Boutique hotels
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Zeavola
- Style
- Retro beachside villas
- Setting
- Pristine north shores
Koh Phi Phi Overview
Thailand
- Coastline
- Colossal cliffs meet coral-clad waters
- Coast life
- Laid-back, and thinking of paradise
The twin islands of Koh Phi Phi ascend from the ocean like a jagged rock fortress, with beach-fronted jungle skulking enticingly behind the battlements. Simply put: it’s a mind-blowingly beautiful vision.
Yes, The Beach is a major reason why travellers flock to Phi Phi (allegedly the inspiration for the cult book by Alex Garland), but the islands are much more than a film-tourism attraction and diving hotspot. Consisting of road-less Phi Phi Don (the main, inhabited island) and Phi Phi Leh (a nature park devoid of human settlement), both of the obscenely laid-back islands reveal clear turquoise-emerald waters paired with limestone cliffs, resplendent reefs and bleach-white beaches. Although Koh Phi Phi was ravaged by the 2004 tsunami, the islands are now back in business, with greater eco-friendly awareness and modified building regulations. There are few destinations this stunning that are so affordable.
Keenly Koh Phi Phi
The scuba diving around Phi Phi is among the most wonderful in the world. Traverse shallow sheltered bays in the morning and enjoy a wall or drift dive in the afternoon; shimmering soft corals and huge sea fans are a constant feature. At aptly named Shark Point, leopard sharks lurk in the sandy depths, nurse and reef sharks are frequent visitors, and, at a submerged outcrop eight kilometres southeast of Phi Phi Leh, whale shark sightings are common in February and March.
Local knowledge
- Taxis
- Phi Phi has dirt tracks, not tarmac, so there isn’t any official form of motorised transport. However, long-tail taxi-boats ply between the various beaches and facilitate nifty island-hopping.
- Tipping culture
- While tipping isn’t necessary, it is appreciated.
- Packing tips
- Since you’re in a tropical paradise, anything and everything goes. If you bring your best bikini or teeniest Speedos, keep a cover-up handy to avoid offending Muslim locals. Hiking outfits will come in handy for those who wish to trudge the islands’ jungly interiors, and drinking water, insect repellent and sunscreen are essential for all.
- Cuisine
- Southern Thailand is famous for its fiery curries and fish dishes. Gorge on prawn, lobster, crab and fish on Phi Phi – curried, steamed, boiled, barbecued or fried. So delicious is the tropical fruit on the Andaman Islands that some travellers choose to go on a fruit-only detox. The juicy treats available range from the familiar – oranges, pineapple, bananas, apples and papaya – to the exotic – rambutan, custard apples and mangosteen.
- Currency
- Thai baht. £1 is approximately THB65.
- Time zone
- GMT +7 hours
- Dialling codes
- The Thailand country code: +66; area code for Koh Phi Phi: 075. Drop the ‘0’ if dialling from overseas.
- Do go/don't go
- Save your Phi Phi pilgrimage for the hot period between December and April. The tropical monsoon climate brings a risk of battling winds and rains from May to November.
