Koh Phi Phi blog — How to make a Koh Phi Phi day trip from Krabi perfectly?

With just one day on Koh Phi Phi island, I still have a lot of things to play and explore on this most beautiful island in Thailand. Head to the top of the Viewpoint to see the whole island city, buy a tour to explore the neighboring islands and spend the evening immersing myself in the vibrant party atmosphere on the island, a short day but the experiences with it are memorable.

So, what to do and how to spend one day trip on Koh Phi Phi (Ko Phi Phi day trip) from Krabi (Koh Phi Phi day trip from Krabi) perfectly? Let’s check out our Koh Phi Phi blog (Koh Phi Phi travel blog) with our guides from how to get there, top things to do on Koh Phi Phi to find out the answer!

Koh Phi Phi is not actually an isolated island but an archipelago off Phuket, a province in southern Thailand. However, to explore Koh Phi Phi, visitors do not often go to Phuket, but they will come Krabi first and then take the boat to the island. Known as where has one of the cleanest beaches in the world, Phi Phi Island consists of 6 islands with the main islands are Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, and Maya Bay. From the air looking down to the South, the islands of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh are like two P character, so Westerners called PP and the locals called Phi Phi.

When we just arrived in Krabi, we bought ferry tickets at the airport, 700 Baht/round trip. But for some reason, when I search online, I thought that there was no boat in Phi Phi to Ao Nang, so I bought return tickets to get back to Krabi town, while I booked the hotel in Ao Nang. So, we have to spend a bit of money to get from Krabi to Ao Nang, but had to take a detour. The price of one-way tickets is also different because getting to Phi Phi – Krabi costs about 400 Baht while returning to Ao Nang only 300 Baht.

[SALE] Krabi to Phi Phi Day Tour by Speedboat or Speed Catamaran (Operated by TTD)

Koh Phi Phi day trip from Krabi: Take the ferry to the island

The speedboat takes us through the waves from Krabi to the island. Actually, the waves here are nothing compared to the waves when taking a public ferry in the Maldives, even though both are peaceful sea, calm water. My energetic nature still cannot be ignored, taking the ferry would not made me sit still and have to run around every corner to explore, visiting, see if there is anything special, and also to take pictures again. There are many Western visitors, almost backpackers, solo travelers on the ferry, so backpack traveling is popular trending in the world today, especially Thailand fertile land is the paradise for backpackers around the world.

Ferry Ticket (One Way) between Koh Phi Phi and Krabi

The ferry arrives at Phi Phi Don at 3pm, this is the main island among the islands of Koh Phi Phi. Blue sky without a cloud, the temperature is also hot. The first impression is that this island is so bustling, bustling right at the pier. Near the shore, I see all kinds of boats, from the typical Longtail boats in Thai waters to the medium-sized and large speedboats. The longtail boats lined up neatly look good on the eyes. The sea water is clear, seeing the bottom, so clean, and that’s reason why we not step up to the shore yet, there have been some people waiting to collect environmental money already. In general, this Thai land always wants money from visitors, these environmental fees are small, but when taking the 4 island tour, they collect quite much. They collect foreign guests a total of 200 Baht/guest while Thai people only pay several dozen Baht.

We quickly pulled our luggage to find our hotel that book through Booking.com in advance. What made me choose this Marine House (Agoda.com or Booking.com) hotel is the good price compared to the common price but it’s located right in the center of the island, about 5 minutes walk from the pier. The room rates on the island are quite expensive, significantly more expensive than hotels in Krabi or Ao Nang. I have just been walking for a few minutes on the island and I was excited, the alleys, street corners are arranged and built in very western style, from the shops, hotels and restaurants along the road are built according to planning standards, clean, similar but still retain its own characteristics. Generally is extremely professional with an island specializing in tourism.

The first thing that caught my eye is the architecture of the Marine House, which looks more like a stilt house with two floors were built of wood, quite solid, in the middle is the very large hall and the rooms arranged around it. But the attitude of the staff is a minus point, there is no smile for the two guests who passed thousands of kilometers away to come here! The cold-faced receptionist held my passport and booking information, collected the money and gave the key, the end. Well, I don’t mind anymore, check-in and rest.

My room at the second floor, there is a bed and a bathroom. In general it is okay, only the toilet is not bright and eye-catching, “Well, you’ll get what you pay for”. After a short resting, we immediately run to the beach to play. The most beautiful beach in central Phi Phi is probably the beach opposite Tonsai pier, located on the other side of the island. Spread a wide towel that bring from the hotel onto the sand, bring some snacks and some chocolate milk bought from 7 Eleven on the island, so it was a romantic afternoon already.

White sand beach is quite smooth and beautiful, there are many tourists lying in the sun here. But it seems this sun exposure is only for western backpackers contraindicated for Asian girls to keep their skin white and smooth. Westerners are really happy, born is beautiful, white skin, they can sunbath everywhere to get honey skin. While Asians themselves are yellow skin and only wish to have a fair skin like them. Those are only girls, but I do not pay much attention to my skin, I like to be bare-headed and wear a sleeveless shirt, LOL.

In addition to white sand, this beach has many luxury hotels and resorts. Right behind my lying spot and also the most bustling hotel in this area, The Beacha Club Hotel (Agoda.com or Booking.com) with a swimming pool overlooking the sea. I always see some western guys lying on the edge of the pool with beer bottles in hands are in the vibrant music spread to the beach. Or some resorts located on the cliff overlooking the sea as Phuphaya Seaview Resort (Agoda.com or Booking.com), Phi Phi Sea Sky Resort (Agoda.com or Booking.com), living in the middle of nature, just waking up and you see the sea already.

In addition, you can refer to one of the best Airbnb in Koh Phi Phi: Stunning View Phi Phi Bungalow! at $39/night or phi phi villa resort at $82/night or Phi Phi Island The beacha club 1 superior room at $107/night.

–> The Airbnb link that discount up to $35 for the first booking here: https://www.airbnb.com/c/anht5185

Phi Phi Island as well as Ao Nang, Krabi you will not see the sun slowly going down to the horizon at sunset. In Ao Nang, only in Railay Bay can expect to see the sunset completely, or if in Phi Phi you only can watch the sunset when climb to the top of the View Point, this place must be the next day I can go. After lying on the beach in the sun and taking pictures, we returned to the hotel to take a shower and then go to eat. On this island, the eateries and restaurants are not lacking, if you want to eat fresh seafood, the big restaurants always satisfy your taste. As for traditional Thai food, you can go to the market or in the center is also very much. We went into such a restaurant, this restaurant is a bit more special when on the wall with the scribbled lines covered, which are the words that tourists write on to mark to commemorate their trip to Phi Phi. Of course we also not forget to make some lines!

Evening on the island is super bustling with many vibrant bars no less Khao San or Sukhumwit area in Bangkok. In addition, at the coastal restaurants, there is fire dancing, or simply taking a walk to visit, sometimes stopping at a tattoo shop to admire the tattooists who are making works for guests. In Vietnam, the trend of tattooing with electric pen but here they mainly tattoo by bamboo tool. Westerners tattooed a lot, looking at them very relaxing, it seems that the Westerners are determined to stay on the island for many days, not like me only stay for 1 day and 1 night.

The whole island at night feels like a huge night market, souvenir, clothes, brocade weaving shops are everywhere. The center of the island is planned as a giant matrix with lots of small roads, alleys.. that make you feel like walking into an old quarter in Hanoi, vibrant and eye-catching without boring. Afterward, I went out to the beach again to watch people perform fire dancing and singing. The special thing is that there are many cats, small cats, big cats and fat cats on the island, I asked locals that why the island has so many cats, they just said it was like that before. Most cats look fat and clean, and they are lazy, they lie all day, chubby, but adorable!

Fried ice-cream rolls in Phi Phi is very delicious, although in Thailand has many places with fried ice-cream rolls, but in Phi Phi this must be said to be particularly delicious. Wandering around the island, I met such a shop, located in a quite deserted area, but the customers are very crowded. I lined up for a long time for my turn. Seeing they chopping up, kneading back and forth ingredients to make ice cream make me mouthwatering, there are many flavors to choose from, chocolate, corn, syrup, and strawberry strips above are even more attractive. The owner is very friendly too!

The island look so small, but I have to spend whole evening to walking to explore all the roads, alleys and corners on the island. The later the island gets more and more bustling and vibrant, because it’s time to begin nightlife in the bars. Live music bars, small bars, big bars, and even boxing, Muay Thai is extremely vibrant but just passing through it feels like the heart is racing, it’s hard to resist the attraction of vibrant. The Westerners seem to go to the island to reduce stress, so I see no one seems to come to the island for the purpose of relaxation, to go to the island to drink, to dance, “dancing”, “have a drink” is a catchphrase of most of guys here. Sitting and chatting with these guys for a while, but they will go to the bars at 10 or 11 o’clock.

“Would you like something to drink?” “Come on, let’s go!”

Even the people I didn’t talk to, but seeing me, they also drag me out to drink, so it was true that everywhere is home, every people is friend when you are backpacker. Regardless of the nation, color or from anywhere, talk about everything in any topic, ask about each other’s trips, places that each person has experienced, about life, work, everything in comfortable way. So fun!

Koh Phi Phi blog: Early in the morning on the top of Viewpoint

4 am, drowsy because sleep was not enough after playing hard last night. But I still tried to wake myself up for the purpose of this sunrise shooting at the top of the Viewpoint in Phi Phi. It is said that Phi Phi has 3 viewpoint, the highest viewpoint is viewpoint 3, and also the hardest to reach here. Waking up and carrying tools alone, the whole island was still asleep after a noisy night of playing. The alleyways are still very bright with lights, but to the foot of the mountain, the starting point with the long stairs to the top is not like that anymore. It was all dark, and I follow through such steps, somewhere are houses, hotels, resorts, but there were also places with only trees. The surroundings were pitch black, my hands always had to turn on the flash of my phone to navigate the road. Sweat started to flow like a shower …

Before reaching the top of the viewpoint 1, there is a barrier blocking the path, so this is the ticket gate to get to the viewpoint. Of course there’s no one here to sell tickets now, so I walked over and went on. Viewpoint 1 is located at the lowest position, able to see a part of Phi Phi but is not very clear. I stay here few minutes and then I continued to the viewpoint 2. This point is quite close to the previous point, which is the place where visitors check-in the most because this area is quite large with big rocks. There is also a signboard that wrote “Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint” looks very stylish, take photo here is great with stunning views. But well, let it be, I just continue go to the top of viewpoint 3. Now this is a real challenge because the road is quite long but difficult to go. In fact, it is not too high compared to climbing some peaks in Vietnam like Yen Tu mountain path, but I’m losing strength for the other two viewpoints below and going alone should be a bit lazy. Close to the top, without any step, It only is a dirty road, so if you intends to climb like me, bring shoes for easy climbing.

The highest Viewpoint 3, which is a fairly large yard and has a small house there, seems to let someone stay and watch this place. Step into the yard with the sign to leave the shoes outside because the yard is quite clean. From here, you can clearly see Phi Phi with two separate white sand beaches on both sides, extremely majestic. The only thing is that the direction of the sun is the opposite, so if you want to watch the sun, perhaps it is better to go at sunset. Standing on the top, feeling the fresh air, slowly watching the island in the palm of your hand and slowly entering into a new day, is also very relaxed …

I started down the mountain, down to the viewpoint 1, some tourists were up there already. And then also inevitably be retrospectively collected tickets, before going up early, I’m not buy yet. 30 Baht for each person and there are people walking around to collect from each person. Meet a few guys who climb like me, every guy is strong with thick body. I met a friendly Middle Eastern Canadian guy, we got to know each other (mostly to take pictures for each other!), And then talk about everything. He is also very approachable and open, stay in Thailand for a month, showing all the photos in his phone of the places he visited. It is a true Westerner, really lucky and happy guy!

After return to the hotel, we started packing, go to breakfast, then check-out. Of course I still sent my luggage at the hotel because my ferry back to Krabi departs in the afternoon. Going to the pier is also no less bustling than any bar, because here is the gathering point of all types of tours, buying tickets for boats to the neighboring islands and bays. Try going to Maya Bay to play because it’s quite close, but the longtail boat tickets are also cheap, around 150 Baht/way. In general, it is very convenient to go between islands here, there are always longtail boats everywhere, you can buy one way ticket because there are always longtail boats docked in the bay already. You can imagine the longtail boat here is like the waterbus in Venice. Maya Bay is a fairly enclosed bay, calm and clear to the bottom. The beach is also beautiful with surrounding limestone mountains, it’s hard to compare to paradise like the Maldives but it can be said that each place has a different beauty depending on how you feel.

Playing through the morning, until early afternoon is also the time when high-speed ferry runs from Phi Phi to Krabi. Goodbye to the beautiful and vibrant island, if given a choice to return I may still want to go to Phi Phi again, feel more, visit more neighboring islands, and live more with the island. This is not an normal island, but a symbol of overcoming difficulties and challenges, because Phi Phi itsself decades ago was a deserted place when it was attack by a tsunami disaster. But only a short time later, it returned to itsself and even more beautiful. Goodbye Phi Phi …

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Koh Phi Phi you can refer to

• Shared Speedboat Transfers (One Way) between Phi Phi Island and Phuket
• Ferry Ticket (One Way) from Koh Phi Phi to Lanta Island
• Phi Phi Round Trip Cruise Transfer
• Jet Cruiser Ticket (One Way) between Koh Phi Phi and Phuket
• Phi Phi Jet Cruise Day Trip
• Ferry & Bus Combo Ticket from Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) to Koh Phi Phi by Lomprayah
• Phi Phi & Maya Day Tour
• [SALE] Krabi to Phi Phi Day Tour by Speedboat or Speed Catamaran (Operated by TTD)
• [Exclusive] Phi Phi and Maya Area Snorkeling Day Trip from Phuket with Premium Lunch Buffet
• Phi Phi Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat
• Phi Phi Snorkeling and Maya Bay Tour by Speedboat
• 2D1N Koh Phi Phi and Koh Khai Tour from Phuket (with Accommodation)

Are you looking for more Koh Phi Phi travel guide and top things to do in Koh Phi Phi: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Koh Phi Phi travel blog — The fullest Koh Phi Phi travel guide for a budget trip to Phi Phi Island.