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Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

Koh Phi Phi or Phi Phi Island is situated in the Andaman Sea in Krabi, Thailand. It is a part of the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. The group of six islands is located 46 km from Phuket and almost the same distance from Krabi. The two big islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley.

Going to Phi Phi Island

From Phuket International airport go to Sea Angel Port. Board a ferry or speed boat going to Phi Phi island.

There are other ferry ride going to Phi Phi Island from the different parts of Thailand. The ferry boats are available in Ao Nang, Ao Nang Railay, Koh Bulon, Koh Kradan, Koh Libong, Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, Koh Nga, Krabi and Trang.

Touring Koh Phi Phi Don

Monkey Island

Monkey Island which is known by its name is inhabited by monkeys. A small boat will allow you to swim in the area and to see a closer look of the monkeys. The stunning rock formation, towering limestone cliffs and breath-taking beaches are seen before your reach the Tonsai Pier.

Tonsai Bay

This is where boats docked and where the pier is located. Ferries and long tail boats lined up in the beach. Information booths are seen around the pier. There’s a small park with a fish statue. Most of the hotels, restaurants, night bars, shops and massage centers are in Tonsai Village.

Loh Dalum Bay

The long sand bar and the view of the Loh Dalum Bay is parallel to Tonsai Bay. During low tide, a sand bar on the far right side appears and locals are playing football in the sand bar. Beach front hotels and restaurants are also in the area.

Long Beach or Hat Yao

The Long Beach or Hat Yao is a long stretch of the sand bar and much longer compared to Loh Dalum. The resorts and hotels along the sandbars of Long Beach are expensive from the ones near the pier. Hat Yao is also a village for the locals.

ViewPoint

The highest point in the island and the only inland attraction. You will see an isthmus that is sandwich between Tonsai Bay and Loh Dalum Bay.

Other areas

These are the more reclusive area in Phi Phi Don: Way Long Bay, Yong Kasem Bay, Nui Bay, Loh Lana Bay, Loh Ba Kao Bay, Phak Nam Bay, Rantee Bay and Loh Moh Dee Bay. Another village on the tip of the island is called Laem Tong where you can also see the Sea Gypsy Village

Phi Phi Ley

Consists of the different popular destination: Maya Bay, Loh Sama (Sama Bay), Palong Bay, Pi Ley Bay and Viking Caves.

Where to Stay

Phi Phi Banyan Villa

For Koh Phi Phi tours click here.

For other tours click here.

Things to do in Koh Lipe, Thailand

What is the best thing to do during your stay in Koh Lipe aside from exploring the three different beaches – Pattaya, Sunrise and Sunset and also walking along Walking Street? Here are some useful guides in discovering the stunning island of Koh Lipe, Thailand.

How to Get There/Getting Around:

From Langkawi, Malaysia:

Ferry tickets are available at Kuah Jetty Pier or in Telaga Harbor Park. Ferry’s going to Koh Lipe are scheduled at 9AM, 11AM and 2PM. To avoid any inconvenience, be at the ticket office 1 hour ahead for Visa processing.

From Krabi, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi:

Different Ferry boats are from Krabi, Phuket and Koh Phi Phi going to Koh Lipe.

Transportation

The speed boats will stop near the beach area of Koh Lipe, and long-tail boats will transfer passengers to get to the beachfront. There are motorbikes taxi with sidecar in Walking Street. Another means of getting around the island is by longtail boats in the Taxi Boat station. The island is small, another way is also by foot.

Island Activities

Snorkel Trips

1. Snorkel in Sunrise Beach – Koh Kra, Koh Talak, Koh Usen
2. Snorkel Discovery in Jabang, Koh Hin Nam, Koh Rawi, Koh Adang and Koh Yang
3. Far Island Explorer in Koh Hin Sorn, Koh Lugon, Koh Pulong, Koh Bulu, Jabang

Diving

Here are the different diving spots in Koh Lipe: Pattaya Corner, Koh Kra, Koh Taru, Koh Pung, Koh Talang, Koh Adang Stone Henge, 8 Mile Rock, Far Islands, Sail Rock, Seven Rocks and Lipe Shipwreck.

Other Activities

1. Boat trip around the Koh Lipe
2. Hiking in the mountains of Koh Adang
3. Kayaking

Where to stay

Pattaya Beach

Bella Vista
Z-Touch
Bundhaya
Family Song Resort
Sea Side Resort

Sunrise Beach – Hat Chao Ley

Gipsy Resort
Mountain Resort
Kathalee Beach Resort and Spa
Lipe Beach Resort

Sunset Beach – Hat Pramong

Raya
Sawan
The Hut

While walking along Walking Street, I saw a sign that says Gypsy Resort. It was a resort along Sunrise Beach. I found out that there are sea gypsies in Koh Lipe or what they called Chao Ley in Thai. I pass by the local school and Hat Chao Ley Village, the community where the Chao Ley resides.
Chao Ley or Urak Lawoi are aboriginal Malay people in the east Andaman coast. In preserving the heritage and helping the Chao Ley faces extinction, Project Urak Lawoi was launched. The project aims to raise awareness about Chao Ley’s heritage, culture and conservation of their traditional way of life.
Project Urak Lawoi; Koh Lipe’s Heritage http://www.projecturaklawoi.org

For Koh Lipe tours, click here.

For more information, you can also check my experience about Koh Lipe https://travelista.club/guides/koh-lipe-a-stunning-paradise-island/