Phi Phi Islands, Thailand: description, sights and interesting facts

One of the most exotic Asian countries invariably enjoys increased popularity among tourists from all over the world. Paradise paradise pleases with secluded beaches, nightlife, amazing landscapes and unique sights. Colorful Thailand fascinates guests who come here in search of adventure.

Travelers, acquainted with the fairy kingdom, dipped into the eternal summer and forget about all the problems. Tourists, who feel themselves welcome guests at the resorts of the country, admit that they have found a real paradise that you do not want to leave.

Description of the archipelago

The original islands of Phi Phi (Thailand) are located in the province of Krabi and are located 40 kilometers from Phuket. The Phi Phi Islands archipelago includes six islands, the most famous of which are the popular Phi Phi Don and the picturesque Phi Phi Le. Since they are located far from the mainland, you can get to them only by ferry, and the journey from the pier to the resorts will take no more than an hour and a half.

The islands of Phi Phi (Thailand) are equally beautiful, but differ in that one is absolutely uninhabited, and on the other is a stormy day and night life. The natural charm of the resort makes an indelible impression on vacationers.

However, not everything is as wonderful as it seems at first glance. Ecologists sound alarm because numerous tourists violate the flora and fauna of the island, and the archipelago itself can not cope with such influx of visitors.

The best time to visit the resort

When is it best to come to the fabulous islands of Phi Phi, reviews of which are full of not only delights? The most favorable time for visiting an exotic archipelago with a tropical monsoon climate is the period from October to March. In the dry season, when the weather itself favors a relaxed or active rest, the average water temperature is 29 degrees Celsius, and the air is about 30. The rainy season begins in June and lasts until September.

Phi Phi Don

The largest island of the archipelago, the area of which is approximately 28 km ² , is divided into two parts and is connected only by a narrow isthmus (Ton Sai Village). He is delighted with tourists who are eager to swim in the warm waters of the ocean and sunbathe on the white beaches. This is a relatively new, but already rapidly developing resort, gaining popularity.

The island, whose population varies from two to three thousand inhabitants, is famous for its entertainment facilities for every taste. However, tourists note that Phi Phi Don is a rather expensive place of rest, since nothing is grown here - all products are imported.

There are no cars on the island, and bicycles are the main transport. Those who have a heavy suitcase, can use the services of porters who spend up to the hotel. As the experienced tourists say, often the road is replaced by free-flowing sand, which causes difficulties. Therefore, it is better not to save, and give a hundred baht to a person who will help with the delivery of luggage.

Near the pier of Ton Sai is a village that is considered the heart of the island. There are bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, diving centers, laundries, massage parlors and hotels. This is a favorite place for all inveterate party-goers, and guests who prefer privacy and do not want to save on the necessary, choose the east of the island, where the most respectable boutiques and hotels are located.

Phi Phi Le

The second largest island of Phi Phi Le (Krabi, Thailand), which is a limestone monolith rising above the water, is surrounded by two gulfs - Lo Sama and Maya Bay. The latter became famous after the drama "Beach". To get to the fascinating unique beauty of Maya Bay, where the main events of the Hollywood tape unfolded, you can fly to Phuket in a few hours by ferry. With the beach surrounded by majestic cliffs, litigation is connected, which lasted for many years.

Litigation

The fact that the film company in 2000 significantly changed the appearance of Maya Bay, to give it a "paradisiacal" appearance. The fantastic beauty of the beach was created artificially: coconut trees cut down and piled up giant sand dunes. However, the company did not fulfill its promises to restore the natural landscape, and the damage done to the ecosystem could not be filled. The government of the state sued the film crew, but in 2004 Mother Nature intervened, making her corrections.

Tsunami

Related to the province of Krabi, the islands of Phi Phi (Thailand) were in the epicenter of a tsunami caused by an underwater earthquake. Killed more than a thousand local residents and foreigners flying to rest. A monument to the victims of the disaster was erected on the picturesque Phi Phi Don, and every year here they pay tribute to those who left this world so early. However, according to experts, it was the tsunami that restored the ecosystem of the bay of the island.

A paradise with a virgin nature

Twelve years ago there was no tourist infrastructure on Phi Phi Le. Everything changed after it was included in the Marine National Park. This is a stunningly beautiful tropical paradise with a virgin nature, which must be seen. They often come here for a day to meet the dawn and fully enjoy the impregnable rocks that break out from the depths of the sea, amazing lagoons and explore mysterious caves that melt many interesting things.

What else to see on the uninhabited island?

The viewing platform is another amazing place that can not be missed by tourists who came to the picturesque islands of Phi Phi (Thailand). View Point offers a stunning view of the luxurious corner, created for relaxation and bliss, and two bays from the height resemble the wings of a huge butterfly, preparing to fly. The climb to the site takes about 40 minutes, and often because of the intense heat of tourists refuse to adventure, so the best time to visit it - morning or evening.

The mysterious Viking Cave, which became the home of the swallows, is a sacred place for the inhabitants of Thailand. On the walls of the grotto, which can be accessed only on the bamboo bridge, images of ships and animals are immortalized.

In the paradise corner you can do snorkeling or diving, dive into the waters around the sunken ship, practice rock climbing, rent a kayak (kayak) and explore the archipelago on your own.

Phi Phi Islands: description, beaches

The island's largest beach is Ton Sai with coconut trees and snow-white sand. This is a great place for youth recreation, as here is the main part of discos and bars. In Ton Sai Bay ships arrive with new tourists, and from here the Thai guests sail to neighboring beaches, which are impossible to reach by land. In the center of Ton Sai is always crowded, so to swim, you have to look for corners in other places. This is an accessible, but quite dirty beach with a pier, where new ferries and boats are constantly arriving, so muddy water here is not very suitable for bathing.

On the other side of the isthmus is Luo Dalam Bay - a clean and comfortable beach. True, tourists admit that Loh Dalam Bay is rather small, and during low tide the water leaves almost 200 meters. He loves youth for night parties outdoors, continuing until the morning.

Monkey Beach is often included in the excursion program of pleasure boats. The beach of the picturesque island of Phi Phi in Thailand with cute, touching animals is very popular with foreign guests, who like to feed gay monkeys with bananas and pieces of pineapple.

Long Beach can only be reached by boat from Ton Sai Bay. On a beautiful beach with clear water, there are always a lot of tourists, so those who like solitude, you can advise Laem Tong Beach (Laem Tong), which is built several luxury hotels for those who prefer peace and quiet travelers.

Where to stay?

In total there are about 80 hotels and guesthouses of different levels of service. Accommodation here is much more expensive than on other islands of Thailand. It is worth considering that at the height of the tourist season prices increase several times.

Guests of the paradise corner are recommended to stop in the north of the island of Phi Phi Don in a few hotels located next to the secluded beaches of Laem Tong Beach or Long Beach. A wealthy youth who came to have fun, you can advise the center of the resort, where everything is needed for a fun-filled holiday.

Tourists choosing luxury hotels in Phi Phi Island (Thailand) will have to shell out for 1800 baht per night. Those who wish to save money can choose so-called beachfront-hotels, in which there is nothing but a cot and a fan (600 baht per day). They are located in the area of the village of Ton Sai, where life rages even at night.

Perhaps the most famous hotels and guesthouses are the Viking Nature Resort, Phi Phi Beach Resort, Phi Phi Dream Guest House, Zeavola Resort, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa, Phi Phi Banyan Villa.

Guest reviews

Tourists point out that the tropical island of Phi Phi (Thailand), whose reviews are quite contradictory, is incredibly beautiful and causes many people to stay here longer. Unfortunately, not everything is so rosy, and we will note the main problems that worry tourists.

Many note the inhospitality of local residents, which is evident after visiting other resorts of the country, for example, Phuket. Perhaps, the dislike of tourists is due to the fact that a lot of foreigners have flocked here recently. The beaches are crowded, narrow streets are difficult to pass, the clear smells of the sewer spoil the appetite. Sometimes it is not even clear how such a small archipelago can accommodate such an incredible number of people, so the irritation of the residents is understandable.

Often, tourists regret that they spent considerable sums on rest on the island of Phi Phi (Thailand). They expected to visit a place that was kissed by God, and it turned into a huge party, where every day faces change. The resort does not cope with the flow of guests, the bulk of which is the young people getting drunk in local bars.

To capture the beauty of the archipelago and make high-quality pictures without people is impossible: no matter where you turn - crowds of tourists, and at night you can not sleep because of the loud noise of music on beach parties.

Meals at the resort - this is a sick topic for those who were lucky enough to get to the fabulous islands of Phi Phi. The pearl of Thailand, admiring the virgin nature, disappoints that the locals are completely unfamiliar with the rules of hygiene. I do not want to buy food from the shelves, because the Thais are laying it out with dirty hands.

Rest on the exotic archipelago of Phi Phi leaves an indelible impression. Of course, some tourists fall in love with the unique atmosphere of eternal fun, while others do not understand what can be admired here. To make up your mind, be sure to visit this amazing resort in Thailand, fascinating with its unique natural beauty.