Phi Phi Islands: A Local’s In-depth Travel Review

Nestled in the Krabi Province, Phi Phi Islands is an exquisite destination in Southern Thailand, renowned for its breathtaking beauty. Part of the Hat Noppharat Thara National Park, the two primary islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, boast stunning beaches and vibrant coral reefs that make it a true paradise on earth. Notably, the iconic Maya Bay had been closed for more than three years for restoration but has recently reopened to visitors in early 2023. I had the opportunity to explore this mesmerizing bay, and it was truly a spectacular experience! If you’re considering a visit to the Phi Phi Islands, you are at the right place as this detailed review will bring you to travel the true paradise of Thailand.

✨👀 If you’re reading this travel review on my blog for the first time, I just want to say hello! My name is Kot and I’m real 100% Thai. Therefore, you can be confident that this Thai travel review is a genuine local review, not a travel review done by foreigners or Farangs. So, let’s travel like real Thai locals. Yeahh!

A One-Day Tour to Phi Phi Islands

Embarking on a one-day tour to the Phi Phi Islands, complete with snorkeling and coral viewing, is both convenient and enjoyable. Whether you’re coming from Phuket or Krabi, I recommend booking a tour for a hassle-free experience. The tour staff will take care of you, ensuring safety with experienced and knowledgeable boat captains. Additionally, a guide will provide information about various attractions during the trip. To select a tour operator, first determine your departure location (either Krabi or Phuket) and then choose a tour company that suits your needs.

Exploring the Phi Phi Islands with Phi Phi Tour 

This review, we are going to the Phi Phi Islands with Koh Phi Phi Tour (or TTD on Klook), beginning with our departure from their private pier in Krabi province. The journey is seamless, thanks to their hotel pick-up and drop-off service. With over 30 years of experience, Koh Phi Phi Tour ensures a safe and enjoyable trip, led by skilled boat captains and accompanied by friendly, well-trained staff and knowledgeable guides.

That’s not all! Onboard, we’re treated to cold drinking water, refreshing fruits, and a delicious midday buffet meal. Snorkeling enthusiasts will appreciate the provided gear and life jackets, making this tour the epitome of convenience and fun!

8 Must-See Attractions for a Day Trip to the Phi Phi Islands

Bamboo Island (เกาะไม้ไผ่)

Our first stop after a 40-minute boat ride is the tranquil Bamboo Island. We have about 40 minutes to explore this small Andaman Sea island, taking advantage of its pristine beach and serene atmosphere. As we arrived early, our boat was among the first to reach the island, resulting in fewer crowds.

Bamboo Island’s beach extends from the north to the east, offering ample space to stroll and explore. The island is well-equipped with a tourist service center, restaurants, restrooms, and even a tent camping area.

One of Bamboo Island’s hidden gems is its spectacular white-sand beach and crystal-clear waters. Surprisingly, the south of the island is home to an abundance of coral reefs, making it called as one of the best snorkeler’s paradise.

After an incredible time swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the beach, we continued to the trip’s highlight: Maya Bay. Just a 30-minute journey from Bamboo Island, this breathtaking destination awaits!

Maya Bay (อ่าวมาหยา)

We arrived at Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh, the larger of the two Phi Phi Islands, not long after leaving Bamboo Island. The erosion of its cliffs created Maya Bay, a small crescent-shaped cove surrounded by limestone mountains. Maya Bay’s stunning beauty has made it a popular tourist destination for both Thai and foreign visitors. The white sandy beach here is famous for its incredibly soft, powdery sand, which I can confirm! The sand is incredibly soft! Furthermore, the sea in Maya Bay is stunning emerald green, surrounded by tall cliffs and lush greenery.

This year, England’s Daily Star newspaper included Maya Bay in its “World’s 20 Most Beautiful Beaches” ranking, placing it at number 12. I must say, visiting Maya Bay is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I guarantee you’ll love it!

Alright! Once we arrived, our speedboat docked at the Loh Samah Bay pier. The area was packed with tourists, and each boat had to queue to dock and let passengers disembark. However, everything felt quite relaxed because the pier was well-organized, allowing people to quickly and easily board or disembark. After reaching the pier, we still had to walk about 50 meters to reach the actual beach.

And, as we all know, Maya Bay in the Phi Phi Islands was closed for renovations in 2018 due to an influx of tourists that was causing damage to the surrounding resources, including coral reefs and various marine species. So, when I finally got to visit this site on this trip, I was overjoyed. Not only would I get to see Maya Bay after three years, but it’s also known among foreigners as “The Beach,” the title of a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film was shot in Maya Bay around 1999, making the location famous around the world. It’s safe to say that anyone visiting Thailand should at least once visit Maya Bay and the Phi Phi Islands.

After Maya Bay was closed for renovation and environmental recovery for almost three years, several restrictions were put in place by the National Park authorities during my visit. They were quite strict, for example, prohibiting the use of chemical sunscreen, as the chemicals in sunscreen can harm the coral reefs under the sea. Another restriction I believe everyone will notice when arriving at the beach is that swimming is not allowed. If anyone accidentally wanders too deep into the water, the park officers will blow a whistle to warn them to return to the shore immediately. I must say, the park officers were very strict and serious, but we have to understand that all of their actions are to preserve nature for us to enjoy in the long run.

Let’s take a walk and explore the inner part of Phi Phi Leh Island together. I must say that the National Park authorities have done an excellent job in organizing visitor activities on the island, including well-maintained walkways. We walked along a long wooden bridge that stretched all the way to the beach of Maya Bay. The feeling upon arrival was amazing because the beach was stunningly beautiful – like a paradise on Earth. When my feet touched the sand, it was incredibly soft and comfortable. Personally, I had never experienced sand this soft before – and that’s the truth!

Not only was the sand delightful, but the seawater was also beautiful with a crystal-clear emerald green color. Moreover, the view of Maya Bay was surrounded by towering limestone mountains, with a gap in the center leading out to the sea – an incredibly scenic sight. I was truly in awe of the beauty that nature had crafted here.

For those who want to escape the crowds at the beachfront, I suggest walking to the far right towards the limestone mountains. This area tends to have fewer people, offering more privacy and a unique atmosphere for photography, with the backdrop of towering limestone mountains and the expanse of the sea. This place is truly a paradise on Earth. Even more exciting is the sight of baby blacktip reef sharks swimming close to the shore – a truly incredible scene. During my visit, I saw one shark swimming nearby. The fact that blacktip reef sharks are coming this close is a testament to the successful restoration of Maya Bay, with nature starting to thrive once again.

For me, Maya Bay gave me the feeling of being in a cove that’s embraced by limestone mountains. The highlight is the beach’s ultra-soft sand. With every step I took, it felt like walking on a plush carpet, providing an incredibly pleasant sensation. The fine-grained sand would mold itself to the weight of my feet, creating a truly relaxing experience. Since I started visiting beaches, I had never felt sand this soft before. I want everyone to see and experience it for themselves – it’s the absolute best, trust me.

Pileh Bay (Pileh Lagoon) / อ่าวปิเละ (ปิเละลากูน)

After that, we set off by boat and admired the beauty of Pileh Bay (Pileh Lagoon), which is surrounded by limestone cliffs and emerald-green waters. In some spots, we could even look down and see the coral reefs beneath the sea. This location is just as stunning and is a popular spot where various tours bring tourists to stop and take photos. As a result, you will see long-tail boats and speedboats packed into the area. Of course, the Phi Phi Island Tour Krabi also allowed us to take pictures at the front and back of the boat. The staff on board were very helpful in taking photos for us too, snapping multiple shots quickly so we could choose the best ones to post on social media with a stylish flair. I was very impressed!

Viking Cave (ถ้ำไวกิ้ง)

After we got tons of photos, we continued to Viking Cave, a sea cave discovered by ancient sailors. The cave is located on the side of a limestone cliff in the middle of the sea, just a short boat ride away from Pileh Lagoon. The interior of the cave is filled with stalactites and stalagmites and serves as a nesting site for swiftlets. The highlight of Viking Cave is the paintings on the cave walls, featuring images of three-masted sailing ships, various animals, and more. These paintings are the origin of the cave’s name, “Viking Cave.” It is an ancient cave that has been a part of the marine landscape for a very long time.

For Viking Cave, the speedboat will gently approach the cave, allowing you to appreciate its beauty from the outside only. Currently, the cave is under the exclusive concession of “Scotch Bird’s Nest Brand”, which collects bird’s nests from the cave. As a result, regular tourists like us are not allowed to enter and explore the inside of the cave.

Yung Gasem Bay or Monkey Bay (อ่าวหยงกาเส็ม หรือ อ่าวลิง)

Our trip to Phi Phi Island isn’t over yet. We sailed a little further in less than three minutes from the Viking Cave, and our boat made a stop at Haad Yung Gasem, or Monkey Bay, a small hidden bay in the middle of the sea. Since we went during high tide, we could only stop to admire the view and the monkeys climbing up and down the limestone cliffs. It was so cute to see them sleeping and playing around on the boat. This spot was another favorite of mine during the trip. Our boat lingered a bit so we could take some pictures of the monkeys before moving on to the next destination.

Loh Samah Bay (อ่าวโละซะมะ)

It’s time for those who love swimming and snorkeling, as Loh Samah Bay is a spot that is home to coral reefs and various types of fish. On the day I visited, the seawater was very clear, but the waves were quite strong. This was because, during the time of our visit to Krabi, it rained almost every afternoon. Luckily, there was no rain during our Phi Phi island tour on that day.

For snorkeling to see the coral reefs, the Phi Phi Island tour provides complete equipment for us, such as life jackets and snorkeling masks. The staff on the boat will distribute these to everyone on the tour. If you cannot swim, you can inform the staff beforehand, as they will get into the water to help and look after you closely. For some people, they might give you a rubber ring to hold onto and swim alongside you while you snorkel to see the coral reefs. This is excellent for those who are not good at swimming, as they will take good care of you and ensure your safety. They really pay attention to their guests.

I can definitely say that snorkeling in Loh Samah Bay is a lot of fun and results in many beautiful photos. You can see various rock formations, a wide variety of fish, and numerous coral reefs, making it feel like a hub of underwater wonders. In addition to enjoying the colors beneath the sea, you can also immerse yourself in beautiful nature. I absolutely love snorkeling at this spot.

Loh Lana Bay

Our morning tour schedule was complete. After we finished snorkeling, the Phi Phi Island tour took us to have lunch on Phi Phi Don Island, which was an all-you-can-eat buffet. We replenished our energy with a hearty meal before heading to the second snorkeling spot at Loh Lana Bay. The word “Loh” means beach, and “Lana” is likely derived from a woman’s name. Loh Lana Bay has a horseshoe shape with hills surrounding both ends of the bay and a long beach stretching about 500 meters.

The snorkeling spot here has a fair amount of coral and fish to see, but when compared to the first spot at Loh Samah Bay, the water there was clearer. At Loh Lana Bay, the water is slightly murkier, and the waves are calmer and more peaceful, making it easier for snorkeling. In other words, it doesn’t drain our energy too much.

I went snorkeling and explored the coral reefs for the entire time allotted. Although the water at this spot was murkier than the previous one, I still saw schools of small fish swimming around nearby. I enjoyed relaxing while floating in the water and experiencing the tranquil underwater atmosphere. This marked the perfect end to my full-day Phi Phi Island tour. I promise to explore more snorkeling spots in Krabi next time.

When the team signaled for us to reboard the boat, it brought us back to the dock where our adventure had started earlier in the day. A shuttle stood by to collect us and transport us back to our accommodations. The Phi Phi Island excursion was an enjoyable and unforgettable day filled with swimming, snorkeling, and taking in the stunning scenery of the bays. It was an amazing day in Krabi, and I wholeheartedly recommend everyone try this experience for themselves.

Resort I Stayed in Krabi
Krabi Aonang Hill

On my Krabi trip, I had the pleasure of staying at Krabi Aonang Hill Resort, a place with an incredible ambiance, enveloped by mountains and lush nature. It felt like I was nestled amidst a serene forest, creating a rejuvenating, calming, and peaceful atmosphere. The resort was conveniently located near the beach, just a short 4-minute drive away. Accommodations included individual villas and separate rooms within a main building. My room, designed for three guests, was an excellent value at only 1,800 baht per night.

Besides the inviting environment of Krabi Aonang Hill, the rooms boasted all the necessary comforts, such as a television, fridge, hairdryer, and hot water. Towels were supplied for use inside the room, and additional towels were provided for swimming in the pool or beach activities. This added convenience made my island tour even more enjoyable. I was truly smitten with my stay.

The spacious room accommodated the three of us without feeling cramped. The beds were soft and comfortable, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. What I enjoyed most was the room’s large balcony, which extended towards the swimming pool. The balcony had a table and chairs set, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the cool breeze. For early risers, I highly recommend sitting and watching the birds and trees in the morning. Surrounded by the sounds of nature, the backdrop features mountains and towering cliffs, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.

At Krabi Aonang Hill, guests are treated to a buffet breakfast featuring a wide array of options, including both Thai and Western dishes, in addition to cereals, milk, baked goods, and fruit. As for the taste, I think it appeals to all palates, and I award it full marks for its extensive selection.

With its stunning atmosphere, spacious rooms, and an array of breakfast choices, Krabi Aonang Hill is a fantastic accommodation option in Krabi. At a cost of just 600 baht per person, it provides excellent value for money. The resort offers comprehensive amenities, clean and spacious rooms, and a serene atmosphere surrounded by lush greenery. It’s perfect for a family getaway to unwind and relax. For those planning a trip to Krabi and looking for a convenient stay near tourist attractions and the beach, I highly recommend Krabi Aonang Hill – it’s truly worth the price.