Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting? Speedboat, Getting There, Things To See And Do

Koh Phi Phi has received a bad rap in the tourism scene, but is it really what they’ve been talking about? Here I show you a sweet visit to Koh Phi Phi you don’t wanna miss.

Nguyen Oanh
蛋島

Released on Feb 2, 2000, Leonardo DiCaprio’s legendary movie The Beach has hit 144.1 million US dollars, dragging the quiet escape of Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Island) to a new height.

Ever since, travelers from all walks of life have flocked here on the hunt for that stunning seascape and snorkel in the crystal clear water of Maya Bay.

瑪雅灣

I’m no different. And in this article, I’ll be showing you the best way to get to Koh Phi Phi. More on things to see and do below.

How to Get to Phi Phi Island?

我們團的快艇

Phi Phi is not an island, it’s a small archipelago consisting of six different islands located 40 kilometers southeast of Phuket. To cover all those islands in a trip, you need to sign up for a boat tour. Most people wanna have pick-up with lunch provided. Alternatively, you can get there from either Phuket or Krabi by a public ferry which is more on the budget-friendly side. The ferry ride is about 90 minutes from Krabi.

However, if you wish to visit Maya Bay, which for me is the most beautiful place to visit in Koh Phi Phi, you need to swab to a speedboat at the end since ferries do not reach that far.

A boat tour to Koh Phi Phi on a day trip will cover other stops such as Koh Khai and Monkey Beach. Some of the spots are perfect for snorkeling and swimming so you’d better check with the tour operator to have your snorkeling gear sorted out.

A Brief Checklist Before Visiting Koh Phi Phi

  1. Seasick pills
  2. Sunscreen
  3. Sunglasses
  4. Snorkeling gear (if needed)
  5. Slippers
  6. Swimsuit
  7. Breathable outfit
  8. Towel

Speedboat Tour To Koh Phi Phi: My Sample Itinerary

Hotel Pick-up

Some tours include a pick-up service while others let you arrive at the pier by yourself. The prices vary depending on how many services you wish to cover. Other than that, there are a few different departure spots around Rassada Pier for Koh Phi Phi so make sure you know which one you’re gonna get on the confirmation details.

The one I signed up for started at Patong Beach in downtown Phuket. The shuttle van took me 40 minutes to reach the pier and I was provided with a phone number to contact the driver if needed.

Once at the pier, the guide will hand you a bracelet you’re supposed to wear throughout the trip. Each bracelet is issued to you with a certain color in order to identify which tour group you belong to.

Koh Khai

Setting sail from the pier, you will reach Koh Khai first thing in the trip after an hour’s ride for snorkeling. Koh Khai is somewhat smaller than other islands in the area. Ironically, Koh Khai is chock full of stellar beach bars and a plethora of water adventures to engage in such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and water skiing.

Nui Bay

The second layover is at Nui Bay. It’s a standalone bay separated from the rest of the mainland by towering limestone cliffs that slice the bay into a series of caves, coral reefs, and a large boulder jutting out to the sea known as Camel Rock.

Pileh Lagoon

Submerged in the crystal clear sea framed by a not-so-shallow coast where you can snorkel, swim, or just chill out with a picnic, Pileh is nothing more than a slice of tropical paradise itself where the coastline is powdered by white snow and flanked by lush rainforests protruding from the sea.

Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach is a tiny strip of white sandbar kissed by the turquoise water from both sides. It’s pressed against an abundant rainforest enfolding the limestone mountain, providing a home sweet home for monkeys.

Viking Cave

If scuba diving is what your heart desires, you’ve come to the right place. Viking Cave is not only a haven for passionate scuba divers but also known as a paradise of indigenous white-nest swiftlet birds. They produce a great source of protein used in the making of bird-nest drinks.

Maya Bay

The last stop, Maya Bay, is hands down my favorite place to visit on the whole trip.

Constructed by 100-meter high cliffs from all three sides, there’s no wonder why Maya Bay is everyone’s favorite stop. It beckons a whopping number of visitors on any given sunny day, scrambling the entire set of stairs from the pier to the beach. Maya Bay is broken down into several small beaches only revealed when the tide is out.

Key Takeaways: Is Ko Phi Phi Really Worth It?

Koh Phi Phi is the most talked-about beach getaway in Thailand. Serving as the backdrop for famous Hollywood blockbusters, Koh Phi Phi is a beautiful seascape yet undoubtedly overpriced. It isn’t as cheap as it once was. However, those who are yet to come definitely wanna pay this place a visit, especially if they are here for snorkeling.

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