Know Before You Go: Visiting the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi)

There’s no airport on the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi), but boats regularly depart for the archipelago year-round from both Krabi and Phuket. Most ferries and speed boats depart from Rassada Pier in Phuket (the ferry journey takes around 1.5 hours); from both Chaofa Pier and Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi (a 2-hour journey); or from Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta (a 30-minute trip).

Taking a speed boat can halve your time at sea, but they cost a lot more than the ferries. You can book a transfer service that includes hotel pickup to avoid having to take your luggage to the port on foot or by public transport.

Nearly all boats arrive at the stunning Ao Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don; the bustling port area is surrounded by tour companies, cafés, and bars. There are no motorized vehicles on the Phi Phi Islands, so the easiest way to get around is either on foot or by bicycle. If you’re staying at one of the luxury hotels, there’ll likely be a golf cart waiting to help you with your bags. To get between the islands, you can take either a longtail boat or speedboat, or paddle in a kayak.

Insider tip: During high season, be sure to book your ferry ticket at least a week in advance; because they’re cheaper than speed boats, ferries book up fast.

The Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi) are 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Phuket, which is part of mainland Thailand. If you’re traveling by ferry and sailing conditions are smooth, it’ll take you between 1.5 and 2 hours to reach the islands. The ferries—which are operated by several different companies—typically offer air-conditioned inside areas as well as open-air decks where you can soak up the sun.

As mentioned, speedboats tend to halve your time on the water, but because of the small size of the boats, they usually offer a bumpier ride. Avoid this option if you’re prone to seasickness, and skip during the rainy season, from September to November, when the water is typically much rougher.

While visiting the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi) during the rainy season (from May through October) has its benefits—the scenery is green and lush, and hotel prices plummet—the dry season lets you make the most of your time in the archipelago. Visit anytime from November through April, and you’ll have lots of sunny skies and cool breezes.

That said, the islands are most crowded during the peak months of December and January. During Songkran (Thai New Year) in early April, the island transforms into a huge water fight, offering wet and wild celebrations.

While you can easily explore the Phi Phi Islands on a day trip from Krabi or Phuket (especially if you take a speedboat tour to reduce travel time), two days is an ideal length of time to spend here. This’ll give you a chance to spend a day exploring the main island of Phi Phi Don and one day traveling between farther-flung sights on a Phi Phi Island boat tour.

If you’re coming to sample the islands’ famous nightlife, consider adding on a couple of days of down time to spend relaxing and sipping coconut water on a white-sand beach. Plus, being on the islands overnight will let you enjoy their epic sunrises and sunsets.

Things to do on the Phi Phi Islands range from snorkeling in crystal-clear waters to hiking through lush jungle. Must-visit spots include:

• Maya Bay (of The Beach fame) on Phi Phi Le, the second-largest island of the archipelago.
• Monkey Beach, where you can see hundreds of macaques running around.
• Tiny Bamboo Island, whose surrounding coral reef offers some of the archipelago’s best snorkeling opportunities.
• The limestone masterpiece of Viking Cave.
• The Phi Phi Viewpoint, which offers panoramic vistas of the islands and the Andaman Sea.

Insider tip: If you’re hiking to the Phi Phi Viewpoint (it’s a short 30-minute hike) and want to capture the best photos of the stunning vista, try to arrive before lunchtime. Not only will you beat the heat but you’ll also get the best lighting, with the sun behind you.

White sands and crystal clear waters abound on the Phi Phi Islands, so you’re never far from a gorgeous beach. While stunning Maya Bay tends to hog the limelight (and for very good reason!), it also tends to draw the largest crowds. For a quieter visit, try the soft and sandy Long Beach near TonSai; it’s only accessible by booking a water taxi or hiking down a short jungle trail, so it often has fewer visitors.

Meanwhile, Loh Dalum’s warm and protected waters make it the ideal place for swimming, while nearby Bamboo Island (a common stop on Phi Phi island boat tours) is entirely made of sand—so is basically one massive beach.

If you’re looking to beat the crowds, Laem Tong Beach on the northern side of Phi Phi Don is your best bet. This picture-perfect, secluded stretch is a longtail boat or water taxi ride away from Ton Sai but is well worth the journey for the peace and quiet it offers—qualities that can sometimes feel elusive on these popular islands.

The best way to explore the Phi Phi Islands is by speedboat or kayak. Taking a speedboat lets you cover more sights in less time (ideal if you’ve only got a day to spare), while a kayak lets you get up close to rock formations and discover hidden caves.

To see the Phi Phi Islands at their most magical, opt for a sunset Phi Phi Island tour—it's a great way to escape the crowds that congregate at popular land-based sunset spots. Some sunset tours stick around after the sun sinks into the Andaman Sea, to reveal the bioluminescent plankton that surround Maya Bay, which illuminate the waters at the smallest sign of movement. Don a snorkel and plunge into the darkened waters to witness this natural phenomenon.

Insider tip: Overnight experiences are particularly special—they typically involve a campfire on an uninhabited beach, and let you sleep beneath the stars and be the first to visit Maya Bay at sunrise the next morning.

The Phi Phi Islands offer a high-octane nightlife scene that draws backpackers from across the globe. You’ll find the best of the island’s nightlife on Loh Dalum Beach (right beside the main Ao TonSai Pier). Expect beachfront parties, fire shows, kickboxing matches, and DJs playing dance music. There’s also a lively hostel scene that combines budget accommodation with opportunities for bar crawls and booze cruises.

Insider tip: If you’re looking for a more serene sojourn on Koh Phi Phi, don’t worry—only certain sections of the island are raucous after dark. Luxury hotels and quiet resorts are concentrated near the northern tip of the island, near PiLeh Bay.

• Are the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi) worth visiting? Yes, the Phi Phi Islands are worth visiting, even if you only have time to go for a day trip. Maya Bay often tops the list of Thailand’s most stunning beaches, and the compact size and modern infrastructure of Phi Phi Don makes it easy and convenient to explore.

• What should I wear to the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi)? During the dry season, from October through April, bring warm-weather clothing and swimwear as you’ll likely spend lots of time swimming and soaking up the sun. If you’re there in the wet season, bring an umbrella or rain poncho. Sturdy hiking shoes are a good idea year-round.

• Which airport is for the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi)? There’s no airport on the Phi Phi Islands, but the gateway towns of Phuket and Krabi both have international airports served by flights from across Thailand and Asia. If you’re flying from Europe or the US, you’ll likely need to catch a connecting flight from Bangkok to the coast.

• What kind of food is there on the Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi)? There’s a wide range of food to choose from on the Phi Phi Islands. You can enjoy international cuisines as well as a plethora of inexpensive Thai options; be sure to sample the fresh seafood mango sticky rice. The high-end restaurants are primarily located in the north of the island, close to the luxury resorts.