When you arrive on the island, you may, at first glance, be disappointed with what has happened to the paradise you were looking for. The point is that due to overdevelopment and lack of tourist management, the attractiveness of Koh Phi Phi has diminished. Still, just when you are thinking about this, the clear turquoise climate will make you feel awesome and open your eyes to the beauties of the island.
Koh Phi Phi
Affluent luxury resorts line the Andaman Coast of the west coast of Thailand, home to Koh Phi Phi. The Phi Phi Islands are formed by Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh.
In Phi Phi Don, there is only one inhabited island, and it has all of the housing and extravagances of the Phi Phi Islands. The island of Koh Phi Phi Don is the overnight destination if you are staying on Koh Phi Phi. Many hotel workers manage to move luggage around this island without vehicles by dragging a cart and shouting “Beep Beep!” as they pass by the street.
Maya Bay is a beach that has been closed to the public since 2018 for repair work on Koh Phi Phi Leh.
Koh Phi Phi Leh is an unpopulated island to the south that is home to Maya Bay. Unfortunately, many of the coral in the surrounding area was destroyed and therefore was not exactly untouched. To make up for this, the Thai government has seeded 10,000 coral plants in the surrounding region. This is a critical step in the right direction, but climate change continues to pose a threat to coral’s survival.
At one time, Maya Bay was more beautiful than it could possibly be described, but today it’s filthy and overrun with tourists — as many as 5,000 each day. Thanks to Thailand’s government which took action and shut the operation down. The Maya Bay will continue to remain impenetrable for visitors until 2021. News reports indicate that Maya Bay requires further time to mend.
The 2004 tsunami took a terrible toll on Koh Phi Phi, where 4,000 people lost their lives. A considerable portion (70% in the case of the islands) of its infrastructure had been destroyed. Most of the development occurs on a limited isthmus; this is perhaps not surprising. Retrospectively, this would have been the time for Koh Phi Phi to be redeveloped in a viable way. We were disgruntled to find out it didn’t happen.
Will you Feel Comfortable with Koh Phi Phi?
You can travel as safely as possible in Thailand, which is generally quite safe, as long as you avoid excessive drinking and keep an eye on your belongings. Koh Phi Phi can be a tough place, besides being a stunning resort.
Dangerous to Your Bank Account
If there is only one place in Thailand that is more expensive than the other, it will be Phi Phi. But don’t worry about it. If you are into managing your budget, it will not bother you a lot.
Your Feet Are in Danger
At Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh, where the movie The Beach was filmed, climbing on those rocks can be incredibly dangerous with their sharp needle-like edges. Despite this, tours lead tourists, many of whom are aged and unequipped, along these slippery, harsh rocks with the support of ropes. Make sure you are able to do whatever you like to do.
The Nose Gets Irritated
There are quite a few odd smells due to the effluent treatment being inadequate and the overwhelming number of visitors.
Liver Damage Is a Real Danger
Almost everywhere here lets you buy a bucket of beer for two for the price of one. I thought I partied hard in Ao Nang – Ao Nang’s no match for Phi Phi. You know how much alcohol you need, and you know what you don’t need.
Hazardous to Your Body
Muay Thai competitions inevitably involve punching until you bleed from your eyeball if you are not burned as you jump rope with fire. Therefore, before joining any game, ask others to explain the rules!
Should You Visit Koh Phi Phi?
Don’t go in without specific knowledge of what you’re dealing with. It is a very overdeveloped, exorbitant island that is mostly great for partying but offers hardly anything else.
A Better Place Compared to Koh Phi Phi is Koh Lanta
Among the world’s most favorite places, Koh Lanta surpasses even Koh Phi Phi, having numerous awesome aspects. You will probably realize that you have a much better time at Koh Lanta when you first set foot here from Koh Phi Phi.
It’s a lengthy island with really cool seashores on the west coast, so you can watch some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever observed. Many beaches are located in Koh Lanta with different natures.
Getting out on a motorbike and exploring the island is a great way to do it here. A number of exquisite restaurants can be found here, including Red Snapper, one of the most well-known restaurants in the world. And Koh Lanta’s residents are some of the most friendly, most welcoming Thais you’ll meet in a place in the world.
The main impressive thing is that Koh Lanta didn’t lose out as Koh Phi Phi did. Despite frequent visits, the island hasn’t become overcrowded. One factor is the significant amount of available land to develop, while another is the close guardianship of Koh Lanta by its locals. Keeping it this way would be a tremendous achievement; it is hoped that it will continue.
Other Choices Besides Koh Phi Phi
As Koh Phi Phi seems to be a unique place for some types of tastes, we thought of your hesitations about heading to this destination. That is not a bad thing about Koh Phi Phi; in fact, you will find the treasure of a destination if you look for it. Koh phi phi is a unique place for unique travelers. If you are not a unique one, here are some close destinations to Koh Phi Phi that you can choose from.
Railay Beach
On the island of Krabi, there is a beach called Railay Beach, which is accessible either from the mainland or from Krabi. The overdevelopment conditions on Railay are not as extreme as on Koh Phi Phi, and it’s still a great place to visit.
Koh Phangan
Make sure to consider a holiday on Koh Phangan, which is on Thailand’s Gulf coast. One of its biggest draws is the world-famous full moon party at Koh Tao. It can be found on a small but gorgeous island. Also, dive schools are in abundance in this area.
Koh Chang
Koh Chang is an excellent option for you if you aren’t worried about traveling to the northern edge of the Gulf coast, which you do not have to shell out a fortune.
Boracay in the Philippines
Boracay in the Philippines is open to foreigners if they are willing to travel abroad! A lot like Koh Phi Phi, Boracay has the same ethos even though it is much vaster and relaxed in specific areas including near Station Three and south.
The best way to get to Koh Phi Phi
You need to arrive by sea in Koh Phi Phi because there is no airport in it.
The Boat route to Koh Phi Phi
- A boat departing from several locations can bring you to Koh Phi Phi:
- It usually takes 1:45-2 hours to reach Krabi, along with Ao Nang and Railay.
- The journey takes between 1:30-2 hours from Phuket.
- The journey to Koh Lanta takes about one hour.
- The ferry is actually big enough to accommodate your luggage, not a longtail boat needed. You can still take a longtail boat until you depart from Railay, where everybody comes in by boat.
The Air Route to Koh Phi Phi
In order to fly to Koh Phi Phi, it might be a good idea to fly into either Krabi or Phuket. Thailand has plenty of cheap connecting flights available from places outside Southeast Asia. It may be much more economical for you to book this portion individually on its own.
A closer airport is Krabi Airport, which is on the mainland. The airport shuttle will take you directly to the pier in Krabi town, and then from there, the boats are available for your use.
Thailand’s Phuket island is much more extensive than Koh Phi Phi in the north. Krabi has a slightly better connection with Phuket, with more direct flights to international destinations. Again, shuttles can take you directly to the pier, and a boat is only a short ride away.
The Bus/train Route from Koh Phi Phi
If you’re coming from another part of Thailand, It is recommended that you take an overland bus where you can catch a ferry to Krabi. Thailand has railroad services, but most of the trains go south as far as Suratthani, which is on the Gulf Coast; from there, you’ll have to catch another bus.
Best time of the Year to Visit Koh Phi Phi
Phuket and Krabi have similar climates as Phi Phi do. A great time to visit Phi Phi is between November and April when the peak tourist season occurs. Conditions are typically pleasant and cool, with occasional light to heavy showers. January and April are the peak summer months of Phi Phi.
Listed below is a monthly forecast of climatic conditions to help you plan when to travel.
From November to February:
There’s no other cool-season after the rains have stopped in Phi Phi. During this time, most tourists plan their tours around the best weather, thus the busiest period. During December, the area’s temperature remains between 23°C and 30°C. February is the dehydrated month, while December is the region’s most pleasant month. During this time, you can enjoy a gentle day on one of the stunning beaches whilst participating in watersports in the peaceful waters of the sea.
From mid-March through May:
In March and May, temperatures are high in Phi Phi shortly before the monsoon hits the islands. Temperatures vary in the mid-thirties, with humidity levels steadily on the rise.
From mid-May to October:
From May to October, Phuket experiences its monsoon season. At its peak, the weather during the monsoon is 28 °C-29 °C. When the humidity is at its highest, It’s the cheapest time of year to plan a trip since prices have fallen to an everlasting low. It’s also less crowded, making it a peaceful time for visitors because it’s not as crowded in the high season. There are usually a few days of continuous heavy rainfall per year in the wettest months, but those would be rare.
