Limestone walls, coral pinnacles, and iconic lagoons in Thailand's Andaman Sea
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Overview
Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Islands) is a limestone archipelago in Thailand's Andaman Sea, best known for vertical walls, coral gardens, and sheltered lagoons that sit minutes from the main pier on Phi Phi Don. Divers come for warm water around 28°C, reef-scattered pinnacles like Hin Klang, and signature dives on the Bida Islands where soft corals, schooling fish, and regular turtle encounters are common. Snorkelers get clear shallow reefs at Bamboo Island and calm bays around Phi Phi Leh, while topside travelers chase sunrise viewpoints, longtail-boat lagoons, and buzzing beach-town evenings.
The islands sit inside Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, so expect park rules and fees, plus strict visitor management at Maya Bay (timed entry and no swimming). Plan around the monsoon: November to April is typically calmer with better visibility, while May to October can bring rougher seas and occasional ferry cancellations. Staying at least two nights helps you dive or snorkel early, before day-trippers arrive.
Koh Phi Phi is a small island group between Phuket and Krabi. Most travelers base on Phi Phi Don (the only inhabited island) near Tonsai Pier, then day-trip by longtail boat or dive boat to Phi Phi Leh (Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon) and Bamboo Island.
Key planning reality:
Phi Phi sits in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, and the underwater scenery matches the cliffs above water.
Expect a classic Andaman mix:
Phi Phi is managed as a national park. Officials actively enforce conservation rules and visitor controls, especially at Maya Bay.
What this means for your trip:
Phi Phi is a strong base for day trips in both directions:
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Last updated: January 23, 2026 • 17 sources
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Trip callouts
Sites sit inside Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, with ranger checks, mooring buoys, and strict rules at Maya Bay that prioritize reef recovery.
You can stack walls, pinnacles, and shallow coral gardens in a single day because many signature sites are within about 10 km of Phi Phi Don.
Divers log the Bida Islands while non-divers snorkel nearby lagoons, hike viewpoints, and still share the same longtail-boat day.
Phi Phi is well positioned for side trips to Phuket, Krabi, Railay, and (seasonally) Koh Lanta, so you can extend a trip without changing regions.
scuba
Why Koh Phi Phi for Scuba Diving
Koh Phi Phi is one of the easiest ways to sample Andaman Sea diving without committing to a liveaboard. Most sites are short boat rides from Tonsai, and you can combine walls, pinnacles, and reef slopes in the same day. Expect warm water around 28°C, visibility that commonly ranges from 10 m to 30 m depending on season, and a mix of macro life plus big-school energy on exposed sites. The Bida Islands (Bida Nok and Bida Nai) are the headline dives, while Palong Wall and Hin Klang round out a classic Phi Phi logbook.
freedive
Why Koh Phi Phi for Freediving
Koh Phi Phi is not Thailand's classic depth-training hub, but it is a surprisingly fun freedive stop for travelers who want warm water, dramatic scenery, and short boat rides to deeper walls. Sheltered lagoons let beginners practice breath-hold skills, while experienced freedivers can work along limestone drop-offs when conditions are calm. Local schools such as Apnea Phi Phi and Freediving Phi Phi run courses and coached sessions, often timed for early mornings before day-trip traffic builds.
snorkel
Why Koh Phi Phi for Snorkeling
Phi Phi is a high-reward snorkeling destination because reef life starts shallow and the scenery is spectacular above and below the surface. Longtail boats can drop you onto coral gardens, sandy bays, and cliff-lined lagoons in minutes, so you can build a full-day circuit without long crossings. Expect warm water around 28°C and the best visibility in the calmer season. Important: Maya Bay is tightly managed and swimming is prohibited in the bay, so plan to snorkel nearby locations like Loh Samah, Bamboo Island, and calmer coves instead.
topside
What to do on Koh Phi Phi when you're not diving
Phi Phi is compact, walkable, and built for quick adventure breaks between water sessions. You can hike to viewpoints for sunrise, spend the day on a longtail circuit of lagoons and beaches, or keep it simple with a swim off Long Beach. If you have extra days, Phi Phi also sits in a sweet spot for add-on day trips to Railay's cliffs (Krabi side) or Phuket's bigger restaurant and culture scene.
