I recently visited Phi Phi Island for two days. I’ve been told many times that Phi Phi Island is a must-see place if you’re in Phuket. Phi Phi is full of markets, bars, and beautiful beaches. I had the time of my life there, but two days weren’t enough to explore everything and take in all that Phi Phi has to offer. That got me thinking, how many days do you need on Phi Phi to enjoy everything there is?
Phi Phi island is 9.73 square kilometers. It will take you, on average, three days to see and explore the whole island.
Many travelers have the misconception that Phi Phi island (Ko Phi Phi Don) is a filthy party island for young backpackers; thus, many tourists only make a day trip to Phi Phi from mainland Thailand. In reality, Phi Phi is known for its beautiful scenery and markets that are all within walking distance of each other. What is there to do in Phi Phi, and why do you need Three to Four days on the island?
What is there to do on Phi Phi island?
Phi Phi island is the largest island in the Ko Phi Phi archipelago, with an average of 1.1 million visitors annually.
What to do on Phi Phi island:
- Markets
- Beach bars
- Restaurants
- Maya Bay
- Rock climbing
- Diving
- Booze Cruise
- Viking Cave
- Shark watching
It is nearly impossible to do them all in 3 days; even if you don’t want to do all of the activities, even seeing everything on the island alone will take you one day. There are over a hundred markets on Phi Phi island. All are within walking distance, but it is no easy task to walk the whole day to see everything.
Maya Bay:
Phi Phi island only has one beach, namely, Maya Bay. Maya bay is easily recognizable with its pearl white sand and the water that is so clear you can see your own feet through it. In addition, Maya Bay has become increasingly popular because of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie “the beach” that was filmed on Maya Bay. Being the only beach on the island, it is w=always very buys, but definitely, a must-see location if you are on Phi Phi.
Viking Cave:
The Viking cave is one of the most popular tourist destinations, located at the bottom of a tall limestone cliff 30 minutes out of Phi Phi islands’ main pier. The Viking cave is a beautiful lens through which you can see back in time; the cave was named because of the paintings found on one of the cave walls that display all kinds of boats. One of the boats resembling that of a Viking Drakka. The most popular explanation is that this cave was used as shelter during storms.
Beach bar:
There are various beach bars to visit where you can relax, have a drink or enjoy some good company. One of my favorite beach bars is the Sunflower bar and restaurant. It is located right on the beach with hammocks and mats to sit on the beach. At night time, all bars light up, and the proper ambiance comes out. These bars are one of the reasons Phi Phi island is so famous.
How to use your time on Phi Phi Island?
The first day will be your day of arrival on the island. Locating and booking into your hotel shouldn’t take too long. After you’ve booked in, you can use the first day to walk around the markets, check out the beach bars and decide where you want to eat, and spend your first night on the island. A good idea would be to ask your hotel staff members what activities you can book for the following days, such as diving, visiting the Viking cave, and anything else that piques your interest.
The second day on Phi Phi should be reserved for the activities you have booked. Most activities don’t take more than 3 hours of your time, so if you start your day early, you will be able to do everything you want to without feeling rushed. The most frequently chosen activities are scuba diving, boat trips, and visiting the Viking cave.
On the third day, you can explore the islands’ famous landmarks. Walking up to one of the three viewpoints on the island is also an option for people who appreciate beautiful scenery. The best viewpoint to visit would be the third viewpoint, this is because the third viewpoint isn’t as crowded as the first two viewpoints.
Your fourth and final day can be used to relax at the beach bars, go swimming in the sea, walk around, and take some pictures to add to your collection of Thailand memories.
Choose a night where you are not too tired and take the time to explore the nightlife that Phi Phi has to offer; the bright neon lights, singing, and dancing is something that shoudn’t be missed.
Conclusion
Phi Phi island has a certain allure to it. From the pearl white sands, crystal clear waters, and all the sightseeing and activities to explore. After about four days on the island, it becomes a bit boring, having seen and experience everything, there is nothing left to do, that’s why many tourists don’t stay on the island for long, and some just take a day trip to Phi Phi.
To make the best of your time in Phi Phi, I suggest reading reviews about activities, hotels, and locations to make sure you are prepared. Also, booking hotels and activities in advance is a great way to plan your days on the island. There is nothing worse than arriving on the island planning to do certain things and finding out they are fully booked.
There is a reason why Phi Phi island is high on any travelers list. It is beautiful in every way and a must-see for anyone. I definitely plan on going back, but this time I will know exactly how long to stay and what to expect.