Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
There are few places in the world that I've been to that literally awestruck me; but Phi Phi was one of them. As soon as I stepped off the ferry I was in awe of what was around me. Limestone cliffs rising up from the ocean, crystal clear water, reefs right off the beach. The air was fresh, the sun was inviting, and the hustle and bustle of the small town was filled with tourists and locals alike admiring the beauty around them.
Koh Phi Phi is a small island in the Krabi District of Thailand South of Phuket. I had a friend of mine, Mona, who lived on the island with her now fiancé Matt and they showed me everything the island had to offer. Fire shows on the beach, snorkeling the reefs, dancing on the party beach all night long and climbing the peak of the islands viewpoint were just some of the amazing experiences I had while exploring the island.
I stayed at this little hotel called Ivory. The people who ran it were super nice and very helpful with any questions I had about what to do, see and eat. It was also super cheap too for a nice room. I stayed there for 5 nights and I think it worked out to less than $100 total which is insane. The longer you stay the more likely you’ll be able to get a deal with them.
The one thing I recommend you do the most is an island hopping tour. It’s an all day adventure that takes you to these secluded hidden beaches and uninhabited islands surrounding Phi Phi. I did two of them and met some of the most amazing people from the UK, India, Netherlands, and Thailand. The water was pristine, the drinks were cold, and the playlist was awesome. The day is full of snorkeling, swimming, and day drinking. All the tours provide food and water and some even include all you can drink which is super fun. Tipper does an awesome tour that I highly recommend to everyone! You can find her on Instagram @tipperlouder or click this link: Discover Phi Phi. She just started doing jungle tours too which is super cool. I’ll definitely have to go back and check that out!
I started getting more into hiking when I moved to Thailand. There are so many viewpoints and hikes that I want to do in the country and the ones in Phi Phi were beyond rewarding. I’d say the hardest part of the viewpoint hike is the initial steps. I am not nearly as fit as I’d like to be and I did it just fine, a little hungover too so you got it! The viewpoint offers beautiful views of the crystal clear waters surrounding the island and a wonderful sunrise or sunset if you’re motivated enough to do it!
Phi Phi is also a well known for its parties. I mean come on… it’s a tropical island, what did you expect? The main party beach is Loh Dalum Beach. During the day its a beautiful beach with lots of rum bars and chairs to lounge in and take in the cool costal breeze. At night is when the craziness begins. The beach is full of fire dancers and people dancing. The later it gets the more parties there are. I really liked Freedom Bar during the day as a place to chill and then Slinky and Apache as the main places to party. Trust me once you get to the beach you’ll see the crowds at the best spots. I want to tell you that it is very safe to party and let loose here at night. Thai people are some of the kindest most genuine people I’ve ever met. That being said I highly recommend you have a small “bum bag” on you to keep your phone and money in, just as a peace of mind! Food and drinks are everywhere so have some money to be prepared for a night out! Buckets are popular but they pack a punch so keep that in mind! Anything else you need to have a good time can be found on the beach too, keep your eyes out and enjoy!
Phi Phi Island has a lot of westerners visiting the island, so there is a bunch of different types of food for everyone to enjoy. Traditional, Italian, Thai, Seafood, Indian, greek, anything you can think of! One of the places I recommend is Phi Phi Chill Lay Bar & Restaurant. They have an endless menu and definitely the cheapest prices on the island with big portions for some delicious authentic Thai food. Pirates House Restaurant has all sort of stuff on their menu and is a really cool place to meet backpackers from all over the world. I can’t remember the names, but the main “road” leading to the party beach has a pizza shop on the corner and a “fast food” place on the left that are both cheap and come in super clutch after a night, or day, of drinking!
Some other adventurous things you can do in Phi Phi is walk to Long Beach. There’s a path through the jungle you can take, or you could always hire a long tail boat to give you a ride. Most of the drivers will wait for you and give you an hour or so at the spot. Remember everything negotiable in Thailand! Don’t be afraid to bargain with them on the price! You can also rent a kayak at Doh Dalum Beach and go around the island admiring the mountains and discovering hidden beaches. Just beware of monkeys! They’re usually friendly but thye’re still wild animals. You can also get some fresh ink on the island! I got my first bamboo tattoo from Jotattoo Colur at Best Ink Tattoo and I love it! There’s a lot of shops around but I recommend them the most! Be sure you watch a fire dancing show! They happen all over the island at night and are incredible, sometimes they even get the audience to take part in their show too so be ready for it! Lastly, a trip to Phi Phi can’t be completed without a visit to the Reggae Bar! This bar has great prices and is actually a boxing ring! They have local pros fight for your entertainment, but they allow tourist fight each other! It’s beyond entertaining and if you volunteer to fight you’ll be rewarded with a free bucket of booze so it’s well worth it! I hopped in the ring and boxed a friend of mine for fun, it was definitely a super fun experience.
Overall Phi Phi is an amazing island with incredible beauty, crystal clear water, and incredible people. It should be on everyones Thailand Bucket List! This island truly has a special place in my heart. If you go be sure to have fun, stay safe, and be sure to see the monkeys!
