Phiphi is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand. It has warm tropical nature, picturesque scenery and the best snorkeling conditions. Phi Phi Phi Islands tour from Phuket will bring enjoyment and leave an unforgettable experience.
History and geography of Phi Phi Islands
Phiphi is a small archipelago located in the Andaman Sea near Thailand, between the island of Phuket and the narrow Strait of Malacca. Territorially, it belongs to the province of Krabi. The largest island in the archipelago is Phi Phi Phi Don and the second largest is Phi Phi Phi Le. Here are the largest beaches, well-developed infrastructure. There are also several smaller islands nearby that are less frequented by tourists.
For a long time, the archipelago was uninhabited, with only Thai Malays coming here to fish. Around the late 1940s, they began to build settlements and later established coconut plantations. The population of the islands began to gradually increase.
In the early 2000s, the British-American movie “The Beach” was filmed on the archipelago. After the film was aired, many travelers started coming to the archipelago, and from then on, the Thai archipelago became a popular tourist destination.
How to get to the island
Phiphi can be reached from Phuket Island or from Krabi Province. You should hire a speedboat or longtail boat that depart from Tonsai Pier.
Often tourists want to go from bustling Pattaya to a small secluded island. Therefore, many travel agents have started offering a quick transfer service from the hotel.
Best time to visit Phi Phi Islands
Although memorable experiences can be enjoyed all year round, the best time to visit the archipelago is from November to April, when the weather is dry. During this time, tourists can participate in most excursions, explore the most beautiful bays, coral reefs and cliffs. During this period, major festivals are held on the islands.
Excursion and entertainment programs in Phi Phi Islands
Tourists can find entertainment according to their taste. There are many attractive natural features located here including:
- clean beaches with white sand;
- picturesque bays;
- high rocky cliffs.
Viking cave Viking cave
Viking Cave is located on the northeast coast of Phi Phi Le Island, at the foot of a high limestone cliff. It got its name because of the drawings in the underground passage: on the southern and eastern walls you can see the outlines of boats, some of which look like Scandinavian drakkars. They are believed to have been left by sailors sheltering here from monsoon storms.
The cave can only be reached by boat: the journey from the pier in Tonsai Bay takes about 30 minutes. Tourists are not allowed inside, but they can enjoy and take pictures of the beautiful scenery, climb the cliffs through the bamboo forests, and watch the swallows collecting nests.
It is better to go to the Viking Cave during the dry season: from November to April. It is recommended that you bring a hat, sunscreen and a supply of water.
Pele laguna Pele laguna.
On the northwest side of the smaller island is the Peele Lagoon, a picturesque bay of the Andaman Sea with very clear turquoise water. It falls within the National Park, famous for its great biodiversity and wild dense forests. The bay is surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs, between which there is a single narrow strait.
Tourists can access the lagoon as part of a tour boat group. Today there are many offers, differing in duration, level of comfort, cost of the tour.
Monkey beach Monkey beach
On the west side of the big island is Monkey Beach. Here, the 150-meter coastal strip is covered with white loose sand and washed by the emerald waters of the calm Yong Kasem Bay.
The beach is surrounded by dense forests and there is a high stepped cliff nearby, which is home to wild monkeys. Animals often come down to the shore in search of food left behind by tourists.
The coastal waters of Monkey beach are rich in flora and fauna, so diving and freediving enthusiasts often come here. But the infrastructure is poorly developed here, so tourists bring their own equipment, edibles.
You can access the beach as part of a tour group (led by a guide), or by sea kayak or longtail boat for rent at the Tonsai Bay Marina. The cost will average 100 baht per hour.
Maya Bay
One of the most popular tourist sites in the archipelago is Maya bay, surrounded on 3 sides by high limestone cliffs. There are several white sand beaches here. Most are small, and some exist only at low tide. The cove is a large reef, here in the clear water grow bright corals, swim exotic fish.
Phi Phi Phi Don Lookout
Phi Phi Phi Don Lookout is located on the highest point of the island, near the village of Tonsai. From the top of the 186-meter rocky cliff, you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area. There are 3 trails leading from the site to local beaches.
Nui Beach
Nui beach is located on the south side of Lo Lana Bay on the west coast of the largest island. It looks like a small bay surrounded by karsts (limestone mountains). It is very clean and in hot weather you can take refuge in the shade of large palm trees.
Nui Beach attracts many tourists with its inaccessibility: it is located deep in the dense forest, about 30 meters from the Karon Lookout. There is a dirt trail leading to it. But most travelers prefer to come here by kayak.
The neighborhood of Lo Lana Beach
Not far from Nui beach is Lo Lana beach, which is easily accessible on foot. Territorially it is located on the edge of a small lowland, flooded by water and covered with dense mangroves. Though it is a littered place, tourists love to come here to enjoy the wildlife sightings.
Bamboo Island
Bambu is the northeasternmost island of the archipelago, located about 5 km from the northern tip of Phi Phi Phi Don. When viewed from above, it is heart-shaped. The local tropical nature attracts the attention of many tourists: there are dense thickets of bamboo. However, most of them prefer to come here for just a few hours, in the afternoon.
Mosquito Island
Mosquito is located in the northeast of the archipelago, 2.5 kilometers from the northern tip of Phi Phi Phi Don. It is shaped like a curved nail. Mosquito is about 1 km long and only 150 meters wide. On the eastern side there are 2 beaches where travelers rarely come. The island owes its name to the mosquitoes that appear at dusk.
Lo Ba Khao beach neighborhood
Lo Ba Cao Beach is located just 500 meters from Lo Lan, on the opposite edge of a flooded lowland. It is easily accessed by following a trail or bridge over the lowlands. The beach has very picturesque tropical scenery, so tourists who want privacy love to come here.
Snorkeling and diving
The coastal waters of the islands of the archipelago are full of life: there are beautiful underwater reefs and a great variety of marine animals. Therefore, most travelers come to Phiphi for the sake of diving and snorkeling.
