Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands are located in Thailand, south-east Asia, between the island of Phuket and the western Strait of Malacca coast of the mainland. Phi Phi is technically made up of two islands - Koh Phi Phi Don (home to Long Beach) and Phi Phi Ley (only accessible by tour or chartered boat).

Phi Phi Don is the largest of the 6 Phi Phi islands and consists of two main sections. It is on Ton Sai where the original inhabitants settled.

For breathtaking views of the entire island, walk up to the Viewpoint (a very steep walk taking between 10-25 minutes), which is 186m above sea level. A similar view can be seen from Banana Bar, Phi Phi's only rooftop bar.

Monkey Beach is accessible on foot or by renting a canoe or longtail boat. Note: the monkeys here can be aggressive.

If staying overnight, take in a local nightly fire show, at various venues on the island.

Pay your respects to the victims of the Tsunami at the Tsunami Memorial Garden, next to the Tia and Millie Sunflower Bar.

Phi Phi Leh is the second largest of the Phi Phi Islands, and is extremely beautiful, pristine and uninhabited as it is a national park.

Take a longtail boat to Maya Beach, location for the movie 'The Beach'. The bay also has hard coral and colourful reef fishes which makes it a favourite spot for snorkelers and first-time divers. It gets crowded after 9.00am during high season (Oct-May) and recently, Park Rangers have begun enforcing a National Park entry fee if arriving by longtail boat.

All the beaches here have gorgeous soft sand and sparkling clear waters. Popular stretches include Loh Bagao Bay, which has a variety of water sports, Laem Tong Beach, which lies to the north of the island and is ideal for snorkelling and diving and Long Beach, located on the southern most tip of Phi Phi Island and is known being a good diving spot due to its abundant coral beds. Loh Dalum Bay is a true paradise. It is quiet and located 2 minutes away from Tonsai Bay.

Apart from the aforementioned snorkelling, there are many other activities to do here including rock climbing, kayaking, fishing, sailing and bird watching.

Popular dive sites include Ko Bida Nok island, with lots of pretty coral, leopard sharks, turtles and moray eels, Ko Bida Nai island which has had sightings of black tip reef sharks and Shark Point (Hin Bida), a marine sanctuary with a reef, and home to an abundance of tropical, colourful soft corals and vibrant sea fans.

Most supplies are shipped over from the mainland and prices are higher here. Batik items, Krabi handicrafts, such as pineapple paper and mats made from Toei Panan (pandanus trees) make good gifts as well as preserved seafood products (shrimp paste, dried fish and shrimp).

Generally, southern Thai food is renowned for its spiciness. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (Khanom Jeen) and chicken with yellow rice.

Seafood dishes, especially 'wing shell', eaten with a spicy dip, and stirred fried Spotted Babylon with chillies and basil are two of Krabi's famous shell dishes. Thai rice and noodles, Indian, BBQ and western style food is also available.

Cruise ships anchor and tender passengers ashore.