Phi Phi Island travel guide, Hotels and Beach Resorts, Thailand
Activities in Phi Phi Island and around.

Phi Phi Island is still a relatively unspolit small island where the pace of life is easy and each day melts into the next. It's the sort of place where you can enjoy doing absolutely nothing for the entire day! If you feel the need to move from your place on the beach, then here are a few suggestions.

Start your day with breakfast on the beach, then take a local tour (by boat of course, there are no cars) around the islands, or go diving or snorkelling. If you prefer to see the view above the water, you might want to try rock climbing - instruction and equipment is available. Why not take a canoe tour? You might even catch sight of the local sharks!

After all that energy, it's probably time to relax and gaze at another of those amazing tropical sunsets before dining out (under the stars of course!) Then what? Well if you want a little nightlife catch some jazz or reggae, or watch a film at one of the local bars, or simply contemplate that incredible tropical night sky....

Phi Phi Island is, above all, a place for enjoying outdoors. For kids, it's a place to paddle a canoe, be a pirate, or learn a new skill like diving. Above all it's a place to simply relax and enjoy.....

Kayaking

Paddling in Phi Phi has to be on the "must do" list. A great way to see the best of Phi Phi, it offers limestone cliffs, mangrove inlets, caves, and varied marine and bird life.

A number of companies offer canoe tours around Phi Phi Don and the neighbouring islands, with tours combining kayaking, snorkelling and even shark watching! Meet the sharks for breakfast! No this isn't "Jaws," but it's definitely "Up Close and Personal" with Black Tips and Leopard Sharks.

Kayaking tours can be high energy and action packed with surging waves, caves, and blowholes, or more gentle relaxed paddling, depending on the season and the tour. Paddle during the day, visiting islands, snorkelling and swimming or take a sunset paddle and return by torchlight under the stars!

Snorkelling

Wonderful coral gardens, unusual cave fish, exotic tropical fish, and sharks - probably the best snorkelling anywhere. Depths vary from 2-7 metres (6-20 feet) and visibility is crystal clear. You can hire equipment from local dive shops, but it's worth taking a tour to the reefs which fringe the islands. Tours also go to offshore reefs (about 1.5 km) which contain more unusual marine life.

Masks and snorkels are normally included in the price, although these may be of varied shapes and sizes! Some operators have quality equipment while others have a standard mask and fins in limited sizes, so shop around, otherwise your underwater views may be limited.

Notable sites to visit - Maya Bay - location for the Hollywood film "The Beach" with good reef and wall corals. Camel Rock - for strange cave fish, Hin Klang for more remote coral gardens, and Hin Phae for shark watching.

Game Fishing

The Andaman Sea is home to all the classic prize fighters of the fish world. Black Marlin, Giant Travelly, Sailfish, and Shark. Yellowfin, Dogtooth and Skipjack, Tuna are common, while Wahoo are plentiful during the monsoon season. (June - October.)
Boat charter is available, or join a trip with other individuals (depends on demand) or hire a local longtail boat. Don't expect to take your fish home Phuket operates a "catch and release" policy to maintain the stock of these remarkable fish.

Kid's Stuff

Not too many organised activities for kids and definitely no theme parks!. This is a place for staying outdoors and enjoying the simple life - sand, sea and nature. For most kids the opportunity to snorkel, learn to dive, go fishing, paddle a canoe, or play with sand makes a change from playstations!

Rock Climbing

Surprisingly, not really developed on the island - despite the great potential. Although some routes are bolted, you'll need to consult other climbers first and bring your own equipment!

Krabi is more organised with climbing shops and gear for rent, although more crowded on the rock face.

If you want to see local climbers in action, visit the Viking Cave. For 100 Baht, with no ropes or special equipment, just bamboo scaffolding (and a prayer to the local cave gods) the locals collect the Swifts' nests which form the basic ingredients for the gourmet Chinese Bird's Nest soup. (Sorry no nest, demonstrations only!!).

Trekking

Most of the locals use longtail boats to get around, but there are a few paths. Walk up to the lookout point in Tonsai for a stunning panoramic view over the twin bays of Phi Phi, the jungle below and beyond. It's worth the modest 40 minute climb and the 200 metre steeper section is paved and quite easy. Refreshments are available at the top during all of high season, but take water for the climb.

To get there, walk along Loh Dalum Bay past Phi Phi Princess and Pavilion beach resorts. Follow the signs up the hill past Viewpoint Resort to the vantage point.