Few places actually live up to that postcard perfect tropical fantasy — but the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand really do feel like paradise.
I did a day tour to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket, and it was easily one of the most memorable experiences from my trip to Thailand. It was a long, sun-soaked day spent almost entirely outdoors.
Our boat hopped between snorkelling spots, slipped into sheltered bays framed by dramatic limestone cliffs, and stopped at sandy beaches with electric-blue water. At times, it genuinely didn’t feel real.
It’s possible to visit some areas of the Phi Phi Islands independently, but I’d highly recommend taking a guided boat tour for reasons that I’ll explain below. In this guide, I’ll walk you through booking a tour from Phuket or from Phi Phi Don, tell you what to expect when exploring the islands, and give you a few practical tips based on my own experience.
Quick summary:
Planning a trip to the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket? This guide covers the best ways to get there, including guided boat tours and ferry options, and whether it’s worth staying overnight — plus travel tips to help you plan your visit.
Recommended tours & experiences:
🚤 From Phuket: Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Tour – Full-day island-hopping tour from Phuket with snorkelling, lunch, and hotel pickup included.
⛴️ Phuket to Phi Phi Ferry Ticket – Easy one-way or return ferry with optional hotel transfers.
🚤 From Phi Phi: Half-Day Longtail Boat Tour – Small-group longtail boat tour that focuses on Maya Bay, lagoons, and snorkelling spots.
🏨 Stay at: Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel – Centrally located, mid-range beachfront hotel near Tonsai Bay, ideal for overnight stays.
Where are the Phi Phi Islands?
The Phi Phi Islands are a popular day trip for many travellers to include on a Thailand itinerary. This small island group in southern Thailand’s Andaman Sea is located around 45–60 minutes from Phuket by speedboat, or roughly 1.5–2 hours by ferry.
Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island. This is where ferries from the mainland arrive, and where visitors can opt to stay overnight. Nearby, Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited national park island that’s home to Maya Bay and some well-known lagoons.
If you’re visiting from Phuket, most Phi Phi day tours will include a visit to both islands, making it easy to see the highlights in a single trip.
How to get to Phi Phi Islands from Phuket
Join a Phi Phi Islands day tour from Phuket (recommended)
When I visited the Phi Phi Islands, I chose to take a boat tour from Phuket. For most travellers, this is the easiest and most efficient way to see the islands. If you’re short on time (or if you don’t want to deal with ferry schedules and logistics) this option takes care of everything for you.
🚤 A full-day speedboat tour such as the Maya, Phi Phi, and Bamboo Island Tour with Buffet Lunch includes transfers from Phuket and covers Phi Phi’s most famous sights in a day.
It takes around an hour for the speedboat to arrive at Phi Phi Islands. Most tours start at Loh Samah Bay before giving you time to walk along Maya Bay, where access is now carefully regulated. You’ll also stop at Pileh Lagoon to see emerald-green water surrounded by limestone cliffs, as well as pass Viking Cave and Monkey Beach along the way.
Drinks, fruit, and lunch are included throughout the day. Lunch is served on Phi Phi Don at a local restaurant, followed by time for swimming or snorkelling — often at Nui Bay. The day usually finishes with time on Bamboo Island, which is noticeably quieter and a good place to relax before heading back to Phuket.
Expect to spend most of the day outdoors and on the water. Strong sun protection is essential for tours to Phi Phi Islands — remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, and lightweight clothing to cover exposed skin. And if you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s worth bringing tablets for the speedboat journeys to and from the islands. We were fairly lucky and had reasonably calm waters, but the sea can be rough on some days.
Ferry to Phi Phi Islands from Phuket (independent option)
It’s also possible to travel independently by taking a public ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi Don. This option works best if you’re planning to stay overnight as the travel time and fixed ferry schedule make it less practical if you’re trying to see everything in a single day.
Ferries depart from Rassada Pier in Phuket and arrive at Ao Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don, which is the island’s main entry point. The journey takes around 1-2 hours, depending on sea conditions and the type of boat transfer you choose.
⛴️ You can book ferry tickets online in advance, including options that combine your ticket with hotel transfers in Phuket.
There are a few different options available, including larger ferries or faster speedboats. Standard ferries are slower but more comfortable, while speedboats are quicker but the ride can feel more intense depending on conditions.
Once you arrive at Tonsai Pier, everything on Phi Phi Don is accessible on foot — there are no cars on the island. From there, you can explore the main village area, walk to nearby beaches, or organise a local longtail boat tour to visit places like Monkey Beach or nearby snorkelling spots.
Is it worth staying overnight on Phi Phi Island?
While many visitors see Phi Phi on a day trip from Phuket, staying overnight on Phi Phi Don can offer a different experience. I didn’t choose this option, but I’ve heard that mornings on the island are quieter without the day trippers, and your visit will probably feel less rushed — and more like an island stay rather than a quick visit.
Where to stay on Phi Phi Island
If you’re staying overnight, choosing a central location makes a big difference — especially if you’re only there for a short time. Luckily, there are a range of hotels on Phi Phi Don so you don’t have to splurge on a luxury resort to enjoy an island escape on Koh Phi Phi.
🏨 Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel is a practical mid-range option located right on the waterfront within easy walking distance of the ferry, restaurants, shops, and boat tour departure points.
Boat tour from Phi Phi Island (half-day option)
If you do stay overnight, most travellers choose a shorter longtail boat tour rather than a full-day excursion. These tours depart directly from Phi Phi Don and focus on nearby bays and snorkelling spots. The tour runs in the morning and afternoon, uses a traditional longtail boat, and keeps group sizes relatively small for a more relaxed experience.
🚤 From Phi Phi Don, this Half-Day Longtail Boat Tour with Snorkeling visits all the top attractions over four hours including Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay.
Top things to do on Phi Phi Islands
The main draw of the Phi Phi Islands is the spectacular scenery and gorgeous beaches. The most famous sights are spread across different islands and bays, which is why they’re easiest to visit as part of a boat tour rather than independently.
Many of the highlights are located on Phi Phi Leh, an uninhabited national park island with tightly controlled access. This is where you’ll find Maya Bay — easily the most iconic beach in the area. Due to concerns about overtourism damaging the environment, swimming is no longer allowed and visits are time-limited, but seeing the bay framed by cliffs is still a major highlight.
Nearby, Pileh Lagoon has calm, emerald waters enclosed by steep limestone walls. I thought that this lagoon was easily one of the most visually impressive spots on the Phi Phi Islands! Viking Cave is another stop you’ll pass by boat around Phi Phi Leh. You can’t enter the cave, but tour guides often explain its history and the harvesting of swiftlet nests.
On Phi Phi Don, Monkey Beach is a common stop. Monkeys are often spotted along the shoreline, although most tours view the area from the water to avoid disturbing them.
Some tours also include time on Bamboo Island — a small, sandy island north of Phi Phi Don. It’s quieter than the main stops and often ends up being one of the more relaxing parts of the day. I certainly enjoyed my time chilling at the beach before our boat headed back to Phuket.
Phi Phi Islands from Phuket FAQs
How long does it take to get from Phuket to Phi Phi Islands?
By speedboat, the journey takes around 45–60 minutes each way. Larger ferries are slower, taking around 1.5–2 hours.
Is it better to visit Phi Phi Island on a tour or independently?
Tours are generally easier for a Phi Phi Islands day trip from Phuket. Independent travel works best if you’re planning to stay overnight on Phi Phi Don. Just note that access to Phi Phi Leh (including Maya Bay) is tightly regulated, so a guided tour from Phi Phi Don is still the best way to see the main highlights while you’re there.
Can you stay overnight on Phi Phi Island?
Yes, Phi Phi Don has a range of hotels and resorts on the island. Staying overnight offers quieter mornings and more flexibility, but day tours are the better option if you’re short on time.
Can you still visit Maya Bay?
Yes. Maya Bay is open to tourists who have booked a tour, but access is regulated. Swimming isn’t allowed, boats don’t dock on the beach, and visits to the bay are time-limited. These rules are in place to help preserve the natural environment.
Is Phi Phi Island too crowded?
It can get busy at popular spots, especially during peak season, but visitor caps and timed entry at Maya Bay now help manage numbers.
What’s the best time of year to visit Phi Phi Island?
The best conditions are usually between November and April, when seas are calmer and weather is more reliable.
Leave a Reply