Dec
26
Koh Phi Phi Holiday Guide
Filed Under Thailand
The Hollywood blockbuster “The Beach” was filmed on Koh Phi Phi Ley
A holiday on Koh Phi Phi
Located in the Andaman Sea in the southwest of Thailand, Koh Phi Phi is a chain of six islands designated as a national marine park. The largest and only one of these islands permitting inhabitation is Phi Phi Don, where you can enjoy the newly developed tourist infrastructure. The unspoilt Phi Phi Ley is the second largest island and is only open for daytrips while the other four islands are very small and don’t permit visitors to go ashore. Phi Phi Don was considerably devastated by the 2004 tsunami which flattened nearly all of the buildings between its two bays. However, the island has been pleasantly redeveloped.
Flights to Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi Don is only accessible by boat. All public transport arrives here from Phuket, Ao Nang, Krabi and Koh Lanta Island. Diverse private boat trips are also available, and you can hire a long-tail boat to visit other islands. Bound for Phi Phi, three ferries a day leave Phuket’s ferry terminal, the journey taking two hours, and two daily boats depart from Krabi Town, the trip taking 90 minutes. There are additional boats from Ao Nang beach in Krabi as well as services directly from Koh Lanta. However, all these services are subject to change during the low season.
Sightseeing in Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi Don is renowned for its characteristic butterfly shape, and most of the tourist facilities are situated between the two deep bays, within 500m of each other. Before the tsunami, the island had become considerably over-developed, whereas current regulations have limited development along the seafront, leaving it pleasingly natural. You can walk from the central village up to a lookout point where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the two bays.
An aerial view of Tonsai Bay - the main embarkation point on Phi Phi Don
Phi Phi Ley features a lovely unspoilt beach as well as nature trails leading to a small grotto. The water here is incredibly clear and the island is uncrowded with only a couple of tour boats arriving at a time. This is the location where numerous scenes from the Hollywood epic The Beach were filmed.
[MEDIA=3]
Take a Long Tail Boat for a day trip to Phi Phi Ley
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
As you may expect, the cuisine on Phi Phi Don is dominated by a wide range of seafood dishes served by various charming restaurants lining the main street. This island used to be a rocking spot with a vivid nightlife, beachfront parties and bars presenting live music. However, since the tsunami tourist facilities have been restricted so that the number of travellers who stay overnight has significantly decreased.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
There are not many shopping options available on Phi Phi Don, apart from a few souvenir shops and some clothing and jewellery outlets. Leisure activities comprise kayaking, which is offered at the two bays, and some beach action including volleyball. Paragliding and jet-skis have fortunately been left behind in Phuket.
The two best-liked activities in the Phi Phi islands are without doubt snorkelling and diving. Several operators provide dive trips to the reefs of the area. If you don’t possess a PADI certification, you can easily arrange snorkelling in connection with a boat tour to the islands. A further appealing recreational activity is rock climbing, with excellent opportunities on the karst formations that provide stunning panoramas.
Daytrips
Phi Phi consists of two islands, although only one is inhabited. You will arrive on Phi Phi Don and from here visitors are able to visit many beautiful nearby islands on daytrips.
The first port of call should be the sister island of Phi Phi Ley. This is an untamed version of Phi Phi Don as no one lives here and no developments have been built. It is natural beauty at its very best. Phi Phi Ley is just a short boat ride from the pier on Phi Phi Don and offers beautiful beaches and exciting sightseeing adventures.
Other worthwhile daytrips include visits to Bamboo Island, a secluded island home to some stunning scenery; Yung Island, rarely visited by tourists but well worth the trip; and dive sites which are dotted all around. A day’s diving will allow you explore wrecks, reefs and the abundance of marine life found in the waters surrounding Phi Phi.
Must-see attractions
Phi Phi Don is home to some wonderful attractions which should be visited if you can drag yourself away from the beach. Cape Laem Thong can be found on the northern tip of the island and is home to a sea gypsy village offering a unique chance to learn about the culture of these nomadic people first-hand.
Bida Nok and Bida Nai are large rocks which stick out of the ocean. However, it is the story that surrounds them which attracts so many tourists. They are similar in form to male and female genitals and some believe that they are the creation of a grandmother and grandfather who killed themselves here.
Monkey Beach is another must-see. It is a small secluded beach on Phi Phi Don which can be reached on foot or by long tail boat. As well as the beautiful scenery here, you will also have the chance to spot wild monkeys in the trees.
The perfect way to watch the sun go down is to climb to the highest point on Phi Phi, known as ‘the viewpoint’, and immerse yourself in the beauty. A stunning nature trail leads to the top and once you are here, you will be rewarded with panoramic views across the island.
Best time to go
Koh Phi Phi experiences a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season spans May to December and sees tropical thunderstorms and monsoon winds. Temperatures remain warn, however, and the rain typically comes in short bursts.
The peak season is during the winter months of November through February. It is during this time when the weather is at its most reliable; there is rarely any rain and temperatures average a pleasant 25°C with low humidity levels. As it is the busiest season, however, you need to make sure that you book your accommodation in advance and expect to see crowds of people descend on the island every day.
Rainy day suggestions
Phi Phi Don does not have much in the way of rainy day attractions because its biggest draw is its beach. However, if you do get caught in a shower, there are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars where you can wait out the storm.
Comments
Leave a Reply
-
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
