10 Things to Do in Koh Phi Phi: Costs, Boats & Tips

Featured image: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

10 Best Things to Do in Koh Phi Phi

Ten stops cover the island. Entries below note effort, time and who each suits. Prices come from operator-quoted figures and need a current check before you pay.

• 1. Climb to the Phi Phi Viewpoint
  • Walk up from Tonsai Village in the afternoon. Operators quote ฿50 for the first and second viewpoints and ฿20 more for the third.
  • Best for first-timers. The third viewpoint is said to be quieter.
• 2. Spend a beach afternoon at Long Beach
  • Allow a 30-minute walk along the west-coast trail from the main town. A longtail taxi is quoted at ฿100–150 per person, depending on the time of day.
  • Best for swimming and easy snorkeling. See our Koh Phi Phi beach guide for other sand.
• 3. Take the boat circuit to Phi Phi Leh
  • Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave sit on the Phi Phi Leh side and need a boat. Landing rules, visitor limits and fees change, so check the Thai national park authority first.
  • Best for anyone with one free day. Expect to book a half-day or full-day trip.
• 4. Snorkel the bays on a boat trip
  • Group and private trips stop at bays off Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. Bamboo Island is a common add-on.
  • Best for swimmers who want reef time without a dive course.
• 5. Kayak or paddleboard to Monkey Beach
  • Rent a kayak or SUP and paddle about 30 minutes to the west side of Phi Phi Don.
  • Best for active travelers. Keep food and bottles zipped away, because the monkeys target bags.
• 6. Paddle on to Nui Bay and Hin Poo Bay
  • Paddle on across the bay for roughly 45–60 minutes.
  • Best for confident paddlers with a free morning.
• 7. Dive or try a Discover Scuba session
  • Dive boats are quoted at two departures a day, and no prior experience is needed for an introductory dive. Compare dive shops for current rates and safety briefings.
  • Best for divers and first-time scuba trials.
• 8. Watch sunset and a fire show at Loh Dalum Bay
  • Arrive around 6 PM for drinks on the sand. Fire shows are said to start around 8 PM at beach bars.
  • Best for couples and groups. Our Phi Phi sunset guide has more viewing options.
• 9. Join a plankton night swim
  • Afternoon boat trips can combine sunset views with a night plankton swim. Visibility depends on weather and moon, so confirm with the operator.
  • Best for overnight guests who can return after dark.
• 10. Eat at the Thai market near the main pier
  • Stalls sell seafood, mango sticky rice and fruit. Prices are lower than at beachfront restaurants, based on operator descriptions.
  • Best for budget travelers. More options are in our Phi Phi food guide.

Pick by Traveler Type

Match your trip style to the stops above. Fees and durations come from operator claims, so confirm them locally.

Boat Tours Compared

Phi Phi Leh and the outer bays need a boat. Operators sell early-morning trips and afternoon trips with sunset. Pick the type by comfort and crowding, then browse Day Trips From Phi Phi: Islands, Mainland & Timing Tips for routes.

How to Spend 1, 2 or 3 Days

Overnight stays unlock the sunset, fire show and plankton swim. Day-trippers on a ferry of about 2 hours each way get limited island time. Pick the plan that matches your nights.

• Day 1: Arrive at Tonsai Pier, walk to Long Beach (30 minutes) and climb the viewpoint before sunset.
• Day 2: Take a boat trip to Phi Phi Leh and the bays, then catch the 6 PM sunset and 8 PM fire show at Loh Dalum.
• Day 3: Dive in the morning or paddle to Monkey Beach (about 30 minutes), then eat at the Thai market.

Costs, Tickets and Fees

Operators quote ฿50 for the first and second viewpoints and ฿20 for the third. A longtail taxi to Long Beach is quoted at ฿100–150 per person. Boat tours, dive trips and park fees have no sourced figure here, so check current operator and national park authority rates.

When to Go and Weather Backups

Evidence gap: no sourced sea-state or monsoon figures are available here, so check the Thai Meteorological Department before booking boats. Our Best Time to Visit Phi Phi: Seasons and Trade-Offs guide covers the seasons.

Getting There and Getting Around

Ferries run from Phuket's Rassada Pier or Krabi's Klong Jilad Pier and take about 2 hours. Speedboats cut that roughly in half. Compare timetables on our Phi Phi ferry page. Our guide to getting to Phi Phi covers other routes. Flight details are on Airports of Thailand. Once on the island, most stops are on foot or by longtail taxi, as covered in Getting Around Phi Phi: Walking, Boats & Costs.

Where to Stay

Staying overnight is the only way to catch the fire show, plankton swim and quiet beaches after day boats leave. Our Where to Stay in Phi Phi: 4 Best Areas Compared guide compares areas.

Mistakes to Avoid

A few errors cost time and money.

• Booking tours on arrival in peak season, when popular departures fill.
• Ignoring tides and weather before a Phi Phi Leh trip.
• Visiting Maya Bay at peak hour instead of early or late.
• Arriving with heavy luggage when you must walk from the pier.
• Feeding monkeys or leaving food in open bags at Monkey Beach.
• Skipping travel insurance for diving and boat activities.
• Doubting the trip at all: read Is Phi Phi Worth Visiting? Honest Verdict by Traveler Type first.