Phi Phi Islands – An Unforgettable Place in Thailand

The geographical names of the “land of smiles”, as tourists like to call Thailand, harmoniously fit the name of the Phi Phi archipelago. The light, even funny name of the group of islands promises a serene holiday, a great mood and a fun time. This option for a long-awaited vacation will suit everyone who dreams of getting away from everyday worries and workdays. Then we tune in to the positive and get ready for the road.

A breathtaking view of the Phi Phi Islands

A delightful corner of welcoming Thailand greets travelers with stunningly beautiful landscapes, soft white sand beaches, clear water of the Andaman Sea, psychological comfort, which is skillfully organized by local residents. The Phi Phi Islands will provide vacation options for people of all ages and different capabilities.

Incredibly beautiful nature and a variety of entertainment attract literally crowds of tourists from all over the world to the exotic archipelago. Arriving in this divine land, they become a single family of vacationers, accept the rules of freedom and friendliness that prevail in Thailand. Vacation for every taste: active, secluded, romantic against the backdrop of fabulous natural beauty.

Geography and nature of Phi Phi

Let’s begin our acquaintance with the islands of the Phi Phi archipelago with the peculiarities of their geographical location and a brief overview of nature.

Geographical position of the islands

The distance from the western mainland province of Thailand Krabi to the Phi Phi Islands is about 50 km. The same number of kilometers to the island of Phuket. The archipelago includes only 6 islands, two of which are relatively large, the rest are tiny. The total area of ​​the archipelago is only 36 km 2 .

Phi Phi Don is the largest and main island. Its area is 28 km2 , and it is the only island of the Phi Phi archipelago where people live permanently. Two large islands made of limestone are connected by a narrow sandy isthmus. Its length is only 1 km, and in some areas the width is only 150 m, but it is on this sand spit that the population density is highest. Hotels, restaurants, shops, a market and many tourist infrastructure facilities are located close to each other here.

Phi Phi Leh is the second largest island with an area of ​​6.6 km2 and lies to the south of the main one. The monolithic limestone formation rises above the water to a maximum height of 314 m. The island is famous for its long sandy beaches, above which rise steep cliffs up to 200 m high and the picturesque Maya Bay. There is no tourist infrastructure here. But tourists enjoy visiting Phi Phi Leh, it is popular for the extraordinary beauty of its emerald lagoons, among which the brightest sea pearl is the Pele Lagoon and caves that fascinate travelers. And on the island they collect swallows’ nests to make the famous nest soup.

Koh Mai Pai – it is often called Bamboo Island or Bamboo for short. This version of the name is not clear, since bamboo does not grow on the northernmost of the Phi Phi Islands. But there is a lot of other vegetation. If you look at Mai Pai from above, its center will be bright green. The green spot of forests is framed by a strip of luxurious sandy beaches. The area of ​​Mambu is only 600 m2 , but there are always beach lovers here. Even with a large crowd of people, everyone can “try on” the feeling of Robinson Crusoe’s solitude.

Bida Nok – if you drive 2 km south of Phi Phi Leh along the water surface, you will come across a small piece of land in the form of pointed limestone cliffs. The island is no more than 100 m in diameter and it is almost impossible to stay on it, but the best place for diving on Phi Phi is located nearby. Shallow depths, clear water, no strong currents, a picturesque underwater world, expressive bright corals delight divers.

Bida Nai is a limestone island similar to Bida Nok. Like its neighbor, it was created by nature for the joy of divers. The diving conditions are ideal. And experienced divers will feel absolutely happy here.

Koh Yung – has a parallel name “mosquito island”. It is very beautiful, but it is comfortable to be there only during the daytime. In the evening, local evil mosquitoes will eat late tourists with appetite. On the nearby island of Phi Phi Don, such a phenomenon is not observed. Koh Yung offers tourists two magnificent beaches, and coral gardens have been preserved in the coastal waters.

Wonders of nature: flora and fauna

The name Phi Phi means “flaming island” in Malay . This name is probably associated with the Flame trees (Grey mangrove tree) that grow here, which bloom with red flowers. The green areas of the islands are covered with tropical forests, in the areas flooded by tides mangroves prevail.

In the favorable conditions of the warm, humid climate on the islands, plants that live only at home feel great. For example, the well-known monstera. A liana with figuratively cut leaves and aerial roots grows here to gigantic sizes and even bears fruit. Bananas, which are well known to us, grow on the Phi Phi Islands. By the way, the fruits of this herbaceous plant are called berries. There are an abundance of coconut palms around. To preserve the species composition of the islands’ flora, many plants and flowers are listed in the Red Book.

There is an interesting beach on the main island of the Phi Phi archipelago. You can get there only by sea. The 200-meter sandy strip of land is called Monkey Beach. Sociable long-tailed macaques and, it should be noted, very unceremonious, thieving individuals, willingly accept treats from the hands of tourists. Such communication delights children and adults. Swimming on this beach and lying on the white sand is heavenly pleasure.

The fauna of Thailand and its islands is incredibly diverse. The tropical jungles are home to a huge number of reptiles and mammals. The warm sea waters that wash the islands are home to countless fish and all sorts of sea creatures. The sacred animals of Thailand, elephants, are not found on the Phi Phi Islands, as there is simply no room for such giants. There are no Indian tigers or clouded leopards either. But there are small animals and many, many familiar domestic cats.

A cute little tree shrew lives in the jungle, similar in appearance to our squirrel. Its habits are the same: it lives in trees, eats fruits and insects. Smart little animals have long understood that they can feed themselves near people, so they are frequent guests on the territory of hotels. A small island bird, myna, also prefers to live near people. You can recognize it by its black-brown plumage and yellow beak. This little bird masterfully imitates people and animals, and is not averse to stealing chips or nuts from careless vacationers. 

Hordes of bats and flying foxes live in the caves on the islands. During the day they sleep under the arches of the caves. In daylight, it is quite possible to meet a gecko lizard. They are completely harmless and the Thais treat these reptiles favorably. It is better to stay away from snakes and spiders, but they themselves are not eager to approach humans.

How to get to Phi Phi on your own and where to stay

Since, as expected, the Phi Phi Islands are washed by the sea on all sides, they can be reached by water transport. Water transport runs from all nearby tourist centers of Thailand to the archipelago along the Andaman Sea. Ferries and speedboats depart from the islands of Phuket and Lanta, from the mainland city of Krabi to the islands.

Travel by ferry

The most convenient and inexpensive way to get to Phi Phi. A modern passenger ship will comfortably deliver passengers to the desired location. The duration of a short cruise is 1 hour 45 minutes. The ferry departs from Ratsada Pier in Phuket. Several trips depart during the day. Depending on the sea conditions, their departure time may change. The same transfer is made by boats, which will get you to Phi Phi almost twice as fast.

You can leave in the morning and return back at about 3 pm. But it is better to stay on the exotic island for 1-2 days. It is advisable to book a place on the ferry in advance and keep an eye on its departure time.

Speedboat excursions

A fascinating sea trip to the Phi Phi Islands will add unforgettable impressions to your vacation. On a calm sea, you can get to the islands from the mainland or Phuket by speedboat in 40 minutes. The excursion program to the Phi Phi Islands archipelago is very interesting. It includes:

• Visit the small island of Phi Phi Leh and its stunning beaches, where the movie “The Beach” was filmed with the participation of the young handsome Leonardo DiCaprio.
• Then the group goes to one of the beautiful lagoons for exciting snorkeling. Tourists will have to swim in a mask and fins, admiring the fantastically beautiful underwater world. The equipment for this is on the boat.
• Next, there is a path to the Viking Cave, where locals collect “swallow nests” to make a delicious soup. In fact, these are the nests of swiftlets, a type of swift that looks like swallows. After visiting the unusual cave and taking photos, the group goes to the largest and main island of Phi Phi.
• On Phi Phi Don, tourists visit the famous Monkey Beach and have a hearty lunch.
• After lunch, it’s time to lie on the soft sea sand and swim in the clear turquoise water. Usually, the boat captain invites travelers to one of the Phi Phi islands, where you can relax and enjoy the surrounding nature.

Where to stay 

If desired, tourists have the opportunity to stay longer on Phi Phi. On the main island of the archipelago there are dozens of good hotels of various “star ratings”. 

For a budget option, inexpensive guesthouses have been built on Phi Phi . Most of them are located on the area between Loh Dalum and Tonsai beaches. The guesthouses are bungalows located right by the water. Behind them, there is a tropical forest. For fans of relaxation close to nature, this is a great option. The houses have mosquito nets, a toilet, and even the Internet.

History of Phi Phi Islands

Every geographical object has its own history. And so does a small piece of land consisting of 6 objects in the Andaman Sea. The island part of the Thai province of Krabi, with a population of no more than 3,000 people, also has a past.

Brief history

Until 1940, the inhabited Phi Phi Islands were inhabited by people from Malaysia, who currently live on the water near one of the islands in Phang Nga Bay. They built a village on stilts, and on a small section of the island there is only a mosque, since the islanders profess Islam. And today, on the main island of the Phi Phi Don archipelago, a significant part of the population are Muslims, with Buddhism in second place in importance.

The Muslim fishermen fished and only returned to their temporary homes on Phi Phi Don Island during the low season. It was because of this lifestyle that they were called sea gypsies. For unknown reasons, they disappeared from these places in 1945.

The closed, measured life of the islands was broken by cinema. Phi Phi Ley was chosen by American film producers as a place to film the movie “The Beach”. The incredible beauty of the place, the acting of the young DiCaprio charmed the audience and tourists went to the island to see the unrealistically beautiful landscapes with their own eyes. Enterprising Thais did not lose their heads and organized a tourist cluster on the islands with hotels, restaurants, excursions, diving and other pleasures.

From 2000 to 2004, the island idyll continued, but then the merciless elements intervened. The disaster came from the Indian Ocean. Tsunamis hit the islands, bringing destruction and death. The village of Ton Sai took the brunt of the giant waves. Half of the locals died, and the tourist infrastructure was seriously damaged. Nowadays, traces of the terrible tragedy have become a thing of the past, the village and the island have become better than before. Phi Phi welcomes tourists and gives them the opportunity to enjoy the heavenly beauty of these places.

What to see on the islands

Despite the miniature size and uninhabited nature of four of the six Phi Phi islands, there is a lot to see and do there. It is not for nothing that thousands of tourists from all over the world come here.

Phi Phi Beaches

Luxurious beaches are the main natural value of the islands. Their characteristic features are: soft white sand, transparent turquoise water, spreading picturesque coconut palms. Simply paradise! You can feel this atmosphere on the beaches:

Lo Dalam is the cleanest and most fashionable beach on Phi Phi Don Island. The sandy area of ​​the recreation area stretches in an arc for 2 km along the surf line. The best hotels on the island are located right behind it. The beach is cheerful and crowded, but only vacationers from nearby hotels come here. Ferries with tourists do not moor to the shore.

Tonsai – ferries from the “mainland” dock right next to this beach, there are many boats here, which creates problems for swimmers, especially during low tide. But the conditions for tourists are excellent, along the two-kilometer beach there is a cozy embankment. White sand and blue water guarantee considerable pleasure.

Nui – the landscape is decorated with two picturesque rocks: one in the form of a thick column rising from the water, the second resembles the outline of a camel. The beach is located 1.5 km away from the tourist bustle, its peace is guarded by a high rock. The sandy area is framed by a tropical forest, the most beautiful coral reefs are hidden in the water.

Ranti is a very beautiful place. The snow-white sands of the beach are surrounded by lush coconut palms, the water is crystal clear and stunningly blue. There are shops, a restaurant, and bars near the beach.

Long Beach is a luxurious beach next to the best hotel on the island, Phi Phi Ton Sai Palace. There are not many people here and everyone has the opportunity to admire the beautiful panorama of Phi Phi Ley Island.

Laem Tong – this beach is often compared to the Maldives. There are not many people, since you need to get to this secluded place by boat. If you go on foot, you will have to overcome obstacles on the paths through the jungle.

Scuba diving and diving

The main entertainment on the Phi Phi Islands is diving, scuba diving, snorkeling. Nature has created ideal conditions for them here. Coral reefs are located near all the islands of the Phi Phi archipelago, their total length is more than 20 km. Underwater beauties are located at depths from 6 to 15 m. The favorite places for active water recreation among tourists are the waters of the islands of Phi Phi Ley, Bida Nok and Bida Noi. 

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh – this picturesque corner was the setting for the film “The Beach”. Steep 100-meter cliffs surround the bay with clear turquoise water. Lush tropical vegetation descends right to the bay. The beauty is simply fantastic!

The monkey beach is surrounded by high, inaccessible cliffs. On the cape there is a beach where long-tailed macaques live. Tourists are happy to treat the sociable smaller brothers with nuts and bananas.

The Pile Lagoon was formed as a result of a geological fault, so its depths are great. The water of the lagoon is mineralized and very useful for the human body. It is pleasant to swim in the lagoon in the pre-dawn hours, when it is colored purple, and a mysterious fog swirls over the tops of the framing rocks.

Attractions

Other interesting sights of the Phi Phi Islands that tourists must see include:

• Viking Cave on Phi Phi Ley Island is famous for its grandiose stalactites, ancient rock paintings and abundance of bird nests. Locals climb the cliffs for swallow nests, risking their lives to get the product for making the local specialty soup.
• Viewing platforms are visited by all guests of the archipelago. There are three of them and they are located in a cascade one above the other. The highest one is located at a height of 186 m. A 10-minute descent is the second platform, which offers a fabulously beautiful view of the island and the village of Tonsai. Tourists like to meet the sunrise or sunset here. The third lower platform is nearby, an asphalt path leads to it from Tonsai beach.

Popular Activities in Phi Phi

In addition to the popular diving and snorkeling on Phi Phi, there are other activities for active tourists:

• Kayaking is sailing on a small, narrow boat that can accommodate no more than two people. The boat is controlled with one paddle with two blades. This type of transport can easily take you around Phi Phi Don Island, visit other islands, and visit the monkey beach. The main thing is not to sail far from the shore and not to go out to sea in stormy weather.
• Rock climbing – demand created supply, now everyone can learn to climb the steep cliffs of the islands. Rock climbing schools have appeared on the main island of the archipelago. Water serves as a safety cushion, so falling from a cliff will not be fatal. However, it is better to climb local cliffs under the supervision of a local instructor.
• Visiting fun beach parties is a must to watch the famous local fire shows, try delicious cocktails, listen to music, dance, and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of fun and entertainment.
• Thai Boxing. A small Thai boxing stadium on Phi Phi invites those who want to watch fighters of the traditional Thai art of self-defense.

You can try Thai cuisine in restaurants and cafes on Phi Phi Don Island. Thais do not use chopsticks, as is common in other East Asian countries. They eat with a fork and spoon, using the fork to put rice or other ingredients in the spoon.

Useful tips for travelers

To make your long-awaited vacation as comfortable and interesting as possible, it would be a good idea to get advice from experienced travelers. An important factor for a good time is favorable weather.

Important climate information

Due to the climatic features of the region, there are three seasons throughout the year in the Phi Phi Islands area:

• Summer – lasts from March to June. The hottest time of the year, when the air temperature rises to +35-40 o C, it becomes stuffy, uncomfortable, but the cost of accommodation in hotels falls by 10-15%.
• Monsoon season – lasts from June to November. It is very humid and hot during this period, sometimes tropical showers occur together with squall winds. There is a lot of sun, short rains occur from time to time. But there may not be any for two weeks of vacation. Prolonged rainfall is rare, and even then it usually happens at night.

Diving, swimming, and beach leisure are quite possible. Vacationers sunbathe on the beaches where the sea is calmer, go snorkeling and diving, spend time in bars or on the beaches. In the evenings, they have fun at beach parties. But the prices in the hotels are pleasing, they are reduced by 40-50%.

• Winter is the best time to visit Phi Phi. It lasts from November to March, and the weather is excellent and clear, without the sweltering heat and sultry weather. Accommodation prices are at their highest, and there are a huge number of tourists. Since the number of hotel rooms on the small island is limited, it is better to take care of booking in advance. 

Safety Tips

These tips apply to any place where foreign tourists stay in Thailand. It would not be superfluous to remind them before traveling to Phi Phi. The comfort and safety of the trip depend on following these simple rules.

• Thais are polite and friendly people. Treat them the same way, do not break traditions, respect their values ​​and the royal family.
• Do not take photographs where there are signs prohibiting this.
• Do not smoke where it is not allowed, do not use electronic cigarettes – this is prohibited by law.
• Always have your passport or a copy of it with you.
• Speak calmly with Thais and never touch the head of an adult or a child.
• Avoid displaying close relationships; hugging and kissing in public places is not encouraged.
• Keep valuables, documents and money in hotel safes.
• When renting a vehicle, negotiate the exact price and write it down on paper. Make sure you understand each other correctly with the lessor.
• Do not enter into disputes with law enforcement officers, try to resolve the conflict situation peacefully.
• Get travel insurance before your trip to ensure you receive free medical care if needed.

Thailand is considered a safe country for travel. Visiting the resort islands of Phi Phi, as a rule, brings tourists great pleasure and quality rest. The beauty and warmth of this wonderful corner will heal emotional wounds, give vigor and new strength, will certainly leave vivid memories and a desire to return here again.