Most of the popular tourist destinations of Thailand are located in the southern part of the country, from Bangkok to the Malaysian border. There is an island for everyone whether you are looking to party, relax, climb or explore the ocean wonders.

Ko Phi Phi is an archipelago of the Andaman Sea composed of six islands. It is part of Had Nopparattara-Ko Phi Phi National Park and it is one of the most beautiful easily accessible island groups in the world for its abundance of corals and amazing marine life.

Arriving at Nui Bay

Koh Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island of the archipelago and is really developed due to its popularity among tourist from all over the world. You can find all kind of facilities from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts. Unfortunately, this mass tourism scheme is overpopulating the island and brings consequences like littering in the beaches, that damages the marine reserve.

Koh Phi Phi Leh is the second largest island and home of the famous Maya Bay, featured in Leo Dicaprio movie The Beach, so expect plenty of tourists during daylight hours. There is a 500 baht entrance fee to the Island.

Ko Mai Phai, known as Bamboo Island, is a small islet to the north of Phi Phi Don with a breathtaking power white sand beach and some snorkeling.

Bamboo Island

Koh Phi Phi Don

How to get there: by ferry from Krabi (3 hours), Phuket (4 hours) or Koh Lanta (1 hour)

Where to sleep: Uphill cottage is clean and has a small swimming pool overlooking the bay. Privates are 16€ for 2 people.

http://www.phiphiuphillcottage.com/

Where to eat: Pa Noi Thai food is super tasty and cheap. There is a local market on the backside of the resorts where you can buy cheap street food and fruits.

How to move around: there are no bikes or cars in the island, everything is pretty much walking distance.

What to see: the viewpoints are amazing, look for number 3 as is far less crowded than the second one.

Sunset at viewpoint n·3

Long beach is a short walk from the main town of Tonsai and Nui Bay is a hidden gem only accesible by boat or kayak.

Long Beach

What to do: there is a full day island hopping tour that takes you to Bamboo island, Mosquito Island and Phi Phi Leh to visit the famous Maya Bay. Some of my friends did only the half day tour and didn´t go to Bamboo Island, a must do in Koh Phi Phi. We arranged a tour with Koh Phi Phi Excursiones @kohphiphiexcursiones and paid 1000 baht for a full day tour from 9 am until 19 pm including Maya Bay´s entrance fee.

Monkey BeachNui BayMaya Bay 

Tip: there is party at Loh Dalam Bay everyday with bonfires. There are plenty of street stalls selling buckets, look for the cheapest one that costs 150 baht, way cheaper that it costs in the bars.