16 Best Things to Do in Koh Phi Phi: Plan Your Trip

Featured image: Caitriana Nicholson from 北京 ~ Beijing, 中国 ~ China, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Pick by traveler type and time available

Phi Phi Don is small, so the real choice is how many hours you have. A day-tripper loses most of the day to the 1.5 to 2 hour crossing each way. Our editorial view is that one night is the minimum for the viewpoint, a sunset and a boat tour together.

16 best things to do in Koh Phi Phi

Items run roughly by area, from the boat-only sites around Phi Phi Leh to Ton Sai Village, Loh Dalum Bay and the quieter beaches. Prices and hours checked November 2026, using local operator and park listings. Fees are shown in baht (฿).

1. Boat tour of Phi Phi Leh and the bays

One loop covers Phi Phi Leh, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach and Maya Bay. Phi Phi Leh lies about 7.4 km from Phi Phi Don, roughly 30 minutes by boat. We would book a morning departure, when water is typically calmer.

Group tours cost least, and a private longtail lets you linger at each stop. Our guide to boat tour options compares formats. Anyone prone to seasickness should take medication before boarding.

2. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh

Maya Bay reopened in 2022 after about four years of closure for reef recovery. You can land and walk the path, but swimming is not allowed. Lifeguards whistle at anyone beyond ankle depth. Entry was listed at ฿400 per person, which some tours include and others charge separately.

Rules and fees sit with the Department of National Parks. Plan one to two hours here, and see our Maya Bay visitor guide for timing. Travelers wanting a swim stop should choose Pileh Lagoon instead.

3. Viking Cave and Pileh Lagoon

Viking Cave is a boat-only stop on the Phi Phi Leh loop. Visitors cannot enter, but boats pause for a look at the limestone walls. Bamboo scaffolding at the mouth supports the swiftlet nest harvest.

Pileh Lagoon is the emerald-water swim and snorkel stop on most routes. Cave-explorers will find the stop frustratingly brief.

4. Monkey Beach

Long-tailed macaques live along the shore here, on the west side of Phi Phi Don. Monkey Beach has a larger swimming area than neighboring Monkey Bay. Macaques spot food bags and bottles quickly, so keep everything sealed.

Never feed them or crowd a mother with a baby. Most boat tours stop here, and kayakers reach it in about 30 minutes. Skip it if you cannot keep your snacks out of sight.

5. Phi Phi Viewpoint

This is the classic view of Phi Phi Don's twin bays, reached by a paved, stepped path. The climb is about 186 m and takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Entry fees are listed inconsistently, from ฿30 up to ฿50, plus ฿20 for the third viewpoint. Sunset draws the biggest crowd.

High tide gives bluer water in photos, and tide times shift daily. Our viewpoint walking guide covers the route. Bring water, because the climb is hot and humid.

6. Sunset on Loh Dalum Beach

Loh Dalum is the crescent beach across the island from the pier. We would arrive around 4:30 pm for beanbag or swing seats at Freedom Bar. Color typically starts around 5:30 pm, but sunset time shifts with the season.

Order a coconut or fresh juice first, then switch to cocktails as light fades. Crowd-averse travelers should pick Viking Beach instead.

7. Fire shows and nightlife

Fire dancers perform on Loh Dalum Beach from around 8 to 9 pm. Slinky Bar and Freedom Bar are the names most often given for the shows. Music is officially supposed to end at 2:00 am.

Rooms near the beach bars can stay loud until then. Bars change often, so our nightlife rundown stays general. Light sleepers should book a room away from Loh Dalum.

8. Snorkeling at Shark Point

Shark Point sits just off the eastern end of Long Beach. Blacktip reef sharks, typically under 6 feet and not known to be aggressive, gather there. Sightings are never guaranteed. Reported best hours are 7:00 to 9:00 am, when visibility is good.

Masks rent for around ฿50 per person on Long Beach. Watch for sea urchins on the way in, and wear reef-safe sunscreen. Nervous swimmers can watch from the boat.

9. Diving or Discover Scuba

Discover Scuba Diving needs no prior experience. Boats head to dive sites twice daily. Koh Bida Nok is often recommended as a site.

Course and fun-dive prices vary by operator, so compare two or three shops near Tonsai Pier. Day-trippers will not have the time.

10. Long Beach

Long Beach is a quiet stretch with a few restaurants and bars. Walking from Tonsai Pier takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on pace and stops. Longtail taxis run around ฿100 to ฿150 per person.

The western end is quietest, with soft sand. Hikers can cross the hill to Loh Moodee Beach. Nightlife seekers will find it too still.

11. Kayak or SUP to Monkey Beach and Nui Bay

Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at Loh Dalum Beach. Monkey Beach takes about 30 minutes, and Nui Bay and Hin Poo take 45 to 60 minutes. Nothing is for sale en route, so pack water, snacks and a dry bag.

Beginners can practice in the shallows near shore first. Anyone afraid of open water should stay near Loh Dalum.

12. Bamboo Island

Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Phai) lies north of Phi Phi Don. It is flat, uninhabited and has no amenities. Speedboat tours sometimes include it, so ask before booking.

A private longtail is another route. Bring a towel, water and water shoes. It is a poor match if you need shade, toilets or food.

13. Viking Beach and its swing

Viking Beach is a small cove about a 5 to 10 minute walk east of town. A swing hangs from a large tree facing the limestone cliffs. It works as an easy first-evening stop.

Space is tight at busy times. Expect no facilities beyond what you carry.

14. Laem Tong Beach

Laem Tong lies on the northern part of the island, along the east coast. A longtail from Ton Sai Pier takes about 30 minutes. Few hotels and restaurants line the sand.

Visitor numbers stay low. Plan the return boat before you leave.

15. Thai market near the pier

The market near the main pier sells seafood, mango sticky rice and fresh fruit. Try mangosteen or longkong if you are curious. Fresh seafood is typically priced by weight, so ask the price first.

Bring cash. Skip it if you want a sit-down restaurant.

16. Resort day passes and Thai massage

Some beach resorts sell day passes, so ask at the front desk. Arrive at opening for the quietest beach hour. Massage shops cluster around Tonsai Village.

Pool parties run at hotels such as Ibiza House Phi Phi and PP Princess Resort. Days and hours change, so ask each venue for its current schedule. Pass on these if you came for wild scenery.

Group tour, longtail, speedboat or kayak

Format decides how crowded and how flexible your day feels. Costs are shown only in relative terms, since operator rates vary by season.

Free and low-cost things to do

Nice Beach and Loh Dalum are a few minutes' walk from Tonsai Pier. Walk the coast trail to Long Beach, and snorkel the free spot at its eastern end for a ฿50 mask rental. Add the Viking Beach swing and a market meal near the pier. A longtail back from Long Beach runs around ฿100 to ฿150.

Sample plans: half day, 1 day and 3 days

Weather and tide shape each plan. Tours and viewpoint views depend on both, while market food and massage work in rain.

• Half day: arrive, then climb the viewpoint in the afternoon and stay for sunset.
• 1 day: morning boat tour, then a Loh Dalum sunset and a fire show.
• Day 1 of 3: Long Beach and the viewpoint at sunset.
• Day 2 of 3: Phi Phi Leh boat tour (tide- and weather-dependent), then fire show.
• Day 3 of 3: Discover Scuba or kayak to Monkey Beach, with market food and massage as rain backups.

Best time to visit and monsoon changes

October to May is the usual window, with November to April the high season. Late October to early November and late April to early May are quieter shoulder periods. One local source puts mid-December to February around 28°C and April near 33°C. Summer monsoon brings rough seas, and many tours, shops and restaurants close. Check Thai Meteorological Department forecasts before booking a tour.

Getting to Koh Phi Phi and getting around

Ferries from Phuket's Rassada Pier and Krabi's Klong Jilad Pier take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Speedboats cut that time about in half. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before departure. There are no cars on the island, so you walk or hire a water taxi. Hotels often arrange pickups from Tonsai Pier, and taxis and boats usually take cash only.

Where to stay: areas by trade-off

Around Tonsai Pier you get restaurants, nightlife and walkable beaches, but noise until about 2 am. Further out, rooms are quieter but may sit up hills or need a water taxi. Resorts on secluded northern beaches mean chartering a boat for tours and dinner. Book ahead from November to April.

Costs, cash and practical tips

Carry baht, because ATMs are limited and charge high fees. A 10% tip on tours is customary. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, water shoes and motion-sickness medication. Avoid feeding monkeys, touching coral or booking on a boat you have not looked at. Also avoid buying a ticket without asking whether the Maya Bay fee is included. Heading to Bangkok next? Our guide to Bangkok sights picks up the trip.