Is it better to visit Koh Phi Phi or Koh Tao?

Koh Tao and Koh Phi Phi are two small but popular islands in South Thailand. They are known for their stunning natural landscape and beautiful beaches with crystal clear water and white fine sand.

Koh Phi Phi is famous for its iconic Maya Bay and the vibrant nightlife scene. Koh Tao is a famous snorkeling and diving destination in the world.

In this article, I will compare Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao, based on their location, size, beaches, accommodations, nightlife, shopping, food, hiking and viewpoints.

I have traveled to both islands and many other islands of Thailand, so I can help you to find which one is better to visit from my first-hand experiences.

Which island is better to visit, Koh Phi Phi or Koh Tao?

I would recommend visiting Koh Phi Phi if you want to visit picture-perfect scenery with limestone cliffs and iconic beaches such as Maya Bay. Koh Phi also has a lively nightlife scene, making it a better place to visit for those who want a party.

Laem tong Beach Koh Phi Phi — Laem Tong Beach Koh Phi Phi

I would recommend visiting Koh Tao if you want a laid-beach island and you prioritize snorkeling and diving. This is one of the best destinations in the world to get affordable diving courses and certificates.

The location is also an importation factor when choosing between these two islands. Koh Tao is located in the Gulf of Thailand, which is convenient if you want to explore this sea or already in the nearby islands such as Koh Phangan or Koh Samui.

Koh Phi Phi is located in the Andaman Sea, making it more convenient to visit if you’re already in the region or looking to explore it. There are direct boats from Koh Phi Phi to Phuket, Ao Nang/ Krabi, Koh Lanta, and Koh Lipe.

I enjoyed my stay at both Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao. I walked around Koh Phi Phi and rented a scooter to explore Koh Tao, so I know most parts of these islands.

My favorite thing to do on Koh Phi Phi is walking and hiking around the island. I enjoyed and felt proud to have visited the remote beaches on foot as most people will get to these places by long tail boats.

I like the coastal trail at low tide from Tonsai Village to Loh Lana, Nui Beach, Laem Tong, and Loh Ba Kao Bay. The challenge trail to viewpoints 1,2,3 and to Phak Nam Bay are also interesting.

Apart from the hiking trails, Koh Phi Phi has stunning beaches with crystal clear water, fine white sand, and breathtaking views of the limestone cliffs. Maya Bay, Nui Bay, Laem Tong, Loh Dalum, and Long Beach are some of the best beaches on the island.

In addition to the natural beauty, Koh Phi Phi also has a vibrant nightlife scene and great backpacker party vibe. Tonsai Village and Loh Dalum Beach are packed with bars, and beach clubs. Don’t worry, if you’re not into parties (like me), you can still find plenty of secluded beaches to relax.

My favorite things to do in Koh Tao is riding a scooter around the island, visiting beaches and viewpoints. There are also some good hikes along the way such as the hike to John-Suwan Viewpoint or the easy coastal hike from Chalok baan kao bay to Tao Thong Beach.

The beaches on Koh Tao are highlights of the island. They often have crystal clear water surrounded with big rocks and are ideal for snorkeling and diving.

The inland area of Koh Tao has plenty of viewpoints, breathtaking views, and a thrilling drive up to the top. If you are an experienced driver, you can drive all the way to Summit Viewpoint, Grape Viewpoint, or Mango Bay.

If you have time, you can visit both islands like I did. I started by visiting the Gulf of Thailand, exploring Ko Tao, Ko Phangan, and Ko Samui. Then, I headed to Surat Thani, Ao Nang/ Krabi, and finally the Andaman Sea, where I visited Ko Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Phuket.

Best hotels to stay in Koh Phi Phi:

Luxury: SAii Phi Phi Island Village
Mid-range: Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort
Budget: Phi Phi Villa Resort

My recommended hotels in Koh Tao:

Mid-range: Koh Tao Heights Pool Villas
Budget: Sensi Paradise Beach Resort

Location & How to Get There

Both Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao are located in South Thailand. Koh Tao is located in the Gulf of Thailand, close to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Koh Phi Phi is located in the Andaman Sea, half way between Phuket and Krabi.

There are no direct boat or air connections between these two islands. To travel between them, you need to transit at Surat Thani, Phuket, and Krabi. You can use the combination of boats and buses, or boats, buses, and airplanes.

There are no airports on either Koh Phi Phi or Koh Tao. The only way to reach these islands is by boat. The closest airports to Koh Tao are Koh Samui, Chumphon, or Surat Thani. The closest airport to Koh Phi Phi is Phuket and Krabi.

From these airports, you can take additional road transport to the corresponding pier, then transfer to speed boats to get to Koh Tao and Koh Phi Phi.

You can get boats from Chumphon Pier, Donsak Pier (Surat Thani), Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan to Koh Tao. To get to Koh Phi Phi, you can get boats from Phuket, Ao Nang/ Railay, Koh Lanta, or Koh Lipe.

Size

Both islands are small islands of Thailand. They have similar size, around 7km long and 3km wide. It’s possible to get around these islands on foot, especially if you like hiking or are active travelers.

Koh Phi Phi islands comprises two main islands, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh. Phi Phi Don is where tourist facilities and accommodation are located. Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited island that is home to the iconic Maya Bay.

Both islands have mountainous terrain, so there are lots of beautiful hiking trails and viewpoints. The main beaches of Koh Tao are located on the central west coast of the island, while the main beaches of Koh Phi Phi are located on the southern part of the island.

Beaches

Both Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao have crystal clear beaches and white sand. The beaches on Koh Phi Phi have stunning views of the limestone cliffs and the beaches on Koh Tao are often surrounded by big rocks.

Many beaches on these islands have a remote atmosphere and can only be accessible by long tail boats. While there are often roads leading to these spots, they usually involve long hikes or challenging drives.

On both islands, you can swim, sunbathe, watch the sunset, and enjoy other water activities such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and SUP boarding.

On the main beaches of each island, you can enjoy the lively nightlife scene with tables and chairs set out on the sand from sun set time, which are perfect for romantic meals and enjoying drinks.

The main beaches in Koh Phi Phi are Loh Dalum and Tonsai Beach. Tonsai Beach is home to the island’s main pier and is often packed with long tail boats and speed boats.

Loh Dalum Beach is situated on the opposite side of Tonsai Beach, just across from the main village. This beach is home to many big beach clubs and is often packed with people since the sun goes down late at night. You can watch fireshow on the beach.

Long Beach is the second most popular beach on Phi Phi after Loh Dalum and Tonsai Beach. It’s located just 15 minutes walk from the main village, offering a quieter atmosphere but still within easy reach to the nightlife. It’s near Blacktip Reef Shark Point, which is a popular snorkeling spot on Phi Phi island.

For those who want a bit more secluded atmosphere, you must check out the beaches on the northern part of Phi Phi island. These beaches are often accessible by long tail boats from the main village. I recommend visiting Nui Bay, Laem Tong, and Loh Ba Kao Beach.

The main beaches on Koh Tao are Sairee Beach and Mae Haad Beach. Mae Haad is home to the island’s main pier. Both beaches are popular spots for swimming, watching the sunset, and enjoying romantic meals on the sand. You can catch long tail boats from here to nearby Koh Nang Yuan island.

The beaches on the south of Koh Tao have a bit quieter atmosphere compared to the main beaches. Here, you can find Chalok baan kao bay, Shark bay, and Freedom Beach. The John-Suwan Viewpoint near Freedom beach offers stunning views of the Chalok baan kao and Shark Bay.

The beaches on the west and east coast of Koh Tao are a little bit more different to access due to its winding steep roads. But, there are also many long tail boat tours to these places such as Mango Bay, Ao Hin Wong, and Tanote Bay. They are all great spots for snorkeling and diving.

Accommodations

Both Koh Phi and Koh Tao have a wide range of accommodations for all preferences. They have good selections of budget hostels and mid-range resorts.

If you are traveling on a budget, you can find hotels and guest houses in Tonsai Village of Koh Phi Phi or in Mae Haad and Sairee Beach of Koh Tao.

Mid-range and luxury resorts are located along the beachfront. In Koh Phi Phi, you can find these accommodations at Long Beach, Tonsai Beach, Laem Tong, and Loh Ba Kao Beach. On Koh Tao, they are located along Sairee Beach, Chalok Baan Kao, or Tanote Bay.

Many accommodations on both islands are located high on the hill. While it offers stunning views, it often requires walking up and down to the room, which is not mobility-friendly. Many of the resorts are only accessible by boats, especially in Koh Phi Phi.

Both islands are very popular in the high season, from November to May, so make sure to book your accommodation well in advance no matter where you choose to stay.

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Nightlife

Koh Tao has laid-back nightlife and Koh Phi Phi has a lively nightlife scene. If you want a party, Koh Phi Phi is a better place to visit.

The nightlife hub of Koh Phi Phi is Tonsai Village, Ton Sai Beach, and Loh Dalum Beach. There are plenty of bars along the little narrow streets in Tonsai Village and big beach clubs with fire shows and loud music along the beachfront of Loh Dalum.

Outside of the main area of Koh Phi Phi, the nightlife is pretty quiet. If you want to stay away from the crowds and party scene, you can head to Long Beach, Laem Tong, and Loh Ba Kao Beach.

The nightlife hub of Koh Tao is at Mae Haad and Sairee beach. These places are lively from late afternoon when people start gathering to watch the sunset. There are many tables and chairs on the sand from beachfront restaurants and bars for a romantic dinner.

There are also many bars and restaurants along the beach road of Sairee Beach. Additionally, you can find more affordable options inside Sairee village and Mae Haad village. The nightlife in Koh Tao is generally much quieter than Koh Phi Phi.

Shopping

There are no big shopping malls on either Koh Phi Phi or Koh Tao, but you can find some typical Thai souvenirs, beach wear, and beach accessories on both islands.

The shops in Koh Phi Phi are concentrated in Tonsai Village. There are 7-Eleven and a wide range of small family-run shops on the narrow lanes of the village. There are also several shops in the village of Loh Ba kao in the northern part of the island.

Most shops in Koh Tao are located in Mae Haad and Sairee Beach area. These are many small shops selling snorkeling and diving gear as well as normal Thai souvenirs like sarong, clothing, and jewelry.

Food

Both islands have a great selection of local Thai food and fresh seafood. There are restaurants scattered around the island, mostly located in Tonsai on Koh Phi Phi and in Sairee and Mae Haad on Koh Tao.

There are no big night markets on these islands. You can find a small night market with several street food stalls in front of 7-Eleven at Sairee Beach. Koh Phi Phi also has a small night market area at Tonsai Village.

Koh Phi Phi has some fast food restaurants such as Mc Donald’s and Burger King. They are located right at the main pier of the island. There are no big fast food chains in Koh Tao.

Viewpoints and Hiking

Both islands have hilly terrain, so they are great destinations for hiking and checking the stunning viewpoints. Both islands are also very compact, so it’s possible to explore them on foot.

They both have beautiful coastal trails, and challenging trails inland to the top of the mountain. There are also not many road traffic on either island, which are perfect for enjoying the walk around the island.

The most famous viewpoint in Koh Tao is the John-Suwan Viewpoint, at the southern tip of the island. You can hike for 20 minutes to the top for the breathtaking views of Chalok Baan Kao and Shark Bay Beach. After visiting the viewpoint, you can walk down to Freedom Beach nearby.

There are also dozens of viewpoints scattered around Koh Tao. Many viewpoints are located high on the mountain and are difficult to get to by scooters such as Summit Viewpoint or Grape Viewpoint. If you can’t drive, you can always hike up to these places.

The iconic viewpoints of Koh Phi Phi are the Phi Phi Viewpoint 1,2, and 3. They offer stunning views of Tonsai Village, Tonsai Beach, and Loh Dalum Beach. You need to hike for 20 minutes over the steep stairs to reach the viewpoint from the main village.

These viewpoints are popular and packed with crowds during sunset and sunrise. Most viewpoints on Koh Tao and Koh Phi Phi have an entry fee. They range from 50-100 baht.

Island Hopping

From Koh Phi Phi, you can easily book a private long tail boat or group out to Koh Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo island, or Mosquito island. Koh Phi Phi Leh is the most popular island hopping tour from Koh Phi Phi Don. It’s home to the iconic Maya Bay, Pi Leh Bay, and Viking Cave.

Koh Phi Phi is also a great base to explore the other islands of Andanman Sea. There are many boats connecting Phi Phi islands with Phuket, Koh Lanta, Ao Nang, Railay, or James Bond island.

From Koh Tao, you can rent a long tail boat or take boat tours to the nearby Koh Nang Yuan for more crystal clear beaches. These places are ideal for snorkeling and diving. Additionally, Koh Tao is also very close to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.

Snorkeling and diving

Both islands have crystal clear beaches which are ideal for snorkeling and diving. Koh Tao is a more famous destination for snorkeling and diving. It is one of the best destinations in the world to go for an affordable snorkeling and diving course and to get a PADI certificate.

Getting Around

Both islands are relatively small and possible to explore on foot. I explored the whole Phi Phi Don island on foot and rented a scooter to explore Koh Tao.

Koh Phi Phi is mostly a pedestrian island with limited vehicles. There are some scooters belonging to local people and several songthaews belonging to the resorts. These vehicles are only seen at the northern part of the island, and the Tonsai Village is a pedestrian-only zone of the island.

I was able to get a motorbike taxi from Laem Tong Beach to Lo Ba Kao Bay, and a local offered me a scooter taxi ride from her shop near Water park – PP Mountain Beach Resort to Long Beach.

There are hiking trails connecting most parts of Koh Phi Phi, so if you like walking, you can easily walk around the island. Otherwise, there are plenty of long tail boats that take you to remote beaches in the north such as Nui Bay, Loh Lana, Laem Tong, or Lo Bakao Beach.

The boat ride is often too expensive for solo travelers like me, so I walked around the island. At low tide, I can walk along the coast from the main village, to Loh Lana, Nui Bay, Laem Tong, and Loh Ba Kao Beach.

There are also steep trails connecting Tonsai village with these beaches in the north via Phi Phi Viewpoint 1,2,3. The hike to the remote Phak Nam Bay is also very interesting.

To get to Maya Bay and Koh Phi Phi Leh island, you will need to rent a private long tail boat or take a group tour with other people. The private boat is around 2000-3000 baht which is a great option for those traveling with a group.

I rented a scooter in Koh Tao for 250 baht a day. The island has very hilly terrain with lots of winding steep roads, so make sure you rent a good scooter and you have experience driving in similar road conditions.

Make sure to read reviews of the rental shops before renting one, and never give them the original passport. Most shops require a deposit of 3000-5000 baht and a copy of the passport.

If you don’t drive, there are plenty of tours that take you around the island visiting major sights such as John-Suwan Viewpoint, Mango Bay, Tanote Bay, Ao Hin Wong, or Koh Nang Yuan. You can also rent a private long tail boat at main beaches like Mae Haad or Haad Rin for beach and island hopping.