Phi Phi Island Honeymoon Guide
Discover the enduring tropical beauty of Phi Phi Island – one of Thailand’s most popular island destinations and perfect for a honeymoon.
With their enduring natural beauty of tropical rainforest and towering limestone cliffs fringed by powdery white-sand beaches surrounded by coral reefs teeming with colourful tropical fish, the Phi Phi islands offer the perfect honeymoon destination for newlyweds.
Phi Phi Don – The island’s jungle-clad limestone mountains are bisected by a narrow, 2km-long isthmus, with a sandy beach on either side and the bustling main village of Ton Sai, which is crowded with mostly budget chalets, restaurants, bars, dive shops and minimarkets.
To the south, an easy day trip away, lies idyllic Phi Phi Lei and its marine preserve; the island was made famous as the setting for the Hollywood film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Phi Phi Leh – This rugged and picturesque island is home to the sea swift bird, sheltered bays, gorgeous beaches and a rich underwater marine environment that is perfect for snorkelling and diving.
Best beaches in Phi Phi
Wherever you honeymoon on Ko Phi Phi Don, you’re just a few steps away from a gorgeous beach lapped by turquoise waters that teem with tropical fish.
While the main beach of Ao Ton Sai isn’t so good for swimming – it faces Ton Sai Bay, the main arrival and departure point for ferries and long-tail boats – several gorgeous beaches are just minutes away by foot or longtail boat.
Ao Loh Dalum Beach
Located just a 300m walk across the isthmus from Ton Sai village and Ao Ton Sai Beach lies this gorgeous crescent of white sand facing the jungle-framed turquoise waters of Ao Loh Dalum Bay, especially inviting during high tide.
Laem Hin Beach
This pretty, tree-fringed white-sand beach lies just a 10-minute walk east from bustling Ton Sai village and offers a generally quieter beach venue and better swimming than both Ao Ton Sai and Ao Loh Dalum beaches.
A choice of beachside bungalows and resorts nestle among tropical gardens.
Loh Bagao Beach
Dig your toes into the powder-white sand of this gorgeous 800m-long stretch of beach framed by jungle-clad promontories and home to the 4.5-star Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa.
Relax on the white sand, go swimming, snorkelling and kayaking or follow jungle tracks north along the east coast to Laem Tong Beach.
Hat Yao Beach
(Long Beach) – Located on the southernmost tip of Phi Phi Island, this gorgeous long stretch of white sand offers idyllic conditions for sunbathing and swimming as well as snorkelling and diving just 20m offshore.
Snorkel coral beds among shoals of golden butterfly fish, blue and purple parrot fish and hooped angelfish, among others.
Unwind in comfort at a choice of beachside resorts or visit the beach after a 10-minute longtail boat ride from Ton Sai village.
Alternatively, follow the coastal track from Ao Ton Sai through Laem Hin to Long Beach, roughly a 2.5-hour hike.
Laem Tong Beach
Located close to Phi Phi Island's northernmost tip, Laem Tong Beach offers another stunning white-sand beach with a choice of several 4- and 5-star resorts with accompanying creature comforts.
Go snorkelling, diving and fishing or sunbathe on the soft white sand. Relax on a hammock in the shade of swaying palm trees and enjoy views across to nearby Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island.
The beach is also home to a group of Urak Lawoy chao ley (sea gypsies), whose village sits adjacent to the Holiday Inn.
Maya Bay Beach
(Ko Phi Phi Leh) – This stunning white-sand beach lies framed between towering limestone karsts, and was the location for the movie The Beach (starring Leonardo DiCaprio) in 1998.
Maya Bay is home to hard coral and colourful reef fish, which makes it a favourite spot for tours of snorkelers and first-time divers.
It is accessible by longtail boat for around 1,500 Thai baht for a half –day visit.
Note: Plan on arriving at Maya Bay before 8 a.m. when the beach can still be enjoyed in solitude. From 9 a.m. onwards, hoards of speedboats with tourists on package tours arrive from Phuket.
If you arrive on a longtail boat expect to pay a national park entry fee of 200 baht/person. (The price is usually included if you travel in a tour group.)
What to do and see in Ko Phi Phi
Both islands offer opportunities for rock climbing and cliff jumping from 18m-high limestone cliffs, as well as scuba diving, snorkelling and kayaking in the surrounding bays – just perfect for adventurous honeymoon couples.
Hike through the pristine rainforest to spot several species of birds including gurneys, finfoots, kingfishers, egrets and herons. Keen fishermen can hook up a charter to chase marlin, sailfish, barracuda and tuna.
On Phi Phi Leh, kayak the idyllic Ao Maya Bay on the southwest coast, aka ‘The Beach’, which is also perfect for snorkelling in the calm and clear waters.
Look for 400-year-old graffiti on the walls of Viking Cave and watch local chao ley men climb flimsy bamboo scaffolds to collect swifts’ nests from the cavern walls – destined for bird’s nest soup in Chinese restaurants all over the world.
Note: Not all nests – which are held together by the birds’ spit, prized for its aphrodisiac qualities – are removed. The harvest occurs from February to May and is regulated by the government. Tip: Arrive early morning before the tour boats arrive.
Unwind by relaxing on white-sand beach or enjoy an amazing choice of activities, including…
Snorkelling – Pretty much everywhere around Ko Phi Phi Don you can enjoy excellent snorkelling, often just a swim away from the beach.
If you tire of that, it’s easy to hop on a longtail boat and explore the coral reefs at any of the other five uninhabited islands.
Scuba Diving – With visibility touching 30m at depths of up to 35m, the waters surrounding Ko Phi Phi offer magnificent diving.
Discover a variety of exciting underwater terrain, including soft and hard coral gardens, vertical walls and caves, with the opportunity to swim close to turtles, sea snakes, leopard and white-tip sharks, moray eels and stingrays.
Choose from a range of excellent dive sites including uninhabited Ko Yung (Mosquito Island), north of Phi Phi Don, which features a spectacular underwater pinnacle starting at 2m below the surface and dropping more than 27m.
The pinnacle attracts pelagic and other schooling fish such as jacks, barracuda, fusiliers, leopard sharks and sting rays.
Or head to Ko Pai (Bamboo Island) off Laem Tong Beach, where much of the reef sits close to the surface and where you may see the occasional turtle and black-striped banded sea snake.
Ko Phi Phi Don now boasts more than 20 dive centres – although not all offer PADI dive instruction.
Kayaking – Escape the noise of longtail boats by paddling beneath towering limestone cliffs across secluded bays and exploring the palm-fringed shoreline of the Ko Phi Phi islands.
Hire a kayak and combine a day trip with sunbathing on secluded beaches and snorkelling tiny bays with no crowds. Or sign up for an organised kayak and snorkel tour of Phi Phi Lei and Phi Phi Don.
Rock climbing – Head to a small beach to the west of Ao Ton Sai for some of the most challenging rock climbing on Phi Phi Don. Climb the 15m-high Ton Sai Tower or try the 30m-high Drinking Wall.
If you’ve never tackled this sport before, sign up for a half- or full-day course with instruction and equipment provided. Or have a go at cliff jumping, with jumps of up to 18m off a Phi Phi Don rock face.
Where to stay in Ko Phi Phi
Phi Phi Don is the largest and only inhabited island in the six-islands group. Here, you have a choice of options ranging from budget bungalows to 4- and 5-star luxury beachfront resorts, including the following…
Zeavola
Location: Laem Tong, Ko Phi Phi Don
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD404 per room
Description: A 10-acre tropical retreat on the northern tip of Phi Phi Island, Zeavola Resort offers spacious accommodation resting on white sands. The resort features an outdoor pool and a spa. Apart from PADI diving courses, Zann Zanook activity centre offers guided island-hopping and shark-spotting tours. It also provides sports equipment so guests can play volleyball or Frisbee on the beach. Nestled among gardens, Zeavola’s wooden suites are designed like island houses. Each suite has satellite TV, a minibar and coffee/tea making facilities. The private bathrooms include outdoor rain showers. Baxil Restaurant offers Thai specialities, along with a good selection of international wines. Featuring an international menu, Tacada Restaurant also serves delicious seafood and barbecue dishes. Room service is available 24 hours. Zeavola Resort is around 48 km away from Phuket City.
Phi Phi Island Village
Location: Loh Ba Kao Bay, Ko Phi Phi Don
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD339 per room
Description: Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort features a private beach and infinity pool equipped with a pool bar. First-rate amenities include tennis courts, dive centre, well-equipped fitness centre and 4 restaurants. Free WiFi is available at the lobby. Featuring a thatched roof and solid wood furnishings, air-conditioned rooms and bungalows come with a cable TV and a safe. Each has a spacious private balcony with outdoor seating. Wanna Spa offers traditional Thai massage and soothing body treatments. Friendly staff can assist with childcare needs. Sightseeing trips can be arranged at the recreational centre. American buffet breakfasts, as well as lunch and dinner, are served at Marlin Restaurant. Offering outdoor seating, Thai specialities are available at Ruan Thai Restaurant. Guests who prefer seafood and steak dishes can head to Coconut Grill & Bar. Situated along Lo Ba Goa Bay, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is about a 4-hour land and sea transfer from Phuket International Airport. The resort provides joined and private transfer service from Phuket International Airport.
Holiday Inn Phi Phi
Location: Laem Thong Beach, Ko Phi Phi Don
Rating: 4-star
Prices: from AUD206 per room
Description: Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island sits on a white sandy beach bordering the Andaman Sea. The resort features 2 landscaped pools, a fitness room and the Scuba Schools International Dive Centre. Lazy afternoons in the sun can be spent on loungers at the large private balcony. Rooms at Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island offer the comfort of classic wood furnishings and a flat-screen TV. Guests can enjoy a relaxing massage, or try water activities like snorkeling and fishing. Excursions to surrounding islands can be arranged at the tour desk, while souvenirs can be purchased at the boutique. A kid's club is also available. Offering an intimate dining experience by the beachfront, Cha Bah restaurant offers freshly grilled seafood dishes. International buffet spreads and Thai cultural shows can be enjoyed at Tai Rom Prao. Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island can arrange resort transfers by speed boat from Klong Jilard Pier in Krabi and Rassada Pier in Phuket.
Best time to honeymoon in Ko Phi Phi
The best time to visit Phi Phi Island is during the hot, dry season, from December to April, when you can expect clear sunny days averaging 28ºC (82ºF), with little to no rain, and the sea is calm and warm.
The Phi Phi Islands enjoy a year round hot tropical climate, with a dry season from December to April and a wet season from May to November.
The southwest monsoon lasts from the end of May until the middle of October; this off-season period brings less crowds, cheaper accommodation and, as the locals are quick to point out, it does not rain all day, averaging about 10 rainy days a month.
More information about Phi Phi weather …
Getting to Ko Phi Phi
The Phi Phi Islands (or Ko Phi Phi) are located around 46km (28mi) southwest of Phuket on the west coast of Thailand, roughly 814km (505mi) south of Bangkok.
The Phi Phi Island group comprise six islands, of which Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are the largest and best-known islands.
The most convenient route to the Phi Phi Islands is by air to either Phuket International Airport (HKT), or Krabi Airport (KBV), followed by a boat ride to the islands.
From some international destinations this requires first flying into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) or Singapore's Changi Airport (SIN), followed by a connecting flight to Phuket Airport or Krabi Airport.
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is located around 35km from Rassada Pier, around 50 minutes by taxi or bus.
Krabi Airport (KBV) is located around 33km (20mi) from Ao Nang Pier, around 45 minutes by bus or taxi.
Frequent ferry services operate from Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, all of which are less than 48km (30mi) away.
Ferries from Ao Nang Pier, Krabi to Tonsai Pier, Phi Phi Don leave four-times daily, taking 1 hour 30 minutes, and from Ko Lanta's Saladan Pier five-times daily, taking 30 minutes.
Multiple operators service the sea route between Rassada Pier, Phuket and Tonsai Pier, Phi Phi Don, taking anywhere between 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on vessel used.
More information about getting to Ko Phi Phi…
Latest update: Phi Phi Island honeymoon 6 May, 2022
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