Koh Phi Phi is the first island of our Thailand route and home to Maya Bay, the bay with turquoise water between steep cliffs. We spent three days here. This is a deeper look at that stop of our 3-week Thailand itinerary.

Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta?

Looking for more peace and quiet? Koh Lanta is the alternative: a lovely island to rent a scooter, much quieter in the evening and with beautiful nature. You do have to like the bustle of Phi Phi.

Things to do on Koh Phi Phi: what we did

Relaxing on the beach and by the pool

On Koh Phi Phi we mostly relaxed and spent our days on the beach or by the pool.

Early to Maya Bay

For Maya Bay we wanted to leave as early as possible, before the big groups arrive. So in the Phi Phi harbor itself we looked for a fisherman on his boat and asked how early we could leave in the morning. He immediately offered to take us himself. We left just after sunrise and had the beach of Maya Bay completely to ourselves. On the way back we saw just how many tourists arrive on the island later in the day. It was slightly cheaper than booking online, and you can definitely haggle.

Well-rated options are the half-day longtail trip to Maya Bay with snorkeling (4.6 from 666 reviews) and the private longtail boat trip to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon (4.8 from nearly 1,930 reviews). Go as early as possible, because Maya Bay gets a lot busier later in the day.

👉 Tours and activities on Koh Phi Phi:

Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi

We stayed at Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort. We could only book this hotel through Agoda. The resort was on the beach and just outside the bustle, with lovely huts. In the distance we heard music from the nightlife every evening.

Where to eat and drink on Koh Phi Phi: Recommendations

Local food is really the tastiest, and Phi Phi has plenty of Thai restaurants.

• Papaya Restaurant in Ton Sai: Thai and Indian, big portions.
• Tonsai Seafood right on the beach.
• Blue Lagune, known for its pad thai with shrimp.

From Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lipe

Here too we took the speedboat. Read on in our 3-week itinerary.

Practical tips for Koh Phi Phi

Maya Bay is closed every year from August 1 to September 30 so nature can recover. When the bay is open, keep this in mind:

• Swimming in the bay itself is not allowed, but you can walk along the beach.
• Boats do not enter the bay and dock at the pier on the back side.
• You pay the national park fee in cash on arrival. It also covers Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island, so bring enough cash.
• The dry season runs roughly from November through April, when the sea is calmest.

Frequently asked questions about Koh Phi Phi

How do you get to Maya Bay early?

We arranged a fisherman in the Phi Phi harbor, who took us just after sunrise. That way we had the beach to ourselves before the big groups came.

Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta?

Phi Phi is busy and hectic, Koh Lanta is quieter and nice to explore by scooter. Choose what suits you.

How many days do you need on Koh Phi Phi?

We spent three days, which was enough to relax and visit Maya Bay.

👉 Read more: Thailand Itinerary 3 Weeks, Things to Do on Koh Lipe and Things to Do in Ao Nang and Railay Beach.