How to walk from Phi Phi Town to the north part of the island ?
Updated: June 2025
If you want to explore the quieter northern areas of Koh Phi Phi — like Phi Phi Island Village in Loh Ba Kao Bay, Leam Tong, and Nui Bay — there are three main routes you can take:
Via Phi Phi Viewpoint #2
This path takes you over the popular viewpoint with stunning panoramic views.
Via the Secret Viewpoint #4
This route goes through the hotel Centara Villas Phi Phi and is a little less known but very scenic.
Via Hin Poo Bay (Easiest and Fastest)
This is my favorite route — it usually takes under an hour to walk, and if you’re a fast walker, you can do it in about 40 minutes.
Important: You can only take the Hin Poo Bay route when the tide is low. The path involves walking along the shoreline, so high tide makes it inaccessible. Make sure to check the tide times before you go! Useful apps include Tides or Global Tide, or you can check tide charts online HERE.
Here are the directions to the north part of the island – Loh Ba Kao Bay, Nui Bay, Loh Lana Bay, and the very north of the island, Tong Cape Beach.
Step #1
Walk through the town toward the end of Loh Dalum Bay. When you reach the Viewpoint Resort, turn left towards ZEUS Bar.
Step #2
Pass Zeus Bar, and right after Kitty Guesthouse, take the narrow alleyway on the left heading downhill toward the sea.
Step #3
Follow the path along the seashore, passing Sea Sky Resort.
Step #4
Walk through Phi Phi Sunset Bay Resort in Hin Poo Bay and continue along the coastline over the large black stones. Keep going until you reach a small opening into the jungle.
Be careful — the stones can be very slippery!
Step #5
Hike uphill for about 10 minutes — it’s a steep climb. Once you reach the top, you’ll begin descending on the other side. Follow the rope down through the jungle for another 10 minutes.
Step #6
You’ll emerge from the jungle at a crossroads, standing in front of a small pond (which may be dry during the dry season). Photo below.
Turn left to head toward the village.
Turn right to return to town via the Phi Phi Viewpoint — a slightly longer route but a beautiful change of scenery.
Step #7
Pass an old shack, and you’ll reach a concrete road.
Turn right to continue to the Village.
Turn left to go toward Loh Lana Bay and Nui Bay.
To reach Nui Bay, walk along the left edge of Loh Lana Beach, pass the fisherman huts, and climb the rope up the hill. During high tide, you might need to wade through about 100 meters of water.
Step #8
If you take the right at the crossroad, you’ll head straight to the Village.
Pass the football pitch and the prayer room.
Keep walking down the path and then turn left—this will lead you to the beach at Loh Ba Kao and the SAII Resort.
STEP #9
Coming back to the Village and taking the left turn, you will be in the heart of the small village.
Here you can buy a drink, have some food, and refresh yourself.
If you continue walking through the village and cross the bridge, you’ll come across the mangrove lagoon.
STEP #10
At the end of the bridge, you will reach a crossroad. Photo bellow.
Taking left will lead you back the way you came, passing Loh Lana Bay (and Nui Bay) and the entrance to the jungle.
Taking right will take you to the very north part of the island — Tong Cape, also known as Leam Tong Beach.
STEP #11
To get to Leam Tong, simply follow the road by the seashore. It takes around 20 minutes to walk. You can also pay someone from the village to drop you off on a motorbike.
Leam Tong Beach is another quiet, beautiful stretch of sand with some restaurants and luxury hotels.
If you enjoy hiking I highly recommend signing up for a JUNGLE TREK. The trek runs daily during high season and is one of the best-rated activities on the island. You can enjoy a super fun afternoon with great tour guides, finish the hike with a beautiful sunset at Nui Bay Beach, and top it off with night swimming with plankton.
Here are 6 tips you should know before taking the jungle hike:
Tip #1
Wear comfortable shoes. The climb isn’t difficult but most of the path is uneven, with steep hills covered in tree roots that can be slippery. Bring mosquito spray, your mobile phone, some money, water, and sun cream.
Tip #2
Stay alert. You’ll walk through jungle where you might see animals like monkeys, snakes, spiders, and centipedes. I saw a snake rolled up right in the middle of the path just last week! Monkeys can be noisy but usually won’t attack. Don’t show fear, be ready to run, and keep food out of sight. Carry your water bottle in your backpack and make some noise to scare off animals. Bringing a wooden stick for the walk is a good idea.
Tip #3
For refreshment, stop by Buffalo Head Bar and Restaurant in the village. They serve delicious food and drinks — perfect after the hike!
Tip #4
If you’re too tired to walk back, you can take a taxi boat. It costs about 1200 THB from the north part of the island to the pier. Some hotels like Holiday Resort and SAII Resort offer shuttle boats for 400 THB per person. Ask your hotel reception about the next boat schedule, especially if it’s before 4 PM.
Tip #5
Check the ocean tide before planning your hike! Ideally, go when the tide is mid-level and rising. At high tide, there’s no beach at Loh Ba Kao Bay and Tong Cape Beach. At low tide, swimming in Loh Ba Kao Bay isn’t possible because the water goes out very far. Use apps like Global Tide or Tides to check water levels anywhere in the world.
Tip #6
Don’t hike in the jungle at night — it’s unsafe and easy to get lost. Plus, snakes usually come out at night.
