Phi Phi Island : Attractions

Phi Phi Don
The main island covers a total area of 28 square kilometres. At the north end there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Tohng is excellent, as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south. There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving bays are especially beautiful; Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found.

Phi Phi Ley
The smaller sister island covers a total area of 6.6 square kilometres. The island is entirely limestone with steep cliffs rising from the sea. The surrounding waters average about 20 metres in depth, reaching 34 metres at the deepest point off the island's southern tip. Phi Phi Ley has several beautiful bays: Pileh, Maya and Loh Samah.

Ao Pileh is almost enclosed by the limestone walls of the island's cliffs, so that the water appears to be an island sea. On Phi Phi Ley's northeast coast is the famous Viking Cave which forms part of many tour itinearies. This cave was renamed by H.M.Rama IX when he visited it in 1972, Tam Pya Nak. It is a place much revered by the local people who come there to collect the swift's nests used to make Bird's Nest Soup, a Chinese delicacy.

There are drawings on the eastern and southern side of the walls, dating back from historic time. These include pictures of elephants and of various boats; European, Arab and Chinese sailing ships. The theory goes that pirates roamed these seas and sheltered in the cave to escape the monsoon winds, transfer cargo and make repairs to their vessels.


Ko Phai
This island lies to the north of Phi Phi Don, not far from Koh Yung. Sandy beaches can be found on the north and east sides of the island. Broad coral reefs stretch away into the south.

Ko Yung
This island lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky beach on the east side, and a smaller stretch of sand in a fold of the hill. Many beautiful and various corals are found there.