Phi Phi Island is a tropical paradise waiting to be explored. With crystal blue waters, white sand beaches, lush jungles, and mesmerizing sunsets – there’s something for everyone! You may have been dreaming about taking a trip here for months or years. But once you get the chance, how long should you stay? How do you make the most of this amazing gateway to Southeast Asia? We know it can be overwhelming to decide on an optimum length of time, so we’re here to help! Stay tuned as we explore what Phi Phi Island offers and how long you need to experience it all!
Exploring the Phi Phi Islands is an unforgettable experience. Characterized by towering limestone cliffs, tranquil lagoons, and shimmering coral reefs, the islands offer visitors a dreamy tropical paradise. It’s easy to get lost in the beauty of nature here, but don’t forget that Koh Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island with its bustling attractions. From its small market roads to its numerous hostels and beach bars, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant region. To ensure you’ve got enough time to take everything in, plan to spend at least five days exploring these magical islands!
Why not close out your vacation or reset for further travels with a trip to the beautiful and exotic Phi Phi Islands? With our specially curated itinerary of only the most meaningful activities over five days, you can make sure your adventure packs a punch. Let yourself be lulled into a trance amidst golden beaches, turquoise waters, and towering limestone cliff sides as you kayak, snorkel, and swim with colorful marine life while immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere Koh Phi Phi has to offer. So if it’s time to press reset, go no further than this guide and embark on an adventure that will culminate in memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Day 1 – Koh Phi Phi Don
Stepping off the ferry and lugging your suitcase through the terminal, you take a deep breath as soon as you catch sight of Koh Phi Phi Don’s stunning cliffs rising in front of you. It’s touristy, with narrow roads packed with bars and boat tour sellers, but its small size and lack of vehicles ensure that this charming island retains its unique atmosphere. All exploration is done on foot, and you are quickly swept away by the excitement of getting lost among its endless market stalls, treetop bars, and tour operators. Setting aside the impulse to immediately start sightseeing and instead savoring your first moments on the island feels like just another way to experience it fully.
When visiting Tonsai Bay, travelers can choose two options to stay! In the center of the hectic city life, you can hop off the ferry and find a nearby atmospheric hostel or guest house. And if you’re looking for a more luxurious experience with unspoiled views, head to Long Beach in the east and check into one of its lovely resorts. Transport to your accommodation upon arrival is easy; hotel reps will gladly take care of any heavy luggage for your convenience. After settling down, wander around and explore your dining options; you’ll have no shortage of sumptuous local food or classy western eateries! Once you make it up north, stop by Loh Dalum beach for stunning sunsets over the bay.
Day 2 – Phi Leh Lagoon and “Viking Caves”
As soon as you get settled into Koh Phi Phi, one of the best things to do is book a boat tour for the following day. With plenty of package options and local fishermen offering great snorkeling deals, you’re sure to have a blast in the warm and inviting waters right off the coast. For day two, set aside time to visit Phi Leh Lagoon and its stunning surroundings. Surrounded by limestone cliffs that reach toward the heavens, this beautiful natural environment acts as a refuge for snorkelers and sunbathers alike. What’s more, with crystal-clear waters, thanks to the lack of outside obstructions, you won’t want to miss out on seeing all the wondrous marine creatures that can be found in this area. The only way across? Through a tiny gap between those majestic cliffs – indeed a sight for sore eyes!
After soaking up the stunning scenery and sunbathing at Phi Ley, visit the Viking Caves to add another incredible experience to your day. This ancient site can be viewed from boats that tour around the area, and you’ll even hear about a lucrative industry associated with it – bird’s nest harvesting. With time still in the day, snorkel at any of the nearby points for a more thrilling experience. Then, as the sun sets over Phi Ley, your guide will take you home. A must-see stop on any trip to Vietnam!
Day 3 – Maya Bay
Put on your explorer’s hat and make Maya Bay the highlight of your Koh Phi Phi trip! With dramatic peaks towering above a pristine white beach and a bay shaped like a giant coin, it’s no wonder this fabulous location has achieved legendary status. While many people immediately recognize Maya Bay from its luminous appearance in the 2000 film The Beach, starring Leonardo Dicaprio, few know that the iconic spot has captivated people for centuries. After all, setting foot on the lush sands is like entering an Edenic paradise – where clear waters shimmer like treasure and exotic marine life swims around you like landlocked mermaids. Make sure to add a day at Maya Bay to your itinerary – it is certainly not something you want to miss!
Are you longing for a unique and life-changing experience? Well, clear your schedule for 2022 and head to Thailand’s famous Maya Bay! The opening of Maya Bay after four years of closure has been highly anticipated due to the re-establishment of natural ecosystems. What travelers will get is a genuinely all-encompassing tour that combines romance, nature, and adventure all in one package. Taking the Maya Bay Sleepaboard is the perfect way to explore this dreamy island while enjoying lovely amenities like private dinner parties on the beach, snorkeling with luminous plankton, and sleeping under the stars. All at an affordable price; it’s a chance not to be missed, so don’t hesitate and book your trip now!
Day 4 – Phi Phi View Point and Monkey Beach
Spend your fourth day in Koh Phi Phi conquering a steep but rewarding hike to unfold stunning 360 views of the islands. Rising early at 5 am, if you’re up for it, is the best way to begin this excursion and experience the sunrise over the islands. The walk is just thirty minutes long, featuring steps and hilly climbs that will pump your blood. A small entrance fee of 30 THB will grant you access to three viewpoints in one complex; however, if you choose not to greet the sunrise at this particular spot, set out when the sun is low and enjoy the higher tide levels. Whatever you decide, you won’t regret choosing this fantastic adventure for your fourth day!
When you’ve wrapped up your daring hike, get ready to tackle a different kind of adventure – with a kayak on the gorgeous turquoise waters of Tonsai Bay! Voyage through the caves without signing up for an expensive tour, and who knows what you’ll find! Make sure to swing by Monkey Beach to get a glimpse of dozens of playful monkeys, who are usually friendly if you leave them be. But watch out – they tend to take away anything they can get their hands on, so keep all your possessions snugly tucked away. Don’t forget to finish the afternoon with a pool party at Ibiza House or float in PP Princess hotel’s beachfront infinity pool. If parties light up a fire inside you, there is plenty to explore on Loh Dalum Beach, as it is peppered with many beach clubs that won’t disappoint you.
Day 5 – Phuket
After spending five incredible days on Koh Phi Phi, it’s time to say goodbye. Going back home or continuing your travels may feel like the end, but there’s still one final adventure to enjoy. With Phuket only 46 km away, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to make a day of it! Hop on the ferry and take in the views during your 2-hour journey. Once you arrive at Phuket, you’ll have plenty of time to sightsee and explore the city before catching your connecting flight or onward travel. Embrace this chance to embrace an extra day in paradise before returning to reality!
Spending a day sightseeing on Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is the perfect way to get a glimpse into local life. Start your adventure in Phuket and visit the Thai Hua Museum in an impressive 1930s manor house. Here, you can discover more about this tropical destination’s exciting history and culture. Don’t miss out on exploring Thalang Road in Old Town either– here, you will find many photogenic Sino-Portuguese buildings and countless 19th-century shophouses. If you don’t feel like you’ve had enough of island life yet, be sure to hop a ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta Yai or catch an hour-long flight back to Bangkok so that you can explore all that northern Thailand has to offer.
Final Thoughts
With its gentle waves and sandy shores, Phi Phi Island is the perfect place to relax and work on your tan. However, you may not want to stay for more than a few days due to the island’s limited infrastructure. There are only a few places to eat and drink, and accommodation can be quite expensive. If you’re looking for an idyllic beach getaway where you can truly escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Phi Phi Island is worth visiting. Have you been thinking about taking a trip to Phi Phi Island? How long do you think would be the ideal time to spend there? Let us know in the comments below!
