The Phi Phi islands is a cluster of islands, situated between Phuket and Ko Lanta in the Andaman sea. This beautiful set of secluded islands is under the Kingdom of Thailand and is administrated by the Krabi Province. These islands are a tourist hotspot and can be reached by an hour-long boat ride from Phuket. People love this place because of its scarce population, alluring white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and irresistible limestone cliffs. Ko Phi Phi Don which is the largest island among the cluster and Ko Phi Phi Le which is a bit smaller, are two islands among the group which is frequented by tourists. Maximum of the population of this archipelago is constituted of fishermen and coconut planters who are predominantly Muslim. The island became very popular after 2000, as Leonardo DiCaprio’s film was shot here.
Being completed surrounded by sea with an elevation of one meter, these islands had to face considerable damage in the tsunami of December 2004, and everything had to be rebuilt from scratch. Lying in a stretch of forty kilometres, The Phi Phi archipelago consists of six different islands and have been declared an indispensable part of the Hat Nopparat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, protected by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The climate fluctuates between 17-30 degrees celsius, which is mild and welcomes tourists from all around the world. Apart from the heavenly beaches, The Phi Phi islands also offer the tourists to enjoy the precious marine life, exotic food and exciting caves. These islands are known as the homes of the real inhabitants, untouched from the intricacies of urban life for a long time, and the fishermen lived their way until the Kingdom of Malaysia gained administrative power over them and turned the islands into a revenue-generating tourism business which brings in lots of euros and dollars every year.
How to get there?
The government of the Krabi Province takes care of transportation and roads in these islands. They do not allow the use of moto vehicles, except for some emergency services. All other kinds of goods are transported using pushcarts, and the people travel using a bicycle. You can also visit the place if you are flying from another country. The closest airport is in Phuket and Krabi after which you will have to take a motor propelled ferry or a hand oared boat. These boats frequent the island all day from 8 am in the morning to 3 pm in the evening.
Where to stay?
There is no lack of places to stay, from small and cosy homestays, extravagant bungalows to multi-facility resorts with private beaches, you can choose anything depending on your budget. The islands in the Andaman sea are famous for the construction of unique styles of wood and bamboo houses, local shopping centres and prepossessing island restaurants. Among the popular places to stay are the Zevola Resort, Phi Phi Harbour View Hotel and Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort. The most popular place to find a stay is in Tonasi village, which has a buzzing marketplace with bars, restaurants and shops for other amenities.
What can you do when you are there?
One of the best things about Phi Phi Islands is that there is no human-made structure which serves as a tourist attraction, everything is natural and serene. Maya Bay is a beach located in the island of Ko Phi Phi Leh and was the shooting place of a Hollywood movie, The Beach which released in 2000. You can enjoy the view of the archipelago from the Phi Phi Viewpoint in the Ko Phi Phi Don island. Check the link https://www.simbaseatrips.com/tours/phi-phi-sunrise-2/ for more ideas on how you could make your vacation more fun. The Bamboo island located in Ko Phai is a small island covered with thick vegetation of green bamboo plants. The Bamboo island is also famous for activities like snorkelling and enjoying the view of the beautiful reef. You can also go fishing or deep-sea diving on a sailing cruise which can be booked from the island, where you might get to see sharks and other exotic marine life. The Viking cave which is accessible by boat is another tourist attraction in Ko Phi Phi Leh. The locals know it as Tham Phaya Nak and know it as a place where shipwrecked sailors take refuge and try to find a way in this impregnable fortress.
