Things to do in Phi Phi range from a half-day speedboat trip to Maya Bay and a climb to the island's viewpoints to snorkeling, kayaking, Muay Thai and fire shows on the beach. Koh Phi Phi is an archipelago of six islands, but only Phi Phi Don is inhabited, and it covers no more than 10 square kilometers, so you can walk to most of the sights on land. The best-known ones, including Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, lie off the main island and need a boat.
This guide sorts 15 of the best activities by type, with times, costs and the rules that matter in 2026. Facts come from recent guides such as Nomadasaurus and Gecko Routes, from the national parks page and from live GetYourGuide listings checked on 26 October 2026. Prices and park rules change, so confirm them locally before you go.
- Best months
- November to April
- Hub
- Tonsai Village
- Park fee
- ฿200 per adult
- Viewpoints
- ฿30 to ฿70
- Maya Bay
- Reopened 1 Oct 2026
- Days needed
- 2 to 3
What are the best things to do in Phi Phi?
Take a boat tour to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, climb to the viewpoints above Tonsai Village, and snorkel at Monkey Beach or Bamboo Island. With a second day, add Long Beach, a kayak trip and an evening of Muay Thai or a beach fire show.
Things to Do in Phi Phi at a Glance: 15 Best Activities
Here is the full list of things to do in Phi Phi before the detail. The boat trips cover most of the headline sights in one go, while the land and beach activities fill the gaps between them. The numbers match the headings further down.
| Activity | Time needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Half-day speedboat tour | 4 to 6 hours | First-time visitors |
| 2. Full-day tour with sunset and plankton | About 9 hours | Seeing most of it in one go |
| 3. Maya Bay | About 1 hour | The famous beach |
| 4. Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave | Part of a tour | Swimming in calm green water |
| 5. Monkey Beach | Part of a tour or a kayak trip | Wildlife photos |
| 6. Bamboo and Mosquito islands | Part of a tour | White sand and reef snorkeling |
| 7. Phi Phi viewpoints | 1 to 2 hours | Views and sunset |
| 8. Village market and cooking class | An afternoon | Rainy-day plans |
| 9. Muay Thai at Reggae Bar | An evening | Nightlife |
| 10. Beach fire shows | After 10 pm | Free entertainment |
| 11. Snorkeling | Half a day | Reefs and blacktip sharks |
| 12. Diving | Half or full day | Anemone Reef and wrecks |
| 13. Kayaking | 1 to 3 hours | Exploring on your own |
| 14. Long Beach | Half a day | Swimming and sunsets |
| 15. Loh Moo Dee and Nui Bay | Half a day | Quiet sand |
Things to Do in Phi Phi by Boat: Tours, Maya Bay and the Outer Islands
A boat tour is the simplest way to see the best things to do in Phi Phi that lie off the main island, because the operator handles the route, the park fee and the stops. Our guide to Phi Phi island tours compares every format, and our page on Phi Phi island hopping explains how the standard routes link up. Here are the two tours we would look at first.
1. Take a half-day speedboat tour
A half-day speedboat tour is the best fit if you have one morning or afternoon and want the headline stops without a long day. The listing below offers two departures that visit the same places. The afternoon option adds a sunset and a night swim with glowing plankton.
Phi Phi: Half-Day Speedboat Tour to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Snorkeling
A guided speedboat trip to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Monkey Bay, with snorkeling stops where visitors may see blacktip reef sharks and a pause by Viking Cave. Choose the morning departure, or the afternoon one to finish with sunset and plankton.
Check on the listing before you book
- Price and start time for your date
- Meeting point
- What is included, including the park fee
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
The listing was rated 4.7 out of 5 from 190 reviews when we checked on 26 October 2026. It describes one hour at Maya Bay. One verified reviewer from October 2026 praised the guide and the clean boat but found the plankton less dramatic than the photos, which is common, since the glow varies from night to night.
2. Join a full-day tour with sunset and plankton
A full-day tour covers more ground, including Bamboo Island for lunch, extra snorkeling stops and a sunset on the water. It suits you if you want to tick everything off in one go and do not mind about nine hours on a boat.
Phi Phi: Full-Day Phi Phi Islands & Sunset Tour by Speedboat
A nine-hour speedboat day from Ton Sai Pier that links Monkey Beach, Shark Point, Bamboo Island for lunch, Mosquito Island, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay, then a sunset and a plankton swim before the drop-off back at the pier.
Check on the listing before you book
- Price and start time for your date
- Which stops are included on the day
- What is included in the ticket
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
This listing has only six reviews and a 3.0 out of 5 rating, so read the most recent comments before you book. If you want a full day with more reviews to go on, compare the options in our Phi Phi island tour guide.
3. Visit Maya Bay
Maya Bay is a small, cliff-ringed beach on Phi Phi Leh that became world famous after The Beach was filmed there. Time Out Bangkok reported on 29 September 2026 that the bay would reopen on 1 October after its annual closure, which runs through August and September. The same report stresses that swimming is prohibited to protect the coral, so expect a short visit on the sand. Operators usually allow about an hour. Our full Maya Bay guide covers the rules and the best time of day.
4. Swim in Pileh Lagoon and pass Viking Cave
Pileh Lagoon, also on Phi Phi Leh, is a narrow emerald bay framed by high limestone walls, and tours stop here for a swim. Viking Cave sits nearby and is where swiftlet nests are harvested. Tours pause close enough to take photos from the boat. Unlike at Maya Bay, swimming is part of the stop here, which makes the lagoon the place to cool down on a hot day.
5. Meet the macaques at Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach is a small cove on Phi Phi Don where wild long-tailed macaques come down to the sand. Gecko Routes warns that they may steal food and can be rough, so zip your bag and keep snacks out of sight. Feeding is strictly prohibited under the park's rules, according to Pattaya Mail, which reported in May 2025 that park staff were tracking down tourists who had been filmed feeding them. See our Monkey Beach guide for how to visit.
6. Visit Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island
Bamboo Island is about 5 km off the northern tip of Phi Phi Don, ringed by white sand and clear water, and Nomadasaurus notes it has no facilities, so you bring your own snacks and drinks. Mosquito Island lies roughly 3 km off the same tip and is best for daytime snorkeling, since it is named for its night-time insects. Both fit into one trip. We cover the island in our Bamboo Island guide.
Things to Do in Phi Phi on Land: Viewpoints, Markets and Muay Thai
You can walk everywhere on Phi Phi Don, according to Nomadasaurus, and most of the land-based activities cluster around Tonsai Village, the busy strip behind the ferry pier. These are the ones worth your time.
7. Climb to the Phi Phi viewpoints
The viewpoint climb is one of the cheapest things to do in Phi Phi, and the classic photo, with Tonsai Bay on one side and Loh Dalum Bay on the other, comes from the viewpoints above Tonsai Village. The route starts from the back of the village and begins with a long, steep concrete staircase, so go early or late and wear proper shoes. Backpackers Wanderlust allows one to two hours for all three viewpoints, and our Phi Phi viewpoint guide covers the trail in detail.
| Viewpoint | What to expect | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Viewpoint 1 | First lookout at the top of the stairs, with the Phi Phi sign | ฿30 to ฿50 for viewpoints 1 and 2 |
| Viewpoint 2 | The classic panorama; a bar and cafes nearby | Included with viewpoint 1 |
| Viewpoint 3 | Quieter and a popular sunset spot | ฿20 extra, with water in some guides |
Alcohol is banned at the viewpoints, and Backpackers Wanderlust reports fines of up to ฿1,000. Macaques live along the trails, so keep food in your bag, and bring a torch if you walk down after sunset. Wet steps become slippery in the rainy season.
8. Browse the Tonsai Village market and take a cooking class
The market in Tonsai Village sells fresh produce, seafood, smoothies, skewers and desserts, and Nomadasaurus suggests going earlier in the day when the food is freshest. The same guide names Pum Thai Cooking School in the village as a popular option, with classes starting at 1 pm and students tasting what they cook. Both are good wet-weather plans, and our list of {L(‘EN23', ‘Phi Phi restaurants')} covers where to eat afterward.
9. Watch Muay Thai at Reggae Bar
Reggae Bar runs live boxing matches every night, with a ring, pool tables and music. Professional fighters go first, and later the ring opens to audience members who want to try. Nomadasaurus advises avoiding heavy drinking before you step in. Even as a spectator, it is one of the more distinctive things to do in Phi Phi after dark.
10. See a beach fire show
Fire shows run on the beach almost every night, usually from around 10 pm, at venues such as Slinky Beach Bar, Carlito's and Sunflower Beach Bar, according to Nomadasaurus. Be careful with your belongings and your drinks in crowded bars. Our guide to Phi Phi nightlife covers the bars and the late-night scene.
Things to Do in Phi Phi on the Water: Snorkeling, Diving and Kayaking
11. Go snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the most popular things to do in Phi Phi, and the conditions are best from about November or December to May, according to the park's page on Thai National Parks. Boat tours stop at reefs such as Shark Point, Mosquito Island and Nui Bay. Nomadasaurus also names Secret Beach, Ao Toh Ko and Phak Nam Bay. You can rent gear on the island or book a tour that includes it, and our Phi Phi snorkeling guide compares spots and trips.
12. Try diving
The dry season from January to April gives the best visibility, and June to October is poorer, according to Nomadasaurus. Named sites include Anemone Reef, Shark Point, the Bida Islands and the King Cruiser wreck, which Gecko Routes places about 1.5 hours offshore at a depth of 32 m and suitable for experienced divers. Beginners can take a discover scuba course. Foreign divers pay an extra ฿200 park fee, per Thai National Parks. See our Phi Phi diving guide for schools and sites.
13. Rent a kayak
Kayaking lets you explore at your own pace. Nomadasaurus puts Monkey Beach about 50 minutes away by kayak and quotes rentals at about ฿100 per hour, while Gecko Routes puts Nui Beach at around 30 minutes. Prices vary by shop, so compare. Check the weather and the sea before you set out, and stay clear of the monkeys when you land.
Cliff jumping is offered on some boat tours. Nomadasaurus advises never going alone or without a guide, and booking with a local company if you want to try.
Things to Do in Phi Phi on the Beach: Long Beach and Quiet Bays
14. Relax at Long Beach
Long Beach, on the south-west side of Phi Phi Don, is one of the best places to swim and watch the sunset. Gecko Routes reports that blacktip reef sharks are often seen about 200 m offshore near Shark Tail Point and usually ignore swimmers. Our guide to Long Beach covers how to get there and where to stay, and our ranking of the best beaches in Phi Phi compares all of them.
15. Escape to Loh Moo Dee and Nui Bay
Loh Moo Dee is a quiet bay on the south-east side, around 500 m long, with shallow clear water that suits children. Gecko Routes says you can hike about 45 minutes from Tonsai East or take a 15-minute boat from the pier, and that there is only one restaurant. Nui Beach on the west side is known for snorkeling around Camel Rock, and a longtail from Loh Dalum costs about ฿500. For the north end, see Laem Tong Beach, which many visitors reach by longtail.
Loh Dalum Bay, in the middle of the village, is wide at low tide and good for floating at high tide, according to Nomadasaurus. It is the easiest of the free things to do in Phi Phi if you do not want to leave the village.
Things to Do in Phi Phi at Sunset and After Dark
The island is at its best around sunset. Nomadasaurus lists Long Beach, Laem Tong Beach and Nui Bay Beach as good spots, and the third viewpoint is popular too, though busy. You can also watch from a beachfront bar or join a sunset boat tour.
After dark, the headline activity is a swim in bioluminescent plankton, which appears on some half-day and full-day tours after sunset. Our plankton guide explains when it shows best. Back on shore, the evening things to do in Phi Phi are the Muay Thai ring, fire shows and the beach bars. Daytime pool parties at some hotels are often free to enter, according to Nomadasaurus, and include the PP Princess Pool Party.
How Many Days for Things to Do in Phi Phi: Sample Plans
Nomadasaurus suggests staying at least two to three days. These plans show how the things to do in Phi Phi fit together.
One day
- Take the first boat in, drop your bags and go straight to a half-day speedboat tour.
- Climb to the viewpoints in the late afternoon for the light.
- Finish with dinner in Tonsai Village and a fire show if you have the energy.
Two days
- Day one: a full-day tour with lunch on Bamboo Island and the plankton swim.
- Day two: viewpoints at sunrise, a morning kayak or snorkel, then Long Beach for the afternoon and sunset.
- Evening: Muay Thai at Reggae Bar.
Three days
- Add a dive or a discover scuba trip, or a half day at Loh Moo Dee and Nui Bay.
- Keep a slow morning for the market and a cooking class.
- Leave a buffer for the weather, since the sea decides when boats go out.
If you are still choosing where to sleep, our guide to where to stay in Phi Phi compares the areas. For a first look at the island as a whole, see our Koh Phi Phi guide.
Things to Do in Phi Phi: Costs, Fees and Seasons
Most visitors spend more on boat trips than on anything else. Here is what the main things to do in Phi Phi cost, based on figures quoted by recent guides. Treat them as a guide and not a price list.
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Viewpoints 1 to 3 | ฿30 to ฿70 | Guides differ; viewpoint 3 adds ฿20 |
| Kayak rental | About ฿100 per hour | Nomadasaurus, January 2026 |
| Longtail to Nui Beach | About ฿500 | Gecko Routes, June 2026 |
| Shared full-day boat tour | From about ฿650 | Gecko Routes quotes a Klook listing |
| Private longtail tour | From about ฿5,000 | Gecko Routes quotes Phi Phi Island Tours |
| National park fee | ฿200 per adult | Foreign adults; children 3 to 14 pay ฿100 |
| Tonsai Pier clean-up fee | ฿20 | Paid in cash on arrival |
The park fee is a common source of confusion. Thai National Parks lists ฿200 for foreign adults and ฿100 for children aged 3 to 14, with the park open from 08:00 to 16:30, while Gecko Routes quotes ฿400 in cash for Bamboo Island. Tour tickets often include the fee, so ask your operator what is covered.
Things to Do in Phi Phi in the Rainy Season
The monsoon runs from about May to October, and the sea is rougher, visibility for diving is lower and boat trips are more likely to be changed. Maya Bay is closed for August and September as well. Rainy-day things to do in Phi Phi include the market, a cooking class, Muay Thai and a morning viewpoint climb before the rain sets in, though the steps can be slippery. Our guide to the best time to visit Phi Phi covers the seasons month by month.
Things to Do in Phi Phi: Getting There and Getting Around
There is no airport or bridge, so you arrive by boat at Tonsai Pier, where a ฿20 clean-up fee applies. Boats run from Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, and our guides to Phuket to Phi Phi and Krabi to Phi Phi cover times and fares. For every route in one place, see our Phi Phi island ferry guide.
Once on the island you walk, take a longtail water taxi to the beaches and the northern bays, or join a tour. The village is compact, so most things to do in Phi Phi Don start within a few minutes of the pier. Carry some cash for the pier fee and the viewpoint tickets, and bring reef-safe sun cream, since the sun is strong on the water.
Things to Do in Phi Phi FAQ
What are the top things to do in Phi Phi?
A boat tour to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, the viewpoints above Tonsai Village, snorkeling at Monkey Beach or Bamboo Island, and a sunset at Long Beach are the most popular.
How many days do you need in Phi Phi?
Two to three days is a good length. One day covers a half-day tour and the viewpoints, and a second and third day allow a full-day tour, diving or quiet beaches.
Can you swim at Maya Bay?
No. Swimming at Maya Bay is prohibited to protect the coral, and the bay is closed each August and September. It reopened on 1 October 2026.
Is it worth climbing the Phi Phi viewpoint?
Yes, if you go early or late. The climb takes 20 to 40 minutes from the village, and the fee is about ฿30 to ฿50 for viewpoints 1 and 2 plus ฿20 for viewpoint 3.
What is there to do in Phi Phi at night?
Watch Muay Thai at Reggae Bar, catch a beach fire show from around 10 pm, join a pool party in the day, or swim with bioluminescent plankton on an evening tour.
Is Phi Phi good for snorkeling?
Yes. Conditions are best from about November or December to May, and common spots include Shark Point, Mosquito Island, Nui Bay and Bamboo Island.
Are the monkeys at Monkey Beach dangerous?
They are wild and may steal food or act roughly. Keep bags closed, do not feed them and stay at a distance. Feeding is prohibited under the park's rules.
What is the best time of year for things to do in Phi Phi?
November to April, when the sea is calmer and visibility is best. The rainy season from May to October is cheaper but rougher, and Maya Bay is closed in August and September.
Ready to see the best of Phi Phi?
Check dates and availability for the half-day speedboat tour to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon.
Photo credits: Pileh Lagoon by Puripant (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Phi Phi viewpoint by Caitriana Nicholson (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Monkey Beach by Alexey Komarov (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Bamboo Island by Yuriy Surov (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons). Tour photos: GetYourGuide.
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This guide is compiled from published park, operator and traveler information, checked on 26 October 2026. We have not run these trips ourselves for this page. Prices, schedules, fees and rules around Koh Phi Phi change often, so confirm with your operator before you travel. Tour bookings are handled by GetYourGuide.
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