Koh Phi Phi Holidays

Snorkelling is one of the simplest ways to see Phi Phi's marine landscape. Coral reefs and tropical fish can be found around several islands and bays, while organised boat trips reach sites away from the busiest beaches. Conditions and permitted areas should always be checked before entering the water.

The limestone islands of Bida Nok and Bida Nai are established dive sites south of Phi Phi Don. Divers encounter reef walls, coral and varied marine life, with leopard sharks, moray eels and turtles among the species associated with Phi Phi's surrounding waters. Accredited operators should always be used.

Kayaking works best in Phi Phi Don's calmer bays, where paddlers can follow limestone edges and reach small stretches of coast at their own pace. Early mornings are particularly pleasant before boat traffic builds, although wind, tides and monsoon conditions should decide when it is sensible to go.

The walk from Tonsai Village to Phi Phi's viewpoints is short enough to fit easily into a day but steep enough to feel earned. At the upper viewpoints, the two bays and narrow central isthmus fall into a single frame. Water and sensible footwear make the climb more comfortable.

Tonsai Tower, at the western end of Tonsai Bay, has long-established bolted climbing routes. Access and climbing permissions can change, so visitors should check current national park rules and use an authorised operator where climbing is permitted. 

A private or shared longtail trip makes it possible to move between beaches, lagoons and smaller islands at a slower pace than many speedboat tours. Routes depend on weather, national park restrictions and sea conditions, so the best itinerary is often decided locally on the day.

Modern settlement on Phi Phi Don developed around a small Muslim fishing community during the 1940s. Fishing was later supplemented by coconut and cashew cultivation, long before hotels and marine tours transformed the island into one of the Andaman coast's best-known destinations.

Viking Cave, known in Thai as Tham Phaya Nak, lies beneath the cliffs of Phi Phi Le. The cave contains old boat-like wall paintings and is also associated with the collection of edible swiftlet nests. Visitors normally see the entrance while passing by boat rather than entering the working cave.

Phi Phi Le became internationally recognised after Maya Bay appeared in the film The Beach. The film's release at the turn of the millennium pushed an already beautiful island group into global tourism consciousness and greatly increased the attention focused on this previously remote-looking bay.

On 26 December 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated the low-lying inhabited centre of Phi Phi Don. Its position between Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays made the narrow isthmus particularly vulnerable. Rebuilding followed, and the disaster remains an important part of the island's modern history.

Heavy visitor pressure eventually led authorities to close Maya Bay in 2018 so its coral and wider ecosystem could recover. After several years of restoration, controlled access returned with a stronger conservation focus. Seasonal closures now give the area regular periods with greatly reduced visitor pressure.

Tonsai Village is the working centre of Phi Phi Don rather than a purpose-built attraction. Ferries arrive nearby, while narrow lanes hold restaurants, shops, dive centres and small businesses. Away from the busiest corners, it gives a useful sense of how tourism and daily island life share the same compact space.

At the northern end of Phi Phi Don, Laem Tong has long been associated with the Urak Lawoi, an Indigenous maritime community of Thailand's Andaman coast. It remains a living neighbourhood, so visitors should approach respectfully rather than treating local homes and traditions as a sightseeing display.

Phi Phi Don developed around a small Muslim fishing community before tourism became the island's dominant industry. That heritage remains part of local life today, visible in community customs, food and places of worship among the hotels, restaurants and dive shops that now fill the central island.

Longtail boats are still woven into daily movement around Phi Phi. They carry passengers between beaches, resorts and neighbouring islands where roads cannot reach. Their role is practical first, but watching them work around Tonsai Bay also reveals how closely island life remains tied to the sea.

Long before Phi Phi became an international holiday destination, fishing helped support the island's early communities. Tourism now dominates the local economy, yet seafood, working boats and maritime knowledge still leave a visible thread connecting modern Phi Phi Don with its earlier coastal way of life.

Held around the middle of April, Songkran marks the Thai New Year and is celebrated throughout the country. On Phi Phi Don, the familiar water festivities mix with local celebrations and the island's busy holiday atmosphere. Exact programmes vary, but the festival itself remains firmly fixed in Thailand's cultural calendar.

Loy Krathong takes place on the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month, usually during October or November. Some hotels and local venues on Phi Phi mark the occasion with traditional activities, although programmes vary each year and should be checked locally.

New Year's Eve is one of Phi Phi Don's busiest nights, particularly around Tonsai and Loh Dalum. Hotels, restaurants and beach venues commonly organise dinners, music and countdown celebrations. The individual programmes change every year, but the island's end-of-year celebrations remain a regular part of peak season.