PHI PHI ISLANDS

PHI PHI LE and PHI PHI DON, can be reached by a pleasant 1 hour and 15 minute to 3-hour boat ride, depending on the size of vessel, from the jetty in Krabi town itself.

Six square km in area, the rugged Phi Phi Le is characterized by steep, jungle topped cliffs rising from the seabed, hidden bays concealing petite, pristine beaches and calm clear waters and a spacious, airy cave known as Viking Cave. The name was given to the cave due to the ancient cave murals depicting Viking-like sailing vessels, within the cave itself. The cave is home to swallows whose gelatinous nests are prized by Chinese gourmets, the famed 'bird's nest soup', that bring in thousands of export dollars to the country. Harvesting of the nests is usually from February to April and tourists are not allowed in the cave during this period.

Maya Bay in the west of Phi Phi Le is dominated by a high cliff and has a white sandy beach. It was one of the main sets for the recent Hollywood film, 'The Beach'.

Two km north, the larger (28 square km) Phi Phi Don has a curved white, palm-fringed beach tucked neatly between jungle covered mountains sheltering calm waters. This, and other minor beaches, offer beach side bungalow and chalet accommodation as well as up-market hotel accommodation. The area is immediately adjacent to a Muslim fishing village containing bars offering living music; restaurants specializing in European cuisine and Thai food; cabarets and souvenir shops. Dive shops and charter boat operators offering anything from game fishing excursions, day trips, sailing charters, snorkelling and island tours, including Koh Pai (Bamboo island), half an hour from Phi Phi Don and touted by locals as one of the most beautiful and unspoiled, uninhabited islands in the area.