Phi Phi Viewpoint Hike & Bamboo Island Snorkelling

Phi Phi's viewpoint, looking down over Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays from the ridge above town, is one of the most photographed spots in Thailand, and most visitors climb it at midday, in the heat, alongside everyone else on the island. This day flips the order: snorkelling first, then the climb timed for late afternoon, when the light is better and the steps are quieter.

The morning starts with a longtail boat to Bamboo Island, a small, sparsely visited island northeast of Phi Phi Don with a fringing reef close to shore. The coral here has stayed in better condition than some of the busier sites nearer Maya Bay, and the shallow water suits snorkellers of any level. Your guide points out clownfish, parrotfish and the occasional reef shark cruising the drop-off at the edge of the reef.

After time in the water, lunch is served on the boat or on Bamboo Island's beach, depending on conditions, before the return to Phi Phi Don in the early afternoon. There's time to rest before the second half of the day.

The viewpoint climb begins in the late afternoon, a steep but short ascent of around twenty to thirty minutes on stone steps from the town centre. It's demanding in the heat, so the later start matters: by the time you reach the top, the worst of the sun has passed and the crowds that fill the platform at midday have mostly moved on. From the viewpoint, you look down on both bays simultaneously, framed by the limestone cliffs of Phi Phi Leh in the distance.

As sunset approaches, the light over the two bays shifts through gold and pink, and the viewpoint, which can hold a genuine crowd earlier in the day, thins out enough to find a clear spot for photographs. The walk back down into town, as the island's evening restaurants and bars start to light up, ends the day.

The climb requires a reasonable level of fitness, steep steps rather than technical terrain, and isn't recommended for those with significant mobility limitations. Bring sturdy shoes, water and a hat for both the boat trip and the climb.

The best time to visit is November to April, when the sea is calm for the boat crossing and skies are generally clear for sunset. The monsoon, May to October, can bring rain that shortens visibility from the viewpoint.

The day lasts around seven hours. A longtail boat to Bamboo Island, snorkelling guide and equipment, the viewpoint entry fee, lunch and water are included.