Phi Phi Island Is one of our absolute favorite places to vacation when visiting Thailand. The island became particularly popular after several scenes from Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach were filmed there.
But beyond it’s Hollywood shout-out, there are plenty of other reasons why you should visit! For one thing, it’s located between two fantastic tourist hubs, Krabi and Phuket. Actually, technically speaking Phi Phi belongs to the Krabi province.
The island, or more precisely, the islands feature stunning features, attractions, and activities that will keep you and your travel companions busy and entertained. It’s an idyllic tropical paradise where no cars or roads exist and all of the people you come across will greet you warmly with a smile. But really, how could you not smile in a place like this?
While Phi Phi is definitely a touristy destination, don’t let that deter you. There are numerous reasons why so many people flock to Phi Phi. The islands are breathtakingly beautiful and truly unique. Keep watching to hear what we think are the best things to do in Phi Phi Island, Thailand.
Rent A Longtail Boat And Go Exploring
What better way to spend an afternoon on an Island oasis then by hiring a captain to sail you around one of the most gloriously beautiful places on earth? Kick back and relax as you take in Phi Phi’s natural splendor.
Take time to swim with the fishes in the Tonsai Bay, observe the mischievous animals on Monkey Beach, or just enjoy the ride.
By renting a private longtail boat, you get to call the shots. Wherever you want to go, just let your captain know. The world is your oyster.
If you’re interested in a more luxury experience or want to go for a little romantic getaway, then hiring a boat is a guaranteed way to make memories that will stick with you for a lifetime.
Trips need to be booked in advance although if you’re lucky, you might be able to get in on a last-minute cancellation. Boats can be rented by the hour or day but you’ll definitely want to spend at least a half day exploring all that Phi Phi has to offer.
Got Scuba Diving or Snorkeling
Ocean lovers take heed, diving in Phi Phi is an absolute must! You’ll be blown away by the array of colorful aquatic marine life in the vibrant underwater world. From dozens of species of fish to corals, turtles, sharks and ray, the diversity of marine flora and fauna is stunning.
You’ll feel like your swimming in a life-sized aquarium. We recommend checking out the ‘Discover Scuba Dive’ experience If you aren’t already an experienced diver. While there are dozens of astounding dive spots around Phi Phi Island, our favorite has toi be Koh Bida Nok.
Immerse Yourself in the Phi Phi Nightlife
Geared towards young party-hardy-types, backpackers, and newlyweds on honeymoon, Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s liveliest and boisterous islands. It boasts a vibrant beachside bar scene, several international pubs, and numerous live music venues that tend to stay open late into the night.
The fire-spinning performances are always a hit with tourists, but we recommend grabbing some handcrafted tropical mix drinks and relaxing on a bean bag chair on the beach while enjoying the show.
While the majority of bars stay open until 2am, there are a few that stay open longer and continue serving until the wee hours of the early morning.
If the litany of bar options are a bit overwhelming, you can always grab a Thai bucket of your favorite cocktail and simply hop from one establishment to the next. These delicious buickets of booze are fairly inexpensive and are great for sharing!
One bucket is roughly four normal-sized cocktails, so be sure to drink responsibly and pace yourself.
Before we tell you more about Phi Phi’s best attractions, take a moment to show Viewcation fa little love by giving this video a like and subscribing to the channel if you haven’t already.
Hike To The Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint
Widely revered as being one of the best viewing areas in all of Phi Phi Island, hiking out to the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint will no doubt be one of the top highlights of your island adventure. While the viewpoint is just 600 feet about sea level, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the island and the emerald waters that surround it.
To get to the viewpoint, take a trail that starts at the town center by Loh Dalum Bay. The hike shouldn’t be that difficult for most folks as it’s designated a beginner’s path. The hike to the viewpoint takes about 20 to 30 minutes tops.
It’s a fairly short trek, but it can still be a bit strenuous on hot, humid days. So, make sure you slap on some sunscreen with a high SPF and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Once you get to the viewpoint, you’ll find a small cafe that serves up ice cold water, a variety of beers, and fresh coconut. If you’re up for a longer hike, you can follow the trails past the cafe. These lead to Pak Nam Beach and Rantee Beach.
These trails tend to be less crowded and are primarily used by the locals. To get back to town, you can either take the trail you just took or rent a longtail boat at one of the beaches.
Stroll Around Tonsai Village
Considered by most to be the heart of Phi Phi Island, Tonsai Village is filled with shops, bars, dining spots, coffee shops, hostels and other amenities. Pretty much at any hour, Tonsai is bustling. It’s narrow streets are filled with galleries, gift shops, and clothing vendors. It’s a great place to pick up a little souvenir to bring back home.
It can be a bit crowded at times, especially since Tonsai Village is where Ferries dock, bbut this adds to the vibrant atmosphere that a lot of people seek out when visiting Phi Phi. And as we mentioned in the intro, no cars are permitted on the island. You’ll either have to walk or bike around when exploring the village.
After you’ve had your share of shopping and dining in the village, head on over to the beach to watch the sunset. Tonsai is situated within a short distance from some of the Island’s best beaches such as Loh Dalum Beach and Tonsai Beach.
Maya Beach
Travelers from around the globe come to Phi Phi Island to visit the magnificent Maya Beach. This inlet features crystal clear waters and towering cliffs, and as you might remember was featured in the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio-led film The Beach.
As soon as you lay your eyes on Maya Beach, yuo’ll immediately understand why many consider it to be paradise.
In 2018, the beach was closed to tourists so that it could be protected. The massive influx of visitors after the release of the 2000 film had begun to damage it’s natural resources.
At it’s peak, more than two and half million visitors were flocking to the beach year, making it one of the most popular of Phi Phi Island’s attractions.
While tourists hoping to visit the world-famous beach were out of luck for a couple of years, on January 1, 2022, the Thai government reopened it top the public.
But just because it’s once again open to the public doesn’t mean you have free reign to do whatever you want. Please be respectful and make sure you stay within designated areas. Pack out all of your trash and do your part to help preserve this beautifully iconic attraction.
Bamboo & Mosquito Islands
Island hopping around Phi Phi is one the best ways to experience the gorgeous scenery found in Thailand. There are numerous places to explore including Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island.
Bamboo island is located three miles from the northern edge of Phi Phi. This charming yet relatively small island is blanketed with a thick cover of bamboo trees – hence the name.
The bamboo provides a fair amount of shade to shield you from the sun’s blazing heat. You can snorkel or scuba dive off the coast over at the famed Hin Klang coral reef. The beaches are also quite lovely, especially since they tend to have far less people than elsewhere in the Phi Phi Island area.
Mosquito Island is another remote locale just a couple miles off the main Phi Phi Island. The island is uninhabited but unfortunately it’s also fallen victim to over-tourism. Because of this, you can no longer snorkel or visit the island at the moment. Even so, you can still marvel at this gorgeous island while sailing around on a longtail boat.
Watch A Muay Thai Fight
This combat sport is popular all throughout Thailand. Matches are held in just about ever city in the Nation. Over the years, it’s grown to be one of Thailand’s most famous and beloved of pastimes.
Phi Phi Island is home to a few different Muay Thai Rings, where you can catch a match or even participate in one if you’re feeling up to it.
If you want to see a fight while on Phi Phi, head on over to the Reggae Bar. This incredibly touristy yet still delightful venue can be easily found by following the sound of the cheering crowd and start bells. Matches are held nightly, and you can enjoy a nice cold drink while taking in the fight.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to book your flight and begin your Phi Phi Island adventure?
Leonardo DiCaprio might have helped make Phi Phi famous, but it’s the island’s natural beauty that keeps tourists coming back for more year after year.
Did you know that Phi Phi Island is one of the most visited destinations in Thailand? If you’ve already visited the island paradise, what are some of your favorite attractions? Let our viewers know in the comments section down below.
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As always, thanks for watching and happy travels!