Thai nationals and expats have the opportunity to explore the marine eco-systems of the Andaman Sea and the comforts of the resort’s chic bungalows and villas. Sustainable travel experience leader, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort, is offering Thai residents the opportunity to leave the stress of the city behind and enjoy a blissful beachfront break on Phi Phi Island with its limited-time offer, “Buy One Get One Free”.

Lounge decks in natural materials

With the travel plans of thousands of Thai and expat families getting back on track, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is ideal for families looking for something a little extra during their time off – with a host of fun and learning activities focusing on eco-discovery through the resort’s ground-breaking Marine Discovery Centre run by a resident marine biologist, which is dedicated to the conservation of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi National Park.

Guests at Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort will have the opportunity to adopt and re-introduce clownfish to the ocean, plant coral at the marine nursery, dive, snorkel and explore the mangrove-lined tributaries by two-man kayaks that surround the resort while learning about Thailand’s unique eco-system and astounding biodiversity.

Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort amazing settings

Set in 70 acres of lush tropical gardens with an 800-metre-long stretch of soft sand, overlooking the Andaman Sea, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is a spectacular seafront retreat. Thai nationals and expat residents can unwind and enjoy an array of activities, including dining overlooking the ocean at Beach House, treatments in the jungle spa, island excursions and children’s workshops. 

Under the new limited-time offer, Thai residents and ex-pats who buy a voucher before 31 July 2020 can get a free night and item for every night and item booked. This promotion includes a choice of bungalows and villas, plus daily breakfast, welcome drinks, in-room fruit and free Wi-Fi. Stays are valid until 25 December 2020. 

Indulge on a daily boat tour around Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort

Privileges:

• Get a free night for every night you book if you purchase a voucher by 31 July 2020 for a stay from now until 25 December 2020
• Get a free item or service for every item or service you buy before 31 July 2020 through a voucher, also valid until 25 December 2020. Services and items include food & beverages, mini bar,  spa treatments, transfers, excursions, laundry, and gifts
• Daily breakfast
• Welcome drink
• In-room welcome fruit basket
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Scheduled transfer from Phuket to resort by speedboat at THB 1,250 per person per way instead of THB 2,119

A private hideaway awaiting you

Terms and Conditions:

• “Buy One Get One Free” Voucher Promotion is applicable to Thai residents only. A valid ID or work permit is required upon arrival. The free night(s) must be used directly after the paid night(s) and cannot be accumulated for future stays
• Children up to 3 years old can stay for free using existing beds and have access to breakfast
• This promotion is based on availability and cannot be combined with other offers or promotions.

For more information or to make your reservation, please contact Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort at:

Tel. +66 (2) 058 9888 ext. 306 | Email. reservations@phiphiislandvillage.com

The post Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort promotion appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

The planned closure – the first for Maya Bay – is expected to last three to four months in the second half of the year, according to Sarayuth Tanthien, head of Nopparat Thara – Phi Phi Island National Park.

The pristine beach of Maya Bay – part of the popular tourist destination of Phi Phi island in the southern city of Krabi – was the main filming location of The Beach, a Hollywood blockbuster released in 2000.

The plan to shut down Maya Bay temporarily may be necessary to rehabilitate marine life, Sarayuth said, after national park officials discovered bleached coral reefs, a result of sea anchor deployment.

A number of academics have campaigned for a temporary closure of Phi Phi island over the years, citing an urgent need to allow the natural environment to recover.

More than one million people visited Phi Phi island last year, with as many as 5000 visitors each day during the high season, according to the national park.

Bangkok Post, 28/4/2017

Maya Bay

Maya Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay that is 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.

The best time to visit Maya Bay is between November and April during the high season when seas are calm and access to the bay is easy. Rough seas from May to October may hinder access but rarely deny entry.

The bad news: as it is so beautiful and so well know, many boats are required to ferry all the visitors in and out. On any given day at any time there will be 30 + speedboats and longtail boats on the beach, with large ferry boats carrying hundreds of snorkelers and sightseers moored in deeper water. Beautiful it is, secluded it isn’t – thousands of people visit each day.

The post Maya Bay potential closure appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Maya Bay

The dream of visiting the Phi Phi Islands, in the South Thailand province of Krabi, is one that most keep in the drawer for a while. The day finally comes, you travel to Krabi, settle in your hotel, you are ready to book a tour. But how do you fight the prospect of having to share your dream destination with hundreds of other tourists who have the same dream and come on hordes of speedboats, longtail boats and diving boats, claiming a share of the long-awaited sandy beaches and shores? Easy: chose the Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour with Siam Adventure World. This company was chosen for its extra advantage of leaving early to avoid many of the crowds and experience more time around the Phi Phi Islands. This was in line with my preferred way to experience Krabi paradise islands.

Departure port for Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour

Set inside the Noppharat Thara/Phi Phi National Park, the Phi Phi Islands archipelago is simply stunning. There are white sandy beaches, rugged towering limestone cliffs, crystal clear waters and magnificent hidden coves sheltered from the outside world. It was with these great images in mind that I ventured out of my hotel at 7am to wait for my minivan pick up. At the Noppharat Thara pier I boarded the speedboat and made introductions to my fellow travelers; Captain Bao started the engines and we were soon on the way. James, the chocolate-skinned tour guide, made introductions and the multilingual guide gave us an account of the program of the day.

The sea was quite rough, with huge waves challenging experienced Bao who rode with no fear, jumping on the waves and following their line as the boat rocked and jumped, but without a worry on his face.

Longtail boats at Maya Bay

Arrival time at Maya Bay was 8,30 am, and we were glad to have woken up early as we were amongst the first visitors of the day to step on a nearly empty world famous beach. This is truly a magnificent place: a sheltered cove protected by two 100 meter tall jagged cliffs with a narrow entrance from the outside ocean. The sand is pure white, and there were a number of picturesque traditional longtail boats anchored along the shoreline.

The National Park headquarters area

James went to settle the National Park fee, included in the price of our Phi Phi Islands tour, and we were given time at ease. The guide made the way inside the tropical rainforest which serves as the background of this great bay, completing the postcard picture. We passed the National Park headquarters and the rangers bungalows, and soon reached the back of Loh Samah bay. The whole area is populated by dozen of amazing pandanus trees with prop roots emerging from their stem.

The day was glorious, the sun intensified the palette of greens, blues and turquoises so typical of the Andaman sea, with the forests perched on the vertical walls of the giant limestone rocks reflecting on the waters.

Pileh Lagoon

By the time our boat left Maya Bay, one hour later, the place had already started to fill up. At the front of Loh Samah Bay, on the other side of Phi Phi Leh, the crew decided not to stop as there were already too many snorkeling and diving boats anchored there. Instead, we proceeded to reach Pileh Bay lagoon, which is everyone’s favorite stop on a tour to Phi Phi Islands. This breathtaking emerald green lagoon is surrounded by towering cliffs and it is only accessible during high tide. Captain Bao cruised the speedboat slowly into the lagoon, while James assisted us in the choosing and fitting of fins and masks. The area is well sheltered from the open sea, hence it is the ideal snorkeling spot. We swam and snorkeled for a good 20 minutes, then returned to the boat where the guides were sharing anecdotes and knowledge of the area.

Viking Cave

All islands and locations have Malayu names, from the sea-gypsies original inhabitants of these places. The name Phi Phi refers to the original Malay name Api-Api, the Fiery Grey Mangrove which is found throughout the island. Pileh means room, since seafarers used this enclosed lagoon for protection in case of a storm.

Next stop was Viking Cave, just 1 km north of Pileh Bay, so called as legend tells that pirates used to shelter there. Viking Cave gets its unusual name from some of the 70 ancient cave paintings found there depicting long boats that resemble those of the Viking people. But the real reason Viking Cave is famous for is that it is home to Swiftlets birds that make the bird’s nests so famous in asian culture for their healing and health properties.

On the way to Phi Phi viewpoint

The caves are guarded and it is forbidden to go inside, so we took a few pictures from the boat and continued on to Loh Dalum Bay, where we were given three options: trek to the famous Phi Phi Don view point, relax at the beach or take a walk through the Phi Phi Village.

As most of us chose the trek to the viewpoint, the guides got set and led the strenuous march up 321 steps along a forest cleared at some points, thick and green at others. A sweaty exercise on this humid day, one that rewarded us with a spectacular view over the island, its bays and the surrounding sea.

Phi Phi Don from the viewpoint

The high tide forbade our mooring at Monkey Beach, so instead Bao cruised to Bamboo Island where the crew served us a fresh lunch brought over by the company speedboat from Phuket, confirming once more the logistic perfection of these tours. The super beach lunch buffet is delicious and it has something for everyone; special requests like vegetarian or vegan will be catered for but should be mentioned at the time of booking.

Bamboo Island is famous for its powdery soft sand and warm inviting waters. After coffee, some of us snorkeled in the bay, while others went for a swim, strolled along the long beach or relaxed on the sand. We were given 2 hours to spend on Bamboo Island, which is quite enough, considering that after one hour the number of boats and consequently of people easily tripled.

Bamboo paradise Island

The last stop of the tour was at Hin Pae, an underwater reef featuring crystal-clear water, lots of fish and colourful coral; James jumped in the water with us, pointing us to the best spots and having fun with the group.

During the return journey, we had a good sight of Taleh Wae, which thanks to the receding tide it joined the islands of Koh Poda and Chicken. The sun went slowly down and the waves continued rocking the boat when we arrived at Noppharat Thara at about 16,40 – where the minivan awaited to deliver us back to our hotels.

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The buffet lunch

I found the Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour to be a well-structured and unique tour. The experienced guides are all from the Krabi area and have been working together for 2 seasons already so they interacted very well and ensured all went as per plan, which increased the quality of the wonderful experience. The multilingual guide on board was also attentive to everything, answering every question and attending every need.

The speedboat is modern and feels safe, and the pilot is skilled (especially on this day of high waves), and the Thai food and the way it was presented made us feel pampered.

Boarding Siam Adventure World speedboat

The early rising was worth it: most of our arrival times meant destinations were not yet overwhelmed by tourists. In fact, we were informed that the Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour itinerary is flexible and can be inverted or totally changed by the crew according to tides, weather and situation of boats/people on each visited spot.

Overall, thumbs-up to Siam Adventure World!

FACTS

Distance: Koh Phi Phi Le is about 45 km’s east from Phuket and about 37 km’s south from Krabi.

Departure Time: 07:30am from either Ao Nang beach or Noppharat Thara Beach, returning at approximately 05:00pm

Available: from Phuket and Khao Lak whole year

Available: from Krabi from November to May

The author at Phi Phi viewpoint

Included: Air conditioned transport to/from your hotel, National Park fees for your stop on Maya Bay, soft drinks, fresh seasonal tropical fruits, lunch, professional licensed English speaking Tour Guide, full snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins), Tour Accident Insurance.

Boats leaving from Phuket offer photographic service, where a photographer on board immortalize the most cheerful moments and puts them together in a DVD that can be purchased by the tourists on the tour.

CONTACTS: 

http://siamadventureworld.com

https://www.facebook.com/siamadventureworld/ 

The post Phi Phi Islands Early Bird appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Siam Adventure World

Royal Phuket Marina 63/302 Moo.2, 

Thepkasattri Road, Kohkeaw, Phuket 83000

http://siamadventureworld.com

info@siamadventureworld.com 

Siam Adventure World was founded in November 2012 and specializes in world-class speedboat trips from Phuket, Khaolak and Krabi to various destinations, including Phang Nga Bay, Similan Islands, Kam Islands, Kradan Island, Surin Islands, Rok Islands and Phi Phi Islands.

Siam Adventure World 3-engine speedboat

Siam Adventure World members originate from Phuket and Khao Lak and have experience with high quality day trips with international tourists for almost 20 years. Their big difference with other companies lay with a few major facts: they leave early (or late) in order to avoid the tourist crowds and let you enjoy the natural beauty at its best, they choose different places at different times, they provide a multilingual, licensed tour guide in each of their tours, and they serve gourmet food on their trips.

All is taken care of!

Their management team consists of highly qualified members from Thailand and abroad, with decades-long experience in tourism. Their ultimate goal is to provide their guests the highest possible quality and at the same time the highest safety standards.

The above, together with close cooperation with high-profile international tour operators and with the best hotels in Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi has allowed Siam Adventure World to reach the top 3 of speedboat day trip organisers in Thailand in less than four years.

Gourmet food in every trip

Siam Adventure World guide team has more than 15 years experience in Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi. They have all personally been on and revised all their tours, so you can be reassured that all Siam Adventure World tours are unique.

Siam Adventure World luxury lounge at the Royal Phuket Marina and their private Marinas in Khao Lak and Krabi offer all about what International tourists and tour operators expect and much, much more.

Find a list of Siam Adventure World tour programs HERE

Like them on FB: https://www.facebook.com/siamadventureworld/ 

For an account of Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour with Siam Adventure World, CLICK HERE !

The post Siam Adventure World appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Officials issued a warning to tourists about swimming at Phi Phi National Park after Blooms of ‘red jellyfish’ spotted off the coast of Krabi. Marine expert from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) said they are not certain exactly what species of jellyfish within the Pelagiidae family they are, yet, based on the photographs, especially with regards to their tentacles, it would be best to avoid them.
Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park Chief Chaiya Chaikham was quoted saying, regarding the warning: “We spotted the blooms off Koh Mai Pai [Bamboo Island]. This is a very normal thing this time of year. They should be gone within a week.” Mr Chaiya was also unable to specifically identify the jellyfish beyond the local name for them, which translates to ‘red jellyfish’. As far as they know, they are venomous, but their stings are not lethal.”
Should anyone get stung by these jellyfish, the pain can be relieved by pouring vinegar on the wound, though some people may experience allergic reactions to the stings. The National Park has deployed medical teams on standby.

The post Blooms of red jellyfish spotted in Koh Phi Phi appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Explaining the ropes at Pum Cooking School

It was mid-morning on Koh Phi Phi’s Pum Cooking School and Restaurant. After marinating the chicken morsels in the paste I had prepared earlier, I tossed them in the steaming hot oil that was sizzling in a giant wok. Nui the teacher handed me an aluminium spoon with a flat end: with that I was supposed to squeeze and turn the meat until crispy on both sides and ready to be dipped in the peanuts sauce. The utensil was heavier than I expected and the way it had to be handled made it hard to control. After a few strikes, some of the chicken jumped out of the pan, flying up in the air before landing on the floor nearby. This caused a stir in the kitchen: Bunny, Nui and the rest of the team burst in laughter and my co-student Hans Peter from Norway could not help it and took a picture of embarrassed me…

That morning-cooking-madness had started when, bored in Koh Phi Phi with the usual daily routine of appointments to go to, articles to write and phone calls to answer, I decided that learning to cook some Thai dishes would appeal to my tired brain. For that purpose I had chosen Pum Cooking School and Restaurant after reading a few positive reviews on the internet about them.

Cheering up!

I was met by Khun Nui, the smiley teacher, who explained the program to us: after choosing from one of Pum’s cookery books the dishes we wanted to cook, we would go through some of the ingredients and start putting them together. Nui wore the school’s orange t-shirt, a black bandanna and an apron. We were geared up as well and it was time for the class.

Thai food, by its very nature, is fresh and quick, at times very complex, at times very simple. One of its characteristics is that it always combines a particular balance of flavours. Helpful Nui spent the first 30 minutes explaining in good English a variety of sauces, spices and different herbs used in Thai cooking. A ceramic tray filled with colourful pastes was brought to the table along with bottles of different oils and fish sauces and coconut creams, herbs and spices, all essential ingredients of Thai cuisine. Nui went through every one of them, patiently making us taste them, telling us the role of every ingredient in Thai dishes. It was both learning and a lot of fun too.

End of the class at Pum Cooking School – I got the certificate!

Apart from Chicken Satay, I got to learn to cook a classic: Tom Ga Gai, chicken in coconut soup. We pounded the ingredients into a mortar and followed Nui’s instructions, turning meat and veggies into an edible dish in a matter of 10 minutes, and with a proper Thai taste! Of course, a class this small gave both of us lots of personal attention. We eventually enjoyed a taste of our dish, which was promising to say the least. Unfortunately for him, enthusiastic Hans Peter is a vegetarian so he did not get to taste his soup, though I did, to discover it was much spicier than mine! Friendly Bunny served us rice – at least we did not have to cook that.

“Our dishes are based on traditional Thai cuisine adapted for a modern, fast paced world” explained Nui. “Quick, simple and always delicious, you can enjoy these dishes at any occasion”. Peter Hans and I both found the class very hands on; Nui and the mob turned out to be a fantastic, excellent team. I cooked a small 2 dishes course and I left wishing I had done the full class with shopping at the market included. Considering I hadn’t cooked for a while, Pum’s cooking class did me good. Hans Peter confessed he would be cooking Thai dishes for his family of four once back home, and with an orange smile in his face. As for me…

Pum Cooking School

Pum Cooking School

Pum’s range of classes suits each individual’s budget; they offer both morning and afternoon sessions for early-birds and late-risers alike. Pum and her team have been running cooking classes on beautiful Phi Phi Island for a number of years and have taught students from all over the world. Pum and the team will teach the essential and practical side of Thai food to enable you to cook delicious dishes when you return home, and for brilliant memories of this wonderful land. Classes to suit everyone from single dishes to Grand Chef courses!

125/40 Moo7, Phi Phi Don

Tel. +66 (0) 81 521 8904

http://th.pumthaifoodchain.com/restaurant-phiphi.html 

phiphi@pumthaifoodchain.com

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Speed boats by company Phi Phi Tour

Koh Phi Phi: one of the best known destinations in Thailand. The name alone conjures up images of pristine beaches, coral reefs, paradise spots, you name it.
The aim of the speedboat trip was to see for myself the natural beauties this Krabi archipelago reserves. I was in the professional hands of one of the best tour operators in the area: Phi Phi Tour, a company that has gained popularity in the past few years and now stands out from rest. At eight in the morning we met the tour supervisor in their office. The tour guide was a friendly Thai man fluent in English. He gave instructions to his staff, and at 8.30 the anchor was drawn, the engine started; we were on our way to the magic of Phi Phi.

It was an exceptionally clear day; the sea was calm, the sun was warming the air. Koh Phi Phi’s mountainous shape could be clearly seen in the distance. The boat jumped on the gentle waves of the open sea while the shape of Phi Phi Don, the largest of the Phi Phi archipelago, approached. We passed Phi Phi Don’s Laem Tong cape and navigated along the westward side of the archipelago; the captain sailed near the island to give us a perfect view of the magnificent colors of the cliffs entirely covered by thick tropical vegetation. On the Phi Phi Don bay, sailboats and longtail boats were anchored and swimmers enjoyed the clear waters; a line of palm trees dotted the coast and dominated the horizon, providing shade and a natural hiding cover to the hotels present on the island.

Our first stop of the day, an hour from Ao Nang, was in Maya Bay, in Phi Phi Ley, the location of the filming of “The Beach”. We were well ahead of the crowds and were left on a marvelous sandy beach where we sunbathed, swam and explored the bay. The scenery was stunning. A couple of paths take to the inside of the island, where thick and lush vegetation soon blocks the way to the hills. We stood on the sand, looking at the cliffs’ vegetation that was reflected in the water and created a varied palette of greens and aquamarine blues. A look at the sky above rewarded us with the sight of a big eagle regally flying in circles before disappearing behind the top of a mountain.

We left when the bay started to get overcrowded with numerous speedboats and huge tourist boats; we passed the southern tip of the archipelago and stopped for snorkeling near Ao Loh Samah bay. We were provided with quality masks and snorkels, lifejackets for those who needed them, and we were given a generous 30 minutes to swim around the area while the boat crew fed the fish with loaves of bread. The water was warm and transparent, 10 to 20 meters deep; fish abounded in quantity and variety and the time allowed to us passed in an instant. We saw lionfish, orange and white clown anemone fish, parrotfish the colors of the rainbow, lovely moon-shaped black and yellow striped banner fish, and many different species of giant clams that hided inside their huge shells as soon as we approached them.
Those were just a few of the more than 500 species of fish that are strongly dependent on coral reefs in the Andaman Sea, notably using the corals as physical habitat and shelter sites, and also by taking both corals and coral reef associated food resources.

The following stop, a few minutes away, was in Ao Phi Ley lagoon, a bay enclosed on its near entirety by the high limestone walls of the island’s cliffs that make it appear to be an inland lake. We did some snorkeling there too; before leaving the driver circumnavigated the inside of the bay, getting near the thin and high fissures on the surrounding rock, their walls covered by impenetrable jungle. On some tree branches, giant bats rested hanging upside down, their black shapes barely visible amongst the millions of dark green leaves.

Sightseeing outside Viking Cave, in the northeast side of Koh Phi Phi Ley, is limited as tourists are not allowed to disembark there. This large cave is considered sacred by locals who collect swallow birds’ nests climbing tall bamboo ladders that find their way up the high entrails of the cave. Inside Viking Cave are ancient pictorials of elephants and various types of boats originating from other parts of the world. These are believed to be the work of sea merchants or pirates as the area might have been a stopover in the ancient sea routes for boats seeking shelter from storms.

The next activity was another snorkeling stop in Ladin bay, where the shallow waters allow a clear view of an exceptional variety of corals. Coral reefs are made up of different types of corals that are made of calcium and are produced by a small organism that can only survive in tropical waters. There we could observe cauliflower corals, brown or yellow staghorn corals, mushroom corals, bush corals, brain corals, table corals, entire expanses of sea anemones and a huge colony of sea urchins, their single orange eye observing us from below, their thorns threatening anyone who accidentally placed a bare foot onto them.

It was midday and all the physical activity had opened up our bellies. The speedboat docked in the Loh Dalam Bay of Phi Phi Don. The set menu was a treat for all of us and a distinction from other tour companies that usually feed customers in more commercial establishments.

Dolphins playing near the boat: not an unusual show going to Phi Phi Island

The Phi Phi Tour crew returned on board to get everything organized while we drank our coffee in the restaurant. It was soon time for our speedboat to depart again towards the last snorkeling stop. Hin Klang is a location so full of corals and fish that in a way crowned the whole marine sightseeing of the day. After snorkeling we were rewarded with an excellent surprise: a group of dolphins was swimming around our boat, their fins emerging form the water from time to time. The driver did not waste time and quickly put into practice his skills, pushing the speedboat in motions at medium speed following rotation patterns and loops. The dolphins, attracted by the waves the boat was creating, followed them, jumping out of the sea in their entirety. Their massive body flipped in the air like feathers, pushed by their enormous strength. We continued this game for a few minutes, with other dolphins joining the initial group, until we could clearly see the huge shapes of many of them underwater, swimming very near to our boat and even under it. It was an exciting experience that left all of us speechless while our cameras tried to get some good shots of the special event.
It was with this good memory in mind that we disembarked in the last stop of the day, Koh Phai, or Bamboo Island. Koh Phai, not far from neighboring Koh Yung, has marvelous sandy beaches and an impressive bank of coral reefs that stretches from the north to the south of the island, the perfect place for relaxing, walking along white crystalline sand and taking the last swim of the tour. Koh Phai is considered by many to be the most beautiful and perfect island of Krabi.

The day was still glorious and our tour was heading to an end. The cruising to Ao Nang was smooth and pleasant; in the proximity of Chicken Island we could spot dark clouds forming inland from the coast. During the last minutes of our journey the speedboat had to negotiate some strong waves that were gradually growing in size; the sun disappeared, the gentle breeze became a strong and cold wind. The very moment we descended from the boat in Ao Nang beach the heavens opened and thick rain started to hit the ground. We thanked the ever so helpful guide and the crew and made our way home.

You might argue that, with 18 kilometers of coral reefs surrounding the Phi Phi archipelago, and the amazing spots that allow wonderful snorkeling in shallow and deep waters, with snorkeling allegedly being better than scuba diving for fish viewing, having fun on a day boat trip to Phi Phi should be guaranteed on any tour. While this can be truth, I must spend a word to congratulate Phi Phi Tour and their staff for guaranteeing everything was well organized and ran by the book. The dedication of the crew ensured we had a pleasant and worry-free day at sea, as we felt in the hands of professionals and could really enjoy this experience.
All Phi Phi Tour boat tours include round trip transfer from/to your hotel, drinking water, seasonal fruit and a local cake, life jacket, mask and snorkel. Last point to note is that both the guide and the crew confirmed that the dolphins were just part of our luck. It had never happened before on one of their tours to Koh Phi Phi; it was an unusual event, so don’t expect it on your tour, but you might be lucky enough…

http://www.phiphitours.com/

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Only 45 minute boat trip is needed to reach the archipelago of Phi Phi Island. We will stop on Bamboo Island and on Maya Bay where the world famous Di Caprio movie was shot. Lunch served at a restaurant. Mask and snorkel are available.

07:45 to 08:00 Departure from your hotel by minibus and transfer to the embarkation point. The exact time depends on the area your hotel is located and will be communicated at the time of booking.
08:30 Departure by speedboat towards Phi Phi Island.
• Stop at Bamboo Island. Free time on the beach, where you can bathe and will have the chance to do some snorkeling.
• Stop at Hin Klang, a rock in the open sea where you can do snorkeling directly from the boat.
• Step at Pi Leh Bay to admire this beautiful fjord.
• Stop at the Lohsamah Bay where you can do snorkeling directly from the boat.
• Stop at world-famous Maya Bay, where the movie “The Beach” was filmed.
• Stop at Monkey Beach to relax on the sand and to play with the monkeys that regularly come down from the rocks above.
• Stop for lunch at a restaurant on the beach.

The package includes:
Transfer to and from your hotel, mask and snorkel, life jacket, water, fruit and dessert on board, lunch at a restaurant, English speaking guide, entrance fees in National Parks.
What to bring:
Sunscreen, swimsuit, beach shoes, beach towel, camera
Notes:
• tips are not included
• the program may change due to weather conditions

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[wptabtitle] Booking[/wptabtitle] [wptabcontent]For more inquiries or for booking, contact asianitinerary.com through the “contact us” page [/wptabcontent]

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The post By speedboat to the jewels of the Andaman Sea: Koh Phi Phi appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

A tree palm welcome at tonsay bay

Mu Koh Phi Phi has been part of the Noppharat Thara National Park since 1983 and is about 40 kilometers from Krabi, covering an area of around 35 square kilometers. It is made up of six islands with features such as incredible beaches and unique coral reefs. Sheer limestone cliffs and rocks, characteristic of this area, emerge from the Andaman Sea.

The name Phi Phi only refers to the two biggest islands in the archipelago: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. The rest are named, in order of size, Koh Phai, Koh Yung, Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai.

The worldwide exposure these natural treasures gained from their location of the filming of the Hollywood movie “The Beach” added popularity to this already famous group of holiday islands. The latest publicity for this archipelago was unfortunately due to the notorious 2004 tsunami, whose gigantic waves submerged most of the bay where the resorts and development were situated. Ao Ton Sai on Phi Phi Don claimed many victims. It has taken some time to clear up the area and for visitors to return, but Phi Phi is back on its feet and even better than before.

Maya Bay, the most known place in the Andaman Sea

The Chao Leh or sea gypsies, who began living on Phi Phi generations ago, were allowed to own settlements on the islands. Unscrupulous developers were previously able to find a loophole in the law, building on these settlements and in other prohibited areas. The tsunami disaster gave the Government the opportunity to rethink the situation, pass new protection laws and only allow sensible and “green” developments. It remains to be seen how long these new ideas will continue.

http://www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/Koh-Phi-Phi

http://asianitinerary.com/by-speedboat-to-the-jewels-of-the-andaman-sea-phi-phi-island/

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