Phi Phi island is an incredible looking tropical gropu of islands. The Phi Phi Islands are an island group in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the Straits of Malacca coast of Thailand. Superb coral beds at Hin Pae off Had Yao, provide some of the best snorkelling in Thailand, and a great chance to see black tip sharks feeding early in the morning. The 2004 tsunami hit Phi Phi Don hard and much of the central area to the west and north of the pier was devastated and still remains so. We do not recommend you stay in the centre of Phi Phi as some parts of the area are under reconstruction and noisy from the rebuilding work. We recommend you stay outside the centre of Tonsai Village on the eastern and southern side of the island, where the beaches remain clean and uncrowded and most resorts, restaurants and bars are now open and thriving again.

There are 2 very hot periods of weather on Phi Phi Island, the first between April and May when the average temperatures range from 30 to 36ºC and only the occasional tropical thunderstorm brings relief from the heat. It is also very hot between September and October but the frequent rainfall has a wonderful cooling effect. Tourist High Season is from November to April. However, it’s best to avoid December and January if possible, as this is Peak Season, when accommodation can be hard to find and is expensive, particularly around Christmas and New Year, and Phi Phi’s dive sites are very crowded. Whether you are coming to Thailand for diving or not, we recommend you try to come from February to April. There are less tourists here, accommodation is much better value-for-money, the weather is at its best, and the seas their calmest. The dive sites around Koh Phi Phi, Hin Daeng and Koh Ha are less crowded, and it’s your optimum time to see something special, as it’s whale shark and manta ray season.

For only 300 Bhat visitors can view the famous and majestic Viking caves of Koh Phi Phi. Towering at the northeastern end of the island, images of long boats have been intricately inscribed along the inside walls of the caves, and many parts are covered in colored chalk. Legend goes that these drawings are the work of pirates and are more than one thousand years old. Watch out for the enthralling sight of many swiftlets roosting in the caves. Extra details on Phi Phi islands tour.

Loh Dalum is only a short walk away from Koh Phi Phi’s centre and is perfect for relaxed beach crawling. Not surprisingly, the scenery is spectacular, as are with most beaches around the island, and the water calm and shallow- wonderful for swimming. Though quite popular during the day, the beach is less crowded and much more casual in the evenings and at night. Though for those wish to spend a large amount of time in Loh Dalum, there are limited shops nearby, and it might be a good idea to either bring something with you.

Naturally, one of the best things to do while on Phi Phi Island is to go on a boat tour. While there are a million and one tours to choose from, choose a tour provider that suits your budget! Popular stops are Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, and other lagoons where you can cliff jump and snorkel. Word of warning, if you’re heading to Maya Bay expecting to find a clear beach just the way Leo did, well you’re in for a disappointment. However, there’s one company which allows you to see Maya Bay after everyone’s gone, sleeping on the boat docked up a couple of meters away from the shore. Sounds pretty lush to me!

Most resorts and hotels offer plenty of packages with snorkeling activities included (we went snorkeling through Zeavola Resort where we were staying), but you can also book a tour in advance to explore the underwater wonders of Phi Phi. For a special experience, check out the Reef Shark Snorkeling Eco Tour where if you are lucky you’ll be able to spot Blacktip Reef Sharks. It’s totally safe! If you’re planning to do a lot of snorkeling while in Thailand (why wouldn’t you?), consider getting your own basic snorkeling kit before your departure. It’s more hygienic and basic sets are affordable.