Phi Phi Islands The Emerald of
the Andaman
Phi Phi islands
s located a distance away among the deep blue Andaman
Sea on the middle point of the shipping route from Krabi-Phuket.
The eye-striking characteristic of the islands are 2
curved bays that encycle the middle land on two sides.
It
consists of two islands, Phi Phi Le and Phi Phi Don,
located south-west of Krabi. Both are part of Hat Noppharat
Thara Ko Phi Phi National Marine Park. Set in the centre
of the sea of Phuket, Ko Phi Phi is almost equidistant
from Phuket and Krabi and can be reached by boat in
around two hours. It's possible to stay in bungalow
accommodation or increasingly upmarket hotels on Phi
Phi Don. Famous for their clear waters and surrounding
coral reefs, not to mention the crisp, white, sandy
beaches.
Phi Phi Don is the
larger of the two islands, with scenic hills, steep
cliffs, silken beaches, azure waters and remarkable
bird and sea life. The island narrows at the middle
where long, white sand beaches are only a few hundred
metres apart. Boats from Krabi and Phuket dock at Ao
Ton Sai on the southern side of the island. Hat Yao
or "Long Beach" faces south and is famous
for the good snorkeling to be had on its coral reefs.
To the northeast, Hat Lanti is aother fine beach with
good waves for surfing. North of this beach is beautiful
Ao Bakao, a bay with a small resort, while near the
tip of Laem Tong are three more luxury resorts. In recent
years, Ao Ton Sai has become more of a harbor than a
beach, and numerous bungalows and guesthouses have been
built in this part of the island.
The western, smaller half
of Phi Phi Don is all but uninhabited and frequented
by a great variety of bird life and other marine creatures.
It's possible to stay overnight at any one of more than
twenty guesthouses or hotels on the island. Reach the
island by boat from Krabi Town, Ao Nang, Ko Lanta of
Phuket.
By
contrast Phi Phi Le, located some four kilometers further
south, is surrounded by sheer cliffs, a few caves and
a sea lake. Visitors may also explore the so-called
Viking Cave where prehistoric petroglyphs of human and
animals share wall space with much later representations
of Asian junks, the latter probably painted by visiting
Chinese sailors during the late 19th century. Maya Bay
on the eastern side of the island is one of the most
beautiful bays anywhere in the world. Furthermore, there
are many beautiful beaches, bays, and diving points
around the Phi Phi Islands.
Thale Nai or Inland
Sea is one of the most magnificent forms of marine topography
among the area like the towering limestone mountain
encircling the deep green water of the inland sea at
the middle. Therefore, its water is quite tranquil and
smooth. The small white sandy beach of Ao Lho Sama is
one of the quiet sites where visitors could find their
personal relaxation corner, and then snorkeling and
scuba diving nearby is good for colourful coral reefs
as well.
Ko Phai is the island where the national park office
is situated. It contains a long white beach and clear
water that is suitable for walking around among a natural
atmosphere. Not far away are the 2 islands of Ko Yung
and Ko Phi Da, the famous scuba point.
