Phi Phi Island Travel Guide

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Phi Phi Island Travel Overview:

A god-given platinum island tucked away in the placid emerald waters of Andaman Sea and only reached by boat trips from nearby Phuket or Krabi, Phi Phi Island has been and is now creating its legend as a fairly affordable tropical paradise for holiday-makers from every corner of this planet.
As if inspired exclusively by the divine uncanniness of Mother Nature, the twin sand bars arching gracefully in the surrounds of the superlative natural beauty found anywhere create some of the most jaw-dropping seascape to behold and the msot extraordinary scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities to relish.
Phi Phi Island surely has virtues and vices of its own. There are many complaining that it's been hysterically fanfared and hastily developed, spoiling the very essence of a tropical natural getaway to a marked degree.
Although it's practically unrecognizable to sea-faring gypsies who orgiginally called it home and adventurous backpackers who first "discovered" this Eden on earth, a convenient escape to Phi Phi Island still immediately elevate you to heavenly bliss, with immaculate beaches waiting to be stepped on, speckled crystal clear waters to be scubaed, colorful coral reefs and marine life to be spied, awe-inspiring limestone cliffs to be scaled, mysterious Viking Cave to be spelunked, and wholesome tourist amenities and services, including charming beachfront bungalows and hotels, to be selected.

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What To Do in Phi Phi Island

1. Beachcombing
On Phi Phi Don:
Laem Tong Beach (in northern Phi Phi Don; with Bamboo Island, Mosquito Island and Hin Klang right in front);
Loh Bagao Bay (half way up the east coa... More>>>

1. Beachcombing
On Phi Phi Don:
Laem Tong Beach (in northern Phi Phi Don; with Bamboo Island, Mosquito Island and Hin Klang right in front);
Loh Bagao Bay (half way up the east coast, home to Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa);
Loh Dalum Beach (5 minutes from Ton Sai Village; the lack of motorized watersport ensures unspoilt tranquility);
Long Beach (on the southernmost tip, facing southwest with stunning views of Phi Phi Leh);
Monkey Beach (on the west side of Tonsai Bay, with a great snorkeling site and lots of monkeys);
Ton Sai Beach (the most accessible and convenient beach area with a pier and lots of tourist amenities);
On Phi Phi Leh:
Maya Bay (site of the film "The Beach"; coral beds and colorful fish ideal for great fun in snorkelling);
Lo Samah bay (on the southern tip, offering remarkable panorama and good skin diving opportunities).

2. Cliff Jumping
Jumping sites: cliffs up to 6 to 16m, mainly around Ton Sai Bay;
Cliff Jumping tours: available in tour shops in Tonsai Village, or inquire the front desk of your hotel.

3. Diving
Shark Point (Hin Bida):
Depth: 10 - 21m;
Level: Intermediate;
Distance: 8 kilometres south of Phi Phi Leh, 60 to 70 minutes from Ton Sai Bay;
Underwater Terrain: Submerged soft coral reef
Marine life: leopard sharks, blue-lined snappers, harlequin sweetlips, moray eels, black and white banded sea snakes, porcupinefish, boxfish, lobsters and red octopus, featherstars, plume worms and crinoids.
Koh Bida Nok:
Depth: 5 - 32m;
Level: Beginner ?Intermediate
Distance: 2 kilometers south of Phi Phi Leh, 50 minutes from Ton Sai Bay;
Underwater Terrain: Finger Reef and wall diving;
Marine life: banded sea snakes, hawksbill turtles, white-eyed moray, lionfish, bearded scorpionfish, bird wrasse, moon wrasse, moorish idols, parrotfish, honeycomb grouper, leopard sharks, and black tip reef sharks.
Kok Bida Nai:
Depth: 5 - 30m;
Level: Beginner ?Intermediate;
Distance: 1km south of Phi Phi Leh, 50 minutes from Ton Sai Bay;
Underwater Terrain: Staghorn Reef and wall diving;
Marine life: seahorses, harlequin ghost pipefish, boxer shrimps, hinge-beak shrimps and innumerable nudibranchs, lionfish, trevally, leopard sharks, blacktip reef sharks, titan triggerfish, and cuttlefish.
Maya Bay:
Depth: 5 - 25m;
Level: Beginner;
Distance: on the southwest side of Koh Phi Phi Leh, 30 minutes from Ton Say Bay;
Underwater Terrain: Wall diving and swim-throughs;
Marine life: snappers, wrasse, bannerfish, moorish idols, rock groupers, oriental sweetlips, hawksbill turtles, leopard sharks, crown-of-thorns starfish and Jewel-bos sea urchins.
Hin Dot:
Depth: 5 - 30m;
Level: Intermediate
Distance: on southwestern headlands of Phi Phi Don, 15-20 minutes from Ton Sai Bay;
Underwater Terrain: Pinnacle and ledges
Marine life: oysters, zigzag clams, giant clams, lunar wrasse, parrotfish, honeycomb and Indian lionfish.
Loh Samah Bay:
Depth: 5 - 20m;
Level: Beginner;
Distance: on the south tip of Phi Phi Leh, 40 minutes from Ton Sai Bay;
Underwater Terrain: Canyon and wall diving
Marine life: bearded scorpionfish, lionfish and blue-ringed angelfish, turtles, shrimps, painted lobster and decorator crabs.

4.Game Fishing
Black Marlin (best catch in late November);
Giant Travelly (found in penty around mangrove estuaries and shallow island reefs);
Sailfish (best catch during June to October);
Shark (varieties include Tigersharks, Bullsharks and Reef sharks);
Tuna (varieties include Yellowfin, Dogtooth, Skipjack, and Eastern Little Tuna);
Wahoo (best catch during the southwest monsoon season from June to October);
Other game fish: Blue Finned Trevally, Cobia, Dorado, Rainbow Runner, etc.

5.Kayaking
Subject to the weather and sea condition, recommeded kayaking destinations around Phi Phi Island are Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay on Phi Phi Leh, and Hin Phae and Rantee Bay on Phi Phi Don.

6. Rock Climbing
Ao Ling Wall (to the left of Tonsai Tower, 15 minutes walk at low tide, 5 minutes boat trip at high tide);
Ao Pilay Wall (in a small bay 10 minutes left of Viking Cave on Phi Phi Leh, 20 min by boat from Phi Phi Don);
Drinking Wall (routes from grades 5 to 7c);
Hua-Ling (or Monkey Head, in Ao Nui Bay on the northwest coast of Phi Phi Don);
Tonsai Tower (at end of Tonsay beach, features 25 routes graded from 5 to 7a).

7. Snorkeling
Maya Bay (on the southwest side of Koh Phi Phi Leh);
Pi Leh Bay (on the opposite side of Phi Phi Leh to Maya Bay);
Hin Klang (2km offshore in front of Laem Tong Beach in the northern tip of Phi Phi Don);
Long Beach (on the southernmost tip, facing southwest with stunning views of Phi Phi Leh);
Monkey Beach (700m from Tonsai Beach, on the west side of Tonsai Bay).
Koh Yung (or Mosquito Island, north of Phi Phi Don, colorful offshore coral gardens ideal for snorkelling);
Koh Phai Nok (or Bamboo Island, next to Koh Yung, with beautiful beaches on northern and eastern shores and coral reefs to the south).

What To Wear in Phi Phi Island

When packing for your day-trip or holiday on Phi Phi Island, prepare things appropriate for the tropical climate and island resort atmosphere.
Don't pack too much.
It's unnecessary to wear/brin... More>>>

What To Eat in Phi Phi Island

1. In local food stalls, markets and Thai restaurants
Dessert (mango with sticky rice; mix of fruit in season; banana in coconut soup);
Fish (freshly barbecued with dips, grilled, or with garlic and ginger);
Fruits (bananas, custard apples, durian, guava, langsart, mango, mangosteen, pineapple, papaya, and rambutan);
Khanom Cheen (rice noodles in spicy fish curry, served with fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruit);
Khao Mok Gai (saffron rice served with roast chicken, mixed with ginger and lightly fried garlic);
Khao Mun Gai (white rice with roast chicken, accompanied by soybean sauce, sugar,and vinegar);
Khao Pad (fried Jasmine rice with chicken, egg, garlic, onion, and tomatoes);
Kuay Tiew (a clear broth filled with noodles and bits of chicken, pork, duck, beef, and vegetables);
Phat Thai (fried noodle with shrimp, chicken or tofu, accompanied by sour pickle, chilli, sugar and limes);
Som Tam (spicy salad of sliced green papaya, peanuts, dried shrimp, and vegetables);
Tom Kha Gai (boiled galangal chicken in coconut milk);
Tom Yam Gung (shrimp soup seasoned with galangal, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and coriander).
2.In other specialty or international Restaurants
Bakeries:
Charlie's Bakery (popular pizza, garlic bread and variety of cakes);
Le Patisserie (Belgian bakery breads and croissants);
Patcharee Bakery (freshly baked breads and patisseries);
Pee Pee Bakery (Baguette sandwiches, French bread and various Thai cakes).
Bars:
Sports Bar (English-style meat pies);
Reggae Bar (traditional English breakfast with bacon, eggs, Heinz Baked Beans, sausage, potatoes, mushrooms and black pudding).
BBQs:
Matt's Joint Grill (all you can eat BBQ with baked potatoes, burgers, chiken fillets, kebabs, salmon steaks, sausages, and shrimp);
Pizzerias:
Cosmic Pizza (pizzas and pastas, home made cannelloni, gnocchi and lasagna).
Steakhouse:
H. C. Andersen: (Entrecote, New Zealand steaks, Tenderloin of beef, T-boneS, Tournedos, served with a choice of boiled/baked vegetables, French fries, or salads, bernaise sauce, green pepper sauce, or red wine-mushroom sauce, and a wide range of coffees or liquors);
Seafood:
Mama Restaurant (fish in garlic soy sauce; mackerel steak with mashed potato; prawns in peanut sauce with smoked beans and coconut; raw prawns in garlic&lemon sauce);
Tonsai Seafood (fried rice with shrimps; grilled lobster; kingfish steak; lobster thermidor; tiger prawns in tamarind sauce or with a garlic combination).
International Restaurants:
Amico's (Italian food on the road at the right of the pier, Nice terrace with views of the harbour);
Ciao Bella (Italian food on Loh Dalum Bay, In front of Phi Phi Pavilion Resort and next to Phi Phi Charlies);
Fatties (German European cooking in open tavern environment);
Hibachi (all you can eat buffet, including sushi, sashimi, as well as meat kebabs, salads, and Thai food);
Le Grand Blue (French& Thai dishes next to Phi Phi Hotel and 20 meters from the pier);
Unni's Restaurant(eclectic menu encompassing Greek, Mexican, Italian and Thai food).

Where To Stay in Phi Phi Island

1. Araya Buri Resort
Tel: +66 (075) 601126-8
38 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 2000 baht
Set amidst the hilly terrain of Laem Hin, adjacent to the powdery sand of Laem Hin beach and crystal clear water of Tonsai Bay, 10 minutes walk from main strip of bars, restaurants and shops, 20 minutes walk from the pier; A Thai Sala villa resort offering balconied Thai style individual bungalows with views of th rental and local boat transfer services.
2. Bay View Resort
Tel: +66 (075) 621223, 618196
70 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 1450 baht
Located on the eastern shore of Ton Sai Bay among the natural garden and rainforest of the Leam Hin Beach, adjacent to the sister resort- Araya Buri Resort, just 10-15 minutes walk from the boat pier and all the action in heart of the village and; In addition to hillside split-level bungalows with panoramic view of Phi Phi Island, and superb views across Andaman sea, there is also a beachfront restaurant, a free-form swimming pool with jacuzzi, pooside bar and massage services, and various watersport arrangement available on-site.
3. Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi
Tel: +66 (075) 627300
80 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 3,600 baht
An intimate boutique style resort built around 20-acre landscaped tropical gardens at the beachfront of Laem Tong at the less touristed northern tip of Phi Phi Don, with exceptional accommodations and amenities, exclusive wedding packages, extensive recreational activities available, and extra attention paid to guests�� comfort and convenience, Holiday Inn Resort��s reputation as the perfect hideaway for honeymooners and holidaymakers is surely well-earned.
4. Phi Phi Banyan Villa
62 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 1,500 baht
Strategically situated on Ton Sai Bay Beach right in the center of Phi Phi Island, with easy walking access to local night bazaar, bars, dive shops and schools, restaurants, shops, travel agencies and the pier; A comfortable and convenient standard property with superb location, affordable pricing, pragmatic decoration, hygienic lodging and dining amenities, and functional recreational facilities and services.
5. Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel
Tel: +66 (075) 611496, 612514
222 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 2,500 baht
11 acres of headland set primely between the two beaches of Tonsai Bay and Loh Dalum Bay in the heart of Phi Phi Island, only 60 meters from the Pier in Tonsai Village Phi Phi Don; A opulent low-rise resort enjoying the distinction of being first and the only true luxury hotel anchoring this prime spot and of providing facilities, services, water sport as well as luxury ferry transfer with a time-tested level of quality and an enhanced level of commitment to the harmonious balance between natural enviroment and self-development.
6. Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa
Tel: +66 (076) 215014, 222784
80 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 4,800 baht
Enjoys absolute seclusion on remote Loh Ba Gao Bay, 30 minutes boat trip from Tonsai Village; Extensive grounds of a 70 acre site fronting onto a superb 800m private beach and the lush exotic vegetation of the hills, along with 80 traditional Thai-style bungalows accenting soothing serenity and spectacular views, the Wana Spa a wide range of treatments and massages, the beachfront Ruan Thai Restaurant in classic Ayudhya style, a large 60 meter free form pool, and some of the finest diving programs on the island.
7. Phi Phi Natural Resort
Tel: +66 (075) 613010-1
70 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 1,450 baht
Situated near the shoreline of the remote Cape Laem Tong, girdled by wooded hills, just steps from the powdery sandy beach; Family-friendly property with accommodations set amidst lush surrroundings, commanding views of bay and mountain, and across to Koh Yung cliffs and Bamboo Island, a small charming private beach in the resort's precincts, and personalized programs of various activities, among its many major specialties are deep sea fishing, outdoor party or BBQ, snorkeling, scuba diving, or simply lazing by the beach-facing swimming pool.
8. PP Erawan Palms Resort
Tel: +66 (075) 627500-23
20 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 2,000 baht
Located on Laem Tong Beach at the northern tip of Phi Phi Don, 25 minutes away by boat from the main village; A beach resort uniquely designed to blend in with the natural surroundings, boasting international standard of services, and authentic Thai style beach resort facilities such as beachfront restaurant serving Thai/international dishes and seafood freshly caught from the Andaman Sea, sea-facing outdoor swimming pool, fascinating nightly entertainment, and a tour counter arranging game-fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving trips and numerous other excursions out into the Andaman Sea
9. Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort
50 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 1,600 baht
Set amidst the lush vegetation at the end of Lo Dalam Beach, surrounded by lush vegetation of towering coconut groves, sun-drenched beaches, shallow crystal water of the bay and kaleidoscopic coral reefs; With the very right place at the very right price, Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort counts itlself among the most popular and premier beach resorts to make your trip on Phi Phi Island an unforgetable one.
10. Zeavola Resort
Tel: +66 (075) 627024
52 roomd in total; Rates from approximately 8,250 baht
Located right on the beachfront of Laem Tong at the northern tip of Phi Phi Island, reached only by speedboat from Phuket; The newest all suite boutique resort and spa boasts thatched villa style suites, the refreshing Zwavola Spa, 2 innovative restaurants, together with it��s own PADI-certified diving/sport centre, all together truly combining new-age luxuries with primeval charm of rural Thai

How To Go Phi Phi Island

1.By Ferry
From Krabi Town:
Departure Time: 10.00am, 1.30pm
Fare: 350 baht
Duration: 1.5 hours
Ferry terminal: the new Krabi Passenger Pier on Tharua Rd, 30 minutes drive from Kr... More>>>

What to be noted in Phi Phi Island

1. Time to visit
High season: November to March, when climate is the best with mild humidity and temperatures and cool breezes.
Midseason: April to August, with fine sunshine between occasionally brief but heavy showers.
Low season: September and early October, when frequent heavy downpours, low prices and less crowds.
2. Getting around
There are practically no roads, cars or motorcycles on Phi Phi Island, leaving walking, boat or bicycle the only means of passenger transport.
Long-tail boats are commonly used for transfers between beaches and islands.
Prices vary widely, depending on the number of people, length of your trip, and time of the day.
Check with other travellers about the average charges and always try to negotiate with the boatman.
A few motorcycles with truck sidecars, or wheelbarrows do used for carry goods and luggage from the pier to your hotels, but are not necessarily available in the opposite direction.
3. Health
Tourists on Phi Phi Island may easily get a sunburn or sunstroke.
Don't forget to take sunscreen with you.The equatorial sun is merciless, and temperatures may rise to over 40 celsius dgrees.
The sea gets pretty bumpy from May to October, so if you'e susceptible to seasick, you'd better take some medication with you.
When diving or snorkelling, watch out for certain kind of marine life whose stings may develop allergic symptoms or generalized symptoms.
There is no large hospitals on the island.
Common medicine and basic first-aid supplies are available in several pharmacies and a small local health centre on Phi Phi Don.
Specific medication needs to be packed before your arrival and any serious illness will have to be treated in Phuket or Krabi.
4. Safety
As far as crim involving tourists is concered, Phi Phi Island is considered a very safe destination.
Practice common sense in crowded areas and observe normal precautions against petty thefts and you'e ensured a delightful holiday.
There are actually safety risks caused by natural factors, the cheeky monkeys and the devastating tsunami among others.
Do not feed monkeys coming down to the beaches.
Some of them may get rather aggressive and try to grab food from you, knock you over or even bite you.
Do find out about the tsunami warning signs and escape routes and be sure which direction you should head to.
Whenever tsunami warning alarming goes off, follow the escape route or local people to find shelters.
5.Culture
Do not make any derogative remarks about the Thai royal family.
Do not point at other people or objects with your feet, or touch Thai people's heads.
Dress appropriately. Informal beachwear can get youself into almost everywhere on the island.
Although topless sunbathing won't be imprisoned and is tolerated in touristy areas, it is not welcomed and attracts unwanted attention, as locals are largely muslims and find this offensive to their culture.
Do be patient and polite at least in public. Thais consider losing one�s temper arguing or fighting with others a great loss of control.

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Phi Phi Island Travel Guide