Phi Phi Islands - beaches, recreation, hotels and recommendations

Phi-Phi Islands is an archipelago of 6 islands near the mainland of Thailand. The islands consist of 2 main islands: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lei, as well as 4 smaller islands: Bamboo Island, Ko-Yun, Bida Nok and Bida Nai.

Since 1983, have the status of a national park. Territorially located in the south of Krabi province 42 km and 48 km southeast of Phuket.

Phi Phi Don has quite a developed tourist infrastructure. Phi Phi Lei uninhabited island is a popular attraction, of them Maya Bay, this is where the movie "The Beach" was filmed, with Leonardo DiCaprio. Two more bays, Pileh Bay and Loh Samah Bay.

Of the other islands, Bamboo (bamboo island) is very popular, it has a wonderful beach, considered one of the best in the archipelago. The only drawback is a lot of tourists.

When it comes to vacationing in the islands of Phi Phi Phi, mostly meant Phi Phi Don, the nearby islands are mostly visited as excursions. In general, the resort is considered for 1-2 days visit. The cost of the tour depends on the program from 3000 baht adults, children from 1900 baht.

Let's be frank in the central part of the island, too crowded, garbage and lots of stalls.

We recommend to go by yourself, stay for a couple of days, only when you look around on your own you can get positive impressions and appreciate these islands.

How to get there

It is easier to get from Phuket or Krabi airports, because there is no airport at Phi Phi.

Ao Nang can be a stopping point in both cases, at 9 am from the central beach there is a ferry to Phi Phi Don Island. Tickets can be purchased at travel agencies near the beach, ticket price from 400 baht. Travel time is 1.5 hours.

Phi Phi on a map

There are ferries departing from Phuket Island's Russada Pier three times a day. The time at sea is 2 hours, the first ferry from Phuket departs at 8:30 am. The trip will cost one tourist 600 baht. It is logical to buy a ticket in two directions at once - you will spend 1000 baht for the trip "there and back". Another way to save money: if you buy the ticket in a travel agency, it includes a free shuttle from the hotel. Otherwise, you'll have to shell out for a cab to the pier - about 500 baht.

There is no public transportation on Phi Phi Don. Only sometimes you can find motorcycles with sidecars, which act as carriers of goods and construction materials. There are rentals of motorcycles and bicycles, but it is not advisable to rent, because of the mountainous terrain.

Most of the traffic is on foot and by boat. Long-tail boats with sails ply between all the beaches. The cost depends on the distance. There is a good chance to arrange with the owner of the boat to take you to the beach in the morning and return after sunset. For example from Tonsai to Long Beach, you have to pay 40 baht per person in the afternoon, 80 baht in the evening.

There are many walkways on the island that take you to any beach.

Entertainment

When you come to the islands, forget about the busy resort life and revelries that are generously provided to tourists in Phuket or other resorts in Thailand. It's a more relaxing vacation with a visit to the National Marine Sanctuary, where you can visit bapniak caves and long sandy beaches.

A one-time fee of 20 baht must be paid to visit the marine reserve.

The popular Viking Cave. No one knows for sure why the mysterious cave has the Viking name, but every sightseer seeks to see it by going around the islands by sea.

In the cave itself, on the island of Phi Phi Lei, tourists are not allowed to enter.

The exception is a visit to Tonsai Village, a tourist village. Here you can still have a lot of fun in the open-air bars, which are open "until the last visitor", despite the "royal" restrictions - two in the morning. Some bars are worth mentioning separately, such as the Carlitos Bar, famous for its fire shows and nice music, the Reggae Bar is more of an entertainment complex, a popular place where Muay Thai fighting is staged, but very entertaining. Ibiza Bar. One of the best dance bars.

There are a lot of people, mostly Americans who come here to have fun. Nights are spent to the rhythms of music and alcohol, which is sold here literally by the "buckets".

You can go shopping. Of course on the islands you will not find brand stores or supermarkets, and that's not why we went. Traditional Thai souvenirs for yourself and friends - elephants, T-shirts, clothing made of Thai silk, straw hats, bags, beautiful scarves and jewelry - you can get in small local stores cheaper than in other resorts of Thailand.

In the resorts of Phi Phi at every step you'll find rental masks, flippers, scuba divers - there are many beautiful places worthy not only snorkeling, but also scuba diving. For snorkelers, the two rocky islands of Bida Nai and Bida Nok, famous for their coral necklace and marine life, are ideal.

Go fishing near the islands of Phi Phi. There are more than half a dozen species of fish in the sea waters. The best time for offshore fishing is the month of August. Be sure to climb the observation deck, the height of 186 meters above sea level (the climb is steep, make sure you have sports shoes in advance).

When you reach the peak you will be pleasantly surprised - not many people, the view of the island is really luxurious.

Beaches

The best beaches for tourists are considered:

Maya Bay BeachThe municipality of Phi Phi, where the film "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed, has managed to attract a lot of tourists here. Thanks to the movie, the municipality of Phi Phi has managed to attract a lot of tourists, mostly of course the crowds of Chinese who occupy almost the entire area, sometimes you can not even take a photo.

Today, Maya Bay and the beach is considered one of the most beautiful on the island of Phi Phi Le.

Tonsai Bay, the central beach, is attractive with many cafes and discos, the marina, coconut palms. At night you can see the show with the burning torches, which in time and performance is unparalleled in other resorts of Thailand.

Long Beach beckons vacationers with snow-white sand and the possibility of secluded recreation. Near the beach you can rent good accommodation, there are several cafes with good local food, massage parlors. Active life of holidaymakers fades with the sunset.

Lo Mu Di - The most quiet and secluded beach on Phi Phi, but of very good quality. The only drawback, it is quite remote and not easy to get to.

Housing

To the islands of Phuket are organized day trips from Phuket without accommodation. If you like to spend an entire vacation in solitude, you can find dozens of hotels, guest houses or bungalows on an inhabited island. Prices here are 10 to 20 percent higher than the Thai average.

The price for a beachfront hotel on Phi Phi Don begins at 2,000 baht per night for a double room. For 800 baht you can rent a cozy room in a guesthouse. The same amount you will be asked for accommodation in a modest bungalow. Relatively cheap accommodation is a room without facilities or a hut in a local village. In an area far from the beaches, a bed for the night will cost 300 baht.

If you want to save money is better to settle in low season, and should take into account that prices vary significantly from season to season. The most important thing - you will relax in one of the most exotic corners of Thailand with pristine nature, clear water, sparkling sand and marvelous sunsets!