The white sandy beaches and tropical jungle vegetation are some of the most unique in the world and exploring is more fun with scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and rock climbing in places that will impress you with their stark beauty. When taking a break from the soft silky sands or learning Muay Thai boxing, take a longtail boat to Phi Phi Leh!
Phi Phi Leh is the second largest of the islands and is the home of Maya Bay! Maya Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay sheltered by 100 metre high cliffs on three sides. Maya Bay is very appealing to people from all over the world. Inside the bay are several beaches – most are small and some only exist at low tide. The main beach, a 200 metre wide stretch of sandy exquisiteness, is set against a backdrop of sand dunes, bushes and towering cliffs!
Phi Phi Leh is a pristine, two sided atoll where you can take a five minute walk on a jungle trail from the primary beach, Maya Bay, then climb through a hole in the rock to reach Loh Samah Bay. The entire island is a national park, so if you want to be adventurous and stay overnight, you’ll have to book with Maya Bay Camping.
Besides the beaches, other attractions include the Phaya Naak Cave with its ancient paintings and edible-nest swiftlets. The bay also has superb marine life and is a favorite spot for experienced divers. There is also a jump spot 20 metres high in one of the crevices behind the beach.
Maya Bay can be very crowded at times. On any given day, there will be 20-30 boats ferrying hundreds of snorkelers, divers and tourists to and from the small land mass. As breathtaking as the island is, seclusion is something you will have to look for elsewhere. If you like the idea of watching the sunset and sleeping on the beach under the stars, one of the beast ways to experience this paradise is to camp overnight.
One of the most sought after destinations in the world, Phi Phi Leh, has literally basked in adulation for its picturesque magnificence after The Beach, with Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed there depicting the lives of a group of outsiders who wanted to live apart from the modern world.
This true gem of the Andaman Sea is available through Kickin’ It Muay Thai as a day trip (1,500 Baht) or overnight staying at Phi Phi Don’s beautiful Cabana Hotel (4,900 Baht). Day trip includes: Pick up at your Chalong area hotel at 0745; depart Phuket 0830; arrive Maya Bay 1000; snorkeling; visit Viking Cave; Lunch 1230; depart Phi Phi Don 1430; arrive Phuket 1600. The overnight trip includes: Pick up at your Chalong area hotel at 0745; depart Phuket 0830; arrive Phi Phi Don 1000; check in to Cabana Hotel; longtail boat to Maya Bay for snorkeling; visit Viking Cave; Lunch 1300; return to Phi Phi Don for free time to enjoy nightlife the island’s nightlife; return next day on Ferry from Tonsai Bay Pier at either 0900 or 1430 for return to Phuket. Call Kickin’ It at 082 676 0083 for assistance.
History
From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that the Krabi area was one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may have taken its name after the meaning of “Krabi,” or sword. The name “Phi Phi,” (Pronounced ‘pee pee’) originates from Malay in that the original name for the islands were ‘Pulao Pi ah Pi, which refers to the mangrove wood found there.
Culture & life-style
Krabi province, the home of the Phi Phi Islands, is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even Sea Gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. The province, however, does not suffer from any religious tension and the folk live in peace and harmony. With this kind of mixture, the province is often celebrating something, be it of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese or Thai-Islamic tradition. Visitors can also enjoy the annual boat-launching ceremonies of the Sea Gypsies and various longtail boat races.
Climate
Weather in the region is tropical. There are two primary seasons: The hot season from January to April, and the rainy season from May to December. Temperatures during the year average 25ºC to 32ºC (77ºF to 89.6ºF) and the yearly rainfall averages 2568.5mm. Unlike in say Europe, the rain in this region comes down heavily over short periods.
Activities
For many visitors to Phi Phi Don, the local snorkeling and scuba diving are the big attractions, and the Phi Phi Islands offer plenty of places for both activities. Many visitors spend pleasant hours just lounging on the two primary beaches – Tonsai and Lohdalum, which are only two of Phi Phi Don’s numerous sandy shorelines!
Ton Sai Bay
Ton Sai Bay, or “Ao Ton Sai’” is where most of the action is; be it restaurants, bars, hotels or guesthouses, most tourists stay at Ton Sai Bay because of the convenience. Even though it isn’t the most beautiful place on Phi Phi, it is still impressive.
Yao Beach
Yao Beach to the south of Tonsai Bay, Lanti Beach, and Hin Khao Beach are favorites with locals and visitors alike. Some beaches can be reached only by canoe or long tail boat, which renders them to be less visited than some of the other easily accessible beaches. However, some people prefer these beaches for that very reason.
Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach, also known as “Ao Ling,” is popular with many island visitors; as its name implies, local Macaques that inhabit the area like to accept fruit from tourists and amuse visitors with their antics. Be aware that these monkeys are wild, however, and have been known to bite occasionally. The snorkeling just off the shore at Monkey Beach allows excellent viewing of the colorful coral reef and its many underwater creatures. Monkey Beach is most easily reached by canoe or longtail boat.
Laem Tong Beach
Laem Tong Beach National Park is located at the northern end of Phi Phi Don. You can enjoy lovely beaches and beautiful scenery rather than the busy restaurants and bars that adorn the more developed Tonsai Bay area. This is a perfect place to enjoy exhilarating scenery in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Laem Tong Beach accommodations are more expensive and premium.
The Viewpoint
The Viewpoint is a walk up to186 metres above sea level (a very steep walk of between 10-25 minutes, depending on your fitness), to get a breathtaking view of the entire island – particularly at dawn or sunset (bring a flashlight). You will be surprised at how narrow the sand strip is between the two main parts of the island.
Fire Show
Fire Show After the sun sets, there are several highly skilled and entertaining fire shows held nightly at several venues on the island, including Carlito’s Bar, Apache Bar, Hippies Bar, Carpe Diem, and The Tia and Millie Sunflower Bar on Lohdalum.
Tsunami Memorial Garden
Tsunami Memorial Garden is by the Tia and Millie Sunflower Bar; a beautiful place for quiet contemplation and paying one’s respects to the victims of the last tsunami.
Yao Beach
Yao Beach, just south of Tonsai, offers visitors some fantastic views, scenery and coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving. This small place is packed out, however, with too many hotels and some people do complain that the vicinity has been rather over developed. You can get there either by walking from Ton Sai or taking a longtail boat.
Lanti Beach
Lanti Beach, next door to Yao Beach, is very similar in many regards with its great scenery and coral reefs. You can get there on foot.
Hin Khao Beach
Hin Khao Beach This beach is extremely quiet and can only be reached on foot.
Events and Festivals
Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival
Krabi Boek is an annual festival in November to inaugurate the province’s tourist season.
Laanta Lanta Festival
The Laanta Lanta Festival is an annual festival usually held in March at the Old Community in Ko Lanta called Ban Sanga-Au, which dates back more than 100 years. Ancient Chinese style houses can still be seen here. In this festival, you can see the traditional culture, previously unseen ceremonial demonstrations, southern local performances, folk games, water sports competitions, and you can also enjoy the tastes from various kinds of food booths which are provided by prestigious hotels on the island.
Sat Duean Sip Festival or Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month
The Sat Duean Sip Festival is the southern traditional merit making occasion to honor one’s ancestors. Food offerings such as bread, or “khanom,” are offered to Buddhist monks, and include various types of Thai bead as follows: Khanom La, Khanom Chohu, Khanom Phong, Khanom Ba, and Khanom Kong or Khai Pla.
Chak Phra Festival
The original waterborne procession, where Buddha images are put on elaborately decorated pulpits onboard boats and pulled along the river, has been replaced by a land procession. The Chak Phra Festival was formerly accompanied with a performance of traditional boat songs. However, the traditional waterborne songs have since disappeared.
Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival
Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival is an old ritualistic tradition which takes place on Ko Lanta during the full moon of the sixth and eleventh months in the lunar calendar. This is a religious rite performed by the Sea Gypsies of Ko Lanta and other neighboring areas, who gather on the beach near Sala Dan Village. They dance their famous “rong ngeng” round the boats of misfortune to be set adrift. This festival is expected to bring prosperity and happiness to the participants.
Other Islands
Yung Island
This island, just north of Phi Phi Don, has a rocky beach and some coral.
Pai Island
Not far from Yung Island is Pai Island. The northern and eastern sides of the island have sandy beaches.
Ko Pida Nok
In addition to an abundance of pretty coral, this island is home to plentiful marine life including: leopard sharks, turtles and moray eels. This island is popular with divers.
Ko Pida Nai
Just up from Pida Nok is Pida Nai. Like its sister island, it is a good place for diving.
Shark Point (Hin Bida)
Shark Point is a marine sanctuary with a reef that is comprised of three pinnacles. The largest of which actually breaks the surface appearing as a barren rock. The reef is home to a delightful abundance of tropical, colorful soft corals and vibrant sea fans that decorate the limestone pinnacles.
Garang Heng
Garang Heng is a small submerged reef just east of Phi Phi Leh. It offers a healthy reef with anemones, soft corals and even sharks.
Wang Long
This site is well known for its underwater cave systems and is only recommended for experienced divers. The caves tunnel into the rock face in two places and open out into a larger cave where surfacing is possible.
King Cruiser Wreck
A popular and perhaps the best dive site off Ko Phi Phi is King Cruiser which claims remnants of a passenger ship that sunk in 1997 after it hit the Anemone reef. The Anemone reef is in itself a unique dive site with a massive limestone pinnacle which soars 30 meters from the seabed to just 4 meters beneath the surface. The site is well-known for its abundance of sea anemones that cling to every surface while attracting enormous schools of fish. Different types of fish to be seen include: tropicals, snappers, groupers and colorful clown fish, along with larger game-fish like tuna and barracuda as well as the occasional leopard shark.
Hin Dot
These submerged pinnacles, often called Chimney Rock, are located just to the south of Phi Phi Don. The formation drops to a depth of 30 meters and has several coral shelves for exploration upon your gradual ascent. Nurse sharks can occasionally be found here.
Lohsamah Bay
The bay is popular for night-time divers. It has a sandy bottom with oysters and clams and patches of brain coral for nocturnal reef critters to hide amongst. There is a spectacular 15 meter deep canyon just wide enough for single file swimming on the eastern side.
Hin Pae
This is a relatively shallow dive site – 10 to 15 meters deep. Its shallow depth offers excellent snorkeling. Its soft and hard coral provide shelter for a rich variety of coral fish. Crabs, lobsters, angelfish, groupers, snappers and surgeonfish are also residents of this area.
