Senior Citizen-Friendly Thailand Trip in 12 Days – Day 5
Ko Phi Phi is the most popular island of Thailand – I know many tourists come to Thailand to visit this particular island. Undoubtedly, the credit goes to good marketing and beautiful pictures that keeps the island alive. I wanted to witness the beauty, so we booked an organized group tour to Phi Phi by speed boat.
Highlights of the Trip
- Leave Ao Nang Beach by speedboat to explore Phi Phi islands
- Visit the beach of Bamboo Island
- Spend time at Viking Cave, Loh Samah Bay, and Pileh Lagoon
- Witness the popular Maya Bay, from the set of Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie “The Beach”
- Have buffet lunch at the beach canteen at Phi Phi Don
- Stop at Monkey Bay and Hin Klang for snorkeling
- Back to the beach pier and transfer to hotel
Organized Tour to Phi Phi Islands
I woke up early today – the excitement to witness the oh-so-popular island of Thailand today – Koh Phi Phi – is rushing inside me. It is advisable to grab something for breakfast before the tour organizer comes to pick you up at around 8.30-8.45 AM. They would mention the pick-up time based on the location of your hotel.
The national park entry fee is 400 ฿ per person.
The tour price included round trip hotel transfers, buffet lunch, fruits for snacks, bottled drinking water, soft drinks, masks and snorkels, life jackets, licensed local guide and also basic accident insurance.
Do not forget to bring camera, swimming gear, change of clothes, appropriate footwear like flip-flops, adequate sun protection (cream, glasses, hat), beach towel, and waterproof bag if you need.
Explore Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi is a group of six islands – Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don being the main ones. They fall under  the administration of Hat Nopparat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park.
The speedboat departed at around 9.30 AM. I love the islands of Thailand – turquoise colored crystal color water, silky white sands, picturesque beaches – makes my heart beat faster. The sight of the wonderful white beach – Bamboo island, locally known as Koh Mai Phai – did the same. The speedboat guide collects the national park fee here.
After Bamboo Island, the speedboat stopped by the Viking Cave, locally called Tham Phaya Nak, which is located on Phi Phi Leh, for a good glimpse of the caves. The cave is a huge collection of swifts’ nests, the main component of bird’s nest soup – it is a Chinese specialty and ridiculously expensive. I wonder how humans exploit not only animals but their shelters too and also pay such an outrageous amount – at least 2500 $ for a single nest.
The speedboat approached to another small bay, called Loh Samah Bay, which looked like a small green island planted on the sea – a very beautiful setting.
The speedboat then took us to a beautiful limestone-cliffed lagoon called Pileh Lagoon before taking us to the most popular Maya Bay – the location of the film “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
I would not recommend staying at Phi Phi overnight, but visiting the island as a part of the tour is fine. It is simply overhyped.
It was already lunch time, when we headed to the bigger island, called Phi Phi Don. The beach is not so clean because it is heavily touristy, which means many hotels have sprung up on the island and many boats and ferries coming in and going connecting the island with other parts of southern Thailand.
Finally, we could experience Andaman Sea marine life with two open water snorkeling stops over coral reefs, at Monkey Bay and Hin Klang.
Christmas Dinner
It is Christmas, and we decided to have dinner in a nearby local restaurant that beautifully decorated for the occasion.
Tomorrow, I am highly looking forward to explore the islands around Krabi.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 5 in Thailand – Krabi.
- Phi-phi island day-trip: 2500
- Food: 150
Total expense (roughly):Â 2650 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Senior Citizen-Friendly Thailand Trip in 12 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
I never made it to Phi Phi island the last time I was in Thailand. It looks incredible though and I would do a tour too! I like your honesty about not staying overnight, I can imagine why! Love that your guide spoke so many languages too, how cool!
Lisa, where all have you visited last time in Thailand?
I’ve always wanted to visit Thailand! This is a very honest review. I don’t like overhyped places myself. Your pictures look beautiful!
Thanks Tisha.
Everything I read from you has such beautiful pictures, and you present the destinations you go to really extraordinarily, the island looks beautiful, the food looks amazing, and all that forest, and crystal clear waters, I will surely recommend this place to friends that are going to Thailand
Yes, totally. This place is really cool.
I almost went to Phi Phi Island but I heard it had so many tourists, it wasn’t the best place to go. So, we took a boat and went somewhere else. Your photos are beautiful and spending a day on one of these islands would be amazing.
It is kinda touristy these days, but it’s worthy to visit the place at least once.
your post made me want to do PP RIGHT NOW! The Island looks amazing and I am saving it for when I plan my trip there. fingers crossed hopefully I get to go next year!
Phi Phi is too beautiful.
I love Phi Phi! I think you’re right when you say that it’s not necessary to stay overnight but I did because there are awesome diving sites around there. But if you are not a diver the day trip you took sounds like it covers everything!
Yes, if you are diving, it’s more meaningful to stay there.
I can look at photos of Loh Samah Bay allll day! Beautiful recap of the visit. There are truly way too many islands to pick from, but it’s nice to know that day trips are available.
Aren’t they too pretty, Taraya?
My sister went here and said the waters were so beautiful!!! It looks like the speedboat took you island hopping and you had a great tip that it’s not worth it to stay over night on these islands. Love how the guide spoke so many languages!
Yes Candy, the guides are well-skilled.
I didn’t make it to Phi Phi island last time i was in Thailand. But, I think that I’m glad we went elsewhere. It looks beautiful but I don’t like sharing beaches with crowds or swimming with so many people when there are other beaches in Thailand that are untouched. However, it looks like the tour you took showed you some beautiful sights and the lunch looks terrific.
I agree, Nicole, having a beach on your own is the best.
Yeahh I have heard Phi Phi island has become too hyped up and that the other less known surrounding islands are worth a visit. It’s good you got to check it out for yourself though
Right you are, Jojo.
Have you been to Ko Chang?
Yes, it’s a great island.
This looks amazing, it’s on my list for a long time but I still didn’t make to get there, I hope it will be soon 😀
Yes, you cannot miss Phi Phi when in Thailand.
I do not like organized trips, I prefer to explore places on my own. However, when it comes to islands, sometimes it is the only way to see them. So I would be happy to go on such a cruise. The views are amazing and the food looks very tasty. I would like to try these vegetarian dishes!
Tours like this if organized are better.
I was literally just in Thailand and at Phi Phi Island but didn’t even know that it was a collection of six islands hahaa. My friend and I did a snorkelling tour though so really only visited Monkey Beach and Maya Beach from afar (but I guess when you visited, it was still open so lucky you!). Pileh Lagoon looks amazing too and gosh you’re making me wanna revisit already!
Revisit soon!