8 Incredible Things To Do In Koh Phi Phi
With its crystal blue waters, amazing scenery, and endless activities to do, Koh Phi Phi is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand.
Despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, Koh Phi Phi’s landscapes and fun-filled energy makes it a must on your Thailand travel itinerary.
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In this blog post, I will be sharing my ultimate travel guide for this paradise island. From activities, to accommodation, and even places to eat, this post will cover everything you need to know before heading to Koh Phi Phi.
So, let’s get into it!
What you should know before visiting Koh Phi Phi:
- There is a 20 baht entrance fee, that is only payable by cash.
- Book accommodation well in advance. Koh Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s busiest islands, and since it’s an island accommodation can be limited.
- Koh Phi Phi is most easily accessed by Phuket or Krabi. However, these are not your only options. We travelled by speedboat from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi.
- There are no vehicles on the island, except those owned by locals, but you can get everywhere you need to go by foot.
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8 of the best things to do on Koh Phi Phi
Island Boat Tour
This was one of the best things I did during my time in Thailand, so I definitely recommend doing this if you are visiting Koh Phi Phi. It is essentially a tour around Phi Phi’s surrounding islands, with stops along the way to see the most beautiful reefs and sea life.
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I would advise not booking this tour in advance, as it is drastically overpriced online, and most of the tours advertised on GetYourGuide or Viator are group tours. To get the best price for a private long tail tour boat this is what you should do: on the day you wish to go on the tour head down to Tonsai Pier and go over to the big sign to the left of the main pier that says ‘Private Longtail Boat Tour’ and one of the guides/drivers will come up and assist you. From there, you can negotiate a price.
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We booked a 3 hour private tour and it cost 2000 baht for 2 people, which is €26.90 per person. If you want to visit Maya Bay, you have to pay an extra 400 baht per person, as there is an entry fee onto the beach.
Phi Phi Viewpoint
If you want to experience one of the most breath-taking views, then head up to the Phi Phi Viewpoint for Sunset. A super popular spot to watch the sun go down, so be sure to head up early to get a good spot. Although it may be packed with tourists, it does not take away from the incredible views over Phi Phi Island.
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The hike up to the viewpoint is quite steep, with a lot of steps, so keep this in mind before deciding on this activity. I would recommend bringing water and wearing breathable clothing, because I didn’t and boy did I have regrets. Even though it is quite the hike, it is so worth it once you reach the top.
The entry fee to the viewpoint is 30 baht (0.81c), so make sure to have cash on you!
Reggae Bar
Are you looking to get in the ring with a complete stranger and beat eachother up? Yeah, me neither! But whether you are looking to get involved in some kickboxing or just be an observer, Phi Phi’s Reggae Bar is definitely worth a visit.
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Professionals will take to the ring throughout the night to fight it out, but you can also volunteer and get involved to win a free bucket of drink. There is no entry fee into this bar, all you have to do is buy a drink and enjoy the action. It kicks off at 9pm every night, so be sure to check it out.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling is one of the most popular activities on the island. This is because you are able to explore Phi Phi’s beautiful sea life only a few meters off their white sand shores.
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However, the island is surrounded by some of the best snorkelling spots in Thailand, so rent a private long tail boat and get your guide to take you to some of the most notable snorkelling docks. One of the most famous snorkelling spots is Shark Point, and you may even be lucky enough to see a shark.
Walk to Long Beach
One of the best things we did while on Koh Phi Phi was walk to Long Beach. A beautiful white sand beach located far from the island’s more popular beaches, in amongst the forest. This area is the perfect place to spend a beach day, and with it being more excluded, it won’t be overflown with people.
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It is about a 30-40 minute walk from Phi Phi centre to Long Beach, but it is a beautiful walk through nature!
DIRECTIONS:
It can be rather difficult to find, so I hope this clears it up!
- Don’t use Google Maps, it will lead you astray.
- Firstly walk to the Bayview Resort, once you’re there you will see sun loungers and directly behind them, you will find steps with a sign saying ‘Long Beach.’
- Walk up these steps and follow the path. You will see multiple signs along the way, so you will know you’re in the right place. At the end of this path, you will be met with a small beach, and although it doesn’t look like it, you will walk across this beach right to the end and you will see a path with a sign for Long Beach.
- Once again, follow the path to Viking Beach, where you can get some cute pictures and then continue along the path for Long Beach.
- It’s pretty much a straight path after that point, but just before you reach Long Beach you will have to climb down a pretty rough patch of land, if you have an injury or any mobility issues I would not recommend coming to this beach. There is a rope on this climb down that will assist you slightly but just keep in mind that the path is very rock and steep.
- After you complete the dreaded path, you will have arrived at Long Beach.
Fireshow at Slinky’s Bar
Every night at 8pm, Slinky’s host a Fire Show on the beach outside their bar which is just incredible. If you want to get a seat make sure to arrive early to avoid disappointment, as it can get very busy. There is no entry fee to the show, you just have to buy a drink at the bar. If you are lucky, they may even get you up as a volunteer.
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Cliff Jumping
Phi Phi is one of the best places to cliff jump in the world, so if you are craving that adrenaline rush, then this could be the activity for you! We booked through our hotel, and I never got the name of our tour guide. However, from some google searching, I found that you can book a 3 hour tour via this website.
https://www.phiphi-booking.com/cliff-jumping-ko-phiphi.html
Be sure to do this with a registered guide, as it can be dangerous!
Pool Day at PP Charlie’s Resort
Even if you are not staying at this hotel, you can buy a day pass to their infinity pool at reception and enjoy a relaxing day sunbathing away from the beach. If the sandy lifestyle isn’t for you, then this could be the perfect alternative to a beach day. It cost €13 for the entire day, including your sun lounger and a towel.
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Best places to eat on Phi Phi Island
- Basil Bistro – (super fresh food)
- Patcharee Bakery – (yummy breakfast)
- Garlic 1992 – (authentic thai food)
- Acqua – (amazing pasta dishes)
- Atom – (delicious dinner spot)
- Efe – (Turkish Food)
- Good Time Coffee – (great coffee)
- Tommy’s (for drinks)
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Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi
- Tonsai Pier
- Main Street
Both destinations are super close to each other and to everything you would want to see!
We stayed in the PP Charlie Resort, which was in the perfect location. The main street was at one side of the hotel and the beach was at the other. What more could I ask for?
It cost €145 for two people for 4 nights, so it was €18 per person, per night and it included a delicious breakfast buffet in the price, which was also situated on the beach front. I definitely recommend staying here, but if you are looking for something a little cheaper, Phi Phi has so many amazing hostels along their main street!
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So, that is my full Phi Phi Island travel guide. I hope you adore this island as much as I did! Thank you for reading <3
Chat again soon,
Aoife x