Looking for the ultimate 4-day Koh Phi Phi itinerary?
Updated: January 2023
This post was written by Eli — a local tour agency manager, who has lived in Koh Phi Phi since 2012
Koh Phi Phi is unlike anywhere else in Thailand. It is truly a paradise island, and much more than the picture-perfect postcard view of Maya Bay, you know from holiday brochures and Instagram.
I encourage you to stay on the island for a few nights and discover the true beauty of the nature and unique underwater habitat Koh Phi Phi has to offer. Where else in Thailand can you snorkel with reef sharks and swim in the azure waters of the most beautiful lagoon in Asia?
This Koh Phi Phi itinerary features some of the best things to do on Phi Phi Island, and it will make you fall in love with this place.
Don’t waste your time coming over for one day trip. The true magic happens in the mornings and afternoon hours when the island is clear from all the day trippers.
Ready for an authentic taste of the Koh Phi Phi? Here is my four-day island itinerary for Phi Phi paradise.
Before You Go
Timing is everything in Koh Phi Phi. Visiting the island at the right time is crucial.
First of all, the weather is a huge factor. Even so, the island is beautiful all year round, if you want to do many water activities, I recommend visiting the island during the high/ dry season, from November- April. The best months for snorkeling and scuba diving are usually from January- March.
All activities and trips are running all year round, so no need to panic, everything in Phi Phi runs the same all year long, however, you are likely to experience better weather and water visibility during the winter months.
Where to Stay
The location of your hotel is a major factor in how much you are going to enjoy your stay in Koh Phi Phi. There are four main areas on the island, which I will go quickly over, so you can understand better the island’s different parts.
Be sure to book your hotel ahead of time, unlike other bigger islands, Phi Phi gets full up easily. During Thai holidays, Christmas and New Year, the best hotels are booked up months ahead.
All hotels are located on the main island of Phi Phi Don. The other islands around Phi Phi are all part of the national park and you can visit them for snorkeling, scuba diving, and beach hopping.
Tonsai Bay is a good area to stay in. On both ends, you have some nice hotels and lovely beaches for swimming. The Tonsai Bay is only a 10-minutes away by foot, but a world away from the noise and madness that you’ll have outside of your window if you stay in the town center. Look at Mama Beach Residence, or on the other end of the bay, I like Phi Phi Villa Resort and U-rip Resort.
One of my favorite locations is Long Beach. This would be a perfect spot for anyone looking for a quieter, relaxing stay with a stunning beach and snorkeling right outside of the hotel. Check out The Beach Resort or Phi Phi Paradise Bungalows.
The third area is best suited for romantic holidays and honeymooners. On the north part of the island on Leam Tong Beach and Loh Ba Kao Bay, you can find 5* hotels such as Saii, Holiday Resort, or Zeavola. Please note, these beaches are very secluded, and not a good choice if you’d like to explore the town and do trips as it’s 30-40 min away from the pier.
Last but not least, is the town and Loh Dalum Bay. This location is best suited for people, who want to socialize, and party, and don’t mind the noise and buzz of the town. If you enjoy being close to all the nightlife, but still looking for somewhere stylish, look at Phi Phi Princess Resort. For nice, clean rooms in the middle of the town, I’d recommend P2 Woodloft.
Have a look at all the best hotel options in my latest post:
HOTELS IN KOH PHI PHI
Your First Night
After you get your bearings, get ready to get a taste of Phi Phi island. I’d recommend popping in for a relaxing massage after the boat ride and then heading out to Loh Dalum for sunset cocktails.
Check out Baan Sabai massage on Soi Plabai road, the ladies there are very nice and professional. I also go to Anita massage, which does the best relaxing oil massages.
Take a stroll through the town to Loh Dalum Bay and stop in Freedom, or Cottage Bar for a sunset cocktail or beer. Don’t get carried away as you’ll have an early start the next day.
DINNER
Check out the Acqua Restaurant, which has a nice atmosphere, and offers both Thai and western cuisine and tasty cocktails.
Helpful Tip
If this is your first time in Phi Phi, you might find the little streets and narrow alleyways a tad disorientating. Set yourself an orientation point.
Day 1: Explore the islands
EXPLORE EARLY
It’s best to start your first day in Koh Phi Phi with the sun rising…or as early as you can muster. Going at the right time in Maya Bay is crucial. You want to avoid the midday, from 10 till 2 pm. This is a very busy time on Maya Bay beach and will spoil your experience visiting the national park at this time.
It’s best to get an early start on day one so you can beat the crowds. Starting to explore Maya Bay between 7:00 am and 8:30 am would be the best. I recommend renting a private long-tail boat. You won’t have to stick to any tour programs, get to visit Maya Bay early and enjoy the rest of the islands as long as you like. The price for the private long tail boat is 4,000THB for 6 hours, and you can start as early as 6 am.
If you are on a lower budget or traveling alone, you can join the half-day of a full trip with a group, prices for good quality trips start from 650THB per person (+400thb for national park fee).
See all the group trips HERE.
Some of the most beautiful places you should visit apart from Maya Bay Beach are the Lagoon, Viking Cave, Shark Point, Bamboo Island, and Wang Long Bay with Nui Bay. You will be amazed by the crystal clear waters around Phi Phi Lay and Bamboo Island and enjoy some lovely snorkeling and beach hopping.
Don’t forget Phi Phi Lay and Bamboo Island are a national park and will have to pay entry 400THB per person.
AFTERNOON
After all the snorkeling and island hopping, you’d want to relax on the beach or by the pool.
If your hotel doesn’t have a pool, you can check out Phi Phi Princess Resort, during the weekend there is a chilled atmosphere and nice music. You can buy a drink, order some nice food and use the pool. For party animals, there is the Ibiza Pool Party every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
EVENING
Enjoy some local Thai food in Pa Jit restaurant, or Only Noodles.
On the way to the party beach, try one of Phi Phi’s infamous buckets in Paddy Shack (near the Irish Bar). Try the Strawberry daiquiri bucket to start the night off.
The fire show in Loh Dalum Bay starts around 9 pm and you can enjoy the show and some dancing on the beach and silly games later. The center of the action is the Slinky Bar.
For more chilled drinks you can grab a cocktail or drink on the other side of the bay in Dojo Bar or Hippies Bar while watching the sun go down over the Tonsai pier and listening to chilled music.
Day 2: Exploring Phi Phi Don
Day two of the perfect Phi Phi itinerary is all about exploring the beaches of Phi Phi Don.
MORNING
For lovely coffee and a good selection of pastry and breakfast options, head out to Patchery Bakery or Bakery Hut by Payjay.
After breakfast, walk through the town and along the coastline to enjoy the morning on the beautiful Long Beach. It is my favorite beach in Koh Phi Phi and the walk to the beach is a scenic route, leading you through the forest and some smaller secluded beaches, and it is totally worth it.
Long Beach is a kilometer-long beach, with beautiful clear water and lovely sand. At the end of the beach, you can also try your luck with snorkeling at the rock formation called Shark Point. And yes, there are small reef sharks here, and if you’re lucky you can spot one of two.
You can grab a bite to eat or get some refreshments at the Paradise Bungalows Resort restaurant, or try the coconut shake at The Beach Resort Restaurant.
You can walk back, or take a taxi boat back to the port, it is 300THB for 2 people, or 100THB per person if there are more people.
AFTERNOON
After a midday break, you can hike up to the Phi Phi Viewpoint and enjoy the iconic views of the Phi Phi Islands during the sunset.
Find out how to get there and all you need to know here: Phi Phi Viewpoints
If you like trekking and want to find out more interesting facts about the island, book the JUNGLE TREK. It is one of my favorite activities on Phi Phi and an awesome way to discover all the viewpoints, see the jungle and enjoy some beautiful sunset views.
DINNER
Eat like a local and explore the little food market Phi Phi Talad which is near the main port. You can sample some local Thai food, seafood, and soups, and for something sweet, you’ll find traditional Thai desserts here and fruit.
Have an early night in as you want to be fresh for the next day’s adventures. Enjoy a relaxing head and neck massage and have a night in.
Day 3: Scuba Diving
Koh Phi Phi is the perfect place to try scuba diving, and you’ll be amazed at the stunning beauty of the deeper waters of the Phi Phi Islands.
MORNING
The diving trips are all-inclusive here, and you don’t need anything with you, just a towel and 600THB for the national park entry fee (park rangers collect this fee before going on the dive boat).
You will see small reef sharks, sea turtles, beautiful tropical fish, and stunning corals.
Tip: Hire an underwater photographer to document your experience! For prices and availability can contact Kaitong, who’s been diving in Koh Phi Phi for over 10 years as a local dive instructor and underwater photographer.
AFTERNOON
You can find kayaking and paddle boarding rental places on the beach. Take the kayak or SUP out for a couple of hours and explore the bays in Loh Dalum or Tonsai Bay. Gliding on crystal clear water and seeing all the marine life beneath you is spectacular. The best places to go kayaking are Monkey Bay and Nui Bay.
COCKTAIL HOUR
Check out the Only Bar, which is located on the hill at the end of Loh Dalum Bay. You can enjoy some lovely drinks and views, and if you come here around 5 pm, you will have the best sunset views on the island.
End the night with a few drinks on the beach.
There are no weekdays or weekends on the island, so you can join the party fun any night of the week!
Day 4: Explore the North of the Island
At the very north part of Phi Phi Don are two secluded beaches with some lovely hotels where you can have lunch and enjoy the scenery. To get here you can take a taxi boat, walk over the viewpoint or use a shuttle boat to Leam Tong. The first shuttle boat leaves at 9:40 from Tonsai Pier (400THB per person) and will drop you off at the very north part of the island.
From Leam Tong Beach, you can walk 30min along the coast to Loh Ba Kao and explore the local village and mangrove.
You can have a lovely lunch here, walk back to the town over the viewpoint, take a long tail boat taxi back or hop on the last shuttle boat to the port at 2 pm.
…after some much needed rest, get ready for a unique experience at night!
SUNSET TRIP WITH NIGHT SWIMMING
What better way to end the Phi Phi island vacation than sunset on a beautiful beach and night snorkeling with bioluminescent glowing plankton? The trip starts in the afternoon and will be back around 19:30 when the sun goes down.
End the night with a game of pool and the coldest beers on the island!
Check out the cozy Relax Bar located on the main party beach. This little bar is located on the rooftop and is a fav place for locals to hang out. Another awesome place to hang out is the Kong Siam Bar, with a live music band.
Bonus
Are you staying longer on Phi Phi Island? Why not get your PADI certification here? It takes only three or four days, and you will have a great time getting your scuba diving license.
Enjoy yoga classes with Tippy, at Phi Phi Princess Resort.
You can also have fun on one of the party boats, PIRATE BOAT, BLANCO PARTY BOAT, or the legendary BOB’s BOOZE CRUISE. There is always a way to have fun on the island and everyday activities and trips to enjoy.
Take a look at all the trips and activities available on the island here: Phi Phi Island trips and activities
Screenshot here:
DAY 0, ARRIVAL
Sunset drink at Freedom or Cottage Bar
Dinner at Acqua Restaurant
DAY 1
Early morning boat trip
Afternoon at Princess Pool
Dinner at Only Noodles
Fireshow & Beach Party
DAY 2
Long Beach
Jungle Trek & Viewpoint
Dinner at Local Market
DAY 3
Scuba Diving
Kayaking or SUP from Loh Dalum Bay
Dinner& sunset drinks
DAY 4
Exploring Leam Tong and Loh Ba Kao Bay
Sunset trip with glowing plankton
Evening drinks in the town
DAY 5, DEPARTURE
Screenshot here:
DAY 0, ARRIVAL
Sunset drink at Freedom or Cottage Bar
Dinner at Acqua Restaurant
DAY 1
Early morning boat trip
Afternoon at Princess Pool
Dinner at Only Noodles
Fireshow & Beach Party
DAY 2
Walk to Long Beach
Jungle Trek & Viewpoint
Dinner at Local Market
DAY 3
Scuba Diving
Kayaking or SUP from Loh Dalum Bay
Dinner& sunset drinks
DAY 4
Exploring Leam Tong and Loh Ba Kao Bay
Sunset trip with glowing plankton
Evening drinks in the town
DAY 5, DEPARTURE
