Phi Phi Island, paradise of the sea.
This destination is maybe the only reason for many tourists from all over the world target to Thailand, Phi Phi Island is one of the most charming in South East Asia. They are also part of the well-being and ample “Noppharatthara Beach-Pee Pee Islands National Park”. With their incredible beauty and allure attracting numerous tourists both Thai and international to visit the remarkable islands in south of Thailand more and more.
About Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi Island is one of the most famous sea site destinations of the world located about 42-kilometers from the city of Krabi and 40-kilometers from Phuket. This archipelago is a group of 6 islands. The two main islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh and the rest of the islands in the group, includes Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Yung island and Bamboo island. Furthermore, there are many important bays, including Loh Lana Bay, Loh Dalum Bay, Yong Kasem Bay or Monkey Bay, Banyan Tree Bay, Loh Ba Kao Bay, Pak Nam Bay, Run Tee Bay, Pilae Bay, Loh Sama Bay, and the world-famous Maya Bay, which was the location where Leonardo Di Caprio’s film, The Beach, was filmed.
The make-up of this archipelago is limestone mountains and cliffs with long white sandy beaches on every island as well as an abundance of coral reefs and marine life. Here you can witness smooth pearly white sand beaches, colorful and diverse sea fish and plankton, deep blue and clear seas resulting in this charismatic place to be named as “the Emerald of the Andaman, Phi Phi Island Paradise” ideal for tourists.
Highlight of the Phi Phi Islands
1. Phi Phi Don
Phi Phi don is the largest island of the group of islands. This island is at the center and most inhabited of the archipelago with all tourism facilities including pier, accommodation, restaurant, and so on. Moreover, this island attracts people with its beautiful shores and numbers of marine life to experience with the diving activities- coral, anemone, island satellite, clear water and long white sandy beaches.
Phi Phi Don consists of 2 bays which are Banyan Tree Bay or Ao Ton Sai in Thai and Loh Dalum Bay and from the viewpoint of the island you will witness a stunning beautiful scene that introduces the Phi Phi Islands to become one of the world destinations. And visiting to this island depends on the seasons and the best period to visit here is between February-April when you are able to access any spots around the island. Besides that, there is limited access due to the weather and climate. And the interesting spot to check in at Phi Phi Don are;
1.1 Banya Tree Bay or Ao Ton Sai
This place is located in the south of the island. As a main port of the island with smooth 2-kilometer long sandy beach. There are a lot of beach activities to enjoy, although there are many boats and ferries especially at the west of this bay as it is a diving venue. The center of Ao Ton Sai, includes shops, hotels and resorts where a lot of people that are more than 90% foreign stroll along the street all day and night.
1.2 Loh Dalum Bay or Ao Loh Dalum
This is another significant bay that curves to Ao Ton Sai and is accessible between each other within 10-15 minutes. Because the size and depth of the beach are not suitable to be port like the Ao Ton Sai. When the tide is low the level of water is not too deep and still, so this beach is ideal for any kind of beach activitiy such as kayaking, banana boat riding, swimming, etc. And for one who prefers unexciting atmosphere like Ao Ton Sai, there are many pleasant accommodations serviced at Loh Dalum Bay as well.
1.3 Yong Kasem Bay or Monkey Bay
The verdant forest behind the white sandy beach is the background of this bay. The high and lush mountain here is a home for a crowd of monkeys that come down to greet the tourists often. The Monkey Bay has plenty of beaches, corals and rocks. The coral reef here is quite big with large biological diversity. Mostly there is shallow water coral but further from the cliffs there are many young and colorful corals that one who has never tried scuba diving can enjoy while the tide is low along the cliffs.
1.4 Had Yao
This beach is near to the Ao Ton Sai with 700-meter length. Many tourists really enjoy sea activities here like swimming and sunbathing, and in particular in the east at end of the beach is a crucial diving spot with many interesting marine life to experience that you can enjoy both snorkeling and scuba diving.
2. Phi Phi Leh
Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited island without any facilities. With the area of 6.6 square kilometers of the island is occupied by steep and high limestone mountains and the clifsf upright to the sea all around the island. This place is highlighted as a good diving spot both snorkeling and scuba. And the highlight locations to drop in here are;
2.1 Maya Bay or Ao Maya
This place was used as a location for the 2000 British-American film The Beach staring Leonardo Di Caprio. With its powder-like white sandy beach and crystal-clear water you will not be disappointed to come here. During October to April is the best time to visit Maya Bay because there is not any wind from behind of Phi Phi Leh island and the water in the bay is still, calm and totally clear, apart from this period it is limited to access this area but only a pleasant day.
2.2 Pileh Bay
Pileh Bay or Ao Pileh is the place named as “Lagoon of the sea” where surrounded by high cliffs and complete the look with lush forest. At Pileh Bay you can enjoy a charming emerald-like water that is calm and very clear that allows you can see a crowd of sea fish.
2.3 Viking’s Cave
Viking’s Cave or Swallow Cave is sited not far from Pileh Bay. This is house to swallows where there is a thriving industry harvesting edible bird’s nests and there are also the old-time paintings within the cave that some are look like Viking’s ship causing become a name of this cave. Nonetheless, in 1972 the king Rama IV visited the cave and renamed as “Naga Cave” following to a shape of a rock which is looks similar to the head of a naga. Inside this cave is a big lobby but it is quite dark and naturally decorated with aesthetic stalagmites.
2.4 Loh Sama Bay
This narrow bay is another good spot for snorkeling of Phi Phi Leh. And there is a lot of biological diversity in this space. You will see plenty of colorful coral, various sea fish and sea rocks from the boat. On the other hand, scuba diving will take you to witness sea fans and corals. And for one who would love to add on some adventure, you can trail through a small cave from Lo Sa Ma Bay to Maya Bay in short period and this is another way to access Maya Bay during the time that is not accessible by boat however caution is advised to use this during the high tide and wave.
3. Bamboo Island
This island is located in north of Phi Phi Don and there are beautiful beach and coral reef. You can enjoy diving activities here both snorkeling and scuba.
4. Yung Island
It is not far from Bamboo Island with its rocky beach at east of the island. The coral reef here is quite plentiful with proper diving activities to have fun.
Transportation
There are frequent ferry boats to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket, Koh Lanta, and Krabi town starting at 8.30am. Last boats from Krabi and Phuket depart at 2.30pm. In the “green season” (Jun-Oct), travel to and from Koh Lanta is via Krabi town only.
There is a large modern deep-water government pier on Tonsai Bay, Phi Phi Don Village, completed in late 2009. It takes in the main ferry boats from Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta. Visitors to Phi Phi Island must pay THB20 on arrival at the pier. Dive boats, long tail boats, and supply boats have their own drop off points along the piers, making the pier highly efficient in the peak season.
Where to Stay on Phi Phi Island
Hotels in Phi Phi cover a wide range of styles; from cheap yet comfortable guesthouses to mid-range prices bungalows to stylish tropical resorts set on the remote northeastern coast of the island, there is really an accommodation type for everyone in Phi Phi.
