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Koh Phi Phi
Regarded by travelers from all walks of life as being among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world, Phi Phi Islands have become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. In addition, the islands are famous as the location where the movie "The Beach" featuring Leonardo Di Caprio was shot. |
The islands, together with the nearby Noppharat Thara Beach, a total area of 390 square kilometers, were recently established as a national park. Click How To Get There
Phi Phi Islands are located just 40 kilometers away from both Krabi and Phuket. Thus, despite the fact that both Noppharat Thara Beach and Phi Phi administratively are a part of Krabi Province, most tourists think that Ko Phi Phi is part of Phuket Province.
The islands and the coastal hills are composed mainly of limestone and are an extension of the limestone mountain range in Phang-Nga Province. The main characteristics of these mountains and islands are their steep cliffs, large caves and dwarf trees growing out of the rock crevices, like those in Phang-Nga Bay.
The island group is composed of two rocky, tree-covered islets Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. Phi Phi Don, the larger islet to the north, is well known for its fine beaches and coral formations. Above average tourist facilities and accommodations are available along two beautiful curved bays, namely Ton Sai Bay and Lodalam Bay. Several shops at Ton Sai can arrange diving and snorkeling trips around the island or the nearby islands - Ko Phi Phi Le, Ko Yung and Ko Mai Phai.
About 2 kilometers to the south is Phi Phi Le. Contrary to Phi Phi Don, this islet is uninhabited as there is no beach area as the island descends abruptly into the sea on all sides and it is prohibited by the administrative body. The main attraction is a large cave about 3.2 square kilometers in size known as Viking Cave derived from one of the numerous drawings on the wall which resembles a Viking ship. The cave has a 10 to 15-metre high ceiling which contains many ledges inhabited by thousands of swallows, thus a bird's nest collection demonstration is a regular feature of guided tours.
Ao Maya and Ao Lo Sama - Phi Phi Islands scenic coves are favorite snorkeling places while the sea around the islands, especially the southern part, which are deep and full of coral formations are popular diving spots. With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, mountain cliffs, colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman Sea. The best time to visit Phi Phi Islands is from November to April, when the sea is calm.
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Koh Phi Phi Don
covers
a total area of 28 square kilometers
: 8 kilometers in length and 3.5
at its broadest point. At the north
end is Cape Laem Tohng, where there
is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village.
These sea gypsies emigrated from
Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park,
near the border with Malaysia. Diving
at Laem Tohng is excellent, as it
is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme
south. There are long beaches with
rocks scattered about. Two curving
bays are especially beautiful :
Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also
where accommodations and tourist
services are found. |
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Koh
Phi Phi Le
is 6.6 square kilometers in total
area : 3 kilometers in length and
1 at its broadest point. The island
is entirely limestone and steep
cliffs rising from the sea very
nearly ring it. Surrounding waters
average about 20 meters in depth,
reaching 34 meters at the deepest
point off the island's southern
tip. Phi Phi Ley has several beautiful
bays : Pileh, Maya and Loh Samah
; Ao Pileh is very nearly enclosed
by the limestone walls of the island's
cliffs, so that the water appears
almost to be an island sea. |
On
Phi Phi Ley's northeast
is the famous Viking
Cave;this was renamed
by H.M.Rama IX when
he visited it in 1972,
Tam Pya Nak, from the
shape of a particular
boulder, which resembles
in shape the head of
the great serpent of
Buddhist legend, the
Naga. It is a place
much revered by the
local people who come
there to collect the
swift's nests used to
make Bird's Nest Soup,
a Chinese delicacy.
On the eastern and southern
walls of the cave are
colored drawings dating
from historic times.
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There
are pictures of elephants
and also of various boats
: European, Arab and Chinese
sailing ships ; baroques,
motorboats, and steamships.
It is theorized that these
pirates who paused in their
travels from west to east,
sheltering in the cave to
escape the monsoon winds,
transfer cargo, or make repairs.
Travel to the Phi Phi Islands
Tour operators in both Phuket
and Krabi provide transport
and tour packages to this
popular destination. Regular
boat service is available
form Jao Fah pier in Krabi. |
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Koh Phai
is
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. |
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Koh Yung
An island to the north of Ko Phi Phi Don, has a stone beach on the east and small sandy beaches amid valleys. In addition, the island is teeming with diverse colorful coral reefs. Ko Phai, another island to the north of Ko Phi Phi Don and not far from Ko Yung, has spectacular beaches in the north and east of the island. The bank of coral reefs comprised mainly of antler corals stretches from the north to the south of the island. |
| Source by TourismThailand.org |
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