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Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is really a small pair of Islands located between Koh Lanta and Krabi. Nice white sandy beaches are separated by a steep rocky coastline making the Islands quite spectacular to look at from the water. Koh Phi Phi Don where there are accommodations and Koh Phi Phi Leh where there are not. Both Islands are part of Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park which also includes the coast and nearby Islands to the southwest of Krabi.

Many people come to Koh Phi Phi expecting a quiet Island paradise. The reality is quite different if you stay in or near the town. The town is set on an Isthmus squeezed between two bays, Ao Ton Sai to the south and Ao Loh Dalum to the north. Ao Ton Sai is the side where the ferry docks. The small town here is a bustling tourist hub. There are numerous dive shops, tour companies, restaurants, t-shirt shops, junk shops, bars, hotels and guesthouses all packed into a short isthmus between 2 beaches. The town is definitely a party town with the bars open very late. This part of the Island is extremely crowded but there is a laid back feel to it. Ao Loh Dalum is directly across the isthmus from the ferry pier, about 300 metres away. There are a number of large bungalow places here right on the beach. The beach itself is excellent but try to avoid it and the town during lunch time when the day tripping hoards arrive by speedboats from Phuket for lunch. It is a horrible experience with crowds filling roads, restaurants, beaches, the water and anything else in town for a couple of hours. You can hear the collective sigh when they depart.

Ao Loh Dalum, Koh Phi Phi

If you are looking for something a little quieter head for Had Yao (Long Beach) to the southwest of town or the east coast's Ao Moo Dee both of which are within walking distance of town. There are also number of smaller beaches along the whole coast with nice bungalow outfits on them. You will need to take a longtail boat to access the ones north of Rantee Beach which is easy in the day but gets harder the later it gets.

Koh Phi Phi Leh: Famous for that horrible movie "The Beach", this scenic little Island is a nice place to go for an afternoon. Within the caves on the cliffs that plunge hundred of metres into the sea are the bird nests for the famous Bird Nest Soup. You can see the long rickety bamboo pole type ladders used by the locals to climb up and collect these nests. The Chinese believe these nests made from the saliva of swallows will help you live a long life. The Wai King Cave is a popular spot and always crowded. Within are ancient rock paintings of boats said to resemble Viking longboats. Maya Bay with its towering limestone cliffs is a nice place to go snorkelling. Late afternoon is best if you want to avoid the crowds. Book a tour or hire one of the longtail boats you see on the beach.

Diving: There are numerous diving outfits here operating all year long but mid January to early May is the best time with the clearest water. There are about 20 good dive sites from vertical coral walls and caves to shipwrecks and sharks. This and plenty of marine life makes Koh Phi Phi one of the top dive sites in Thailand.

Cliff Jumping: If you are not into diving, you can always try this.

Bakery: If you want to kick back and be mellow one night, stop by a bakery and watch a pirated DVD with a few beers or some ginger tea. There were a bunch of small restaurants doing this so find one that looks comfortable and enjoy.

Longtail Boat: You can rent one of these boats and the driver will take you for a tour around the Island, to a quiet secluded beach or anywhere else you might want to go. This is a great way to get out on the water.

Koh Phi Phi Rock

Kayaking: There are lots of kayaking opportunities here. You can rent one on the beach and go out for a couple of hours independently discovering the Island's coves. You can also go on one of the many organized trips which can include lunch, snorkelling or feeding the sharks.

Fishing: There is a lot of game fishing here. I think all of the fishing charters operate by catch and release. Ours certainly did. WAHOO, need I say more.

Rock Climbing: If you still have any energy left then this should get rid of it. Whether you are a novice or a pro there is a cliff for you here.