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Phi Phi consists of six small islands south of Phuket which overflow with fine sandy beaches that give way to soaring limestone cliffs to form spectacular scenery.

Just south west of Krabi coastline lie the stunning Phi Phi Islands, part of a marine national park that's one of the world's most unforgettable destinations. Phi Phi Don, the larger island, offers sheer limestone cliffs, fine sand beaches and hidden coves. Not far away, coral gardens and deeper reefs are sensational for diving and snorkeling. There are no cars on Phi Phi, just simple small tracks that crisscross the island, so getting around is easy – simply take a local longtail boat, or walk.

Smaller Phi Phi Leh is uninhabited and made up of steep limestone cliffs rising sheer out of the turquoise waters. It also features caves and small rocky coves. There are several bays ideal for shallow snorkeling, and on the northeast side, the famous Viking Cave, containing what are claimed to be prehistoric paintings. Phi Phi Leh is also a popular site for nesting swifts, and workers collect the nests used to make the lucrative bird's nest soup, a much-valued Chinese gourmet delicacy. Day trips to Phi Phi are easily available from Phuket and Krabi and offer snorkeling at Phi Phi Leh. If you are already on Phi Phi Don, it's possible to hire a local boat or join a tour to visit Phi Phi Leh.

Add crystal clear water, a refreshing lack of roads, plus a laid-back lifestyle, and it's easy to see why Phi Phi is one of southern Thailand's most popular destinations.

Tonsai Village

Tonsai Village is the bustling heart of Phi Phi. Here, there are no cars or roads, only footpaths. It's located on the isthmus, for which Phi Phi is famous, with Tonsai Bay on the south side and Loh Dalum on the north.

Before 2.30pm, when the last ferry leaves, the streets are busy with daytrippers and people arriving/departing. After that the island is more relaxed and the difference is tangible.

In the evening the streets fill again with diners looking for a place to eat, additionally as most business is done at night, the tour shops, dive shops and every other kind of shop come to life. Later on some isolated nightlife areas heat up.

Phi Phi is a very bohemian place; after all, bicycle and longtail are the only modes of transport apart from by foot.

Loh Dalum Bay

Idyllic, exotic, a tropical paradise – all of the above apply when seeking to describe Loh Dalum, on the opposite side of Phi Phi Island to Tonsai Bay.

It’s only a 150-metre walk away but the atmosphere here is markedly different from that of its busy neighbour.

Nightlife is more languid, late and laid-back and as for beach dining – well whoever has hurried a meal on the beach?

Laem Tong Beach

Laem Tong Beach is a magical place in northern Phi Phi that is ideal for a relaxing and quiet holiday. The only access to the main part of Phi Phi is by boat and this means that you have almost total seclusion there. The atmosphere is quite the opposite of Tonsai Village, as here you'll hardly leave your hotel.

Right in front of the beach, although too far to swim to, are Bamboo Island, Mosquito Island and Hin Klang, three of the best spots for snorkelling and diving in Phi Phi. In the distance you can see Railay Beach and Koh Lanta.

Long Beach

Facing southwest with stunning views out over Phi Phi Leh lies ever popular Long Beach. This beach has possibly the softest and finest white sand, on an island of fine soft sand. There's also excellent snorkeling.

Long Beach is both far enough from and close enough to the business of Tonsai Village to be a great place to stay, it's no more than a five-minute longtail boat ride from the centre of the action. You can walk to Tonsai Village in the daylight but the journey involves walking over rocks between beaches or up short jungle trails. Don't attempt it at night!

From November to April the water is flat and calm, in the May-to-October period the water can be a little rough and swimming can be difficult at low tide due to rocks and coral. Accommodation consists almost uniquely of bungalows, some of which belong to high-end resorts and there are also many basic bungalows; all in all it's a very cosmopolitan place.

Phi Phi Leh

Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited island that lies 1.5km off the southernmost tip of Phi Phi Don.

Stunning vertical cliffs capped with green foliage give way to small sandy beaches and tropical coral seas.
Most visitors to Phi Phi find their way around Phi Phi Leh on an organised boat tour. However you can rent a longtail boat for your own customized trip.

Maya Bay

Maya Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay that's sheltered by 100-metre high cliffs on three sides. Inside the bay there are several beaches, most are small and some only exist at low tide. The main one is around 200 metres long with silky soft white sand, underwater colourful coral and exotic fish in exceptionally clear water; the whole bay is one big reef.

Maya Bay has become the main tourist attraction of Phi Phi since The Beach was filmed here in 1999. It was always very popular before the film but now people around the world who haven't even heard of Phi Phi have certainly heard of Maya Bay.

You can only visit Maya Bay from November to April, as large waves make the entrance dangerous for boats during the other months of the year.

Loh Sama (Sama Bay)

Located on the south side of the island the only activity here is snorkeling which is excellent for discovering beautiful coral and tropical fish. Boats anchor in the shallow waters, swimmers feed fish and snorkel.
You can get to Maya Bay from here at low tide via a small hole through a cliff about one metre high and sometimes when the sea is rough from May to October this is the only way to get into Maya Bay.

Pi Leh Bay

Pi Leh Bay is on the west coast, the opposite side of the island to Maya Bay. Similar to Maya Bay, it has 100m vertical cliffs rising from the water. Most of the bay is in shade except at midday.

This long thin bay is pretty shallow and is only accessible to speedboats and longtails, it does not dry out at low tide and there is a very small beach right at the back that you can just glimpse if you're passing.

Very beautiful and excellent for swimming. At the entrance there are excellent snorkeling opportunities.

Viking Cave

Just to the north of Pi Leh Bay is the Viking Cave where swifts make their nests. There are some paintings on the walls of boats resembling Viking ships that are supposed to be ancient however they're more likely to be just a couple of hundred years old… if that. However, the Viking tag has stuck.
The nests are made by the birds from their saliva and harvested from February to April by locals who use rickety bamboo scaffolding to get up to them once the birds have finished nesting. The nests sell for many thousands of dollars per kilo and are used for the Chinese delicacy bird's nest soup.

Palong Bay

Just outside Maya Bay to the north, this is more of a dive site than a bay. Here there are many black-tip reef sharks and coral formations in up to 12 metres of water.

Loh Bagao Bay

A beautiful tranquil bay half way up the east coast of Phi Phi Don, one of Phi Phi's larger beaches at 800m long, the best coral is at the south end. The only place to stay is Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa which has some lovely bungalows made of natural materials right on the beach and great facilities.

Bamboo Island

Stunning Bamboo Island is 5km from the northern tip of Phi Phi Don. The small island is only 500m across and has beautiful beaches virtually all the way around that give way to coral underwater. An excellent place to snorkel as the reefs are extensive and fairly shallow, but the beach is always there for a rest.

Pi Leh Bay

Pi Leh is situated on the opposite side of Phi Phi Leh to Maya Bay. It's a long thin bay with 100m high cliffs on all sides, at the entrance there's a shelf, the top of which is too shallow for anthing other than speedboat or lontail, this stops it from getting too busy. High tide is the best time to go inside to Pi Leh Bay, unless you go at lunchtime much of the bay will be in shade.

Monkey Bay

Located just outside Loh Dalum Bay to the west, Monkey Bay is a deserted tranquil beach with good coral. Some daytrips stop here to see the monkeys, watch out - they can be very cheeky. This is a nice place to explore by kayak from Loh Dalum Beach.

Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach is very much on the daytrip trail, located on the west side of Tonsai Bay about 700m from the beach, just in front of it are 4 unmissable yellow buoys. At very high tide there's not much beach but at other times there's plenty of sand. The monkeys here eat bananas and other fruit given to them, you can take photos at a very short distance, don't get too close though. The snorkeling at the drop off around 50m from the beach is great.