Phi Phi Island

 Phi Phi Island is Important island in World Tourism 

If you are the one searching information about Phi Phi island, one thing that is immediately clear is that this island is basically a tourist trap. It is filled with overpriced hotels, souvenir shops, and restaurants that cater to the influx of tourists. It lacks the natural beauty and tranquility of other islands in Thailand, making it a less than desirable destination for those seeking a peaceful getaway. There are much better alternatives for those seeking an authentic Thai experience. Look for islands with fewer tourists, fewer shops and restaurants, and more natural beauty. You'll be glad you did! That is why I wasn’t really excited to travel there, however, I think that certain places should be visited at least once in life, and Phi Phi was one of them. After visiting the island, many of our custumers feeling glad.

The beautiful views and unique culture were definitely worth it!

"Phi Phi island is indeed a tourist trap,

In this article, Rengha holidays will explain how you can relax and avoid most of the tourists even on one of the most visited islands in the world. There are plenty of activities that can be done away from the tourist areas. Exploring the nearby islands, fishing, and snorkeling are some of the activities that can be done in relative peace and quiet. Renting a kayak or taking a boat trip can also be a great way to explore the area and relax.

The first thing to say when talking about Phi Phi is that there are two islands with almost identical names: Koh Phi Phi Don and Kho Phi Phi Leh and they are very close to each other. Koh Phi Phi Don is the bigger of the two islands, the one with the most amenities, restaurants, and accommodation. The other island, Koh Phi Phi Leh, is smaller and much quieter, but it has stunning beaches and is a great place to relax and take in the scenery.

The only Island where you can actually stay for the night is Koh Phi Phi Don. Kho Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited island, declared a natural reserve. The famous Maya Bay (from the movie The Beach) is in Kho Phi Phi Leh, see the first picture of this post. It’s not possible to spend the night in Kho Phi Phi Leh. Therefore, if you want to visit Maya Bay, you have to do it as a day trip from Koh Phi Phi Don. There are no hotels, resorts, or other forms of accommodation available to visitors.

Phi Phi Don is where all the tourists coming from Ao Nang and Phuket arrive. Getting there is quite easy. If you are in Krabi or Phuket you can simply take a ferry boat (it takes about 3 hours). You can book your ticket in any of the several travel agencies all around Krabi. The ticket cost depends on the season and the agency. There are also speedboats available, which are more expensive but much faster (they take a little more than an hour).

Another interesting thing is that in Phi Phi Don in theory there are no cars. In practice, this is not true: I have seen some of them but they are only used by locals. However, there is no traffic and most probably you won’t see any car or motorbike if you stay in the village. Unless you count the occasional chicken crossing the road!

Most tourists stay in the southern part of the island, in Tong Sai bay, where almost all hotels and restaurants are located. Tong Say Bay is a tourist trap: McDonald’s, Italian restaurants, fire shows in the evening in many restaurants and hundreds of shops selling all the same things made in China. Despite this, Phi Phi is still a beautiful island and with some tricks, you can enjoy this paradise and avoid most of the tourists.

Everything depends to a large extent on the choice of the hotel. Yes, because apart from Tong Sai Bay to the south, there is another part of the island in the north, completely disconnected and only accessible by boat. The northern part of Phi Phi Phi is a real paradise and quite obviously you will find all the best resorts. Sleeping in the north of Phi Phi is not cheap but in my opinion, it’s worth spending at least two nights especially if you have traveled all the way to Phi Phi Island. To enjoy the best of Phi Phi it is necessary to move from the south (Tong Sai Bay) to the north of the island. Booking an organized tour with a speedboat is the best way to do this. Alternatively, you can rent a long-tail boat to get around.

Many of them says that getting to this part of the island is expensive because you’ll have to take a long tail boat. It’s not true: there is a ferry that for a few penny will take you to the north of Phi Phi. The ferry leaves twice a day. The downside of sleeping in this part of the island is that the few restaurants available there cost about twice as much as those in Tong Sai and there’s not much to do in the evening.

Must to do in Phi Phi Island

The main reason to visit Phi Phi Phi is for the beautiful beaches and crystal clear water. So the main thing to do is to visit Maya Bay and the nearby beaches. Snorkeling and diving are popular activities in the area. Visitors can explore coral reefs and a variety of marine life. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops for visitors to explore.

The problem is that Phi Phi is full of tourists who have come there for the same reason. So what can you do if you want to avoid the crowd and enjoy this paradise? There are several travel agencies scattered around the island that offer more or less standard tours to all the main attractions but the only real way to avoid tourists is to ask one of the locals with a long tail boat to take you where you want very early in the morning. This way you can get to the most beautiful beaches and uninhabited coves before the sun rises and before other tourists arrive. Also, you can negotiate with the locals for a much more reasonable price than the one offered by the travel agencies.

Here’s another tip: when you arrange your island hopping tour with one of the locals tell him that you also want to see Kho Bida Nok. It’s a small island quite popular among divers. None of the tourists who join the regular tours visit this amazing place. If they tell you that it’s not good for snorkeling don’t listen to them. It’s definitely the best place where you can snorkel around Phi Phi Island. You’ll see an incredible number of starfish and tropical fish.

Phi Phi Island post-pandemic situations

There has been a new floating pier installed at the back of the bay during the lockdowns and a new boardwalk to cross onto the beach. The beach is now more accessible to locals and tourists alike. The local government has also implemented safety protocols to ensure the safety of all visitors. The island has become a popular tourist destination once again.It means that boats no longer need to enter the bay, thus protecting the re-planted corals which is great news. There is also supposedly going to be a limit on how many people can visit per day, so fingers crossed the National Park stick with that! As the beach is now open to the public, it is important to remember to be respectful of the environment and follow the safety protocols put in place by the local government. By doing so, we can ensure that this beautiful beach can be enjoyed for many more years to come.

If they refuse to take you to Bida Nok just look for somebody else willing to do so.

If you are in the north of Phi Phi, at the Holiday Inn, look for boat 99. It’s a very kind Thai man who took me where I wanted to, including Bida Nok very early in the morning. We left at 5:30 am and he only asked for 1500 Thai baht. The tour lasts about 3 hours.

The other places to see are all part of the standard package that all tourists visit but if you leave early you’ll have the advantage of getting there before everyone else. In Losama bay for example we were almost alone: there was just another boat. You could take in the beauty of the place without the crowds. You can enjoy the quiet and relaxed atmosphere. You have time to explore and take photographs.

At least once in a lifetime it’s worth visiting Phi Phi, Thailand is still a wonderful country where you can eat very well, there are fantastic beaches and the prices are very affordable. The locals are very friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back. There is a wide variety of activities to do, from snorkeling and boat trips to exploring the lush jungles. Phi Phi is a great place to visit and will surely leave you with unforgettable memories. The hospitality of the Thai people is remarkable, and it's a great place to immerse yourself in the culture and experience a different way of life. Thailand is an incredibly diverse country, with a wide variety of activities, sights and experiences for everyone.

our Rengha holidays Thailand tour package provides you all sophicicated things to visit phi phi Island.