Planning a trip to the Phi Phi Islands and wondering what’s worth your time? Start here!
With dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and some of the clearest water in Thailand, Phi Phi is one of those places that looks unreal in photos, and somehow even better in person. But beyond the postcard views, there’s a lot more to these islands than just lounging on the beach.
From scuba diving and earning your PADI certification in paradise to hiking above Tonsai Village for iconic views and catching fire shows at sunset, Phi Phi packs a surprising amount into a small stretch of sand. Whether you’re here for a quick island stop or staying a few nights on Phi Phi Don, these are the experiences you won’t want to miss!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did was this boat tour of Phi Phi! Starting at sunrise, we saw the island before the crowds, stopping to snorkel, see monkeys, and enjoy the island life.
Things to do on the Phi Phi Islands
1. Go scuba diving
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 7 am, 9 am, and 11:30 am
- Highlights: Two small-group dives on Phi Phi’s coral reefs led by experienced PADI pros, spot marine wildlife with fruit and lunch between dives
- Inclusions: Use of scuba equipment, all fees and taxes, insurance, PADI Discover Scuba eLearning, optional beach training for beginners, lunch, coffee/tea, water, fruit, and optional photo package for an extra charge
- Rating: 5 stars (check 80+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
This scuba diving tour is easily one of the most unforgettable things you can do on the Phi Phi Islands. While the beaches are beautiful from above, the real magic is waiting just below the surface.
On this half-day adventure, you’ll head out for two guided reef dives around Phi Phi’s coral gardens, where you might spot turtles and blacktip sharks cruising the reef’s edges and schools of snapper flashing through the water. Clownfish tucked into anemones? Of course! Finding Nemo is easy in these shallow waters packed with life.
There are two ways to book it. The standard option includes skill instruction and two ocean dives with a PADI professional. The second option adds a 1-hour beach training session (either the day before or the morning of your dives), giving you extra time to practice before heading out. An award-winning dive centre runs both, and groups are kept to just two divers per instructor, so you get real attention in the water.
Everything you’ll need is included, even lunch, plus this is the only dive center on the island offering PADI eLearning, so you can go through the essentials online and show up feeling prepared. Just make sure to budget for the 600 THB national park fee ($17 USD) and optional underwater photos for 2,500 THB ($70 USD) if you want proof to show your friends!
If there’s one experience that truly shows off Phi Phi’s wild beauty, this is it. Just check out all the five-star reviews here and see why so many people call it the highlight of their trip!
Book your dive here and see the islands from a whole new perspective!
2. Explore the highlights of the Phi Phi Islands
- Duration: 8.5 hours
- Time: 6 am
- Highlights: Early sunrise speedboat tour from Phi Phi Don to Maya Bay with swimming and snorkeling, visit Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island with lunch included
- Inclusions: Lunch, water, coffee/tea, use of snorkeling equipment, licensed English-speaking guide, insurance, national park fees
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to see Maya Bay without fighting through crowds, this early morning speedboat tour is the way to do it. The 6 am meeting time might sound early, but watching the limestone cliffs glow in the soft morning light makes it worth setting that alarm.
You’ll head out from Tonsai Pier just after sunrise and arrive at Maya Bay, famously featured in the movie The Beach, before most of the day-trippers. Being there early changes everything—fewer boats, quieter beaches, and better photos. We couldn’t believe how peaceful it felt compared to the midday chaos.
After soaking up Maya Bay, the boat cruises toward Pileh Lagoon, where the water shifts to an unreal shade of emerald green. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, it’s the kind of place that practically begs you to jump in for a swim—so we did!
The pace stays relaxed as you continue around Phi Phi Leh. You’ll pause near Viking Cave for photos, then pass by Monkey Beach, where crab-eating macaques often linger along the shore. There’s also time to snorkel (gear provided) over coral reefs filled with tropical fish, and if luck is on your side, maybe even a glimpse of a blacktip reef shark before heading to Bamboo Island for lunch.
By the time you’re back at Tonsai Pier around 2:30 pm, you’ll have already checked off Phi Phi’s most iconic spots—all before the crowds even settle in. It’s the smartest, most efficient way to experience the islands at their absolute best!
Reserve your spot here and beat the crowds to Phi Phi’s most iconic spots!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Hike to the Phi Phi Viewpoints
Hiking up to the Phi Phi Viewpoints is the one activity we’d recommend to almost everyone visiting the island. It’s where you get that classic postcard shot of two turquoise bays curving in opposite directions with a narrow strip of land between them. If you’ve ever seen a photo of Phi Phi from above, chances are it was taken here.
The trail starts in Tonsai Village. Just follow the tsunami evacuation route signs and then take the steady climb up toward Viewpoints 1, 2, and even 3 if you’re feeling ambitious. It’s a workout for sure—we were definitely feeling it by the time we reached the top, but there are flatter stretches where you can pause, pretend you’re not out of breath, and admire the view as they keep getting better.
Viewpoint 2 is the most popular (and most photographed), but continuing to Viewpoint 3 is usually quieter and worth the extra push if you want a bit more space.
Plan for around two hours, so you’re not rushing the experience. Once you’re at the top, you’ll want time to take it all in, grab photos from every angle, and reward yourself with a cold drink from the refreshment stand at Viewpoint 2. There’s also a small entrance fee of around 50 THB (about $1.60 USD), but the view is worth every penny.
Related Read: If your journey starts in Bangkok, see our 3-day Bangkok itinerary for our favorite activities, sights, food stops, and more!
4. Watch the sunset at Loh Dalum Beach
Loh Dalum Beach is one of the easiest places to unwind at the end of the day on Phi Phi. Just a short walk from Tonsai Village, this curved bay is backed by dramatic limestone hills that glow as the sun starts to dip.
Arrive about an hour before sunset, and you’ll catch the beach at its best. The water here is shallow and calm, making it perfect for a relaxed swim while the sky shifts from blue to soft pink and orange. As the light fades, the vibe slowly changes. Bean bags appear on the sand, music starts playing, and the beachfront bars begin setting up for the evening.
After dark, many of the bars host fire shows right on the beach. They’re technically free to watch, though it’s expected you’ll grab a drink or snack while you’re there. Most shows kick off around 8 pm, and it’s pretty impressive to see performers spinning flames with the ocean just steps away.
It’s equal parts chill beach evening and lively island nightlife, all starting with an incredible sunset.
5. Get scuba certified
- Duration: 2 days and 6 hours
- Time: 7:30 am and 11:30 am
- Highlights: Earn your PADI Open Water certification with four reef dives over 2–3 days, boat dives to Phi Phi Leh and the Bida Islands with chances to see wildlife
- Inclusions: Use of scuba equipment, all fees and taxes, PADI eLearning course and certification, lunch between dives, coffee and/or tea, insurance, dive computer rental, small-group training from experienced PADI professionals
- Rating: 5 stars (check great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
- Price: Check price here!
If you don’t just want to try scuba diving but actually get certified in paradise, this PADI Open Water course is the real deal. Over 2–3 days, you’ll complete your full certification with four open water dives around Phi Phi’s vibrant coral reefs.
It all starts with 8–12 hours of PADI eLearning at your own pace before arrival, then completing confined beach training to build confidence and master your core skills. Once you’re ready, the real fun begins.
Each dive day packs in two boat dives over about 5 hours of adventure. After leaving the main pier, you’ll cruise 20–30 minutes into the Marine Park near Phi Phi Leh and the Bida Islands (national park fee 800 THB/$22 USD not included), where dramatic limestone cliffs rise from turquoise water and thriving reefs wait just below.
Keep in mind, training doesn’t mean boring! While practicing skills, you’ll be surrounded by colorful corals and schools of tropical fish, and there’s a strong chance of spotting turtles and even reef sharks at local sites. Between dives, you’ll relax on the boat with a zero-waste lunch and fresh pineapple, floating in some of the most beautiful scenery in southern Thailand before heading back to shore to log your dives.
This 5-star tour with dozens of raving reviews will give you peace of mind to ensure you’re booking with a reputable company. Before you know it, you’ll be diving on your own!
Check availability here and get scuba certified somewhere extraordinary!
6. Explore Tonsai Village
Tonsai Village is the heart of Phi Phi Don, and chances are you’ll pass through it more than once during your stay. Compact and easy to explore on foot, the main street stretches out from the pier and quickly fills with small restaurants, dive shops, and little souvenir stalls. It’s the kind of place where you can wander without a plan and still stumble upon something good.
Need reef-safe sunscreen or a snorkel mask? Want to grab a lightweight beach cover-up or a small souvenir? This is the spot! It’s also where you’ll find plenty of tour offices if you’re booking last-minute island trips or ferry transfers.
In the middle of the village, there’s a small daily market serving up grilled skewers and quick Thai snacks that are easy on the wallet and perfect when you just want something fast between beach breaks. Tonsai is also home to most of the island’s ATMs and exchange counters, which is helpful since many places still prefer cash.
It’s lively without being overwhelming and gives you a real sense of daily island life beyond the beaches.
Where to Stay on the Phi Phi Islands
Now that you know the best things to do on the Phi Phi Islands, let’s talk about where to stay. The only island you can stay overnight on is Ko Phi Phi Don. Phi Phi Leh (where Maya Bay is located) is part of a protected national park, so all accommodations are based on Phi Phi Don.
The island is small and walkable, but where you stay can definitely shape your experience—whether you want beachfront luxury, something central and convenient, or a quiet hillside escape. Just keep in mind that hotel options are limited, and rooms here fill up quickly, especially during peak season, so it’s worth booking early.
Here are three great options depending on your budget:
Luxury – $$$
If you’re looking for a stay that feels like a tropical escape, Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort delivers. This beachfront property features beautiful bamboo-style villas that blend naturally into the island setting while still offering modern comforts like air conditioning and private terraces.
It’s close enough to Tonsai Village, yet tucked away enough to feel peaceful. With a large beachfront pool, an on-site restaurant, and direct beach access, it’s easy to go from breakfast to sand in just a few steps.
Nightly rates typically range from $150 to $480 USD, depending on the season and room type. Treat yourself and book this tropical escape on Booking.com!
Mid-range – $$
Phi Phi Villa Resort strikes a great balance between comfort, location, and price. Situated right on Loh Dalum Beach, it offers direct beach access while still being within walking distance of Tonsai Village. Rooms are simple but spacious, and many come with balconies overlooking the gardens or the sea. There’s also a swimming pool, a restaurant, and plenty of space to relax after a long day of diving or island hopping.
Rooms and villas usually start around $100 and $160 USD per night, with suites also available for around $200 to $450 USD, making it a solid mid-range option for travelers who want beachfront convenience without luxury-level prices. Check availability at Phi Phi Villa Resort here!
Budget – $
If you’re traveling on a budget but still want incredible views, HIP Seaview Resort is a great pick. Perched on a hillside overlooking the ocean, this property offers simple bungalow-style accommodations with private balconies and sweeping sea views. It’s located a bit farther from the busy center of Tonsai, which means a quieter atmosphere. Just keep in mind that the hillside setting does involve some stairs, so pack light!
Private rooms typically range from around $60 to $220 USD per night, depending on the season. Check prices and book HIP Seaview Resort on Booking.com.
Want more options? Check out all the hotels listed for the Phi Phi Islands here!
Related Read: If you’re looking for another beach destination, check out our Where to Stay in Phuket blog for more recommendations!
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If you’re looking for a stunning beach getaway, Phi Phi Islands is it! Thailand is gorgeous all around, but Phi Phi might be our favorite island we’ve visited here. Whether you’re exploring on a boat trip, hiking to viewpoints, or relaxing on the beach, you won’t be bored here.
Before you go, check out the rest of our Asia blogs! As long-time travelers, we love sharing our favorite places and top tips with fellow adventurers. Here are a few related blogs to inspire your next destination – cheers!
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10 BEST Things to do in Krabi, Thailand
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