Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lipe? Wondering which island to choose for your Thailand trip? Let's break down all the characteristics and highlights of these two islands in southern Thailand to help you make the right choice.

Visiting Koh Phi Phi: What to Expect

Koh Phi Phi is not a single island but an archipelago of 6 islands located in the Andaman Sea, off the southwestern coast of Thailand, between Phuket and Krabi. The two main islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, while the other four are uninhabited and composed of rocks.

Renowned for its paradisiacal beaches, mountains and towering limestone cliffs, the archipelago is considered one of Thailand's natural jewels. It's also one of the most touristy places in the country since the release of The Beach film starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 1999, which made the famous Maya Bay beach world-renowned.

What to Do at Koh Phi Phi

Visit Maya Bay, the World's Most Famous Beach

Popularized by The Beach film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Maya Bay is, without question, the world's most famous beach. Accessible only by boat, it's an uninhabited beach on Koh Phi Phi Ley.

Unfortunately, it fell victim to its own success, and mass tourism caused significant ecological damage: water pollution, coral reef degradation, species disappearance, coastal erosion... To give you an idea, the beach welcomed over 5,000 visitors per day during high season in 2018.

Faced with this ecological disaster, Thai authorities decided to close the bay for 4 years. Reopened since January 2022, the beach can once again be visited and rules have been implemented to protect the ecosystem. The number of daily visitors is limited and swimming is prohibited.

Relaxing on the Beaches

The Koh Phi Phi archipelago boasts numerous paradisiacal beaches perfect for lounging. Some are only accessible by boat or hiking and promise an enchanted escape, while others are much more lively and festive.

Among the most beautiful beaches at Koh Phi Phi, you'll find:

• Loh Ba Kao Bay,

• Loh Moo Dee Beach,

• Long Beach,

• Wang Long Bay,

• Loh Dalum Beach,

• Monkey Bay (known for its monkey population),

• Nui beach,

• Phak Nam Bay,

• Ao Toh Ko,

• Ao Rantee

Diving and Snorkeling

Koh Phi Phi Marine National Park (also called Hat Noppharat Thara) is home to some of Thailand's best diving sites. You'll find dive sites suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.

The spots are quite diverse: caves and caverns, canyons and dramatic drop-offs covered in coral... As for aquatic life, you can spot leopard sharks, reef sharks, whale sharks (between February and March), barracudas, tuna, grouper, parrotfish, seahorses, moray eels and much more. Note that there are also a few wrecks such as the Kledkaeo and King Cruiser.

Taking in the Views from Scenic Viewpoints

To admire the beauty of the Koh Phi Phi archipelago, head to the Koh Phi Phi Don viewpoint. Accessible from Tonsai village, the Phi Phi viewpoint offers stunning panoramic views of the land-connected island and the other islets of the archipelago.

The viewpoint is divided into 3 sections: viewpoint 1, viewpoint 2 and viewpoint 3. The first is the most accessible and popular. We recommend going all the way to the final lookout to get the best views and avoid the crowds.

Note: access to the viewpoints is paid (expect less than 50 baht).

Exploring the Archipelago's Islands

To discover the uninhabited islands and islets of the archipelago, travelers can embark on day-long island hopping excursions. Among the islands to explore, you'll find Bamboo Island (also called Koh Pai), Koh Bida Nok & Koh Bida Nai or Mosquito Island. Beyond their dream-like beaches, these various islands make excellent snorkeling spots.

Outdoor Activities

The Koh Phi Phi archipelago offers multiple activities for sports enthusiasts and outdoor adventure lovers. You can climb the characteristic tall limestone peaks of the region or rent a kayak to explore the beaches of the main islands.

Party Scene

While the main island of Koh Phi Phi has quiet corners, it's also renowned for its lively and vibrant atmosphere. Every evening, Tonsai village and Loh Dalum beach come alive for the delight of party-goers. Bars feature international DJs and fire performances light up the beaches.

Koh Phi Phi: For Which Types of Travelers?

As you can see, the Koh Phi Phi archipelago offers a wide range of activities for travelers. The main island, Phi Phi Don, attracts diving enthusiasts, nature lovers and party people from around the world. While there are quiet corners, Koh Phi Phi is one of the most touristy places in the country. So it's not the ideal destination if you're looking to get off the beaten path and escape the crowds.

Visiting Koh Lipe: What to Expect

The island of Koh Lipe is also located in the Andaman Sea but sits further south, near the Malaysian border. Literally translated as "paper island" because of its relatively flat topography, it's a tiny island measuring only 2 km². The island is the only inhabited island in the Adang archipelago.

Dubbed "the Maldives of Siam", Koh Lipe is one of Thailand's most beautiful islands. It certainly has all the ingredients for a dream getaway: white sand beaches, crystal-clear emerald waters, exceptional marine life...

What to Do at Koh Lipe

Relaxing on the Beaches

Known for its postcard-perfect beaches, Koh Lipe is the ideal place to indulge in leisure. You'll find 3 main beaches:

• Pattaya beach: a lively beach with plenty of facilities, this is where boats dock. For more peace and quiet, head to the small Sanom beach just next door.

• Sunrise beach: an ideal beach for snorkeling. We recommend renting a kayak and heading to the sublime isolated Patai Galah Beach.

• Sunset beach: as its name suggests, this is the beach to visit for spectacular sunsets.

Diving and Snorkeling

Koh Lipe ranks among Thailand's premier diving destinations. Indeed, it's part of the Tarutao Marine National Park reserve, established in 1974, which contains 25% of the world's tropical fish species.

You'll find around twenty dive sites suitable for all levels, featuring rock formations and pinnacles. You can spot abundant soft corals, numerous exotic fish, bioluminescent plankton (depending on season), and, more rarely, pelagic species such as turtles, whale sharks, Minke whales, sperm whales, dugongs... It's not uncommon to spot dolphins from boats.

For wreck enthusiasts, don't miss the Yong Hua shipwreck, a 48-meter cargo vessel that sank in 1996.

Exploring the Island on Foot

Given its tiny size, Koh Lipe is very easy to explore on foot. You won't find any vehicles on the island except for a few motorcycle taxis. You can stroll around peacefully and meet some of the roughly 1,000 inhabitants, most of whom are from the "sea gypsies."

Also called the Chao Ley, they are members of a semi-nomadic ethnic minority who were the first to settle on the island. Today, they live mainly from fishing and tourism.

Excursions to Neighboring Islands

Part of the Adang Rawi archipelago, Koh Lipe is not the only island in the area worth a visit. During a boat excursion, you can reach other islands for an enchanting escape where isolation and nature take center stage. We're thinking particularly of Koh Adang, also located in the Tarutao marine park.

On the agenda: hiking through pristine nature, dream beaches, snorkeling, climbing the viewpoint for breathtaking island views... Note that it's possible to stay on the island by checking with the national park office.

Exploring the Surroundings by Kayak

For the more athletic, it's easy to rent a kayak from Koh Lipe's main beaches to explore the coastline and neighboring islands. You can paddle around the island in about 3 hours or head to nearby Koh Kra and Koh Usen. Don't forget to bring snorkel gear for snorkeling stops!

Koh Lipe: For Which Types of Travelers?

Renowned as one of Thailand's best diving destinations, Koh Lipe particularly attracts underwater diving enthusiasts. It's also the perfect place for those seeking relaxation and beach getaways.

In Summary: Which Island to Choose Between Koh Lipe and Koh Phi Phi?

As you can see, both Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lipe are islands where diving remains the primary activity. If you want to enjoy a maximum of activities during your stay, we recommend choosing Koh Phi Phi. On the other hand, if you simply want to unwind and dive, we suggest opting for Koh Lipe.

And Rather Than Having to Choose, Why Not Do Both?

It's possible to reach both islands via ferry. The most popular companies are Tigerline Ferry, Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club and Bundhaya Speed Boat. Expect approximately 4 hours of travel between the two islands.