The 6 Best Things to do in Koh Phi Phi
I’m not going to lie, Koh Phi Phi is probably the last place that pops into my mind when it comes to my time in Thailand. It really just feels like tourism just came to Phi Phi and ruined what makes Thailand so beautiful.
I have mixed feelings about the island. I almost want to say to just scratch this off your Thailand itinerary altogether but I also feel like it has some of the most beautiful beaches and offers some of the best island tours in Thailand.
So I feel like it’s a great place to stop for a day trip or a couple days, enough to take in the sites and head to a lesser-visited island. Check out my two weeks in Thailand travel itinerary to help plan your trip to Koh Phi Phi.
If you choose to visit for the stunning views (because they really are), here are some great things to do in Koh Phi Phi and some travel tips for your time in Koh Phi Phi.
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How to get to Koh Phi Phi
You can get to Koh Phi Phi by taking a ferry from most of the islands, as well as Phuket. If you are on one of the islands, there are stands near the piers that have the departure times and destinations on them. You can book your ferry there — you can use this for all island hopping in Thailand.
In Phuket, you can take a ferry from Rassada Pier. This is about an hour from the airport so if you’re flying into Phuket and heading straight to the islands (what I did) leave yourself plenty of time. It costs around 400 baht. You also have the option to take a speedboat for a higher price.
As timetables and prices can change depending on the season, be sure to check this ahead of time. You can check prices/times on this website.
Things to know about Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is a very small island on the West side of Thailand. There are no cars on the island but because of the small size, it’s not a problem because you can walk everywhere. There are also motorbike taxis if needed.
There are plenty of ATMs on the island so you don’t need to worry about having all the cash you need ahead of time.
You can easily begin your island hopping from Phi Phi with bookable ferries from the island.
You can book your tours when you arrive on the island. Do a walk around to try to get the best price and deal.
As I said above, this is extremely touristy. I mean the type of touristy where the first thing you see when getting off the pier is a Burger King and McDonald’s type of touristy.
You need to pay a fee of 20 Baht per person upon arriving at Phi Phi. This is a one-time fee that goes towards the upkeep of the island. Bring cash for this.
What to Pack for Koh Phi Phi
When you’re in Koh Phi Phi, you’ll basically be spending all of your time on or around the water. There are some amazing snorkel spots and boat tours, bring a waterproof case for your fun so you can get some great shots in the water without worry.
You cannot hide from the sun in Thailand — unless it’s the rainy season, then you’ll be looking for it. Bring some reef-safe sunscreen! I love mineral sunscreen for my face especially — this Elta MD sunscreen is my favorite for the face!
Sun Bum also has great reef-friendly options.
Once again, you can’t hide from the sun in Thailand. A hat would be a great thing to add to your packing list for Koh Phi Phi. Bucket hats are great because they’re easy to pack without taking up much space. Or you can buy it there.
Packing a towel when you’re trying to travel light is hard. These towels don’t take up a lot of space but are a must for your packing list for Koh Phi Phi. Again, if you don’t pack one or forget, you can buy something similar all over Thailand.
If you plan on spending a lot of time snorkeling, scuba diving, or on boats while in Thailand — these dry bags are super helpful for keeping all your stuff dry! Here’s a waterproof waist strip if you want something smaller!
I’m from Florida and I thought I knew all about mosquitos until I went to Thailand…wow, they’re everywhere. Bring some bug spray!
Things to do in Koh Phi Phi
7 Island Tour
Spend the day going on the 7-island tour. You’ll spend the whole day on a long boat exploring the Phi Phi islands. During the tour, you’ll get to jump off the boat to snorkel and swim! A lot of tours come with lunch and snacks as well.
The tour takes you to all the most beautiful Phi Phi islands. Make sure you book a tour that includes the famous Maya Bay, as Maya Bay is a MUST-SEE. It really was more beautiful in person than I ever thought, totally lived up to the hype.
2. Watch a Fire Show
Head to the beach for sunset and a fire show.
Thailand is known for all the fire shows, especially during the full moon party but on Phi Phi the bars put on shows right on the beach so you can grab a drink and watch the show.
3. Thai Kickboxing at Reggae Bar Phi Phi
Head to Reggae Bar Phi Phi to watch some kickboxing!
They have actual Thai kickboxers that come up for a fight every couple of hours which is really impressive but not even the best part!
The fun twist of this place is that it’s a bar with a full boxing ring where travelers can volunteer to kickbox to get a free rum bucket.
It’s 5-star entertainment, especially as it gets later into the night.
So you get the best of both worlds at Reggae bar, great Thai kickboxing, and some very entertaining drunken kickboxing.
Plus, I spent some time with the owners and they are really great people.
4. Hike to the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoints
Koh Phi Phi has 3 viewpoints that you can hike to get a look at the island from above. You can easily google Koh Phi Phi viewpoints to find these locations.
Check out this blog post for all the info to plan your Koh Phi Phi viewpoint hikes. Her info is super helpful!
5. Go Scuba Diving
Go scuba diving! Thailand is a great place to get certified and go scuba diving due to prices and crystal clear water!
6. Go Snorkeling
If you aren’t scuba certified and not interested in becoming scuba certified, go snorkeling! The water is beautiful and warm. You can totally snorkel on your 7-Islands tour too. This is a must-do in Phi Phi.
Where to Stay in Koh Phi Phi
Budget Options:
@The Pier 519 is a hostel close to the pier and walkable to the beaches and city center. It offers pod-style beds!
Dormsin is another hostel in Koh Phi Phi with great reviews and pod-style beds!
Mid-Range Option:
Check out P2 Wood Loft. This is one of the highest-rated hotels at a mid-range budget on Koh Phi Phi.
Tip: I did not enjoy my stay at ChaoKoh Phi Phi. I don’t recommend staying here. Make sure you are reading reviews because the pictures of the hotels online can be deceiving.
I hope this list of things to do in Koh Phi Phi was helpful to you! If you decide to add Koh Phi Phi to your Thailand itinerary, let me know if there were any great things I missed.
If you’re unsure if you Koh Phi Phi is your type of travel destination, check out my post on Koh Phi Phi vs Koh Lanta.
Here are some other posts that might help plan your time in Thailand:
