Ultimate Phi Phi 5 day Itinerary for 2024

So, you’ve landed yourself in southern Thailand with five days to kill and no idea what to do. You’ve come to the correct location. There’s no better place to spend your time than Koh Phi Phi if you’re looking for sun, sea, and breathtaking landscapes.

The Phi Phi Islands are a series of islands in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand’s main island, Phuket. The Phi Phi Islands are known for their jutting limestone cliffs, blue tidal lagoons, and spectacular coral reefs. Only one of Phi Phi’s islands, Koh Phi Phi Don, is inhabited, and it’s a busy hub of small market streets, cramped hostels, and frenetic beach bars. Still, Koh Phi Phi has a lot to offer, and five days is the ideal amount of time to see it all.

Our five-day itinerary for the Phi Phi islands is boaideal for rounding out your trip or recharging your batteries before continuing on with your journey. Although Koh Phi Phi is only accessible by boat, its location provides a fantastic view of the rest of Thailand.

This plan is flexible, and if you have more than five days in Phi Phi, don’t worry about it. There are lots of other things to do to keep yourself occupied. This, however, is the perfect five-day Koh Phi Phi itinerary for experiencing the finest of these islands.

Packing Essentials for Phi Phi

Cover-ups for temples and restaurants that are light in weight. Because many rooftop bars and temples had severe no-shoulder dress codes, I brought multiple Kimonos. In the summer, Bangkok is incredibly hot and humid, so carrying a lightweight kimono saved my life!

A tiny bag that may be worn on the front of your body and over your chest. In Bangkok, there are a lot of pickpockets (well, any big city really). Make sure you’re not wearing any conspicuous labels or bags, since this will draw attention to you.

A nice, low-cost pair of sunglasses! Keep in mind that you’ll be at the beach. You don’t want your high-priced pair damaged or stolen.

Day One: Arrive to Koh Phi Phi

Arrive in TonSai Pier (usually late morning/early afternoon) and proceed directly to your pre-booked Phi Phi hotel for the night. Drop off your belongings, make yourself at home, and change into your swimsuit. Take a walk down to the nearest beach and enjoy the beautiful views of the island while soaking up the sun or perhaps having a plunge in the ocean!

After you’ve had your fill of the beach, walk over to Loh Dalum Bay to watch the sunset. Even if you don’t believe the sunset will be spectacular, it’s worth visiting just in case it is!

There are plenty of vibrant local restaurants and elegant western establishments where you may have a Pad Thai or a freshly caught fish supper. Dinner will be served at Amico Restaurant. It’s one of the island’s “non-local” restaurants, yet we found it to be the greatest value for money, with delicious cuisine and generous amounts!

Return to Loh Dalum Bay after supper to observe how the beach has already changed into a massive party scene. Even if you don’t want to join the celebration, walking along the beach and seeing how it’s transformed in just a few hours is entertaining! If you’re participating in the fun, congratulations… you’re already there. If not, return to your hotel and rest up for tomorrow’s big day!

Day Two: Phi Leh Lagoon and “Viking Caves”

One thing to remember while arriving at Koh Phi Phi is to plan a Phi Phi boat excursion for the next day. There are a lot of package boat trips available, but there are also a lot of local fisherman who will take you out for an inexpensive snorkeling tour (also check out the best snorkelling sites Phi Phi). The Phi Leh Lagoon, the national park, and the “Viking Caves” are all must-sees on Day 2 on Koh Phi Phi.

The Phi Leh Lagoon, also known as Phi Ley Cove, is a tidal lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs that is popular for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. In excellent circumstances, the depth offers uninterrupted vision and the opportunity to snorkel with a variety of unaffected marine life. The only way to get to the lagoon is through a narrow breach between the rocks, and the turquoise seas are your only option.

The neighboring “Viking Caves” are a must-see after a few hours of sunbathing and soaking in the surroundings at Phi Ley. These old caves are not accessible, however they may be seen from adjacent boats. Learn about the profitable business that still exists inside the caverns, where tasty bird’s eggs are gathered, from your tour guide. If you have time, finish the day at another snorkeling spot and watch the sun set before your guide drives you home.

Day Three: Maya Bay

Maya Bay tour is a must-see on any trip to Koh Phi Phi, and a full day is required to view the notorious cove. This place is one of the most famous in the world due to its majestic peaks, immaculate white beach, and coin-shaped bay. If the bay’s amazing natural beauty wasn’t enough to pique your interest, its filmic status would.

Maya Bay shot to fame when it was utilized as the setting for Danny Boyle’s adventure thriller “The Beach” in 2000. The film, which stars Leonardo Dicaprio and is set on Koh Samui, is based on a novel, but Phi Phi Le proved to be a superior place to reinvent the Edenic paradise.

The film was credited with increasing tourism to Koh Phi Phi, although the surge of visitors is widely regarded to have harmed the island’s nature. As a result, Maya Bay has been closed for four years to enable for rehabilitation and the replenishment of natural ecosystems. Maya Bay will finally open its shores to visitors in 2022, adding to the excitement of visiting Thailand’s most famous bay.

Book a spot on the Maya Bay Sleepaboard and spend the night anchored in the bay if you have the chance. You’ll have a private dinner party on the beach, snorkel with dazzling plankton, and sleep beneath the stars on this excursion. The sleep-aboard experience is rustic, affordable, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Day Four: Phi Phi View Point and Monkey Beach

It’s time to get your legs going on solid land after two days at sea. Start your fourth day in Koh Phi Phi with a climb to the lookout for spectacular 360-degree views of the Phi Phi islands. If you want to see the dawn, you’ll have to get up at 5 a.m., but it’ll be worth it.

Although the walk is just 30 minutes long, the steep steps and rocky ascent are sure to make you sweat. For a cheap admission charge of 30 THB (less than $1), you may visit three overlooks in the same compound. If you don’t want to miss the dawn, go while the sun is low and the tide is high.

After your climb, travel to Tonsai Bay and rent a kayak for less than $5. Without a tour guide, explore Phi Phi Don’s caverns and even stop at Monkey Beach in Thailand. Hundreds of monkeys cling to the cliffs, as the name suggests. If not offended, the creatures are friendly and will even climb on visitors. However, keep your valuables hidden because they have a reputation for stealing everything they can get their hands on.

Finish the day with a pool party at Ibiza House or a swim in the PP Princess hotel’s beachside infinity pool. On Phi Phi Island, there is a plethora of nightlife options, most of which are centred on Loh Dalum Beach, which is flanked with beach clubs. If you enjoy partying, a night out on Koh Phi Phi will not disappoint you.

Day Five: Phuket

The fifth day has finally arrived. It’s time to depart Koh Phi Phi and pack your belongings. But your trip to Koh Phi Phi doesn’t have to finish there. After wiping away your tears, you’ll need to find your way to the mainland, where you may either return home or continue your journey.

The boat from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi (also see the best things to do in Phuket) is only 46 kilometers long and takes two hours. Because your connecting flights or further travel will very certainly originate on the island, why not make a day of it?

A day of touring on Thailand’s biggest island is the ideal length of time to get a feel for living in Phuket. Visit Phuket City and the Thai Hua Museum, which is housed in a manor home from the 1930s. From the heart of Phuket’s cultural centre, learn about the island’s rich past. Make a point of visiting Thalang Road in the Old Town, where you’ll see rows of Sino-Portuguese structures and 19th-century shophouses.

The island of Phuket serves as a gateway to the rest of Thailand. If you’ve got your fill of island life, take a boat to Koh Lanta Yai or fly back to Bangkok. It just takes an hour to go from Bangkok to the cities and mountains of northern Thailand.

Consider taking a cooking lesson (S$60-70) or hiking the Dragon Crest Trail if you have time before your flight. Why not kayak from Ao Nang beach to Railay West beach if you’re confident in your paddling abilities following the warmup the day before?

Fly Home

Pack your belongings and bid farewell to the glittering sea! The airport is around 45 minutes to an hour north of Patong Beach, so allow plenty of time to catch your flight.