Koh Phi Phi Diving Holidays
Phi Phi Islands Travel Information
One of southern Thailand's most popular destinations and it's easy to see why; beautiful white sandy beaches fringed with dramatic limestone cliffs and turquoise-blue waters, spectacular scenery surrounds Phi Phi.
Although a popular destination, this tourist spot has a very laid-back feel and few roads. The 2 main islands are Phi Phi Don where you'll find all the accommodation, eateries and nightlife, and Phi Phi Leh which is smaller and uninhabited.
Phi Phi Leh is popular with day-trippers and snorkelers. The island has shallow aquamarine lagoons and coral gardens surrounded by sheer limestone walls - a true tropical paradise. The island also has 2 magnificent beaches, Loh Samah and Maya Bay - made famous as the setting for the Hollywood film 'The Beach'.
Phi Phi scuba diving and snorkelling are what draws most visitors here but there are more activities on offer these days and the range of accommodation has also grown. Yachting, waterskiing, fishing, sea kayaking, hiking, climbing are just some of the activities on offer.
Otherwise you'll have plenty of opportunity to sunbathe, dine out, rest and soak up the chilled-out atmosphere.
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How to Get There
Phi Phi Island is situated in Krabi Province 48 km from Phuket Island and 40 km from Krabi Town, at the southern edge of Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand. You can take a boat to reach Phi Phi Island from Phuket or Ao Nang in Krabi - both journeys take between 1-2 hours and the scenery makes for an enjoyable trip.
Both Krabi and Phuket have international airports, however it is much easier to get a flight to Phuket due to the large volume of tourists that travel there. More information on how to get to: Phuket and Krabi.
Where to Stay
Koh Phi Phi has a range of accommodation to suit every budget from simple beach huts to luxury top-quality resorts. In high season many places are fully booked so make sure you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Our affiliated hotel reservation agent Agoda.com offers a range of accommodation and resorts for your diving in Phi Phi. Have a look at their website offers and when you've made your choice you can simply book with your credit card. They also have an on-line chat service should you have any questions:
Whatever you're looking for, from a budget back-packers guest house to a family-friendly resort to five-star luxury, yousre sure to find something to suit your taste and pocket. Agoda back all their different listings with a 'Low Price Guarantee' so you can be assured of getting the best value-for-money on the net.
Phi Phi's Climate
The tropical climate on Koh Phi Phi ensures that it is warm throughout the year with a great deal of sunshine. From November to January the northeast monsoon prevails bringing clear blue skies and light breezes. The wind drops from February to May when the weather is at its best but can get hot. Phi Phi Island enjoys 26 sunny days per month from November through to May.
From late May to October the southwest monsoon brings showers and winds to the west coast of southern Thailand. The rain is often light and there are still 20 sunny days per month, however you can experience heavy rain at times on Koh Phi Phi. The sea can get quite rough during this time of year and swimmers should take care.
The hottest time of the year on Phi Phi Island occurs between April and May when the average temperature is 33°C but the odd rain shower can bring some relief from the heat. It can also be hot between September and October but there are more frequent showers at this time which have the effect of cooling the temperature right down.
The tourist High Season runs from November to April and Peak Season is in December and January. We recommend you avoid this time of year as it is more difficult to find accommodation and prices are higher particularly around Christmas and New Year. This is when Phi Phi's dive sites are very crowded too.
Even if your Thailand visit will not include diving the best time to stay is from February to April. There are fewer tourists and the choice and value-for-money for accommodation is much better. The weather is also at its best, and the sea is nice and calm. The dive sites around Phi Phi, Hin Daeng and Koh Ha are less crowded, and you're more likely to see a whale shark or manta ray as this is the time of year when they visit.
The 2 Islands
Phi Phi Don
This is the largest of the 2 islands and is shaped like a figure 8 with beautiful white sandy beaches around the edges. This is the site of the island's original Muslim fishing village called Baan Tonsai. The village has grown considerably and has now become a centre of guesthouses, hotels, cafes and bungalows.
From Baan Tonsai you can take the scenic coastal path to Had Yao or Long Beach which takes about an hour. The scenery is stunning with gorgeous white sands, turquoise seas and uninterrupted views of the dramatic cliffs of Phi Phi Leh to the south. You can also climb the steep trials up Phi Phi Don's 2 hilly ridges to the View Point, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the island.
There are spectacular coral beds off Had Yao at Hin Pae that thrive with vibrant marine life. This provide some of the best snorkelling in Thailand, and is also a good place to watch blacktip reef sharks - especially in the early morning when they are out and about feeding.
Unfortunately, the 2004 tsunami devastated much of Phi Phi Don's central area to the west and north of the pier. It is still undergoing reconstruction so this part of the island can be a noisy place to stay. We recommend you stay outside the centre of Tonsai Village on the eastern and southern side of the island. Here the beautiful beaches are clean with fewer tourists but with plenty of choice of hotels, restaurants and bars.
Phi Phi Leh
Phi Phi Leh is uninhabited and remains completely unspoilt. However, there are always lots of boats bringing people on day trips to see Maya Bay (from 'The Beach'), Pileh Bay, Loh Samah Bay, and the paintings in Viking Cave. The cave also houses the 'edible' swiftlet nests - once used to make birds' nest soup. Trade in these nests is illegals but because they are so valuable armed guards have been brought in to protect the caves and staying overnight on the island is prohibited.
Scuba Diving at Phi Phi Leh is also very popular with some great dive sites. The island has some protection within the boundaries of the Mu Koh Phi Phi Marine National Park.
Dining Out & Nightlife
There is no shortage of restaurants on Phi Phi Island and lots of different types of cuisine. Whether you fancy Italian or German, seafood or local Thai food you can easily find what you're looking for. There are also 2 bakeries here selling fresh bread, delicious cakes and tantalising savoury pastries.
In Tonsai village there are several lively bars and clubs. There are no cinemas but some of the bars show films all day and all night. Listen to music at Carlito's Bar while you drink a cold beer or cocktail with your feet in the sand. Later, move on to the Reggae Bar, or Apache Bar where you can dance the whole night away.
Interested?
If you're like to discover the spectacular beauty of the tropical paradise that is Koh Phi Phi, then click below to check your options now for:
Be sure to book in plenty of time to avoid limited choice! The best diving opportunities are booked by repeat customers who book well in advance to ensure their reservation!
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