotels are not as good value for money as elsewhere in Thailand- a result of demand outweighing supply and the size of the island.
Laem Thong
If you want 5-star accommodation and seclusion, stay on the north section of the island in Laem Thong. The downside of this choice is that it is 40 minutes away from the pier and only accessible by boat: meaning a 40-minute organised boat trip every day to get to any activities. The accommodation available is limited and there are no budget-friendly options.
Tonsai Village
Most of the budget accommodation is located in Tonsai Village, which is close to Tonsai Pier and Loh Dalum Bay. Tonsai Village is the bustling heart of Koh Phi Phi: it is close to the pier, most restaurants, bars and several beaches. If it is your first time in Phi Phi, I would recommend staying in this area. Most of the things to do on Koh Phi Phi are only accessible by boat, so if you want to experience the island to its’ fullest, access to the pier is a priority.
The downside of this area is that there is limited luxury accommodation, and it can get a bit loud at night. I personally didn’t find the noise too loud at night, but if you’re picturing a secluded island beach vacay, then this might not be for you.
Long Beach
For a mix of both, try staying near Long Beach. This is a bit away from the centre of town and the accommodation is a bit nicer, but the pier is accessible on foot. The beach itself is very pretty and there is lots to do nearby.