What to Expect in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
The Phi Phi Islands (pronounced pee-pee) are a group of small islands located close to Phuket, and is under the administration of the Krabi province. The most popular islands in this region are Ko Phi Phi Don - the biggest and most populated island, and Ko Phi Phi Le - the second largest island with a few of the most beautiful beaches. Other destinations include Ko Mai Phai or the Bamboo Island, Bida Nok, and Bida Nai which can be reached using long-tail boats or speedboats from the busy piers in Phuket and Krabi.
Read also: Wat Arun Temple, Bangkok
My advice? Sock away with Thai bahts enough to last you throughout your time on the island before heading there.
My advice? Getting wasted and to party all night long is not everyone's definition of travel. For a languid stay, head to one of those bungalows in Long Beach instead.
My advice? Keep some change with you. You'll never know when you'll need them the most.
My advice? Well, walk. (Is there really an alternative?) Just be careful not to step on the corals. I did, and I came back with three bleeding toes.
Ko Phi Phi or Ibiza?
Turns out, you will not even be able to tell the difference.
Everything on this island has been adapted to the needs of Westerners, so much so that most restaurants, bars and hotels are designed and named that way. Do not be surprised to see Westerners serving you drinks/food here. They are either broke backpackers, or just some lovely people who are too madly in love with the island to leave it.
What to Expect in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
Are Phi Phi Islands Popular?
In 2000, Ko Phi Phi Le was used as the location to film the highly acclaimed movie, The Beach, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio. This attracted hordes of tourists to the island and as a result, contributed to its environmental degradation. On top of that, the Viking Cave located on Ko Phi Phi Le is where edible bird's nests are harvested in large volume.Ko Phi Phi Tsunami
On Boxing Day in December 2004, Ko Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami where approximately 800 people were missing and 4,000 people were believed to have been killed. Almost all the infrastructures on the island was destroyed. Today, the island has been equipped with various evacuation sites and locals have been trained on the ways to react in the event of potential disasters.
Traveling to Ko Phi Phi? Read this article to learn about what to expect when you are on this island!
Traveling to Ko Phi Phi? Read this article to learn about what to expect when you are on this island!
Editor's note: This article was first published in February 2014.
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What to Expect in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand |
Currency Exchange in Ko Phi Phi
During my stay on the island, I couldn't help but to notice that there was only one money changer running in a yellow booth in Ton Sai, and the rates were, well, pretty bad. There are plenty of ATMs around, but if you are the kind to skimp, then do not expect anything more than a decent rate.My advice? Sock away with Thai bahts enough to last you throughout your time on the island before heading there.
Currency exchange in Ko Phi Phi |
Party & Nightlife
Ko Phi Phi is unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the purpose of your travel) a haven for party animals. If you are staying along the beach at Lo Dalum (which is teeming with backpackers hostels and dorms), then brace yourself because the deafening music will not stop until it's four in the morning.My advice? Getting wasted and to party all night long is not everyone's definition of travel. For a languid stay, head to one of those bungalows in Long Beach instead.
Water chalets at Ko Phi Phi |
Bungalows at Long Beach, Ko Phi Phi |
Washrooms at Ko Phi Phi
I was at Slinky Beach Bar when I had one too many drinks and there wasn't anything that I needed more than having to use a washroom. You can probably imagine how outraged I was when two men stopped me right at the entrance to the washrooms and demanded for 10 baht.My advice? Keep some change with you. You'll never know when you'll need them the most.
Popular Ko Phi Phi Beaches
There is no denying that the water is crystal clear and that it is ideal for snorkelling. To reach to a water level deep enough for a pleasant swim, however, will require that you take at least a three minutes walk into the sea. Otherwise, it's just your feet taking in all the pleasure.My advice? Well, walk. (Is there really an alternative?) Just be careful not to step on the corals. I did, and I came back with three bleeding toes.
Beautiful Ko Phi Phi beaches |
Ko Phi Phi Beaches |
Ko Phi Phi or Ibiza?
Turns out, you will not even be able to tell the difference.
Everything on this island has been adapted to the needs of Westerners, so much so that most restaurants, bars and hotels are designed and named that way. Do not be surprised to see Westerners serving you drinks/food here. They are either broke backpackers, or just some lovely people who are too madly in love with the island to leave it.
Wow.........what a summer tropical paradise. I haven't been to Phi Phi Island yet. But hopefully one day I will. Reading your post makes me want to travel to Phi Phi Island now. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.
ReplyDeletei've been to phi phi island before but not stay a night there. seeing your pictures makes me gonna repeat and have a night stay
ReplyDeleteI’ve been to Koh Li Pe and I really miss my experience there. Reading your entry makes me missing Thai
ReplyDeleteI have been to Phi Phi Island, in 2016 I think and love it. Love the environment and do you hike? The view from above is amazing 😁 After 3nights at Phi Phi, we went to Krabi and cannot stop comparing! Haha..
ReplyDeleteBelum pernah sampai la sini. Memang lawa la pulau Phi-Phi ni. Entah bila la boleh dapat travel sejak pandemik ni. Huhu.
ReplyDeleteI've been to both Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, but only on an island hopping tour, so I didn't spend the night. Beautiful beaches tho.
ReplyDeleteMasa pi Krabi, tak sempat nak ke sini, dapat pergi yang berdekatan aje dulu.. sebab kalau singgah kejap aje tak puas kann, next time nak datang ke sini biar lama dan enjoy di situ aja..
ReplyDeletewow, top view tu mmg awesome la. cantik betul pemandangan kat sini kan. Walaupun pernah dilanda Tsunami tapi tetap kekal kecantikannya. Cuma hopefully dari segi kemudahan tu mereka dapat upgrade sikit la kan untuk keselesaan pelancong.
ReplyDeletememang cantik ya! walaupun tengok dalam video dan gambar je, rasa macam sangat berbaloi kalau dapat melancong ke situ. tak sabar nak travel bila covid dah berakhir
ReplyDeleteNampak cool habis Phi Phi Island nih, i've been only to Bangkok & Betong before but never to their islands. Hopefully covid will go away soon and we will able to travel again.
ReplyDeletecantekla tempatnya..i pegi thailand tapi x pernah ke kawasan ni..boleh plan nanti untuk datang sini pula
ReplyDeletethanks for all the beautiful captures shared here, saved it & wanna visit this island when covid stable then :D cheers, siennylovesdrawing
ReplyDelete