Koh Phi Phi Islands: the best tours

A planned trip to Thailand? Don’t miss the unbelievable Koh Phi Phi! Here is a complete guide to Koh Phi Phi at best!

Located in the Andaman Sea, off Krabi Province, the Phi Phi Islands are probably the most beautiful in Thailand. This small archipelago has two main islands: Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le. The rest are generally uninhabited rocks. With its beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, all surrounded by surprising cliffs, Koh Phi Phi has something to seduce and leave the travellers alone. Rendu famous by the film The Beach with Leonardo Di Caprio, the archipelago still remains much quieter and quieter than Phuket or Koh Samui On the east coast.

Do you want to visit Koh Phi Phi and admire its breathtaking landscapes? To help you in your adventures, we give you in this article some ideas to discover them.

Koh Phi Phi in a few words

The first large island, Phi Phi Don, is the only one with tourist infrastructure. Durably affected by the Tsunami of 2004 , she was able to reborn from her ashes and become one of the most appreciated places in Thailand. Resorts, luxury hotels, bars and restaurants now occupy the island. Despite everything, Koh Phi Phi remains an incredible natural paradise, one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world! They are known for their dizzy limestone cliffs. Although uninhabited, the second largest island, Ko Phi Phi Le, is the most famous thanks to its untouched paradisiacal landscapes.

If they are tourists, the Koh Phi Phi islands remain calm and quiet. Travelers wishing to avoid the tumult of Krabi or Phuket will only enjoy them! And fortunately for them, many activities allow to visit Koh Phi Phi: treks in the jungle, swimming on sublime beaches, scuba diving , snorkeling or motor boat rides.

1. The beaches of Koh Phi Phi

The first step to visit Koh Phi Phi is obviously to discover its beaches. Before you embark on the seaside paths of the island, its points of view or the boat ride, you should take the time to enjoy the beautiful hot sand stretches that the archipelago counts. These are good landmarks for your future adventures in the Koh Phi Phi. Here are the main beaches of the islands:

• Loh Ba Kao Bay: Close to a resort and a small village, this beautiful beach is accessible via a trek from the point of view of Phi Phi Don or via a taxi boat.
• Long Beach: from Tonsai, the arrival point of ferries, this beach is only 30 minutes walk or 5 minutes by boat-taxi.
• Wang Long Bay: this beach and hidden bay is quite little known, it is only accessible by boat, but its lagoon surrounded by cliffs is worth a visit!
• Bamboo Island: Located north of the main island, this island contrasts with its neighbour by its platitude. Translucent waters surround its sandy beaches, offering a simply incredible setting!
• Monkey Bay: one of the most famous beaches, especially for its population of monkeys that the people.

Terms and rates

• You will have understood, most beaches are easily or only accessible by boat-taxi. The most adventurous will be able to opt for a small adventure by the jungle to discover them!
• Note that Maya Bay, the famous beach of the film The Beach, is currently closed! This decision was made to allow the ecosystem to be rebuilt after years of intensive and non-respectful visits.

2. Treks and hiking on the islands

You will have understood it, one of the best ways to visit Koh Phi Phi is to put on a pair of good shoes and walk through the jungle. You will obviously reach beautiful beaches, such as those mentioned above. But you will most importantly reach incredible views of the Phi Phi Islands and the Andaman Sea!

Terms and rates

• For your treks, you can choose to trust a local guide or a French guide. This type of tour will allow you to reach less known and dangerous places if you are not accompanied. Count on average 100€ for the day.
• You can also choose to climb directly to a View Point, especially the first, which is the least dangerous and more accessible. Other less dangerous paths also allow you to reach beaches, such as Loh Ba Kao Bay or Long Beach.

Trek to View Point 1

To reach this point of view, you will need to follow the panels Tsunami Evacuation Route , then the panels Viewpoint 1 leaving the village of Tonsai. This hike lasts about 45 minutes. All up there, you will be entitled to an exceptional view of Koh Phi Phi. We recommend going to the end of the day to enjoy the sunset. The morning is also a good time. Avoid mid-day, however, because it can be very hot, especially in the jungle!

View Point 1 is the most accessible and easy, and therefore the least dangerous. Treks to the other two may otherwise present risks. Better be accompanied by a guide!

Terms and rates

• Thus, you will need to plan a large bottle of water and a cap. Insolations or dehydration are not rare, especially in wet climate. Be vigilant!
• Attention also, the path climbs a lot. Don't go up with unsuitable shoes, like claquettes. You will also cross a few animals or beasts, don’t touch it! We also recommend that you avoid open shoes.
• The trail offers several activities and its best use is May to September.
• Count on average 100€ for the day.

Guided hikes to Koh Phi Phi

To visit Koh Phi Phi safely, but above all discover exceptional and unspecified spots, you can obviously opt for a guided trek! Treks can last half a day or even a whole day, in the morning or at the end of the day to enjoy sunset. You will usually do the view points, the jungle, the mangrove and finish on a beautiful beach to swim!

Terms and rates

• For a guided hike with an expert and local instructor, don’t hesitate to book it in advance. You will find many proposals online or even on site.
• In terms of rates, plan 25€ to 50€ per person for half a day and double for the whole day.

3. The dive to discover its seabed

A good way to visit Koh Phi Phi is obviously scuba diving or snorkeling! These islands are indeed one of the high places of diving in the world. Regardless of your level, you will necessarily find your happiness in these heavenly islands. Its lagoons and underwater cliffs are home to exceptional ecosystems, multitudes of colored fish, turtles or hatfish, and many other curiosities.

Terms and rates

• You will find many organizations on the beach of Tonsai, next to the port. But you can also book your activity online.
• For a trip 5h for beginners, usually count 100€ per person. Of course, you will be given all the necessary diving equipment, as well as some refreshments.Although take a bottle of water and a hat for the moments on the boat.
• You can also ask for the service of a Thai to take you on a pirogue ride around the island. On this occasion you can practice snorkeling! This activity is excellent to admire the shallow ecosystems, their fauna and flora, and the lagoons. Usually count 500 bath, or 15€for this activity. Also think of asking if there are many masks and tubas in his canoe!

4. Boat rides

The boat is the most used means of transport to visit Koh Phi Phi. You are already at the expense of taxi boats connecting the island to Phuket or Krabi, or Tonsai to the other beaches of the island. But you can also opt for a boat ride to discover all the must-see places in a day or half a day. Boat rides can go from the main island, but also from Krabi or Phuket. You don’t have to stay on the Phi Phi Islands to discover them!

With a boat ride, you will discover each of the 5 islands of Koh Phi Phi. Your experienced guide will make you visit and admire the most beautiful spots of this paradise archipelago. On the programme:

• The Monkey Beach, but also the incredible Pi-Leh Lagoon
• Depending on the chosen rides, you can practice snorkeling, paddle or kayaking. Some also offer aperitives at sunset.
• Others take place in the morning, when the beaches and the different spots are still uncommon.

Terms and rates

• For this half-day or full-day activity with an experienced guide, count on 30€ to 60€ per person.
• All you have to do is take your bathing suit, water bottle and sun cream (not polluting) to enjoy your day.
• Material for snorkeling or other activities will usually be provided!

5. The trip to speedboat

Another way to visit Koh Phi Phi is obviously the speedboat. If you want to combine strong sensations with discoveries, then we recommend you book a small speedboat ride!

During this relaxing walk through exceptional landscapes, you will be charmed by the fish, corals and beautiful beaches of the region. Through deserted coves and turquoise lagoons, you will discover exceptional ecosystems, multitudes of colored fish, turtles or hatfish, and many other curiosities.

Terms and rates

• For a tripa day : you will then take the tower of the 5 Phi Phi Islands and you will stop in the most interesting places. For this type of visits, count on 40€ to 70€ per person.
• It should be noted that speedboat excursions also depart from the main island, but also from Krabi or Phuket.
• They frequently offer snorkeling. Then we'll entrust you with masks and snorkels.