Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands remain one of Southeast Asia's most striking seascapes — and for good reason. The cluster of six islands sits roughly 45 kilometres southwest of Krabi Town, and arriving by ferry for the first time, with the jagged limestone cliffs rising sharply from turquoise water, is a genuinely arresting sight.

Ko Phi Phi Don is the main inhabited island, where the village of Tonsai Bay hums with guesthouses, seafood restaurants, and dive shops. Ko Phi Phi Leh, the smaller uninhabited island, holds Maya Bay — the beach made famous by the film *The Beach* — which has been partially rehabilitated after years of environmental damage and now operates with strict visitor limits and timed entry.

What makes the islands special is the sheer visual drama of the landscape: narrow strips of white sand flanked by sheer karst walls, water in improbable shades of green and blue, and reef life that still rewards snorkellers despite the heavy foot traffic of past decades. Diving around Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, south of the islands, offers some of the best conditions in the region.

The honest reality is that Ko Phi Phi Don gets extremely crowded between November and April, particularly around Tonsai Village, which is compact and can feel overwhelming mid-afternoon when day-trippers arrive en masse. Accommodation ranges from budget bungalows on the hillside to mid-range beachfront resorts on Long Beach, about 20 minutes on foot or a short longtail boat ride from the village.

There are no cars on the island, so expect to walk everywhere.

Ferries run regularly from both Krabi Town and Ao Nang; arrive early in the morning or stay overnight to experience the islands before the crowds build.