Kohphiphi

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One of the most unique and attractive clusters of islands in the world, Koh Phi Phi is an idyllic island retreat that features a number of beaches that feature a variety of accommodation options and many outdoor activities.

Koh Phi Phi is the collective name for a small archipelago in Krabi Province just an hour boat ride from Phuket. Known as the 'jewels of the Andaman Sea', there are six islands in Mu Koh Phi Phi-Nopparathara National Park: Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Bamboo Island , Yung Island , Bida Nok, and Bida Nai. Only Phi Phi Don is inhabited; all others are undeveloped and protected by their National Park status and are frequently visited as day trips from Phuket, Krabi, and Phi Phi Don.

Phi Phi Ley was featured in the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Beach, a story about the ultimate secluded island beach. Maya Bay was a suitable choice as it epitomizes the stunning beauty of these islands: a bay of pellucid aquamarine water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs that harbors an arcing, white sand beach.

The waters surrounding the Phi Phi Islands are filled with exotic marine life, including docile leopard sharks, and snorkeling and diving day trips rival lounging on the beach as top activities on Koh Phi Phi.

Koh Phi Phi also features a vibrant nightlife, with Tonsai Beach containing dozens of beach bars and restaurants and lively Tonsai Village consisting of a maze of shops, bars, and restaurants. Smaller beaches around the island are alternatively ideal for honeymooners, families, those on a budget, and those looking for the ultimate luxury resort retreat.

Koh Phi Phi is the collective name for a cluster of six islands included in the Mu Koh Phi Phi-Nopparathara National Park. Only 45 minutes from Phuket, Koh Phi Phi features towering limestone cliffs that shelter white, sandy beaches and spectacular, aquamarine bays filled with exotic marine life.

As one of the premier island destinations in Thailand, Koh Phi Phi features both five-star resorts and budget beach bungalows; and both raucous nightlife and secluded isolation, depending on which beach you choose to stay at. No where in Thailand, perhaps the world, are there so many opportunities for visitors to find exactly the right beach holiday they are looking for within a setting of such spectacular natural beauty. Whether you enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, or simply relaxing in a hammock, Koh Phi Phi has a beach that will exceed your wildest dreams.

Transport

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Getting to Koh Phi Phi is relatively straightforward. Visitors must first travel to Phuket or Krabi and then get aboard one of several ferries that service the island. Both Phuket and Krabi have international airports serviced by both domestic and international air carriers. Phuket and Krabi are both major bus destinations as well, so its not difficult to get to either Phuket or Krabi (Krabi Town or Ao Nang Beach) via bus and its simple to get to Koh Phi Phi by ferry once there.

Once on Koh Phi Phi getting around is very easy as there are so few options. Koh Phi Phi has no roads or cars so there are really only two options: walking or hiring a boat. Tonsai village and the adjacent beaches of Loh Dalam and Long Beach are accessible by foot, as is the Phi Phi viewpoint. Otherwise, visitors must hire long-tail boats or speed boats to get to other beaches and nearby islands.

Getting to and from Koh Phi Phi

• By Air:
  The only direct air service to Koh Phi Phi is via seaplane from Phuket Airport. The sea planes land off the coast of Laem Thong near the northern tip of the island and transportation to Tonsai, if required, is about 30 minutes by long-tail boat. Otherwise, the nearest airports to Koh Phi Phi are in Phuket and Krabi, both of which have international airports serviced by multiple air carriers, domestic and international. From either airport it is not difficult to arrange ground transportation to the respective ports, where visitors can easily get ferry service to Koh Phi Phi unless arriving in the evening after boats have stopped for the day.
• By Other:
  
  By boat
  Ferries leave from Phuket and Krabi several times daily, more frequently in the high season (November-April). From Krabi there are boats to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi Town, Ao Nang Beach, and Railey Beach. From Koh Lanta there is direct boat service in the high season only; in the low season boats first travel to Krabi before heading to Koh Phi Phi
  
  Boat from Phuket
  Ferry boats to and from Phuket and Koh Phi Phi leave several times a day for journeys lasting 60 to 90 minutes depending on weather conditions.
  
  Boat from Krabi
  From Krabi Town passenger ferries leave from the Klong Jilard Pier about 3 km from the town center. Free ground transfer is typically included in the price of the ferry ticket, which costs around 350B each way. Boats leave Krabi twice daily, typically at 10.00 and 15.00 for the 90 minute journey. Boats leaving Phi Phi for Krabi leave at 09.00 and 14.00.
  
  Ao Nang & Railey Beach
  Ao Nang is the most popular beach town in Krabi province, not far from Haad Nopparathara (part of the Mu Koh Phi Phi-Nopparathara National Park); Railey Beach is an isolated collection of beaches on the cape between Ao Nang and Krabi Town. Boats to and from Koh Phi Phi stop just off the coast of Railey Beach, where passengers to both destinations disembark onto long-tail boats for short boat rides to the shore. In the low season these boats often schedule their voyages to meet up with the boats going to and from Koh Lanta in order to provide transfer services.
  
  Koh Lanta
  During the high season (November-April) there are several boats a day shuttling between Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi. During the low season visitors may be able to take boats from Koh Lanta to Krabi and then onwards to Koh Phi Phi.
  
  Speedboat:
  Private speed boat charter to or from Koh Phi Phi and nearly anywhere in Phang Nga Bay, including Phuket, Koh Yao, Krabi, and Koh Lanta are available, but for a much higher price than the various ferries.
  
  Bus and Car
  In order to get by bus or private car to Koh Phi Phi, visitors must make their way to Phuket or Krabi, the most convenient places to get aboard a ferry to Koh Phi Phi.
  
  Train
  The nearest train station to Koh Phi Phi is in Trang province, just south of Koh Lanta, from where there is direct boat service to Koh Phi Phi during the high season.

Getting Around Koh Phi Phi

As there are no roads on Koh Phi Phi the only ways to get around the island are walking or hiring a boat, either a long-tail boat or speedboat. Most visitors staying in Tonsai, Loh Dalam, and Long Beach can walk around and between the beaches, the former two connected via proper walkways, while those staying in Loh Lana and Loh Ba Kao can walk between the two beaches via jungle path. Otherwise, the only way to get around is by hiring a long-tail boat for a one way/round-trip journey or a half/full day beach and/or island hopping excursion. Long-tail boat drivers typically hang out in the shade near the top of the beach not far from their boats. Simply walk up to them and say you need a ride.