Limestone Cliffs and Turquoise Andaman Bays
The Phi Phi Islands are a small archipelago in the Andaman Sea, in Krabi province, southern Thailand, famous for sheer limestone cliffs, turquoise bays and white-sand beaches. The group centres on Phi Phi Don, the largest island, and Phi Phi Leh, a smaller, uninhabited neighbour, and forms part of the Hat Noppharat Thara and Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. The shape of Phi Phi Don, two green headlands joined by a narrow sandy isthmus, is one of the best-known silhouettes in Thailand, and the view from the island's hilltop viewpoints is a defining image.
Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Leh, found global fame as the setting for the 2000 film The Beach, and is now being carefully managed after a period of rest that allowed its reef and sharks to recover. Nearby, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave reward a day on the water, while Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don is a favourite short stop. Phi Phi Don itself has no cars, so the main village of Ton Sai is explored on foot. Those who enjoy island life can compare it with the Maldives or the Philippines.
Snorkelling, Sunsets and Island-Hopping Days
Life on Phi Phi is shaped by water. Long-tail boats carry visitors between bays, with snorkelling trips offering clear views of coral and tropical fish, and several dive operators run courses and trips to nearby reefs and wrecks. On Phi Phi Don, Long Beach and Loh Dalum Bay offer relaxed sunbathing, while the Phi Phi viewpoint, reached by a short climb, rewards walkers with a double-bay panorama at sunset. Evenings are lively on the island, with seafood grills along Ton Sai, and quieter resorts on the eastern shores for those who want peace.
Stays range from simple beach bungalows to boutique resorts with private bays, and a hotel group has plenty to showcase here, from sea-view villas to dive-led hideaways. The islands also sit within easy reach of the mainland's major gateways: Thailand and Bangkok connect with Phuket and Krabi airports, from which a ferry or speedboat completes the journey. For travellers extending their trip, Singapore is a polished stopover.
Read the full The Phi Phi Islands guide on Visit Travel Group, or see PhiPhiIslands.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.