Ko Phi Phi Travel Guide

Introduction

814km (505 miles) S of Bangkok, then 42km (26 miles) W of Krabi; 160km (99 miles) SW of Phuket

Phi Phi is in fact two islands: Phi Phi Ley and Phi Phi Don. The latter is the main barbell-shaped island whose central isthmus (the barbell handle) was hit badly by the tsunami. Koh Phi Phi is a popular choice for day trips, snorkeling, and scuba junkets from Krabi. Crowds of noisy tourists also descend upon Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Ley, where filmmakers shot the Hollywood film The Beach, with Leonardo DiCaprio. Thai students and environmentalists have long protested the amounts of rubbish left by these tour groups. ( Note: Day-trippers should dispose of trash after arriving back onto the mainland, not while they are here.)

Small beachfront outfits rent snorkel gear and conduct long-tail boat tours to quiet coves with great views of coral reefs and sea life for as little as 800B (US$23/£12) for an all-day trip (packing your own lunch). You can rent kayaks and do a little exploring...