PHUKET STAR - Beaches - Phi Phi Island

PHI PHI ISLAND - THAILAND

INFORMATION

Just a short 45-minute journey from Phuket will transport you to the tropical paradise and famous islands of Koh Phi Phi. It's the ultimate tropical getaway in Thailand. The islands consist of 2 small islands: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. Fine, white sandy beaches and breathtaking rock formations rising from the vivid turquoise waters that surround the islands will instantly confirm you've arrived in paradise.

Fine, white sandy beaches and breathtaking rock formations rising from the vivid turquoise waters that surround the islands will instantly confirm you've arrived in paradise.

Exploring Phi Phi couldn't be more fun, with scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking or rock climbing being the most popular methods, when taking a break from the silky soft sands.

Spend the day visiting and exploring one of the world’s most beautiful islands. From morning till late afternoon find out what tropical island paradise is really like and exactly why ‘The Beach’ was filmed here. Enjoy a delicious lunch buffet before exploring the nooks and crannies of Phi Phi Don with its magical turquoise sea and colourful shopping.

Ferry ports and hotels can be found on the first, while the latter is uninhabited offering magnificant beaches. Loh Sama and Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh are the location for the Hollywood film "The Beach."

Unlike Similan Islands, Phi Phi is open to visitors all year round and tour operators organising day trips and packages to the islands are virtually everywhere.

Phi Phi Island is Thailand's island-superstar. It's been in the movies. It's the topic of conversation for travelers all over Thailand. For some, it's the only reason to touchdown in Phuket. Even with all the hype, it doesn't disappoint.

Phi Phi's beauty is a large chunk of the allure. The islands, when approached by boat, rise from the sea like a fortress. Sheer cliffs tower overhead, then give way to beach-fronted jungle. It's love at first sight.

The second part of the why-we-love-this-place story is attitude: few places on the planet are this laid-back. Of the two islands, one is completely free of human inhabitants (Phi Phi Leh), and the other is without roads (Phi Phi Don). There's no schedule, no hustle-and-bustle, no reason to be in a hurry.

As an added bonus, Phi Phi is affordable. Destinations this beautiful are often reserved for those that can pay dearly. That's not the case here; Phi Phi has something for every budget. You might be surprised – that perfect beachfront room costs less than you expect.

Lanah Bay Phi Phi is one of Phi Phi Island’s best beaches from a lot of excellent Phi Phi beaches. Lanah Bay is in the north of Phi Phi Don near Loh Bagao and Phi Phi Island Village Resort and Spa. It was swept clean in the Phi Phi 2004 Tsunami and is in great condition after the clean up. It was swept clean in the Phi Phi 2004 Tsunami and is in great condition after the clean up.

When I visited there in the last high season, when the whole island was packed, the beach had no more than three tourists there sunbathing and reading!

Maya Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay that's sheltered by 100-metre high cliffs on three sides. Inside the bay there are several beaches, most are small and some only exist at low tide. The main one is around 200 metres long with silky soft white sand, underwater colourful coral and exotic fish in exceptionally clear water; the whole bay is one big reef.

Maya Bay has become the main tourist attraction of Phi Phi since The Beach was filmed here in 1999. It was always very popular before the film but now people around the world who haven't even heard of Phi Phi have certainly heard of Maya Bay.

The best time to visit Maya Bay is between November and April during the high season when seas are calm and access to the bay is easy. Rough seas from May to October may hinder access but rarely deny entry.

Snorkeling is excellent throughout the bay, large underwater boulders are encrusted with coral and brightly coloured fish are numerous. Visibility is excellent. Many tour companies bring visitors here to snorkel from Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi Don.

Sea kayaking is also popular. Kayaking tour boats come into the bay and moor while letting clients explore.