Southeast of Phuket lies the Nopparat Thara – Phi Phi Marine National Park, which includes the Phi ¨Phi Islands.
These islands, famous for their beauty, are found midway between Phuket and the mainland coast ( 48 km to Phuket, 40 km to Krabi ). The largest island, Phi Phi Don, is a popular tourist destination playing host to thousand of visitors each year. A smaller and undeveloped sister island, Phi Phi Ley, is the latest Andaman island to be immortalised in celluloid with the filming of The Beach. The staggering seascape of limestone crags rising vertically from the sea casts a mythical aura over this prehistoric-looking geography.
The east and west landmasses of Phi Phi Don are joined by a narrow isthmus and it is here that much of the tourist development has taken place. Phi Phi Ley, on the other hand is renowned for its huge cave and, more specifically, the swift population that builds nests here. The nests of the swift are avidly sought, with collectors taking all manner of risks to gather them for use in Birds’ Nest Soup. Viking Cave, the English name of this large limestone cavern, also contains ancient rock paintings. Thought to resemble Viking ships, the paintings are estimated to be 3,000 to 4,000 years old.
Most boat tours arrive at Ton Sai Bay, on the south of Phi Phi Don (Click picture to enlarge). From here you can take a boat or walk to one of the many beaches dotted along the coast, or maybe trek to the island’s viewpoint.
A short walk through this narrowest part of Phi Phi Don, will bring you to Loh Dalum Bay, where the circular formation of sheer limestone cliffs is a tribute to the natural beauty of Phi Phi. The beach is less hectic here than Ton Sai, yet still relatively commercial: however, those looking for something a little more pristine could rent a longtail boat and venture along the coast, exploring the numerous small bays and coves.
The PP Princess Resort is in our opinion, one of the best choices at Phi Phi Don, located right on the beach ( book a beach front bungalow ! ) if you’re looking for a romantic stay.