Phi Phi is a paradise for travellers looking to enjoy outdoor adventure, and you can find plenty to see and do without breaking the bank on your trip. Whether you're interested in simple swimming or you want to be more adventurous with activities like cliff jumping, most of it is entirely free to access.
When you visit this chain of islands, the only real cost you have to worry about is the price of equipment when it comes to certain activities. Snorkelling and scuba diving need special gear, but cliff diving and relaxing at the beach just require your presence. Take a look at some of the best things to do in Phi Phi on a small budget.
- 1
Monkey Bay
Visit a beach with an interesting population
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Monkey Bay is a popular beachfront area on the main island where you'll find soft sands, emerald waters and furry inhabitants you won't want to miss. As the name suggests, a population of macaque monkeys has made its home here. While you shouldn't get too close to them, they are fun to admire from afar.
Access to this bay is completely free, but that doesn't mean it won't cost you a bit of money. There's no fee to enter the bay, but you'll need a way to get there. The most efficient way is hiring a boat or a kayak and paddling yourself. Fortunately, kayak hires are fairly cheap. You'll find this bay among a small cove around Dalum Bay.
Locatie: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand
Kaart - 2
Long Beach
Immerse yourself in fine white sands
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Long Beach is a popular beachfront where you'll find their famous fine white sands and opportunities for swimming and snorkelling, with a nearby village too. The beach itself has some of the finest sands you'll find on the entire island chain, and the water is calm for a good portion of the year.
How calm the water is depends on when you visit. If you want to swim or snorkel, November through April is your best bet. While numerous resorts offer access to this beach, the beach itself is free for outsiders too. You'll find it all just a stone's throw from Tonsai Village, which is known for its popular nightlife.
Locatie: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Openingstijden: 24/7
Kaart - 3
Loh Dalum - Loh Bagao Hike
Challenge yourself with a hike
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The Loh Dalum - Loh Bagao hike is a fulfilling hike across a good portion of the island with plenty of satisfying challenges along the way. The hike itself takes about 2 hours in total, and it's a relatively new trail that's made Loh Bagao much easier to access in recent years compared to times past.
When you embark on this hike, you'll find yourself travelling through hills defined by plenty of lush vegetation. If it's your first time, you may want to embark on it with a guide. Don't forget water and snacks as well, given just how long this hike will take. It starts around the isthmus and extends all the way to the northeastern edge of the island.
Locatie: Thailand
Kaart - 4
Moo Dee Bay
Relax along emerald waters
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Moo Dee Bay is a popular yet isolated beach that stretches 300 metres, offering white sands and emerald waters you can enjoy whether you're swimming, boating or just relaxing. One of the most popular activities here is snorkelling, and you can indulge as much as you want, provided you have the right gear.
The beach is free to access, and you can get there on foot by travelling a path that's about a kilometre long from the bottom of the Phi Phi Viewpoint. If your budget can handle a long-tail boat, however, you can take to the water and get there in about 15 minutes. It's located on Koh Phi Phi Don's east coast.
Locatie: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand
Kaart - 5
Tonsai East
A cheap beach with opportunities for more
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Tonsai East is a massive 500-metre-long beach that allows you to conveniently enjoy the water, though you'll also find opportunities for dining and shopping too. A lot of the area around this beach is developed with large restaurants, hippie bars and shops, and there are still quite a few you can enjoy even when trying to stay on a budget.
The beach itself is relaxed and laid back without much traffic other than the people renting out the nearby bungalows and a handful of visitors elsewhere. Access to the beach itself is free, of course, so you'll never have to pay to enjoy that much. You'll find it all just south of the eastern edge of the isthmus.
Locatie: Thailand
Kaart - 6
Pi Leh Bay
A bay in a canyon
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Pi Leh Bay is a popular and renowned body of water along the island that seemingly cuts the land in half with towering limestone cliffs rising up along each side. Simply being in this bay can evoke images of impressive natural features and a sense of awe as the cliffs tower over wherever you find yourself.
Exploring this bay means taking to the water in a boat. While you'll find plenty of motorised boats in the area, budget-friendly travellers can enjoy paddle boats. Plus, there is still some beach space if you're only interested in a bit of snorkelling. You'll find it all on Ko Phi Phi Lee south of the main island.
Locatie: Andaman Sea, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Openingstijden: 24/7
Kaart - 7
Nui Beach
Visit a tiny cove
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Nui Beach is a fun beach in a small cove that's outlined by impressive geological formations and plenty of snorkelling opportunities. It's fairly isolated, so you won't find many crowds in the area, but the beach isn't even the secret part. You'll also find a cave here that you can explore only during low tide when it's accessible.
When you visit this beach, you'll find impressive karsts framing the cove, which are tall rocky remnants left behind after countless years of erosion and natural forces. The crystal clear waters are perfect for snorkelling as well. You can experience this paradise beach for yourself on the north side of the main island across the peninsula west of Loh Lana Bay.
Locatie: Nui Beach Phi Phi Islands Krabi 81210, Thailand
Kaart - 8
Cliff Jumping In Phi Phi
Test your courage
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Cliff jumping in Phi Phi is one of the most popular activities you'll find among the islands, with plenty of opportunities to get a lot of airtime before landing safely. You'll find several spots available throughout the island with tours often taking you to the best spots. A lot of the tours are fairly affordable, but you're always welcome to simply venture on your own.
Even when travelling on a budget, it's generally best to take the guided tour if it's your first time. The guide will be able to show you proper techniques and safety practises to ensure you're able to enjoy yourself without being at risk. You'll find popular cliffs all throughout the main island's coast.
Locatie: Thailand
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Phi Phi Viewpoint
Take in the sights
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Lees meerPhi Phi Viewpoint is one of the most breathtaking spots throughout the entire island chain, offering scenic panoramic views of the island's natural beauty. When you stand at this spot, you'll have incredible views of the emerald waters below as well as the tree-covered limestone cliffs in the distance.
Keep in mind that it takes a bit of a hike to reach this viewpoint considering its elevated position. Fortunately, the hike is relatively easy being only about 1.4 kilometres long. It's easy to traverse and should take no longer than 25 minutes. You'll find it near the centre of the island mass east of the isthmus.
Locatie: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Openingstijden: Daily from 5.30 am to 7 pm
Telefoonnummer: +66 88 385 6628
Kaart - 10
Phi Phi Market
The Tonsai Market
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Phi Phi Market is an iconic market where you'll find food and other items available for surprisingly low prices perfect for travellers on a budget. It's a local market that's relatively free from travellers, but that doesn't mean you aren't welcome to visit.
When you stop by this market, you'll find plenty of vendors outright cooking on their stand letting you get a fresh ready-made meal. The prices are notably low compared to what you'll typically find elsewhere, with a satisfying skewer of fish, meat and veg only running you about 15 baht. It's located in the centre of Tonsai Village.
Locatie: Unnamed Road, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
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