How Many Islands Are in Phi Phi, and What Makes Each One Special?
railay teamThe Phi Phi Islands sit in Krabi province, out in the Andaman Sea. The group is known for white sand, clear emerald water, and tall limestone cliffs. There are two main islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le, plus a few small islands that are great snorkeling spots. This guide walks you through every island, how to get there, activities, where to stay, and the top sights, so you can plan the whole trip in one place.
How Many Islands Are in Phi Phi, and How Do They Differ?
Phi Phi has two main islands and several small islands that are snorkeling spots.
- Phi Phi Don: the largest island, with hotels, restaurants, and the main pier. Good for an overnight stay.
- Phi Phi Le: a small island with no residents. It is a national park and holds Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, both world famous.
- Bamboo Island: a quiet beach with shallow water, good for snorkeling.
- Mosquito Island: a dive spot full of colorful fish and healthy coral.
Want a deeper comparison of where to stay or visit? Read how Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are different.
How Do You Get to the Phi Phi Islands?
The Phi Phi Islands have no road link, so you can only get there by boat. You can go from both Krabi and Phuket, with ferries and speedboats running every day. From Krabi a speedboat takes about 45 minutes. From Phuket a ferry takes about 2 hours. Pick what fits your budget and time.
Want piers, prices, and which province to start from? Read how to get to Phi Phi in detail.
Activities You Can't Miss on Phi Phi
This is not just a beach to lie on. There is plenty to do for both adventurers and easygoing travelers.
- Snorkeling over coral at Mosquito Island and Bamboo Island
- Scuba diving at Loh Samah Bay
- Climbing up to the Phi Phi Don viewpoint
- Kayaking along the shoreline
What Is There to Eat on Phi Phi?
After a day in the water, fresh seafood is the highlight. Phi Phi Don has many restaurants, with seafood and bold southern Thai food, plus beach bars where you can watch the sunset. Popular dishes include glass noodles with prawns, tom yum goong, and pad thai with fresh prawns.
What Kinds of Places Can You Stay on Phi Phi?
Most places to stay are on Phi Phi Don. They range from budget hostels to beachfront resorts. For a lively spot, stay near Tonsai Bay pier. For a quiet one, pick a beach farther out like Long Beach. Phi Phi Le has no overnight stays because it is a national park.
Top Sights You Have to See
- Maya Bay: a curved bay with clear water, famous worldwide. It closes for nature recovery from August to September each year.
- Phi Phi Don Viewpoint: see Tonsai Bay and Loh Dalum Bay join in a butterfly shape.
- Tonsai Bay: the lively area with shops, restaurants, and the boat dock.
- Pileh Lagoon: a small bay with emerald water ringed by cliffs.
Tips to Make Your Phi Phi Trip Worth It
A little planning goes a long way.
- Book your boat and room ahead, especially in the busy season.
- Check the weather before you set off, and skip rough days.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and swimwear.
- Keep some spare budget for park fees and dive gear.
Visit the Phi Phi Islands With a Local Krabi Guide
Want to see every highlight without planning it yourself? Railay Eco Tour runs a Phi Phi tour with guides who are Krabi locals. They know the dive spots where the coral is still healthy and the right time to visit each spot to avoid the big crowds.
Plan Your Phi Phi Trip the Right Way
The Phi Phi Islands have it all in one place: nature, activities, food, and many styles of stay. Sleep over on Phi Phi Don, and see Phi Phi Le and the small islands on a day trip. Come in the busy season for the clearest water, or in the rainy season for quiet and cheaper rooms. Plan a little ahead and the trip will be full and smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many islands are in Phi Phi?
There are two main islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le, plus small islands that are snorkeling spots, such as Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island. All are in Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province.
What are the Phi Phi Islands known for?
They are known for clear emerald water, white sand, and limestone cliffs. The most famous spots are Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi Le.
How many days do you need for Phi Phi?
For a day trip, one day covers the main highlights. If you want to relax and see several islands, stay 2 nights on Phi Phi Don.
References
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Phi Phi Islands
- Wikipedia: Phi Phi Islands
Krabi walking street runs in the old-town quarter of Krabi town, on weekend evenings only — not every night. Visitors staying in Ao Nang who drive in without checking the day regularly find an empty street. The draw is freshly cooked food at local prices that Krabi people actually eat: grilled seafood, regional sweets, fresh-pressed juices, plus handicraft stalls from people in the area.
Railay EcoPoda Island is a small island in Krabi province, south of Ao Nang — roughly 20 to 30 minutes by longtail boat or about 15 minutes by speedboat. What stands out is the fine white sand and the water, which stays shallow on a long gentle slope.
Railay EcoPileh Lagoon sits on Phi Phi Leh in Krabi province — a bay almost completely ringed by tall limestone cliffs, with one narrow gap for boats to pass through. No swell reaches inside, so the water sits still, and the white sand floor below reflects the light back as emerald. Every trip to Phi Phi Leh stops here, because it is only minutes from Maya Bay.
Railay EcoKrabi Airport sits roughly 15 kilometres from Krabi town and 30 to 40 minutes by road from Ao Nang. To reach Ao Nang you can take the airport bus, a shared minivan, a taxi, or a private transfer booked in advance. Railay is a different matter: it is a peninsula no road reaches, so you take a vehicle to a pier and then a boat. The mistake people make most often is landing late and finding the last boats into Railay already finished for the day. This guide covers each transport option, journey times, rough costs, and how to handle a late arrival.
Railay EcoNopparat Thara Beach is in Krabi town district, immediately west of Ao Nang — five to ten minutes away on foot or by car. It runs for several kilometres, holds far fewer people than Ao Nang, and has the national park headquarters sitting right on the sand. The detail most visitors miss: at the lowest tides a sandbar emerges and you can walk out to the small island offshore without a boat. It also serves as a departure point for some island routes, so it works both as a place to rest and as a way out to sea. This guide covers how it differs from Ao Nang, how to get there, and when to go.
Railay EcoHong Island belongs to Krabi province and sits inside Than Bok Khorani National Park, north of Ao Nang — roughly 30 to 40 minutes by speedboat, or about an hour by longtail. What makes it different from the other Krabi islands is the lagoon in its middle: a pool of water almost entirely enclosed by tall limestone cliffs, with one narrow opening that small boats can slip through when the tide is high enough.
Railay Eco