Attractions - Beaches - Bays - Koh Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are by far the main attraction to Krabi, and are widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful places in the world.

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.

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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.

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Provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand