The Koh Phi Phi archipelago, comprising six islands nestled in the Andaman Sea and approximately 48 km from Krabi’s shores, is renowned for its silky, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and majestic limestone cliffs. This treasure trove of natural splendor was our chosen adventure after journeying from Phuket.
Getting to the island was seamless with ferry tickets readily available from Rassada Pier Terminal. My husband and I arranged ours through the hotel, but for those looking ahead, online options are available. Deciding between a swift 45-minute speedboat ride or a leisurely 1.5 to 2-hour ferry voyage sets the pace for your island escapade.
Upon afternoon arrival, a modest conservation fee of 20 baht/person welcomed us to Koh Phi Phi, centering us at the hub of nautical activity. It’s here we stumbled upon 1 kg of fresh crab right off the fishermen’s boats—a sheer delight. Post-purchase, it was off to our beachside hotel, Phi Phi Banyan Villa, conveniently a 5-minute walk from the pier.
Transport on the island is delightfully pedestrian, advising against far-flung and elevated accommodations due to the toll of luggage transport.
Dining Recommendation: The Phi Phi Donchukit Resort offers delightful meals at reasonable prices, all with a stunning sea view. We brought our crab to the restaurant where they graciously cooked it for us at 100 baht/kg—seafood rejoice!
The evening brought us through lively streets filled with captivating music, echoing the vibrancy of island life.
After breakfast, a stroll along the beach led us to a boatman, eager to offer us a tour. Thanks to the season’s calm, we secured a half-day voyage around Koh Phi Phi for 1200 baht. This excursion included a stop at Phi Phi Long Beach Resort and Villa, our stay for the following two nights.
Highlights in Koh Phi Phi include:
- Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island, a secluded gem famously depicted in “The Beach” featuring Leonardo DiCaprio.
- Pi Leh Bay and Viking Cave, offering a peek into history and natural wonder.
- Vibrant coral reefs, a diver’s paradise.
- Monkey Beach, where curious wild monkeys await.
Phi Phi Viewpoints 2 and 3 presented us with breathtaking sunrise and sunset vistas. Kayaking around the island allowed us to intimately explore the surrounding azure bays.
Transitioning to Krabi via speedboat, we arrived in over an hour and checked into Aonang Villa Resort. Our timing couldn’t have been better, catching the sunset at Ao Nang Beach—a mesmerizing sight as the horizon dipped into hues of gold.
As this marked our journey’s end, we spent the day leisurely exploring and basking in the area’s romantic allure. Yet for those seeking adventure, consider:
- Exploring caves like Princess Cave (in Railay, Krabi), Lagoon, Bat Cave.
- Embarking on climbing excursions.
