Koh Phi Phi is one of the most beautiful islands in south Thailand. In this article, I will share with you the itinerary for how to spend 2-3 days in Koh Phi Phi and how many days in Koh Phi Phi is enough.
Located in the Andaman Sea, Koh Phi Phi is home to popular islands, Koh Phi Phi Don, and Koh Phi Phi Leh. Phi Phi Don is home to all of the hotels, restaurants, and nightlife, while Phi Phi Leh is home to the picturesque Maya Bay, famously known from the movie ‘The Beach’.
How Many Days in Koh Phi Phi is enough?
In my opinion, 2 to 3 days is a good amount of time in Koh Phi Phi to explore the beaches, hiking trails, viewpoints and enjoy the nightlife. I had 2 nights on the island and was able to explore most attractions on both Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh.
If you are short on time, a day trip from Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Lanta is generally enough to see important attractions such as Maya Bay, Pi Leh Bay, and nearby Bamboo Island. During this day trip, you can enjoy swimming, and snorkeling.
Here are my recommendations on things to do on Koh Phi Phi and how long to spend for each of these activities:
#1. Koh Phi Phi Don. This main island of Koh Phi Phi is known for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and viewpoints. I recommend spending at least 2 days on Koh Phi Phi Don if you want to see all attractions on foot.
Top beaches on Koh Phi Phi Don are Loh Dalum Beach, Tonsai Beach, Long Beach, Nui Beach, Laem Tong Beach, and Loh Ba Kao Bay Beach.
Loh Dalum Beach, Tonsai Beach, Long Beach are easily accessible from the main town, while other beaches are accessible by long tail boats or long hikes. During low tide, you can walk all the way from the main town, to Nui Beach, Laem Tong, and Loh Ba Kao Bay.
The viewpoints 1,2,3 are easily accessible from the main town. You can spend a couple of hours at the viewpoints, especially at sunrise and sunset.
#2. Koh Phi Phi Leh. You can easily explore this island within 3-4 hours. You can join a group tour or rent a private long tail boat. You rent a private boat for 4 hours and it costs me 2000 baht. This tour will usually take you to Viking Cave, Pileh Bay, Maya Bay, and Monkey Beach.
See more: 24 Amazing Things to Do in Koh Phi Phi
Getting to Koh Phi Phi:
Koh Phi Phi is easily accessible by ferries and speed boats from nearby islands and towns such as Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta. It is around 1-2 hours from Phuket or Krabi.
Most speed boats arrive at Tonsai Pier in Phi Phi Don. If you take a day tour, the tour agency will handle all transportation options and sightseeing fees.
Getting around Koh Phi Phi:
If you’re an adventure traveler, like me, you can explore most parts of Koh Phi Phi Don on foot. If you want to relax, you can use long tail boats to get around. There are also many tours that will take you to all beaches and attractions of both Phi Phi Don and Leh.
Most visitors are not allowed to drive cars or motorbikes in Koh Phi Phi Don. I saw lots of locals driving motorbikes in Laem Tong, Loh Ba Kao Bay, and the Long Beach area.
I used tuk tuk to get from Laem Tong to Loh Ba Kao Bay, and a local also offered me a taxi motorbike ride when I tried to get to Long Beach from their mini mart.
See more: How to get to Koh Phi Phi & Get Around
Best months to visit Koh Phi Phi:
The best time to visit Koh Phi Phi is in the dry season from November to April. This time there is little to no rain and the beach is usually calm. This is also the peak season, so it is more crowded and expensive than the rainy season.
Rainy season in Phi Phi islands is from May to December. This season is a great time to avoid crowds and find some good value for money accommodations.
I visited Koh Phi Phi mid January and the weather was perfect for swimming and trekking.
Accommodations in Koh Phi Phi:
Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island in Koh Phi Phi. I recommend staying near Tonsai village and Loh Dalum Beach if you want easy access to the nightlife and a variety of tourist amenities such as restaurants, bars, shops, tours, and boats.
If you want a quieter atmosphere, you can book your accommodation in the northern part of Koh Phi Phi Don. There is much choice in terms of nightlife and restaurants in this part of the island though, ideal for those who want a secluded beach holiday. See more Where to stay in Koh Phi Phi.
Here my brief of my itinerary for 2-3 days on Koh Phi Phi:
How to Spend 2-3 Days in Koh Phi Phi Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, North Phi Phi Don and viewpoints 4,3,2,1 at sunset
In my first day in Koh Phi Phi, I will do the walking/ hiking loop from TonSai Village -> Loh Lana Bay -> Nui Beach -> Laem Tong -> Loh Ba Kao Bay -> Viewpoint 3 -> Viewpoint 2 -> Viewpoint 1 -> TonSai.
Arrival
I came to Koh Phi Phi from Koh Lanta. The speed boat departed from Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta at 9am and arrived at Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi at 9.50am. After getting the boat, you’ll need to pay a 20 baht fee for environmental management of Koh Phi Phi.
Tonsai Pier
TonSai Pier is a very busy pier packed with tourists and locals, especially during the high season. The pier is lined with boat operators’ offices and travel agencies. Fast food chains such as Mc Donald and Burger King are also located at the piers. Mc Donald is a popular meeting point for most tours.
From the pier, I walked to my hotel because it is located right in TonSai Village. If you stay in other locations on Koh Phi Phi Don, you can book a boat taxi or arrange transport with your hotels/resorts.
Lunch in Tonsai Village
After checking in the hostel, I walked around Tonsai and had lunch at Pad Thai Ja Aed Plaza PhiPhi in the food market. This food market has a cluster of restaurants and stalls serving Thai street food.
I ordered shrimp fried rice. They served a very big portion and the food was yummy. The price is similar with other shops in the same area.
It was around 11 am and the sea was still at low tide, so I decided to visit beaches on the north coast of Koh Phi Phi on foot by walking along the coastline and the jungle. If the tide is high, you can visit these beaches by hiking up to the steep stairs of Viewpoints 1,2,3 then the beaches.
Loh Lana Bay
Loh Lana Bay is a beautiful quiet beach located on the north coast of Phi Phi island. It is easily accessible by long tail boats from tha main village, Tonsai and Loh Dalum, within a 30 minute ride. I like walking and it was low tide, so I reached this beach from Tonsai on foot. It took roughly an hour to do this route.
From Tonsai, I walked to Phi Phi Sunset Bay Resort, then followed a sign near the hotel that says “walk on the rocks along the beach to go to Loh Lana”. At the end of the mountain, I walked into the jungle path with the sign that said “Loh Lana”.
It was around 20 minutes walk in the jungle, then reaching a pond. There was a sign at this point showing directions to Tonsai, Loh Lana Bay, Nui Beach, and Viewpoints. I turned left and reached Loh Lana Bay within another 20 minutes.
You can see more detail of all walking paths on Phi Phi on this article: How to Walk Around Koh Phi Phi Don
This beach is home to a huge abandoned resort complex. There are no facilities on the beach, just a long tail boat and taxi boat area where you can book boats to other parts of the island. You can rent a kayak on the beach and find a restaurant and convenient store on the road to the beach.
Nui Beach
Nui Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phi Phi. It has crystal blue water, white fine sand, and is surrounded by stunning limestone mountains. It is an ideal place to swim, sunbathe, and kayak. There aren’t any shade at the beach and no beach facilities.
Nui Beach is only a 10-15 minute longtail boat ride from TonSai village, and a few minute boat ride from Loh Lana Bay. You can even kayak from Loh Lana Bay to Nui Beach, which is around an hour.
At low tide, you can easily walk on the far left of the Loh Lana Bay to reach the local fishing village, then climb the mountain to Nui Bay. It took me around 20 minutes to do this.
I walked back to Loh Lana from Nui Beach. The tide was getting higher. I tried to ask a local at the fishing village for the boat to Loh Lana, but he didn’t understand English and pointed to the walking direction along the beach. I continued walking, my shorts all got wet and there were lots of big sharp rocks under the water.
Laem Tong Beach
Laem Tong Beach is a very long beach located in the northern end of Phi Phi island. It is a 45 minute long tail boat ride from Phi Phi’s main village, Tonsai. I accessed this beach by walking from Loh Lana Bay.
It took me around a 1 hour walk with many rest along the way at the viewpoints. If you walk straight, it will take around 30 minutes. The road is paved and flat, easy to walk. At some parts along the road, you can have a nice view of Loh Ba Kao Bay.
Laem Tong Beach is lined with several high-end resorts, offering a luxury retreat in the beautiful quiet beach. The price to eat at restaurants and beach bars are more expensive than in the main village.
Phi Phi North End (Cape Laem Thong)
If you like more adventure and hiking, you can head to Phi Phi North End (Cape Laem Thong). It is around 15 minute hike from the beach at Phi Phi Natural resort to the North End Point through the jungle.
Loh Ba Kao Bay
It was easy to follow the road from Laem Tong Beach to Loh Ba Kao (around 30-40 minutes), but I was a bit tired, so I took the motorbike taxi near Phi Phi Holiday Resort. It was a 10 minute ride to the Mangrove Suspension Bridge and it cost 100 baht.
From the bridge, I walked through Loh Ba Kao village to the beach. The village is packed with restaurants, bars, cafes, and convenient stores, but It’s quieter than in Tonsai.
Loh Ba Kao Beach is home to SAii Phi Phi Island Village Resort. I think it is the only resort on this beach. The beach is long and quieter than the beaches in the main village. Ideal for relaxing.
From the Loh Ba Kao Beach you can walk back to the village, then to the pond (the intersection to northern beaches, Tonsai Beach, and the viewpoints). You can put Viewpoint 3 directly on Google Map for navigation. From the pond, it is around 60 minutes to the viewpoints 3,2,1.
I walked to the end of Loh Ba Kao Bay toward Villa 360. It was low tide, so I walked past the beach to the concrete road and hiked up to Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 4,3,2,1. I don’t recommend this route, after hiking on the long steep ascent road, I saw no trespassing warning.
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 4
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 4 is a less popular viewpoint and does not have the sign to it. It can walk to big rocks and have beautiful views of Phak Nam Bay.
You can use the GPS to find the branding trail from the main trail near the area near Phak Nam Bay. Here the location of viewpoint 4 on Google map.
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 3
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 3 is a 10-15 minute walk from viewpoint 4. It is less popular than viewpoints 1 and 2, making it a quiet place to watch the sunset. It has similar views to viewpoints 1 & 2, stunning views of Tonsai Beach and Loh Dalum Beach.
The entrance is 20 baht. There is an onsite shop where you can buy snacks and drinks. You can use the toilet for another 10 baht, but it was not so clean.
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 2
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 2 is around 10 minute hike down from viewpoint 3. This viewpoint is very popular and busy, especially at sunset. It has beautiful views of Phi Phi main Beaches, mountains, and Tonsai village.
The entrance fee is 50 baht for both viewpoints 1 & 2. Viewpoint 2 is bigger than 3, and it has a nice two-floor cafe with beautiful views.
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 1
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint 1 is a 5 minute hike down from Viewpoint 2. Located at a lower area than viewpoint 2, and 3, viewpoint 1 has closer views to the beaches and village.
I reached this viewpoint after sunset, when the light was lit up. Beautiful place to take photos, similar to viewpoint 2, it was crowded.
It took me around 20 minutes to get down to Tonsai village, from viewpoint 1 through the steep stairs. I think getting down is easier than going up. I also hiked up to this viewpoint from Tonsai in the morning, and it was hard to climb up via stair.
Tonsai Village & Loh Dalum Beach
Tonsai Village is a bustling area for nightlife, packed with restaurants, bars, and shops open until early morning. You can enjoy partying in town center or head down to Loh Dalum Beach for more socializing and watch fire shows.
Day 2: Viewpoints 1,2 at sunrise and south Phi Phi Don
On my 2nd day in Koh Phi Phi, I explored viewpoints 1 and 2 in the morning. Later, I checked several beaches such as Phak Nam Bay, Long Beach, Loh Moo Dee Beach, all on foot.
Phi Phi viewpoints 1 and 2 in the morning
I’ve already seen Phi Phi viewpoints the day before at sunset. I wanted to see it at sunrise but I couldn’t wake up early to do it. I made it to the viewpoints around 10am.
It took me around 15 minute ro climb the steep stair to reach viewpoint 1 with several rest along the way. It was very hot and sunny in the morning. I paid 50 baht at the entrance. Viewpoint 1 is less crowded in the morning and you can have more time taking photos.
The sign at viewpoint 1 that says direction to viewpoint 2. It took me around 5 minutes to reach viewpoints 2 from 1. It again was quiet with just a few people on the site. It’s just too hot around 11am.
Phak Nam Bay
Phak Nam Bay is around 40 minutes walk from Viewpoint 2. I firstI followed the direction to viewpoint 3, then along the way there was a sign that said “Phak Nam Bay” or “PP Relax Beach Resort”. I followed the sign and used Map.me to navigate.
This is a nice beach with lots of shade. There are bed chairs and tables from PP Relax resort, you can order drinks from their bar to use it. It is a great place for snorkeling and swimming.
Long Beach
Long Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phi Phi Don, located just a few minutes long by boat from the main village. It is lined with resorts and restaurants, ideal places to rest, swim, and snorkel.
I accessed Long Beach from Phak Nam Bay. I used Map.ne for navigation (Google Maps also works but I need to choose a walking route). It took me 45 minutes to walk between these two beaches, including time to rest at a minimart and a 5-minute on a scooter with a local.
Loh Moo Dee Beach
Loh Moo Dee Beach is located 15 minutes walk from Long Beach. It is quieter than Long Beach and a good place to relax. There is just one beach bar, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The beach had lots of debris at the time I visited. Some swimmers collected the rubbish.
Coastal Walk from Long Beach to Tonsai
This is a very nice coastal walk on Koh Phi Phi. The starting point of the trail is near Paradise Pearl Bungalows. Along the trail, you will have beautiful views of the ocean. I can stop at several beaches such as Viking Beach, Love Beach, and many swimming areas on TonSai Beach.
Book Boat ticket to Koh Phi Phi Leh
On the way back to my hostel, a boatman approached me and asked if I wanted to go to Koh Phi Phi Leh. I said yes and negotiated the price with him. We agreed 1700 baht for a few hour trips, starting from 5.30am. I wanted to avoid the crowd so I went early.
He will pick me up at McDonald’s at 5.30am. I gave him 300 baht as a deposit. There was no contract or signing, just a photo of him and me.
Sunset at Loh Dalum Beach
Loh Dalum Beach is a beautiful place to watch the sunset. The tide is also low at this time, so you can take a long walk toward the sea. The beach is lined with beach bars with loud music in the area around the IBIZA Pool Party. If you want quiet, walk further away from this cluster of beach bar area.
Day 3: Phi Phi Leh and boat to Koh Yao Yai
On my third day in Koh Phi Phi, I took a private long tail boat to Phi Phi Leh, visiting famous Maya Beach, and Pi Leh Bay. This tour also includes swimming and snorkeling, and a stop at Monkey Beach.
In the morning, I arrived at McDonald at 5.15 am waiting for my boatman. I waited until 6am but still didn’t see him coming. I called him with the number he gave me, but no one picked up the phone. I thought I was a scammer and he gave me the wrong number.
I asked the boatmans around but no one knew him. I didn’t want to wait for my time, and asked another boatman to take me there for 2000 baht.
Viking Cave
We left the pier at 6.30 and arrived at Viking Cave at 6.45am. The sea at sunrise was beautiful and peaceful. The boatman stopped here sometimes for me to take photos.
Pi Leh Bay
We arrived at Pi Leh Bay around 7am. It was a quiet time with just a few boats around. It was very peaceful, enjoying stunning views of the natural without the crowd.
Maya Bay
We arrive at the pier of Loh Samah Bay at 7.20am. I got off the boat, paid the national park fee (400 baht) and took a photo of my boat with its number and the boatman. This boat number is important to call the driver to come to pick you up when you come back to the pier.
From Loh Samah Bay’s pier, I walk along for around 5 minutes to reach Maya Bay. The bay is beautiful, peaceful, and fresh. There are already lots of people on the beach. I guess lots of visitors come here on the early morning tours.
You cannot swim here , just take photos, and enjoy the stunning natural landscape. The sand is white fine, the water is crystal blue, and the limestones are striking. I spent 40 minutes on Maya Beach.
I went back to the pier, and the boatman took me to the other side of the island, in Maya Bay. Lots of boat docks here for visitors swimming and snorkeling.
Monkey Beach
On the way back to Koh Phi Phi Don, the boatman stopped at Monkey beach to see the monkeys. He wanted to dock but I just asked him to leave. I saw lots of monkeys in Thailand and I’m sick of it already. We arrived at Tonsai pier at 9am and finished the 2.5 hour long tail boat to Maya Bay.
Find the boatman to get the refund
I was still not happy with what happened to me this morning, so I tried to remember the boat ticket stand where the boat man met me the day before. Lucky me, I took some pictures and found the place.
No one was there. I walked around and asked people if anyone knew him. I showed them the photo of me and him. Fortunately, someone knew him and pointed me to his boat. He returned my deposit back.
Boat to Koh Yao Yai
My trip to Koh Phi Phi is coming to an end today. I went to the pier asking for the ticket for the next boat to Koh Yao Yai. The next one at 11am was fully booked, there was an available spot at 13pm. I asked him to put me on at 11 am, and he told me that i’m the last person to get into the boat.
I went back to my hostel, checked out, got back to the pier, and headed to Koh Yao Yai. Goodbye Koh Phi Phi. It was a wonderful visit, giving me both happy and sad moments.
These are my recommendations for how to spend 2-3 days in Koh Phi Phi. I personally think that 2-3 days is generally enough to explore Phi Phi islands. Within this time frame, you can explore beaches, viewpoints, and nightlife in Phi Phi Don and take a day trip to Phi Phi Leh to see the Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon.