How Many Days Do You Need to Explore Phi Phi Island?
A perfect itinerary for the Phi Phi Islands is needed for you to spend your vacation optimized. These clusters of some inhabited islands located in the Andaman Sea in Southern Thailand are some of the best. But, how many days do you need to explore these majestic islands fully? Ideally, five days can already be enough for you to maximize your stay here.
These islands might only be reachable through a long tail boat, but the location makes excellent vantage points as you explore the rest of Thailand. You can edit the Koh Phi islands itinerary as you go along and give more than five days in Phi Phi.
You don’t need to worry because you can still have fun. Plenty of activities can keep you busy. So, this ultimate five-day Koh Phi Phi itinerary helps you explore the best these islands offer.
Exploring the Phi Phi Islands: How Many Days?
Koh Phi Phi consists of six islands, and although you can explore these islands in three days, five days is genuinely the ideal period to allot and enjoy the Phi Phi islands.
These five days let you enjoy all of Phi Phi’s top tourist attractions like the limestone islands, mystical caves, and turquoise bays surrounding the islands, even squeezing in a lot still in if you only have a few days on Phi Phi island.
Consider destinations like the Bamboo Island, the Viking Cave, Monkey Bay, Thai Hua Museum, Rassada Pier, and Tonsai Pier. Experience private speed boat tour, rock climbing, beach bars like a slinky bar or a reggae bar, an underwater world and scuba diving, a national park with wild animals, a long walk at the best beaches, and fire shows and loud music. Pretty cool, right?
First Day – Koh Phi Phi Don
Once you arrive, catch your breath first. The first stop is the looming limestone cliffs that welcome Phi Phi’s visitors to its arms, all still taken aback with shock and, of course, awe and admiration.
There are atmospheric guesthouses and hostels in the centre of Tonsai Bay. Wander off the ferry and bag an overnight stay when you enjoy being in the middle of all the action. However, for more privacy and unspoiled views, visit Long Beach in the east for beautiful beaches and private luxury resorts.
You’ll have no shortage of bustling local restaurants and classy western eateries you can sit down to, savouring a Pad Thai or freshly-served ‘catch of the day’s meal. Head towards the island’s northern side, where Loh Dalum Bay awaits you with the best sunset views over the bay.
Second Day – Phi Leh Lagoon and the Viking Caves
One thing to remember is to always book boat tours for the next few days. Find yourself a lot of boat tour packages and even local fishers willing to take you out for cheap snorkelling tours. Start your Day 2 in Koh Phi Phi by visiting these dive sites.
First is Phi Leh Lagoon, or Phi Ley Cove, a tropical paradise with the encircling tall limestone cliff best known for its sunbathing, swimming, and snorkelling opportunities. Its deep waters offer undisturbed visibility in good conditions, allowing you to snorkel with astonishing marine wildlife.
After sunbathing for a few hours and taking in the majestic scenery at Phi Ley, go next to the Viking Caves, a nearby must-see attraction you don’t want to miss. Although you can’t proceed inside these ancient caves, you can still observe its innards, where edible bird nests are harvested with the help of nearby boats. Finish with another snorkelling escapade as you watch the sun go down before going back to where you stay.
Third Day – Maya Bay
This Phi island can’t be missed from your Phi island itinerary, and visiting the infamous cove deserves a whole day. The dramatic peaks, pristine white sand beaches, and coin-shaped bay make this beautiful island one of the most famous in the world.
If the bay’s stunning natural beauty weren’t enough, its cinematic status would catch your attention. Maya Bay rose to world prominence when it was used as the location for Danny Boyle’s 2000 adventure drama “The Beach.” Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film is based on a book set in Koh Samui, but Phi Phi Le proved a better location to reimagine the Edenic paradise.
An increase in mass tourism to Phi island was attributed to the film, but the influx of tourists is widely believed to have damaged the environment of the small island. For this reason, Maya Bay has been closed for four years for rehab and to allow the natural ecosystems to replenish. In 2022, Maya Bay will finally open its shores to visitors, making venturing to Thailand’s most famous bay more exciting.
Book on to the Maya Bay Sleep Aboard experience and spend the night moored in the bay if you get the chance. This tour will have you enjoying a private dinner party on the beach, snorkelling with luminous plankton, and sleeping under the stars. The island life experience is rustic, reasonably priced, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Fourth Day – The Viewpoint and Monkey Beach
After two days at sea, it’s time to get your legs moving on dry land. For your Day 4 in Koh Phi Phi, start the morning with a hike to the viewpoint for stunning 360-views of the Phi Phi islands. You’ll have to get up at 5 am if you want to catch the sunrise, but it will be worth it.
The walk is only half an hour, but the steep steps and hilly climb will break a sweat. Three viewpoints in the same complex are accessible for a small entrance fee of 30 THB, less than $1. If you’re skipping the sunrise, go when the sun is low and the high tide.
After you’ve recovered from your hike, head to Tonsai bay and hire a kayak for less than $5. Head out to explore Phi Phi Don’s caves without a tour guide, and even stop on Monkey Beach. True to its name, you’ll find dozens of monkeys clinging to the cliffs. The animals are friendly if unprovoked and will even climb on tourists. But keep your belongings hidden away because they’re known to steal anything they can get their hands on.
Finish the afternoon at a pool party at Ibiza House or lounging by the beachfront infinity pool at PP Princess hotel. There’s a lot of nightlife to explore on Phi Phi island, mainly concentrated on Loh Dalum Beach, lined with beach clubs. A night out on Koh Phi Phi won’t disappoint if partying is your thing.
Last Day – Phuket
Day five has finally come. It’s time to start packing and leave Koh Phi Phi. But it doesn’t have to be the end of your Koh Phi Phi itinerary. Once you’ve wiped away your tears, you’ll have to find your way to the mainland to head home or continue your travels.
Phuket is just 46 km from Koh Phi Phi, and the ferry takes 2-hours. Your connecting flights or onward travel will likely be from the island, so why not make a day of it? Visit Phuket City; all the tourists should do.
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