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Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide
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Koh Phi Phi © Eulinky |
Overview Koh Phi Phi is an extraordinary holiday destination. The twin
Phi Phi islands, 25 miles (40km) east of Phuket, are
world-renowned, particularly since the making of the Leonardo di
Caprio film, The Beach. Phi Phi Leh, the smaller of the
two islands, was the setting for this movie, and now draws scores
of day trippers from Phuket, just a 45-minute boat ride away. The
island has no accommodation and is accessible only by boat, but
offers sensational snorkelling and trips to the Viking Cave with
wall paintings.
Phi Phi Don, the larger island, has idyllic tropical beaches
lining its shores and Ton Sai Bay, the main tourist centre on Phi
Phi, may be a little overdeveloped for some visitors wanting a
relaxed beach holiday. Although overrun by tourists, the islands
retain their spectacular quiet beauty.
Shopping Koh Phi Phi's larger island of Phi Phi Don has plenty of
souvenir shops, clothing stores and shops catering specifically to
travellers' holiday needs. Local shops offer everything from
jewellery and clothes to sports equipment. There are also
mini-marts and a supermarket.
Restaurants There is an abundance of dining possibilities on Phi Phi Don,
the larger of the Koh Phi Phi islands, offering both local and
international cuisine. Many restaurants are located on the beach,
and there are also numerous food stalls selling pancakes and fruit
shakes. Most restaurants are in Ton Sai, but each holiday resort
has its own restaurant. Pee Pee Bakery has good sandwiches and
cheap Thai food. Seafood buffets near the pier are the best place
to find the fresh catch of the day, and Mama Resto is a popular
option on Phi Phi Island.
Nightlife Despite its small size, the nightlife of Koh Phi Phi is pretty
legendary, and after sunset the sleepy island of Phi Phi Don comes
to life with a selection of activities. There are parties at most
beach bars and clubs, and bars offer anything from reggae to jazz
music. The Reggae Bar is a longstanding favourite, with late night
dancing, five different bars and pool tables. There are also fire
shows on the beach, cabaret shows and Thai kickboxing competitions
for variety.
Activities Koh Phi Phi is a snorkelling and diving paradise with its
aquamarine waters, offshore reefs, rich coral gardens and variety
of tropical fish. Ranked as one of the top five scuba diving
destinations in Thailand, the waters around the islands are framed
by dramatic limestone cliffs that provide a perfect environment for
soft corals. Located in the national Marine Park, the dive sites
around Koh Phi Phi are full of spectacular marine life like
glassfish, seahorses, hawksbill turtles, squid, black-tipped
sharks, and black and white banded sea snakes. The best time for
scuba diving in Koh Phi Phi is between February and May, though you
can dive all year round. The monsoons from late May to October
reduce visibility by about 25 percent.
Other popular activities in Koh Phi Phi include camping in Maya
Bay, a picturesque beach on unhinhabited Phi Phi Le; cliff diving
off the dramatic cliffs of Phi Phi Island; kayaking among the small
islands surrounding the main tourist areas; trips to see Phi Phi
Island's monkey population, located mostly on the thin beaches of
Hao Ragoate on Phi Phi Don and Yung Gassem (now called Monkey
Beach); and rock climbing at the Viking Cave and Tonsai Towers.
Negatives There are no cars on Koh Phi Phi, so people with walking
difficulties will find the hills and lack of transport trying.
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