Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Koh Phi Phi?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Koh Phi Phi?

Most people spend two to three days in Koh Phi Phi during their visit. The dramatic island offers amazing highlights such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the gorgeous scenery, and the hiking.

Koh Phi Phi is actually made up of six islands, but Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest and only inhabited island. This island is popular with day trippers, but it's also a fun and beautiful island to visit independently. The snorkeling and diving is world class. There's a popular backpacker area around Tonsai, but there's also a quieter, resort-filled area to the north. In addition to stunning natural beauty, visitors enjoy snorkeling and dive trips, rock climbing, and hiking.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Koh Phi Phi? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Koh Phi Phi?

The very popular island of Koh Phi Phi has many activities and attractions for visitors. So, three days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything on Koh Phi Phi. Most visitors prefer to spend roughly two to three days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Koh Phi Phi is popular with couples and backpackers which enjoy visiting because the city offers activities specifically for them.

How to spend 3 days in Koh Phi Phi

When visiting Koh Phi Phi, you can't miss Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

Koh Phi Phi is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. While most people visit this island as a day trip, those who do spend a few days here will enjoy dramatic beauty, stunning landscapes, and excellent beaches. The island feels a bit more rustic and remote than some of the more developed islands, but the north side of the island offers a truly tropical paradise. During the day, crowds can be high as tourists flock to the area from nearby islands.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat ($57)
  • Maya Bay Sleepaboard Spend the night on our purpose built boat in Maya Bay ($98)
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Express Boat ($14)

Public transit in Koh Phi Phi is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the island quite easily. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.

Scuba diving and snorkeling around Koh Phi Phi is world-class, and is one of the main reasons why so many visitors come here. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. The dramatic limestone cliffs and colorful coral make this a top scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Thailand. There are countless vendors who offer scuba diving or snorkeling trips from the island. You might even see sharks, sea turtles, or seahorses during your trip. Head to the reef at dusk for the best chance of seeing black tip reef sharks.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat ($57)
  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat ($20)
  • Longtail Boat Snorkeling in Phi Phi Island ($34)

This island is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Despite its smaller size, there is still a party vibe and tons of nightlife on the island. Backpackers have long flocked to this island, building on the reputation it earned from movies like "The Beach." Booze cruises and all night beach parties are the norm here, so it won't be hard to find a party that lasts until sunrise.

The beautiful beaches await you in Koh Phi Phi, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. This island has some of the most dramatic beauty in Thailand and the beaches will not disappoint. Although it's usually referred to as an island, Koh Phi Phi is actually a small archipelago with Koh Phi Phi Don being the only inhabited island. Nearby Koh Phi Phi Leh is famous as the filming place of the movie "The Beach" (which you'll hear playing at hotels around the island every night). The beaches are beautiful with white sand and clear water. It truly is a tropical paradise.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat ($57)
  • Maya Bay Sleepaboard Spend the night on our purpose built boat in Maya Bay ($98)
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Express Boat ($14)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Most dishes feature seafood, and you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants around Tonsai Village. There are also restaurants dotting the way to Long Beach. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, or a combination of an indoor/outdoor setting. Tropical fruit is also abundant on the island and adds to that tropical paradise atmosphere.

Is 4 days enough time in Koh Phi Phi?

Four days is more than enough time to see everything that Koh Phi Phi has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the gorgeous scenery, and the hiking at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take in a boat trip or day trip if you're looking to explore further around the island.

Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi, Thailand Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

How to spend 4 days in Koh Phi Phi

Having 4 days in Koh Phi Phi will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.

Known for it's hiking, Koh Phi Phi sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. With its dramatic cliffs, this area has beautiful, but challenging hikes that take you to stunning viewpoints. The dramatic photos that you see of the islands often require a hike, but the reward at the end is well worth it.

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

Is 5 days enough time in Koh Phi Phi?

Five days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything on Koh Phi Phi. You can move at your own pace and take in the scenery and culture of the island. You could also use Koh Phi Phi as a base for exploring the nearby destinations or get out on the water. You'll find some great day trips here for sure.

Longtail boats around Koh Phi Phi, Thailand Longtail boats around Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

How to spend 5 days in Koh Phi Phi

With 5 days in Koh Phi Phi, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer.

After you've explored most of Koh Phi Phi, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Koh Phi Phi, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

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