Phi Phi Islands are two relatively large islands in the waters of the province of Krabi, which are located one hour away boat from Phuket and about the same distance from the city Krabi The main advantage of Phi Phi is considered virgin (already in past) jungle, pedestrian islands and bounty beaches, one of which thundered to the whole world in the movie “The Beach” with DiCaprio in starring role For long-term residence of the island are quite suitable without reservation, but this is a rest for an amateur and, in my opinion, pee-pee should be considered as an option for a great excursion for a couple days
The content of the article
- 1 Preparing for the trip
- 1.1 Description of the resort and why go to Phi Phi
- 1.2 Which beach to choose
- 1.3 How to choose a hotel or home
- 1.4 How to get to Phi Phi
- 1.5 Climate and weather on Phi Phi
- 2 Upon arrival at the resort
- 2.1 How to get to your hotel
- 2.2 What to see from the sights
- 2.3 Where to eat, in which cafes
- 2.4 On-site transport
- 3 Phi Phi on the map
Preparing for the trip
Description of the resort and why go to Phi Phi
Phi-Phi-Don and Phi-Phi-Le Islands are the only ones more or less large land areas in this part of the Andaman Sea. Pi-pi don is habitable, of course, but PF Le is considered National Park Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park and there are installed visiting hours to give nature time to recover from influx of tourists. But, in fact, there have long been built capital, but the buildings: a cafe, a bungalow and a pair of economic huts. Plus a tent city. That is, you can easily stay here. for a long time, the truth is it will not be the most comfortable, and not budget location.
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Phi Phi Islands are pleased with a large number of beaches. All this thanks to their cunning geography and puzzy coastline where in each bay are covered with beaches of varying degrees enchantment. Pi-Pi is basically a very picturesque place, and the beaches it looks great here, even the smallest and stony. It, By the way, their main drawback is shallow water and difficult bottom. Almost all beaches are laid bare at low tide and almost everywhere you need to know the place to enter the water, where there are no stones.
Andaman Sea in the environment of divers and snorkel lovers considered more attractive than the Gulf of Thailand for another side of the mainland of the Kingdom of Thailand. Here more live corals richer underwater world and more interesting and safe dive sites. More about points for snorkeling i wrote in a separate article – Best Snorkeling in Thailand – TOP 10 places
Phi Phi Islands
Which beach to choose
I usually view beaches in terms of infrastructure and their convenience for living. Because the rest comes usually only two main categories of tourists: vacationers and winterers. So that all the beaches I used to break into those where it’s fun to come to a couple of weeks, and those that fit perfectly into the framework of the longsteak.
However, in the case of Phi Phi, I doubt that many lives here winterers – the island is suitable for longevity, but with a mass reservations. I can’t imagine wintering here with my family and a child. There are no hospitals, no large stores, no roads, danger there is a tsunami, everything is imported, and therefore more expensive than everywhere else. So that on Phi Phi I will highlight the very different characteristics of the beaches, and all they are considered only in terms of short-term stay
The most developed beaches are located on the central isthmus. Phi Phi Don Near Phi Phi Town: Tonsai (near the pier) and Lo Dalam (party beach, so most bars). Here on the isthmus all infrastructure is concentrated: hotels, shops, cafes, restaurants, travel agencies. There is plenty of space on the beaches. on the sand, it is convenient to wander along the sea, but in terms of swimming so-so (Luo Dalam is better).
A little further away, on the edge of Phi Phi Town, is the left side of Thonsai. There be quiet, fewer people, but only 10 minutes to the center of life. For bathing is average, sometimes a lot of boats are parked. If you pass even further, about 15 minutes through the jungle, there will be a Long Beach, probably best in terms of beach holiday from the nearest beaches to the village, and not to hesitate to walk through the jungle to the town, it is easier to swim by taxi boat.
Browse all Phi Phi beaches →
And the most beautiful, in my opinion, is Lo Ba Bao, Nui and Lam Tong. If you look at the neighboring Pee Pee Le, the beach of the bay of Maya Bay and satellite islands: Bambu Island (Ko Mai Pai) and Mosquito Island (Ko Yang).
Beach Luo Dalam on Phi Phi
How to choose a hotel or house
As you know, the dimensions of the island do not allow locals to glam to the extent to build private houses for rent rent. Personally, I have not heard about such options and have not met on the network. Phi Phi Don is a small island with a shortage of level space for construction of houses, but there are many proposals for hotels and resorts. So, speaking about the choice of housing on Pi-Pi, you have to think about choosing a hotel and the beach. And here you have three main options, like I see it.
If you are fundamentally be in the thick of things, you come to hang out, actively move around the area and water area, eat, drink in new places and generally accustomed to comfortable living conditions, then choose imagine a place on the isthmus. That is one of the two main beaches: Tonsai and Lo Dalam. In addition to luxury hotels, it is full of cheap Otelchik and guesthouses. If the task is to save, then only here. worth a look.
To live near the center of tourism and trade, while remaining in comfortable distance from crowded rooms, noise and restless youth – this is the left side of Tonsai, the beaches of Ao Hin Khom and the neighboring Long Beach These beaches are on the outskirts of civilization, but from here you can walk to Pi-Pi Town, do your business there, and after their completion will again be in a pleasant wilderness and desolation. Listed in order of distance. Hotels here are more expensive.
All hotels in Phi Phi →
Well, a complete separation from the main parties of the island, surrendering to The care of the hotel administration, which will provide you with everything what is needed on vacation is the far edge of Phi Phi Dong: Lo Bo Kao and Lam Tong. No random tourists get here, without a boat from Thonsai to this edge can only be reached on foot through the mountains, and this occupation is not for the lazy. Minimal infrastructure, maximum relax As far as I know, it is Luo Bo Kao who is chosen by those who going to spend more than a week on Phi Phi. The place for longevity, if I may say so.
How to get to Phi Phi
Phi Phi Islands can be reached from any major population. point on the west coast of Thailand, from Phuket to Satun. But Two starting points are still considered basic: Phuket and Krabi. There is also Koh Lanta, but everything is simple there: the only pier on the island three hours by ferry for 400 baht one way. That is, you first need to fly to Phuket or Krabi, and there, and there is airports.
Phuket Island is located north of Pi-Pi, at 2 o’clock crossing to the ferry. The cost of crossing from Rassada pier in Phuket varies from 350 baht on an ordinary wooden slug, up to 1500 baht on speed boat. The most profitable option to travel to Phi Phi is as part of the tour, oddly enough. It turns out much more profitable what to plan for an independent trip.
Krabi is located a little closer to Phuket, but there are some nuances. On Phi Phi, you can sail both from the city and from the resort area near the village of Ao Nang. In principle, not much different in price and Crossing times: from Ao Nang 1 hour 45 minutes and 450 baht to one the end, and from Krabi town 1 hour 30 minutes and 350 baht. More detailed alignment for all options I have in a separate article – How get to Phi Phi from Phuket and Krabi.
Climate and weather on Phi Phi
The best month to visit the Phi Phi Islands was considered February. I say “was considered” because recently the old-timers-expats in Thailand’s weather patterns are not typical for specific season. Monsoons seem to have shifted, and previously dry months are getting rainy and vice versa. So the following facts are information compiled from observations of nature in the past. And how it will be during your arrival – only knows Buddha.
Phuket and Phi Phi are relatively close to each other. friend, so in general the weather here is very similar, as the temperature water / air average per year. The difference is only in the precipitation graph. WITH May to December there is an increase in the intensity of rain and the amount of drop down water. January, February and March are relatively dry and very sunny, they are considered the most suitable for visiting the islands.
You will find more details about the weather in Thailand in this article. Weather in Thailand for months and water temperature.
If you go to Maya Bay, where the beach was filmed, then be sure to read my post with tips The whole truth about Maya Bay
Upon arrival at the resort
How to get to your hotel
On foot or by boat. Seriously. Of the two islands of Phi Phi, only Don is habitable and offers hotel reservations. On the whole Pi-Pi Don there are only two piers capable of receiving more or less large vessels: on Tonsai beach (the island’s main pier) and on the beach of Lam Tong. If your hotel is located on one of them, then Consider yourself lucky to avoid the extra cost of boatman. On all the other beaches of Phi Phi Don island you can only get on the boat.
By the way, if the hotel is not entirely from the budget category, then Pier Ton Sai will meet you a hotel employee with a cart on which he will carry your suitcase to the hotel reception. Conveniently!
When it comes to delivering you and your baggage to the place rest, I personally do not consider options for walking on mountain dirt roads to Lo Mo Di beach, for example. Yes even on Viking Beach I would prefer to go on a boat, for some 100-150 baht, than jumping with suitcases along crooked pavements of the embankment, which also ends long before the Viking Resort. AT In most cases, you should just be prepared to the very first step on Phi-Don Don ends for you the usual benefits civilization. You sailed to paradise, but do not take a taxi in paradise.
What to see from the sights
In my opinion, in the case of the Phi Phi Islands, you need to immediately understand one simple thing: they are a landmark. That is why here come caravans of boats and double-deck boats from Phuket, from Krabi and from the island of Koh Lanta. Pi-Pi Don can still somehow boast a pair of viewpoints where people gather at sunset or just come during the day. But otherwise, the main attractions of the whole area is the authentic nature of the islands.
Water area with amazingly beautiful landscapes, curly mountains with sheer slopes, the islands themselves, as from the channel National Geographic. Their beaches are with dazzling white sand. Maya Bay beach, where it was filmed film, the round island of Bambu. Secluded lagoon with incredible clear water. Well, do not forget the gorgeous underwater world where you can dive with quality camera. Caves and grottoes, scattered in different parts of Phi Phi. There are no waterfalls, rivers or lakes (a pair of reservoirs on Pi-Pi Don does not count). Separately Read about the Phi Phi Island Tour with me.
You can also attribute the authentic infrastructure of the small islands. Everything is close, everything is close, low buildings, pedestrian paths, moving between beaches – only by boats. Already on the second day of your stay, you begin to recognize people, and people will recognize you. This small, cozy world (which, by the way, not everyone like it) with its small houses and ropes thrown across roads (like a speed bump) – here he is the second main landmark, after fantastic sea views and nature Koh Phi Phi.
Maya Bay, Phi Phi Le
Where to eat, in which cafe
Restaurant Knock Out is a good restaurant with a great bar. Necks and cocktails are beyond praise.
Garlic 1992 – I myself dined there several times, and each time left with a different impression, but people continue to recommend it. Perhaps the reason is that they cook delicious Thai food with adaptation under the farang. So, opinions are immediately divided into two camps – to whom it is to their liking, and to whom “May Pet – May Aroi”. That is, “not spicy – not tasty. ”
Efe Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant – Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant with an original interior, huge portions and a great chef.
Cafe Monkey Bar – a local institution, built in a very beautiful location. One of those where you come to sit in silence and calm Uncrowded cafe with gorgeous dawn.
Aroy Kaffeine – a cozy clean cafe with air conditioning and good Wi-Fi, pleasant staff (speak English more than tolerable) and delicious food.
Cafe Carpe Diem is a small establishment with a nice design and Zen-atmosphere – you can lie on the pillows under the pleasant music
Only Noodles – only noodles in dozens of variations. A great a sample of how you can eat tasty and inexpensive authentic thai food.
Coffee a Day – air-conditioned room – a great shelter from heat waves. There are places inside and out. A place exclusively for Coffee break – only drinks in the menu, and no food except desserts.
Dow Restaurant – very tasty cooked, but they accept only cash. All this is offset by the size of the portions and their price.
Cafe Thank You – it would seem such a low-key institution, and It turns out to be one of the best places on Phi Phi Don, where you You can eat well cooked seafood.
The Mango Garden – the original design in the style of his own titles. Excellent breakfasts, necks and portion sizes.
ACQUA Restaurant – A good choice for breakfast on Phi Phi Don. prepare surprisingly good coffee, steady internet, clean facilities, friendly staff.
Amp Cafe – a small cafe with Thai cuisine. Simple interior, stands right on the Tonsai Bay by the sea. Staff not speaks English maybe that’s why there are so many the Chinese.
Annas Restaurant – A good atmospheric place with Thai cuisine, which is adapted to the tastes of farang. Music, staff – perfectly matched. A lot of people, but it is the price popularity and sometimes you have to wait until the table becomes free.
On-site transport
In my memory, the islands of Phi Phi, and in particular of Phi Phi Don, became the only inhabited island in Thailand where it is not offered equipment rental. The island is so small and compact that everything is within walking distance. And remote sites and beaches of Phi Phi Don located behind the mountains, which in some places lie groundwater roads, but they are used purely for the needs of local farmers or delivery service. Often the cars here run short parts of the roads in the mountains, and work as elevators on wheels.
Local residents are also mostly pedestrians, except happy owners of bicycles and rare motorbikers. what characteristic: for any appearance of wheeled vehicles with a motor You can observe that it is used exclusively in practical purposes, not like in other parts of Thailand, where on a scooter do not go to the toilet. The main transport on Phi Phi Islands is taxi boats There are a lot of boatmen, their services are no more expensive than in average hospital.
Phi Phi on the map
P.S. Ask questions, add, if something is missing. AND leave your feedback on the holiday on Pi-Pi, how did you like it or whatever you like 
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