Phi Phi Islands ❤️ 6 Pieces of Paradise | How to Get There ?

The Phi Phi Islands – as Russian tourists call them. Foreigners refer to them as Phi Phi Islands (Phi Phi islands). The locals pronounce the name with a soft breath, making it sound like "Pi-Pi," which translates to "Fire Islands."

The Phi Phi archipelago gained popularity with the release of the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 2000. The most beautiful scenes of the film were shot on Phi Phi Leh Island. Since then, travelers from all over the world have flocked here to witness the natural beauty with their own eyes.

The Phi Phi archipelago is located in the Andaman Sea between Phuket and the mainland province of Krabi. It consists of six islands, five of which are small and uninhabited. They have no infrastructure or entertainment, but that does not deter tourists. They are attracted by solitude, remoteness from civilization, natural beauty, and pristine beaches. The only inhabited island is Phi Phi Don.

All six islands belong to the Krabi province and are part of the Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Entry to the park costs 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children. There are strict rules here: feeding fish, fishing, littering, flying drones, and making fires are all prohibited. Violations can result in criminal charges or hefty fines for foreigners.

Phi Phi Don
The largest of the six islands (28 sq. km) and the only inhabited one. It consists of two limestone cliffs connected by a one-kilometer sandbar. Along the coast, there are many bays and beaches. The terrain is mostly mountainous, covered with dense rainforests. Interestingly, the island is home to many cats – they are well-fed and taken care of by locals.

The island has everything needed for permanent living: hotels, Thai houses, cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, a hospital, a police station, a fire department, a municipal office, and a pier for large ferries.

All roads here are pedestrian-friendly, and locals and visitors get around on foot or by bicycle. Only ambulances, police, and fire trucks navigate the narrow streets by vehicle.

Phi Phi Leh
This island is 4.5 times smaller than Phi Phi Don. Its key features include a rugged landscape, dense tropical vegetation, sheer cliffs covered in vines, and several sandy beaches and picturesque bays. Tourists visit during the day for sightseeing and swimming before leaving in the evening.

Ko Mai Phai (Bamboo Island)
Bamboo Island, or Bamboo, is located in the northern part of the archipelago and measures 700 x 650 meters. Visitors come here for serenity and relaxation: there are no crowds, just pristine natural beauty, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and soft white sand – a true tropical paradise.

Ko Yung (Mosquito Island)
Mosquito Island is a rocky outcrop measuring 150 x 800 meters. It has sandy and rocky beaches, but tourists are not allowed onshore. However, it is a paradise for divers and snorkelers, as it is surrounded by a coral reef. Diving depths range from 14 to 25 meters, revealing giant anemones, coral formations, lionfish, sharks, and other marine creatures.

Bida Nok and Bida Nai
These two islands are limestone cliffs facing each other, located two kilometers from Phi Phi Leh. They may not be of much interest to regular tourists, but they are a favorite spot for divers. The underwater landscape features soft corals, bubble corals, and massive coral formations reaching up to three meters in diameter.

White sand, coconut palms, and crystal-clear turquoise water – this is what the most popular beaches of the archipelago look like.

Loh Dalum
The crescent-shaped beach is located just five minutes from the pier. Ferries and boats arrive here from the mainland and nearby islands. This is the liveliest and most fun place on the archipelago.

The coastal sandy strip stretches for two kilometers, with premium-class hotels on the front line. The bay is surrounded by cliffs on all sides, and the water is emerald green. The beach remains clean as tour groups do not come here – only island guests relax here.

Rantee
Soft sand surrounded by a coconut grove – this is Rantee. The shoreline is long, wide, and covered with white sand. The water is clear and azure. The seabed is shallow, with some rocky areas, but the entry into the water is gentle and comfortable.

Nearby is a tourist village with a restaurant, bars, and shops. The beach is a 30-minute walk from the viewpoint.

Tonsai
Ferries from Phuket and other Thai provinces dock at this beach. The coastal strip stretches for two kilometers between cliffs, covered in dazzling white sand. Nearby, hotels and restaurants provide all the infrastructure for a comfortable stay. A beautiful promenade runs along the sea. However, swimming here is inconvenient due to the large number of boats and shallow water, especially during low tide.

Nui
A quiet beach, isolated from the crowded part of Phi Phi Don. It is located behind a cliff, 1.5 kilometers from Loh Dalum, and is famous for its tropical vegetation and coral reefs. Another attraction is a towering rock in the sea, resembling a stone pillar, and another nearby rock that looks like a camel.

Long Beach
This beach has several relaxation zones, each offering a stunning view of Phi Phi Leh Island. It is also home to Phi Phi Beach Resort, the island’s best hotel. There are also budget hotels with high-quality service. The beach is clean, peaceful, and uncrowded, and swimming is possible even at low tide.

Van Long
A secluded yet beautiful beach. It is perfect for those who appreciate privacy and relaxation. One of its attractions is an underwater cave, which local diving centers offer excursions to.

Laem Tong
The northernmost beach, surrounded by tropical jungles. It is never crowded – an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation prevails here. This place is often compared to the Maldives. You can reach Laem Tong by boat or on foot, but the trail leads through the jungle.

The archipelago has no historical monuments, architectural sites, Buddhist temples, or statues. All attractions here are natural, and most activities are related to the sea and underwater exploration.

Diving and Snorkeling
Great snorkeling and diving conditions can be found around Phi Phi Leh, Bida Noi, and Bida Nok. Masks and snorkels are usually provided for free on tours. The best time to observe sharks is at dawn – if you’re lucky, you might see reef sharks.

Coral reefs surround all the islands of the archipelago, stretching over 20 km. Most reefs are found at depths of 6-15 meters.

Maya Bay
The movie "The Beach" was set here – a paradise far from civilization and the hustle and bustle. The bay is enclosed on three sides by 100-meter-high cliffs, with dense jungles reaching down to the white sandy beach.

Tourists arrive here on one-day tours: the first boats arrive at 7-8 AM. You can arrange a private trip to get there earlier and enjoy the beauty of this place without crowds.

Pileh Lagoon
Pileh Lagoon near Phi Phi Leh is considered the deepest in Thailand. Scientists believe it was formed 40 million years ago due to a tectonic fault, allowing mineral-rich water to rise between towering cliffs.

The best time to visit is at dawn when the water takes on a purple hue, and mist lingers over the cliffs. Swimming is possible at any time, and locals believe the water has rejuvenating properties.

Viking Cave
This cave is named Viking Cave due to drawings of ships on its walls, resembling Viking vessels. Archaeologists suggest that ancient sailors may have taken shelter here during storms, passing time by drawing on the rock walls.

Inside the cave, there is a large stalagmite, and outside, numerous swiftlet nests. Thai collectors who harvest these nests pour coconut milk on the stalagmite – for good luck.

The beach is located on a rocky cape, with steep cliffs rising right next to the shore. This place is quiet and deserted, about 25 meters from the busy coast.

Long-tailed macaques live in this area of the archipelago. They are not afraid of people and sometimes behave boldly, stealing jewelry, wallets, and mobile phones. The main entertainment here is feeding the monkeys bananas, nuts, and other treats.

Viewpoints
There are three viewpoints on Phi Phi Don, with an entrance fee of 30 baht per person. They are arranged in a cascade on one mountain, east of Tonsai and Loh Dalum beaches:

• View Point-1 – the lower viewpoint, about ten minutes up the steps.
• View Point-2 – the most visited viewpoint, offering a stunning panorama of the island and Tonsai village. It is especially crowded around six in the evening when visitors enjoy the sunset. You can reach it via a paved road from the first viewpoint.
• View Point-3 – the highest viewpoint, located at an altitude of 186 meters, about ten minutes' walk from the second. There are signs along the route, and a bar at the top where you can buy cold drinks. Although it is the highest, trees partially block the view.

Beach Parties
Discos, fire shows, and foam parties are held almost every evening on the southern part of Loh Dalum Beach. On other beaches, movement stops at sunset, with only a few bars remaining open.

At nine in the evening, a fire show begins on the shore: 4-5 performers juggle flaming torches and staffs. The show lasts an hour. At ten, the open-air disco starts and lasts until the last guest, often until dawn.

Food and Restaurants
Popular restaurants and cafés on Phi Phi Don are located at hotels and near the beaches. These places cater to tourists, offering both European and Thai cuisine.

• Anna’s Café is popular among fans of European food. The menu includes chicken soup with noodles, meat dishes, rice cooked in pineapple, and fresh vegetable and seafood salads.
• The restaurant at Phi-Phi Bay View hotel is famous for its fried ice cream – the best on the coast.
• Le Grand Blue serves French delicacies and popular Thai dishes. Spicy chicken is one of the most ordered meals.
• Pad-Thai restaurant delights guests with fish, king prawns, and soups made using traditional Thai recipes. The venue is decorated in a national style, and visitors can dine on a scenic open terrace.

There are no tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis, or public transport on Phi Phi, as in other Thai provinces. Visitors travel between beaches on foot or by water taxi. A trip to a neighboring beach costs 200 baht per person, while further beaches cost 600-1200 baht, and trips to nearby islands range from 1500-2000 baht round-trip.

Bicycles can be rented in Tonsai village. A full day’s rental costs 200 baht, while a half-day is 100 baht.

All accommodations are on Phi Phi Don:

• Budget guesthouses are located near Tonsai and Loh Dalum beaches.
• On the west side, Cliff Beach Resort, a four-star hotel, offers double rooms from $100-$250 per night.
• Paradise Resort and other affordable hotels operate on Long Beach, with prices ranging from $35-$50 per night.
• Luxury five-star resorts like Island Village Beach, resembling the Maldives, are closer to Laem Tong Beach. Prices for double rooms start at $150 per night.

The islands can be visited year-round. The air temperature remains around 28-29°C, the sea is always warm, and there are no strong winds.

• November to April – dry season.
• May to October – rainy season.
• Peak season – December and January.

Rain usually falls in the evening or at night, making May and summer months also a comfortable time to visit.

You can only reach the archipelago by water. Ferries depart from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang: 

• From Phuket, ferries depart from Rassada Pier and arrive at Tonsai Port. Travel time is 1-2 hours. The ticket price is 700 baht one way. You can buy a ferry ticket here
• From Krabi, the ferry departs from Klong Jilad Pier. Travel time is 1.5 hours. The ticket costs 600 baht.
• The ferry from Ao Nang departs from Nopparat Thara Pier and makes a stop at Railay Peninsula on the way. Travel time is 2 hours, and the ticket costs 600 baht one way.
• The ferry from Koh Lanta departs daily from Saladan Pier and takes tourists to the Phi Phi Islands in 1.5-2 hours. Ticket price is 800 baht.
• Speedboats depart from Koh Jum and stop at 2-3 islands of the archipelago. Travel time is 1 hour, ticket price is 600 baht. This option is suitable for independent travelers who come to the archipelago for 2-3 days and want to see most of the islands.

Tour agencies in Phuket regularly organize one-day tours to the Phi Phi Islands and two-day tours (Phi Phi 2 days and 11 islands). The average cost of a one-day tour is 1600-2200 baht. This price includes transfer, meals, national park fees, a guide, insurance, and visits to the most scenic locations.

Passenger ferries traveling between provinces are comfortable and two-decked. During the trip, you can watch TV, sit on the deck, have a snack, or drink refreshments in the café.

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The archipelago is located 50 kilometers from the mainland of Krabi province, south of Phang Nga Bay and Yao Yai Island. The popular tourist island of Phuket is west of Phi Phi, about an hour and a half by ferry.