Absolutely one of the BEST destinations we’ve been to, Phi Phi Island far exceeded our expectations. Although it’s a bit difficult and time consuming to get to, it’s totally worth the journey, I promise!
How To Get To Phi Phi Island:
Fly To Phuket/Fast Ferry To Phi Phi: After arrival at the airport, take a bus to the ferry terminal (30minute commute) and finally take a 1.5 hour fast ferry ride to the island. This entire commute was arranged by the resort, which was a nice perk, although we had to pay quite a bit more than the public ferry.
Public Ferry: After taking the bus to the ferry terminal, the Phuket Public Ferry is about a 2-hour journey. The rate is about $10USD, dropping off at multiple locations on Phi Phi Island.
Where To Stay On Phi Phi Island:
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is the PERFECT resort if you want to get away and relax! If you want to party, then don’t stay here (go to Tonsai Bay!). The service and food were outstanding, and the rooms are beautifully designed and modern. The pool is HUGE, with a swim up bar. They offer beach side massages as well ($30USD/hour). Rooms start at $150USD/night.
Other Accommodation Options:
Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel:
Phi Phi Cabana Hotel is centrally located near Tonsai Bay. It’s an affordable hotel nearby all the fun in Phi Phi! Do note that Tonsai Bay is louder than the resort we stayed at on the other side of the island, as it’s the central party location. Rates start at $77USD/night.
Phi Phi Hotel:
Phi Phi Hotel is located within walking distance of Tonsai Pie. It’s great for people on a budget. The rates start at $48USD/night.
Where To Eat On Phi Phi Island:
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort:
The resort offers 4 different restaurants, all being outstanding. The Beach House Grill & Chill was our favorite (the pasta with lobster was divine). Ruan Thai offered up great Thai food, but I think there are better options in the village behind the resort (more on that later). Api Restaurant’s salmon and chicken over a bed of rice was delicious, we ordered them twice! Their beef salad is great too!
The breakfast buffet at the resort is HUGE and delicious. Offering up both western and asian cuisines, complete with an omlet station, cheese boards, endless amounts of pastries, and 6 different types of fresh juices, it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen!
NOTE: Be sure to get the breakfast buffet included in your room rate.
Pad Thai Restaurant (Village):
Pad Thai Restaurant is located in the small village behind Phi Phi Island Village beach resort. This place had excellent green curry, pad thai, tom kha gai and pineapple chicken fried rice at about half the price of the resort. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Aroy Kaffeine (Village):
Arroy Kaffeine is located in the small village behind Phi Phi Island Village beach resort, the food, service and drinks were EXCEPTIONAL! The owner is super kind as well. Get the pad thai, green curry, and any of the desserts! The drinks are on point too!
The Beach Bar (Village):
The Beach Bar is a colorful, high energy bar located behind Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort. The bartender, Chet is super friendly and offers up a lot of great info about the area.
Mango Garden (Tonsai):
Mango Garden is close to Phi Phi Island Pier. This is THE place for a delicious dessert! Try their waffles or mango sticky rice! YUM!
Anna’s Restaurant (Tonsai):
With both local and western dishes, Anna’s Restaurant is one of the favorites near Tonsai Bay. Get the Pad Thai, its delicious!
Carlitos Beach Bar Restaurant (Tonsai):
Beach Bar Restaurant offers strong drinks, great music and surprisingly good food for being right in the middle of the beach. At 9:30PM they have a fire show, so be sure to see it!
Thai Food Favorites:
Thai food is DELICIOUS, but beware, it’s spicy! You can always ask for little or no spice. The best Thai dishes are Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry), Pad Thai (Thai Style Fried Noodles), Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry), Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad), Tom Cha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Soup-my favorite!), Pad Krapow moo Saap (Fired Basil and Pork), and Yam Nua (Spicy Beef Salad).
What To Do On Phi Phi Island:
You can take boat excursions to all of these sites for snorkeling, swimming, etc. We hired a private boat through the resort for the ‘Island Exploring’ 6-hour tour, for $100USD/pp.
Maya Bay:
Maya Bay is the #1 attraction on Phi Phi Island made famous by the movie The Beach with Leonardo Decaprio! It’s such a gorgeous place for photos, but beware this area is FULL of tourists. Note: This area is currently closed to preserve the ecosystem from overcrowding by tourism. It is set to re-open in 2021.
Bamboo Island:
Bamboo Island was one of our favorite stops while we visited. We spent over an hour here eating lunch in the pristine white sand, while swimming in the crystal clear blue water.
Viking Cave:
Viking Cave is a gorgeous cave made famous by the paintings on the inside walls, done by sailors taking shelter during a storm.
Monkey Beach:
Monkey Beach is a popular site, but BE CAREFUL of the monkeys! They are totally mischievous and have been to known to steal personal items and even bite people. DO NOT feed them or touch them!
Koh Yung (Mosquito Island):
Mosquito Island has been closed off to all boats to preserve it’s natural beauty and retain the reefs condition.
Other Bay’s To Visit:
There are So many other beautiful bays to visit during your time on Phi Phi Island, it’s best to hire a tour to take you to all of them: Loh-Samah Bay, Pi-Leh Bay, Viking Cave, Wang Long Bay, Nui Bay
Phi Phi Viewpoint Hike:
Phi Phi Viewpoint is a MUST SEE while visiting. If you’re coming from Tonsai, the trek is only about 30minutes. If you’re coming from the resort, it’s a 2+hour strenuous adventure. Wear tennis shoes, bug spray, a hat, and bring water/snacks. There is a restaurant at the top, serving fresh juice smoothies (get the banana). Cost per entry is $100Baht ($2.90USD).
NOTE: From Tonsai, you can take a long tail boat back to Loh Lana Bay for $800Baht ($23USD), then walk 15-minutes back to the resort. DONT FORGET to watch the tide, or you may get stuck at Tonsai if you don’t leave in time.
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Phuket, Thailand: Things You MUST See & Do
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Video: Singapore and Thailand, Phi Phi Island
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