Phi
Phi Island The name is derived from Malay
and the original was Pulao Pi ah Pi, where in
pulao is the Malay word for island, and pi, pronounced
with only a half p sound, was very close in pronunciation
to the English word be; the ah was eventually
dropped, so the name was said something like Bi
Bi. Later the P was pronounced with a stronger
aspiration and the name became the Pi Pi we know
today (the h with which it is usually spelled
is confusing and superfluous). The name refers
to the mangrove wood found there. Six islands
are in the group; Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Biddah
Nok, Biddah Nai, Yung, and Pai; total area is
about 35 square kilometers. They were incorporated
into the national park in 1983. Some of the interesting
places to visit include
Ko Phi Phi ever is top ten of the dream
holiday destination of the world, due to the tropical
beach and the diversity of the nature. Here is
a part of Krabi
province and just one hour by ferry boat from
Ko
Lanta.
An archipelago of six islands consists of Ko
Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le as the major islands,
the small island nearby as Ko Phai, Ko Yung and
etc. The superb scenery of the islands includes
high hills with jutting cliffs surrounded by marvelous
beaches and emerald sea, hiding underneath a bank
of coral reefs and colorful marine life. The geography
picturesque here is very unique and never seen
anywhere in Thailand .
Koh Phi Phi Beaches & Islands
There are six islands altogether: Phi Phi Don,
Phi Phi Ley, Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Yung, and Phai;
each of which offers some of the most unique topography
on this planet. Of these six islands, Phi Phi
Don and Phi Phi Ley are the largest, and most
well known.
Phi Phi Don
This is the largest of the Phi Phi islands, and
offers some of the most arresting scenery available
anywhere in the world. Phi Phi Don is comprised
of two main sections, peculiarly connected by
a narrow strip of glittering white sand. It was
here, in the center, where the first settlement
of Ton Sai was established.
Since that time, Phi Phi Don has earned a reputation
as one of the most alluring sights in the region,
offering spectacular beaches, gleaming, turquoise
seas, and remarkable landscapes. This reputation,
however, has not come without a cost.
Phi Phi Ley
The second largest of the Phi Phi Island chain,
Phi Phi Ley is extremely beautiful, and pristine.
Day trips to Phi Phi Ley are available, and one
of the biggest attractions is Phaya Naak Cave,
or Viking Cave, which has some bonafide prehistoric
carvings.
Another attraction to Phi Phi Ley are the nests
of the edible-nest swiftlet, which fetch up to
US $2000 per kilogram. Armed guards stand watch
over these nests, to protect them against poachers.
Overnight stays on Phi Phi Ley are forbidden.
Yao Beach, Phi Phi Don
This beach, also known as Long Beach, is one of
the most famous on the island. Not only does it
offer a broad, sweeping beach and unbelievable
scenery, it also is home to some of the best coral
reefs in the area.
Snorkeling and Scuba diving top the long list
of things to do here, and accommodation is plentiful.
The only complaint might be a little too much
development. Hat Yao can be reached on foot or
by longtail boat from the pier at Ton Sai.
Lanti Beach: Phi Phi Don
This beach is in close proximity to Hat Yao, and
is equal to it in nearly all respects. Once underdeveloped,
Hat Lanti has only recently given way to commercialism,
and remains quite beautiful. Offshore coral reefs
provide for some great snorkeling, and accommodation
is cheap and decent.
Hat Lanti is accessible on foot via the viewpoint
trail. Boats to Hat Lanti are difficult to find,
because bungalow owners refuse to pay commissions,
but boats can be arranged from Hat Lanti quite
easily.
Hin Khao Beach, Phi Phi Don
This is one of the more isolated beaches on Phi
Phi Don, accessible only on foot. This beach offers
good views, and peace and quiet.
Ao Ton Sai, Phi Phi Don
This is the oldest developed beach area on Phi
Phi Don, and the most congested. Still, Ton Sai
offers some rather good views of the surrounding
territory, and although lacking beauty, it is
the most accessible and convenient place on the
island.
Laem Tong, Phi Phi Don
This is one of the nicest beaches on Phi Phi Don,
offering spectacular views and a nice stretch
of marvelous beach.
Hat Laem Tong has its own pier, and therefore
is accessible. However, it is targeted at the
high-budget tourist.
Yung Island
lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky
beach on the east side, and a smaller strand of
sand in a fold of the hill. Many beautiful and
various corals are found there.
Pai Island
lies also to the north of Phi Phi Don, not far
from Koh Yung. Sandy beaches are on the north
and east sides of the island. Broad coral reefs
stretch away into the south.
Other Attractions:
Ko Pida Nok
Here you will find leopard sharks, turtles, moray
eels, and corals, plus a chance to see whale sharks
and manta rays. One side of the island is very
shallow while the other drops off to 30 metres.
This site is suitable for all levels of diver.
Ko Pida Nai
The sister island of Pida Nok is located just
a few hundred metres away but offers
a very different experience underwater. Large
fallen rocks have created several swim-through
and submerged islands, building an ideal habitat
for marine life, and a fascinating dive.
Shark Point (Hin Bida)
This rock which just breaks the surface, attracts
a lot of Leopard sharks and often Nurse &
Reef sharks as well. A small, submerged outcrop
some 8 kilometres southeast of Phi Phi Ley, it's
a favoured spot for Whale Sharks around February
and March.
Garang Heng
This is a small submerged reef just east of Phi
Phi Ley and a excellent backup to Shark point
so if you are unlucky there, Garang Heng has a
healthy reef with anemones, soft corals and of
course, sharks.
Maya Bay
This is a wonderful array of marine life to be
found here with a maximum depth of 18 metres.
For the more experienced diver depths of 30 metres
+ are located out of the bay where large caves
help to create a very dramatic dive.
King Cruiser Wreck
This vessel was built in Japan 30 years ago and
on the 4th May 1997, struck a coral reef and sank
in near perfect weather conditions. Luckily there
were no casulaties and even since that fateful
day, the King Cruiser has become a popular dive
site. It is a relatively easy dive with large
openings that allow access to the spacious interior.
The propellers (deepest point) rest 30 metres
deep with the most interesting areas around the
passenger decks between 10 and 20 metres.
Hin Pae
This is a relatively shallow dive site - 10 to
15 metres deep. Its shallow depth offers excellent
snorkeling. Hin Pae is sometimes called Baby Shark
Point, because even snorkellers have the opportunity
to see different types of sharks. The main topography
includes boulder and brain corals, with many holes
and tunnels for moray eels to pass through. Soft
and hard coral provide shelter for a rich variety
of coral fish. Crabs, lobsters, angelfish, groupers,
snappers and surgeonfish are also residents of
this area.
About Koh Phi Phi Thailand
