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Top 10 Things to Do in Phi Phi Island

By Chris QuanUpdated Apr. 22, 2021

The Phi Phi Islands are located between Phuket and the Straits of Malacca in Thailand's Andaman Sea.

Phi Phi is one of the top island holiday destinations in Thailand, and once you lock eyes on the crystal bright, turquoise waters that surround the island, you will understand why Phi Phi has fast become a must-visit destination for anyone visiting the Kingdom.

In this article, we are going to show you the top 10 things to do on your trip to The Phi Phi Islands.

1. Visit 'The Beach' at Maya Bay

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le was made famous as the shooting location for the film, The Beach, where a young Leonardo Dicaprio played a first-time traveller exploring the island.

The scenery in Maya bay is breathtaking, with giant limestone cliffs shooting out of the sea and surrounding the bay. The sand on the beach is powdery white and makes for the perfect place to relax and take in your surroundings.

The Maya Bay tour is one of the most popular day trips in all of Thailand, so we suggest taking a private tour and leaving as early as possible to avoid some of the crowds.

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2. Head-Up to Phi Phi Viewpoint

Koh Phi Phi Don's viewpoint is situated 186m above sea level, making it the perfect spot to see the whole of this magnificent island.

The climb is a relatively easy one. It's well-trodden and should take you around 20 to 30 minutes to get up to the top. The viewpoint is a photographer's dream; you will get some fantastic pictures, especially in the morning when the light is at its best.

There is a small shop selling snacks, cold drinks, and ice creams at the top of the viewpoint.

3. Relax on Moo Dee Bay

Moo Dee Bay is home to a powdery white, 500 meter stretch of sand that's well worth the journey if you like to get away from the crowds and switch off and relax.

The easiest way to get there is to Moo Dee is to hire a longtail boat by Tonsai jetty, which will set you back around 200 baht. If you're feeling adventurous, you can walk from Long Beach in around 40 minutes; 20 up and 20 down! You'll be well rewarded with some incredible views along the way.

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4. Hire A Long-Tailed Boat

One of the best activities on Phi Phi is to rent a traditional longtail boat with a driver. The cost is around 3000 baht, and you can comfortably fit up to 8 people on the boat.

You'll get the chance to visit places like Bamboo Island, Monkey Bay, Mosquito Island, and Maya Bay, with excellent snorkelling opportunities along the way.

The main advantage of taking a private boat is that you won't be tied down to a schedule like you would on an organised group tour, meaning that if you like a particular spot more than another, you can stay there as long as you want.

Taking a longtail boat tour at sunset makes the experience even more special.

5. Go Diving Around Phi Phi

For diving enthusiasts, the emerald waters around Phi Phi are a dream come true. The coral reef surrounding the island is home to a fantastic array of marine life.

Phi Phi is home to Clown Fish (Nemos), turtles, reef sharks, and so much more. A diving trip out to Shark Point is a must for any serious diver in Thailand.

Here you can see the native blacktip sharks in their natural habitat.Even if you aren't an experienced diver, there are several different levels of dives for you to choose from.

You can also do your PADI and SSI courses on Koh Phi Phi at one of the accredited local dive centers if you are looking to get into diving for the first time.

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6. Take a Snorkelling Trip to Hat Yao

If you aren't confident about going diving, then Snorkelling at Hat Yao is your next best option. When you are snorkelling around the warm emerald waters of Hat Yao, you might actually think you are diving.

Yes, the marine life in the area is that good! You will get the chance to see all the same fish as you would on a dive tour, maybe even a blacktip shark (don't worry, they're very friendly).

You can combine a snorkelling trip to Hat Yao on your private longtail boat tour. Professional snorkelling equipment, food, and refreshments are provided on the tours.

7. Do a Traditional Thai Cooking Class

Thai Cooking Classes are always a fun experience for travellers to Thailand. You get to learn so much about the local culture. You also get to eat some of the best food you will have on your whole trip, and you cook it yourself!

Pum Restaurant is the cooking class of choice on Koh Phi Phi. Pum concentrates on simple, uncomplicated dishes prepared with love.

The recipes you learn at Pum's are based on traditional Thai cuisine adapted for the modern world. They are quick, simple, and always delicious. They even have a 1.5-hour express class if you don't want to take up too much of your day in the kitchen.

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8. Go Rock Climbing

Perhaps the most well-known spot for rock climbing is Krabi, namely the Tonsai and Railay Beach areas. That's not to say that Phi Phi is any less spectacular.

With its tall limestone cliffs and stunning scenery, you would be hard pushed to find a better place in the whole of Thailand to go climbing.

We recommend joining a group climb through one of the professional dive centers on the island. Joining an organised climbing tour with qualified instructors will ensure that you have the safest experience possible. Full courses and half-day excursions are available.

9. Take a Shark Watching Tour

There are so many great snorkelling tours available from Koh Phi Phi Don, but none are as unique as a shark watching tour.

Don't worry; these aren't like the sharks out of the movie Jaws, there are no great whites in Thailand, you will only encounter the cute and friendly blacktip and leopard sharks.

The shark watching tours start very early, between 06:00 AM and 8:30 AM daily, and last around half a day.

A professional guide will join you and teach you about the shark's behaviour, how to swim with them, and will personally supervise you on your trip into the water. All snorkelling equipment and refreshments are provided on the tour.

10. Take a Kayak Around Koh Phi Phi

One of the most popular (and cheapest) activities on Koh Phi Phi is to go kayaking. Most of the resorts on the island are happy to organise a trip for you, and a kayak costs around 500 baht a day for a single person kayak and 700 Baht per day for a double.

You can also hire them for 200 baht an hour if you prefer to take a short trip. It's a great way to explore the island at your own pace, and you get the opportunity to get into all the little nooks and crannies like small caves that the boats can't get to.

Another popular activity to try on Phi Phi is paddleboarding. You can rent paddleboards from many of the island's hotels and shops on for around 150 baht per hour.

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