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Limestone Cliffs and Turquoise Andaman Bays

The Phi Phi Islands are a small archipelago in the Andaman Sea, in Krabi province, southern Thailand, famous for sheer limestone cliffs, turquoise bays and white-sand beaches. The group centres on Phi Phi Don, the largest island, and Phi Phi Leh, a smaller, uninhabited neighbour, and forms part of the Hat Noppharat Thara and Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. The shape of Phi Phi Don, two green headlands joined by a narrow sandy isthmus, is one of the best-known silhouettes in Thailand, and the view from the island's hilltop viewpoints is a defining image.

Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Leh, found global fame as the setting for the 2000 film The Beach, and is now being carefully managed after a period of rest that allowed its reef and sharks to recover. Nearby, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave reward a day on the water, while Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don is a favourite short stop. Phi Phi Don itself has no cars, so the main village of Ton Sai is explored on foot. Those who enjoy island life can compare it with the Maldives or the Philippines.

Snorkelling, Sunsets and Island-Hopping Days

Life on Phi Phi is shaped by water. Long-tail boats carry visitors between bays, with snorkelling trips offering clear views of coral and tropical fish, and several dive operators run courses and trips to nearby reefs and wrecks. On Phi Phi Don, Long Beach and Loh Dalum Bay offer relaxed sunbathing, while the Phi Phi viewpoint, reached by a short climb, rewards walkers with a double-bay panorama at sunset. Evenings are lively on the island, with seafood grills along Ton Sai, and quieter resorts on the eastern shores for those who want peace.

Stays range from simple beach bungalows to boutique resorts with private bays, and a hotel group has plenty to showcase here, from sea-view villas to dive-led hideaways. The islands also sit within easy reach of the mainland's major gateways: Thailand and Bangkok connect with Phuket and Krabi airports, from which a ferry or speedboat completes the journey. For travellers extending their trip, Singapore is a polished stopover.

Best Months and the Ferry from Phuket

The dry season from November to April is the best time for the islands, with calm seas, clear water and sunny skies, and the clearest visibility for snorkelling and diving usually falls between December and March. From May to October, the Andaman Sea is greener and quieter, and boat services may be reduced on some days. Early mornings and late afternoons are quieter at the best-known bays, and many visitors spend a night on the island rather than a single day, to enjoy the golden light when the day-trip boats leave.

Phi Phi is reached by ferry or speedboat from Phuket, Krabi's Ao Nang and Railay, and Koh Lanta, with crossings from Phuket usually taking around 90 minutes to two hours. Flights from the UK reach Phuket or Krabi via Bangkok or a Gulf hub, and a name like PhiPhiIslands.co.uk gives resorts and tour operators a clear home for the story. Many guests combine Phi Phi with the Andaman coast, then continue to Japan or Seoul on a longer Asian journey.

Ton Sai Bungalows, Cliff Villas and Quiet Bays

Choosing where to sleep on Phi Phi Don shapes the whole holiday. Ton Sai, the island's only village, sits on the sandy isthmus and puts restaurants, dive shops and the ferry pier on the doorstep, ideal for friends, divers and first-timers who like energy. Loh Dalum Bay, on the north side, has a broad, sunlit beach with small resorts and sunset views, while the headland viewpoint trails climb from just behind. Couples seeking calm often head to Long Beach, on the east side, where bungalows and boutique resorts sit among palms and boats arrive in the early morning light.

At the northern tip, Laem Tong has a handful of secluded resorts with beachfront rooms, pools and quiet snorkelling reefs, a favourite with honeymooners and families who want space. Cliff-top pool villas and hillside rooms with sea views add a luxury note, and some small properties are built around dive centres. Phi Phi Leh has no accommodation, which keeps its bays unspoilt. Travellers who prefer a mainland base often choose Phuket, Krabi's Ao Nang or Koh Lanta and visit by boat. A booking platform can show all these options by mood, from lively village to private bay, so each guest finds the right Phi Phi.

Grilled Prawns, Southern Roti and Island Evenings

Phi Phi's food is simple and delicious. Grilled prawns, whole fish with lemongrass and lime, squid with garlic and fresh crab are served at beachside tables, while southern Thai dishes such as massaman curry and yellow curry with crab are local favourites. Roti, a flaky pancake griddled with banana and drizzled with condensed milk, is the island's favourite snack, and fresh coconut, pineapple shakes and iced Thai tea cool the day. Fruit stands overflow with mango, watermelon and dragon fruit, and breakfasts of tropical fruit and coconut yoghurt suit a slow morning before the boats set off.

Culture here is rooted in the sea. Fishing families of the Andaman coast have worked these waters for generations, and long-tail boats are still painted and decorated with flowers and coloured ribbons. Local craft includes batik, woven mats and shell jewellery, and the festivals of the year bring music and fireworks to the beach. Loy Krathong sends floating lights across the bay, Songkran brings splashing fun in April and New Year parties light up the shore. The best weather runs from November to April, with calm seas and clear water, while the greener months bring lush hillsides, quiet bays and warm, bright mornings.

Kayaks, Reefs and Day Trips to Hong and Bamboo

The waters around Phi Phi are made for active days. Sea kayaks glide into Pileh Lagoon and along the cliffs, snorkellers explore the reefs at Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island, and divers book courses or day trips to sites with soft corals, leopard sharks and turtles. Sunrise and sunset hikes to the viewpoint are a favourite, with the double-bay panorama glowing at dusk. Paddle-boarding in Loh Dalum Bay, rock climbing on Phi Phi Don's cliffs and dolphin-spotting boat rides add variety. For slower days, spa massages, beach yoga and long lunches by the water are easy to book.

Day trips extend the stay. From Phi Phi, boats reach the Hong Islands, the four-island tours of Krabi and the quiet beaches of Koh Lanta, while Railay's climbing walls and lagoons are close to the mainland. From Phuket, Phang Nga Bay offers sea-cave kayaking among limestone towers. A stay can be built around diving, family beach time or romance, with a night in Ton Sai and two in a quiet bay. The Andaman coast also links well with Thailand's northern culture, Seoul and Osaka, while Fiji and the Seychelles offer similar island scenery for a second trip.

Planning your stay

The group is centred on Phi Phi Don, where the main village, beaches and hotels are, and Phi Phi Leh, an uninhabited island with sheer limestone walls and the bay used as a film location. Visitors come for snorkelling, kayaking, viewpoints and boat trips around the lagoons. The islands are small, so there are no cars and most movement is on foot or by longtail boat.

Most UK visitors arrive via Phuket or Krabi, with British Airways flying non-stop from London to Bangkok in about 11 hours 25 minutes, and many start in the capital: our Bangkok guide covers the gateway city, and our Thailand guide covers the country. The group also sits near Singapore and the Philippines on a wider Asian itinerary.

When to go

On the Andaman coast the drier months, roughly November to April, are the most popular and most expensive, and the sea is typically calmer.

Rough seas matter here because every journey is by boat. If you travel in the rainy season, check forecasts, expect cancelled sailings and build slack into onward flights, so a late boat does not cause you to miss a connection.

Book accommodation close to the pier if you have an early departure, carry cash for small purchases because the islands are remote, and keep passports and phones in waterproof bags on boats. If you are travelling in a group, agree in advance which boat operator you are using and what the cancellation terms are, because weather cancellations are common in the wetter months.

Entry rules for Thailand

From 15 September 2026, if you enter under the visa exemption scheme you can stay for up to 30 days for tourism only, normally limited to two entries per calendar year. Business travel, including conferences and meetings, is not covered, so get the right visa before you travel.

If you entered before 15 September 2026 you will usually be allowed to stay for the period granted when you arrived.

Before you travel

Entry requirements and official travel guidance are updated regularly, so check the latest position with your government before booking. The sources we used are listed at the foot of this page.

Why the Phi Phi Islands matter to the industry

The islands are a high-search destination where travellers compare boats, seasons and rules before they book. PhiPhiIslands.co.uk lets a hotel or resort group, airline or tourist board publish clear, current guidance, and our AI platform carries it to searchers.

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