Plan 01
1 day in Koh Phi Phi
- 01
Day 1: Ton Sai, viewpoint and a boat trip
Take an early ferry from Krabi or Phuket and drop bags at your guesthouse or a pier left-luggage service. If everyone can manage the climb, go up to the Phi Phi Don Viewpoint first while the air is cooler. Return for lunch in Ton Sai, then join an afternoon longtail or small-boat trip to Maya Bay and Pi Leh lagoon if the sea is calm. Finish with a walk on Loh Dalum Bay before the last ferry. Confirm the return ferry time and give yourself a buffer, because sea conditions can change schedules.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Phi Phi Don Viewpoint 1.5 to 2.5 hours including the climb Demanding Early morning or late afternoon Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Le) A half-day boat tour Moderate Early morning, dry season Pi Leh Lagoon 30 to 60 minutes as part of a tour Easy Morning, calm sea Pace: Phi Phi Don Viewpoint involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.
With parents at Phi Phi Don Viewpoint: Steep, uneven steps and slopes in tropical heat with little shade near the top. Rest points are informal. Older travellers with knee, heart or breathing problems should skip it and enjoy the bay from the beach instead.
With parents at Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Le): The trip involves boarding speedboats or longtails, possible wet landings and a short walk over rocks or a boardwalk. Seas can be rough, so check with the operator and avoid the longer speedboat tours if anyone is prone to seasickness.
Plan 02
2 days in Koh Phi Phi
- 01
Day 1: Arrive and walk the village
Arrive by morning ferry, settle in and have a slow lunch in Ton Sai. In the late afternoon, climb to the viewpoint only if the group is fit, otherwise stroll Loh Dalum Bay and visit the tsunami memorial. Watch the sunset from the beach and keep dinner simple.
- 02
Day 2: Boat day
Join an early boat trip to Maya Bay, Pi Leh lagoon and Viking Cave, ideally leaving before the main crowd. Rest through the heat of the afternoon, then take the evening ferry or one more night, depending on your onward plans.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Le) A half-day boat tour Moderate Early morning, dry season Pi Leh Lagoon 30 to 60 minutes as part of a tour Easy Morning, calm sea Viking Cave 15 to 30 minutes on a boat tour Easy Morning in calm seas Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Le): The trip involves boarding speedboats or longtails, possible wet landings and a short walk over rocks or a boardwalk. Seas can be rough, so check with the operator and avoid the longer speedboat tours if anyone is prone to seasickness.
Plan 03
3 days in Koh Phi Phi
- 01
Day 1: Ton Sai and the bays
Arrive, settle in and walk Ton Sai at an easy pace. In the late afternoon, visit Loh Dalum Bay and its memorial, and watch the light fade over the water.
- 02
Day 2: Ko Phi Phi Le by boat
Take a morning boat trip to Maya Bay, Pi Leh lagoon and Viking Cave, with a snorkelling stop if the sea allows. Return for lunch and a rest, then keep the evening free.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Le) A half-day boat tour Moderate Early morning, dry season Pi Leh Lagoon 30 to 60 minutes as part of a tour Easy Morning, calm sea Viking Cave 15 to 30 minutes on a boat tour Easy Morning in calm seas Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Le): The trip involves boarding speedboats or longtails, possible wet landings and a short walk over rocks or a boardwalk. Seas can be rough, so check with the operator and avoid the longer speedboat tours if anyone is prone to seasickness.
- 03
Day 3: Beaches and viewpoint
Go to Long Beach by longtail for a swim, or choose Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island on a short boat trip. Do the viewpoint at the end of the day if the group is fit, then take the ferry the next morning.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Monkey Beach 1 to 2 hours Moderate Morning, in calm seas Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai) 1 to 2 hours on a tour Easy Dry season, morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Monkey Beach: Reaching the cove needs a boat landing or an uneven walk. Monkeys can snatch bags and bite, so older travellers and children should stay back and avoid carrying food.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Koh Phi Phi trip for parents and children
- Choose a guesthouse close to the pier and ask for a ground-floor room. Luggage is moved by barrow or by hand, and some stairs are steep.
- Boat boarding and wet landings are the hardest part of Phi Phi. Pick calm months, sit near the middle of the boat, wear a life jacket and keep one hand free.
- The viewpoint climb is short but steep and hot. Skip it if knees, heart or breathing are a concern, and enjoy the bays from the beach instead.
- Do one big outing a day and rest after lunch. Heat and humidity are high all year, and showers arrive quickly.
- Carry travel insurance with medical cover. Wikivoyage notes a hospital and pharmacies on the island, but serious cases go to Krabi or Phuket.
- Carry snacks and your own medicines. Vegetarian, Jain or Indian meals are not guaranteed on the island or on boat tours.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Koh Phi Phi compares the areas.
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