There are six islands make up the Phi Phi archipelago. They sit in the Andaman Sea 45kms east of Phuket and 42kms south of Krabi with Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Lee being the two largest. A true tropical paradise of hills with jutting cliffs, pristine white beaches and an emerald sea hiding banks of coral and colourful marine life.

Back in 1945, The Phi Phi Islands were uninhabited, only occasionally visited by Sea Gypsies. The first settlers arrived in 1950 from Koh Yai, north of Phi Phi Island, in Phang Nga Bay. Later settlers from Koh Lanta and Krabi provinces joined them. 99% of the inhabitants of Koh Phi Phi Don are Muslim. The call to prayer from the islands one mosque can be heard in the village both in the morning and in the evening. There is always a high attendance as the islanders are devoted to their faith.

The largest and the only inhabited of the six islands is Phi Phi Don. It covers a total of 28 square kilometers. The island is 8 kms long and 3.5 kms across at the widest point. At the northern most part of the island, Cape Laem Tong is home to Chao Ley or a sea gipsy village. This community migrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park close to the Malay boarder. Some of the islands best diving can be found in Laem Tong also at Hua Rah Ket on the most southern part of the island. Around the island are long beaches with a few rocks scattered about. The back-to-back curving bays of Ton Sai and Loh Dalam are particularly beautiful.

The second largest in the archipelago is Phi Phi Lee. The island covers an area of 6.6 square kilometers, 3kms long and 1 km across at the widest point. The entire island is made of limestone with steep cliffs encircled by crystal clear water. Its average depth is 20 metres but it is at its deepest, 34 meters off the island's southern tip. Although uninhabited the island does have some beautiful bays. Pileh Beach is almost encircled by the limestone wall of the islands cliffs. On the northern point of the island is the famous Viking Cave, a name they were given by His Majesty King Rama IX after his visit in 1972. At Tam Pya Nak there is a large boulder that resembles the shape of the giant serpent from Buddhist legend, the Naga. On the eastern and southern walls of the cave are historical images of elephant and European, Arab and Chinese sailing boats. There is a theory that pirates took shelter from the monsoon in the caves and used them transfer their cargo or make repairs.

The Province of Phuket and Krabi have a largest Chinese community, descendants of the tin miners and rubber plantation owners that gave the area its original prosperity. They will come to the island to collect the nests of the migratory Fork tail Swift, the raw ingredient for the Chinese delicacy Bird's Nest Soup. The birds descend on Phi Phi Le during January to April and will build the nests held together by no more than their saliva. They stay for just two weeks before continuing their journey.

The other two islands of note both lay east of the northern tip of Phi Phi Don. The first is Koh Pai (Bamboo Island. To the north and east of the island are beautiful sandy beaches. To the south stretches a broad coral reef The second Koh Yong,

On the eastern side a rocky beach and a smaller strand of sand in the fold of the hill. A great and beautiful selection of coral can be found here.

Despite the islands rugged terrain a number of the islanders support themselves from cashew nut farming. The plantations can clearly be seen from the path leading to the viewpoint. Likewise coconut farming, the milk from the coconut the key ingredient of the island's delicious curries.

But fishing still remains the most important industry. Local men pride take pride in their skills as boatmen. The best of them being full time captains on the dive and fishing boats.

With their love of the sea all the boats captains are Muslim. They also control the boat industry in the poorer islands to the east.

Traveling from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi has become much easier with the opening of Rosada Harbour in May 2002. Rather than having to board the ferryboat amidst the chaos of the fishing village, as in the past. For those passengers flying directly into Phuket and Krabi arrangements can be made for them to be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to the ferry harbour. For those already staying either on Phuket or in Krabi arrangements can be made for these passengers to be collected from the hotel.

Traveling by ferry is very much a carry-on affair. Baggage is not checked in and boarded onto the boat for you as happens when traveling by air. Its recommended to keep baggage to a minimum and pack it in bags that are easy to carry. A moulded plastic suitcase which ideal for air travel is too bulky and cumbersome to take on board a board.

The traveling time from both Phuket and Krabi to Phi Phi Island is roughly an hour and a half subject to weather conditions of course. Getting of the ferry on arrival at Phi Phi Don can be a little messy. In some cases in can involve climbing over another two boats before reaching the jetty. This is when you will really appreciate traveling light.

As soon as you have stepped onto the pier there are a huddle of representatives calling out the name of their hotel. Simply identify yourself, as being one of their guests and a porter from the hotel will put your baggage into a caged trolley and escort you to the reception desk. Similar assistance will be given on departure.

A major reason for choosing Koh Phi Phi as a holiday destination is that it is clean and safe. Not only is the water a delightful turquoise colour its also crystal clear. It's ideal and safe for swimming, snorkeling and diving.

There are very few beach vendors. There are several touts out to sell the various waterborne adventures. It's mainly a destination for the young, fit and virile. Play in the water during the day and the bars and discos at night.

Having returned from a great day in the water by mid afternoon around 4pm is a good time to slowly make the climb to the viewpoint to catch the sunset around 6pm. The view of Ton Sai and Loda Lum Bay is spectacular but if you wait until sunset to take the photographs the light isn't good enough. Aim to be up on top of the hill by 5pm, taking memorable photos and relax watching a spectacular sunset.

The best way to describe the area just behind Ton Sai beach is a village with no transportation. At best concrete or brick walk ways the rest of the time simply sand. While in no way is it meant as discrimination Phi Phi Island is just not a practical destination for a guest with severe walking difficulties or reliant on a wheelchair.

Most basic consumer items are available from shops around the island. A can of soda water that would cost 13 baht in a main land 7-eleven will cost 18 baht in the same store on Phi Phi and 20 baht in most of the other small shops. But then consider how much more handling the product has had before it reaches you on the island. A copy of Bangkok Post which will be at least two or three days old has been marked up 100% with a Phi Phi sales price of 40 baht. But how many people will bother to read a newspaper on a paradise island, for those that do be prepared to pay for the luxury.

Phi Phi Don is the place to dive, snorkel or go kayaking depending day, which takes your fancy and in the nighttime hang out in the bars and discos.

Don't let the map fool you into thinking that Phi Phi Don is an island similar to Phuket - it's not. 90% of the island is rugged mountainous jungle. There are no roads linking the beaches. Beach hopping can only be done by water taxi with the fare ranging from 40 baht Ton Sai to Long Beach, rising to 300 baht each way if you would like to go up to Laem Tong Beach.

Having decided that the idea Koh Phi Phi is appealing then comes the choice of which beach. Each has its only appeal but which is the right one you? Ton Sai Bay is the beach where all the ferryboats arrive into Phi Phi Don. It's the hub of the larger island and the major tourist center. It offers a wide variety of accommodation from simple rooms at 200 baht a night up to resort hotels. Loh Dalam Bay is the beach on the other side of the cross bar of the "H" shape of the island. A few private charter boats arrive and depart from this beach. Long Beach is a popular destination for back packers looking for cheap bungalow accommodation. While Run Tee Bay just has a few simple bungalows. Again more it's popular with backpackers or those looking for a beach experience on a budget. Also a popular beach for a quiet day, relaxing, sunbathing and swimming. Phak-Nam Bay is another beach with no accommodations but a nice quiet place to go for the day by water taxi. Labagao Bay is home to Phi Phi Island Village. A pleasant beach resort away from mainstream tourism, with quality accommodation available from 2,000 baht. Finally Laem Tong Beach, the most northerly tip of Phi Phi Don.


Phi Phi Island is a simple slice of paradise in the sun at an affordable price.

On 26 December 2004, much of the inhabited part of Phi Phi Don was devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. The island's main village, Ton Sai is mainly built on a sandy cape between the island's two long, tall limestone ridges. On both sides of Ton Sai are semicircular bays lined with beaches. Shortly after 10 am on the morning of 26 December, the water from both bays receded. When the tsunami hit, it did so from both bays and met in the middle of the cape causing many fatalities and destruction to nearly 70% of the buildings on the island..