Distance 35 km (21.9 miles) | |
Price range US$14-US$44 | |
Ride Duration Range 30m-3h 30m | |
Earliest Departure 00:45 | |
Latest Departure 08:30 | |
Most Popular Operator |
To get from Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi, you will want to take one of the daily ferries. Book your ticket in advance since there is only one operator that transports passengers. Koh Phi Phi is a dreamland; the weather is perfect all year-round, and there are so many things to do on or near the water, such as kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Away from the beach, go rock climbing or take advantage of the exotic nightlife at some of their hopping beach bars.
Fastest ferry: 30m
Cheapest ferry: US$19
Once you've sampled the stunning beaches and surreal landscape in and around Ao Nang, it's understandable to question the need to go anywhere else. But just a short ferry ride away, the answer to that question stands out taller than its towering karsts.
They're known as the Phi Phi Islands, and one gaze at this wonderland will convince you that a change of scenery is exactly what you need.
Koh Phi Phi Don, the largest island, is the center of activity. Here is where you'll find the bulk of accommodations and the hottest parties on the island. As beautiful as this island is, the real star of the show is its little sister, Phi Phi Leh, thanks to its brief but enduring fame as the setting for the 90's cult classic film The Beach.
Yes, Maya Bay, with its dazzling white beach and turquoise cove, is quite simply the stuff of legend. And all this sits not more than a short 1-2 hour ferry ride from Ao Nang across the appealing waters of the Andaman Sea.
The Phi Phi Islands have seen their popularity soar in the social media age. You might be tempted to believe that influencers' feeds have been exaggerated, but once you lay eyes on all there is to see and do in person, you, too, will become a believer.
Here are some of the top things to do in Koh Phi Phi:
Check out all the nightlife. Koh Phi Phi Don retains its allure as a backpacker paradise. And while some might find that a turnoff, those who appreciate high-octane nightlife and an abundance of adult beverages will want to party here after dark. With clubs, bars and food being offered up well into the night (and the following morning), there's no beach party quite like Koh Phi Phi.
Get underwater. The crystal clear bays surrounding the Phi Phi Islands make this a snorkeler's paradise. You can spot all sorts of marine critters just about anywhere you dunk your head below the surface. Dedicated divers have access to world-class sites, and if you're really fortunate, you may even come across a passing whale shark.
Hop a boat to Maya Bay. If you only see one thing when visiting Koh Phi Phi, it should be the screensaver-worthy panorama of Maya Bay. Located on Phi Phi Leh, this is the beach from the movie The Beach, and what a beach it is! Recent efforts to limit the number of tour boats and restore the cove make this a great time to visit.
Get in touch with your sense of adventure. Outdoor enthusiasts have no lack of options when it comes to exploring Koh Phi Phi. Those vertical karsts are perfect for rock climbing, while the turquoise bays make for excellent kayaking and other water sports. Hike up to the Phi Phi Lookout for incredible views, then find a spot on the beach to rest from your adventures.
The almost sci-fi scenery of Krabi Province is the perfect backdrop as you set out to Koh Phi Phi. You'll see more of those giant pillars of limestone (karsts) dotting the horizon as you plow through the intensely blue waters of the Andaman Sea. Keep an eye out for flying fish and, between February and April, the elusive whale shark.
The vertical walls of Koh Phi Phi Don will greet you as you pull into port, buzzing with activity. At this point, you can either get ready to party or make your way to the island's outlying areas for a little more tranquility.
Any way you slice it, you will be taking a ferry at some point on your journey. Your options are to buy a ferry ticket, a bus + ferry, or a van + ferry combination ticket. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Ferry service between Ao Nang and Koh Phi Phi breaks down into two categories: tourist ferries and speedboat ferries. Each has its pros and cons.
The principal ferry ports for the Ao Nang area are Nopparat Thara Pier and Ao Nam Mao Pier. Some operators also run trips from nearby Railay Beach, reducing transit time.
Ton Sai Pier is your ferry destination on Koh Phi Phi.
A tourist ferry is larger than a speedboat ferry and offers amenities such as air conditioning, toilets, and the opportunity to purchase snacks and drinks on board.
Tourist ferries are also the cheapest option (starting around $14), and passengers are allowed to bring one large bag up to 20 kg/44 lbs.
The downside of a tourist ferry is that the ride will take about two hours. This is nearly an hour longer than most speedboat ferries. But if you're not in a rush and are content admiring the view from either the inside or outside viewing areas, this is a good choice.
A speedboat ferry is exactly what it sounds like — a speedboat that will ferry you (speedily) to your final destination. These smaller vessels generally don't offer the same amenities as a tourist ferry.
The upside is that you get there in half the time, with crossings taking only about an hour or even less.
Baggage limits vary by operator, but in some cases, you're allowed up to two large bags.
Of course, this speed comes at a price that's nearly double that of the tourist ferry. But if you think the extra ten bucks is worth an extra hour in paradise, we get it.
A bus + ferry combination ticket saves you the hassle of getting to the ferry. With some operators, you can even be picked up at your hotel. The price is the same as a ferry ride ($14), making this a good value option.
There are multiple departures per day, and the travel time ranges from 2-3.5 hours.
Ton Sai Pier is the primary port of entry on Koh Phi Phi. From there, you can jump right into the action in town or catch a ride to your accommodations elsewhere.
A van + ferry combination ticket is similar in principle to the bus + ferry ticket. With a van + ferry ticket, you'll get picked up in a minivan, in most cases, from your hotel.
What is also included in most bookings is a ride on a fast ferry, so you can expect to get to Koh Phi Phi quickly and with minimal hassle — usually around two hours.
Depending on the operator, You can bring one or two large bags per passenger.
Prices start around $24.
If you're coming just for warm temperatures, Koh Phi can be visited year-round. But the best weather extends from November through April. That is when temperatures are at their most comfortable and driest. However, you can expect humidity and the chance of a downpour at any time of year.
The downside of the aforementioned months is that it corresponds with peak tourist season.
The Phi Phi Islands already have a reputation as being overcrowded, and peak season just underscores that point. For fewer crowds, better prices and still decent weather, try the immediate shoulder months of May and October for a good compromise.
After Koh Phi Phi, you've got plenty of options. If you want to keep the party going, hop on a one-hour ferry to Phuket.
If you want something a little more mellow, check out Koh Lanta. It's even closer than Phuket.
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