Koh Phi Phi is a small island easily accessed from Phuket or Krabi via an hour-long ferry ride.
The white sand beaches, crystal clear blue waters, and lush hills of tropical vegetation synonymous with many people’s ideas of paradise can be found in beautiful destinations across the world. I was lucky enough to experience this paradise in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. Koh Phi Phi is a small island easily accessed from Phuket or Krabi via an hour-long ferry ride.
The island itself has a narrow strip of flat land bordered by beaches on each side that connect two ranges of steep mountains. The flat part of the island is packed with restaurants, hostels, resorts, and bars. Koh Phi Phi definitely caters to a young, mostly-Western crowd with its mix of adventure activities and dance music-fueled nightlife. The businesses lining the main street can be described as tacky, but they also hold a certain charm. Plus, the Thai food offered by local vendors there is deliciously authentic.
The easiest way to pass a day is by relaxing on the beach and enjoying the warm waters. Stalls selling fresh fruit and cabanas offering massages sit directly on the sand, completing the full relaxation experience. A beach day can be finished off with a twenty-minute walk up to Koh Phi Phi’s viewpoint. From this spot, travelers can observe the entire island. It is also a popular place to catch the sunset.
Koh Phi Phi is well-known for the unspoiled beaches of smaller nearby islands and the snorkeling and diving opportunities. We decided to rent a private longtail boat for our group of eight. Our guide for the day took us snorkeling near Bamboo Island, where the pieces of bread we threw into the water attracted colorfully striped fish that swam around us. We visited Maya Bay and enjoyed the views from the island lookout points over the turquoise waters. The day concluded with cliff jumping from the sheer cliffs into the deep blue waters below.
