Phi Phi Islands

The best time is from November to April. The sea is calm and visibility is good for snorkeling and diving. From May to October it is the rainy season. Waves are higher, ferries are less reliable, and some hotels and restaurants close. Prices are lower then.

December and January are the busiest months. Book rooms and boats early. Day trips start early, so crowds are smaller before 10 am and after 4 pm.

• Ko Phi Phi is the main island, with the village, two bays on either side, and a long hill between them. Most visitors stay here.
• Phi Phi Viewpoint is a high viewpoint above the two bays. Climb in the early morning or at sunset for the best light and fewer people.
• Maya Bay is the famous bay on Phi Phi Leh, ringed by high cliffs. It has been closed and reopened with visitor limits to protect the coral, so check current rules before you go.
• Tham Phaya Naak (Viking Cave) is a sea cave on Phi Phi Leh with old paintings on the walls. Boats stop for a short visit.

• Viewpoint at sunrise or sunset: Climb to the hilltop for views over both bays.
• Snorkeling in clear water: Take a small boat tour to coral reefs and quiet bays.
• Scuba diving: Dive sites around the islands suit beginners and experienced divers.
• Longtail boat sunset trip: Join a short trip around the bay as the light changes.
• Sea kayaking: Paddle along the cliffs and visit small beaches.

These trips are listed from closest to farthest.

• Bamboo Island and Monkey Beach: about 15 to 30 minutes by speedboat. White sand, snorkeling and wild monkeys. Do not feed the monkeys.
• Phi Phi Leh: about 20 to 30 minutes by speedboat. Cliffs, a lagoon and sea caves. Go with a small-boat tour.
• Ao Nang and Railay: about 1.5 to 2 hours by ferry. Beaches and cliffs on the mainland.
• Ko Lanta: about 1.5 hours by ferry. A quiet island with long beaches.

• Krabi is the mainland province to the east.
• Mueang Krabi is the area around Krabi town and Ao Nang.
• Ko Lanta is a long island with quiet beaches to the southeast.

• By ferry from Phuket: Boats leave from the Phuket piers and take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
• By ferry from Krabi: Boats leave from Krabi town and Ao Nang and take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
• By ferry from Ko Lanta: Boats run in the dry season and take about 1.5 hours.
• By air: There is no airport. Most travelers fly to Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV), then take a ferry.

Ferries are fewer in the rainy season, and some stop during storms.

• On foot: Ko Phi Phi Don has no cars. The village and the two bays are close together and easy to walk.
• Longtail boats: These water taxis go to quiet beaches and to other islands. Agree on the price first.
• Hiking: Trails lead to the viewpoints. Wear shoes with grip.

• Is a car worth it?: No. There are no cars on Ko Phi Phi Don.
• Transport: Everything is done on foot or by boat. Leave your car on the mainland.

Food on Phi Phi is based on seafood and southern Thai dishes with coconut. Prices are higher than on the mainland, because everything arrives by boat.

The best eating areas are the village streets, where small restaurants and street stalls sell Thai food, and the beach bars along the bays.

The islands are safe for visitors.

• Sea: Do not swim far from shore, and follow the flags and advice from your boat operator.
• Boat trips: Use operators that provide life jackets and have a good safety record.
• Monkeys: Wild monkeys at Monkey Beach can bite. Do not feed them.
• Coral: Do not touch or step on coral. It is protected, and fines apply.
• Water: Drink bottled water.
• Royal family: Do not speak or write badly about the monarchy. It is a serious crime in Thailand.

Phi Phi was a quiet group of islands inhabited by fishermen and by sea traders for centuries. The islands became widely known for tourism from the 1980s.

In 2004, a tsunami struck the Andaman coast and badly damaged the main village. The village was rebuilt, and the islands became a popular destination again. Maya Bay became famous worldwide as the location of a feature film in 2000, and was closed to protect the coral for several years before reopening.

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