Phi Phi Islands | aaarticle.com

The Phi Phi Islands are a small, spectacular group in the Andaman Sea, ringed by limestone cliffs and clear water. Made famous by the film The Beach, they draw snorkellers, divers and day-trippers to Maya Bay and their turquoise coves.

Overview

Lying between Phuket and Krabi, the Phi Phi Islands are two main islands and a scatter of islets, all sheer limestone and jungle rising from bright water. Only Phi Phi Don is inhabited, a car-free island of beaches, bungalows and a busy village strip; its neighbour Phi Phi Leh is uninhabited and holds the celebrated Maya Bay. Reached by boat from Phuket or Krabi, they are at their best early and late, before and after the day-trip crowds.

Highlights

Maya Bay, the cove framed by cliffs made famous on film, has reopened with limits to protect its recovering reef. The viewpoint on Phi Phi Don looks down over the twin bays that pinch the island’s waist, a classic climb. Snorkelling and diving over coral, longtail trips to hidden lagoons like Pileh, and the beaches of Phi Phi Don fill the days.