Phi Phi Islands are renowned for their breathtaking scenery, featuring white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, stunning rock formations, diverse marine life, vibrant plant species, water sports, and lively nightlife. This guide provides essential information for planning your sightseeing adventure to Phi Phi Islands.
Historical Development
- Phi Phi Islands Family History
- Historically how Phi Phi Island developed:
- The Phi Phi Islands have been occupied by people even in the prehistoric period as the archaeological evidences showed. This is fairly proven by the paintings that are still found in the caves of Phi Phi Leh of human occupancy of the region in the past.
- Historically how Phi Phi Island developed:
- Excursion to Phi Phi Islands and Fishing
- Contemporary development of Phi Phi Islands:
- As for the contemporary development of the Phi Phi Islands, they have been rather recognized as a fishing village. Malay fishermen started to reside on the island during the monsoon periods of the 19th century. It developed later when people from China migrated to Malaysia to work in the mines, particularly in the tin and fishing industries.
- Contemporary development of Phi Phi Islands:
Tourism on the Islands
- Visits to the islands had only started in the early 1980s.
- The beauty of the islands was found by tourists, or rather travelers, and at some point, the islands have turned into a backpacking paradise.
- After Phi Phi Leh island was made the shooting place of the movie “The Beach” in the year 2000, the actual tourist season began.
- Today, the Phi Phi Islands are one of the main attractions in Thailand for tourists with package tours.
After the Tsunami
- New behaviors are expected not to cause harms to humans or to the environment, and must be acceptable by relevant national or international laws.
- Phi Phi Islands were severely affected by the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
- Reconstruction took a long time and was quite a challenge, but the islands are still beautiful and people come to visit them.
- Nonetheless, unbelievably beautiful scenes in the Phi Phi Islands have not been distorted and still encourage people to visit this place.
Ancient Personalities of Phi Phi Islands
- The First Settlers
- The Phi Phi islands have been settled by various groups of people for hundreds of years.
- The first records of inhabitants are the sea gypsies, these people are also called Moken. They are a nomadic people who exist in integration with the sea; there are many myths and legends that are interesting for everyone.
- King Rama V
- A major person in relation to Phi Phi Island history is the Thai King, King Rama V.
- He revised the islands in the nineteenth century and was taken by their beauty to such an extent that he recorded the information in his diary.
- Because of his interest towards the islands, the Phi Phi Islands received publicity and subsequently a growing reputation to perform as a tourism hotspot.
Legends and Myths of Phi Phi Islands
- These are the Phi Phi Island legends or Phi Phi Island myths.
- At the Phi Phi Islands it is not only sweet to swim on the sandy shore or to snorkeling it is much more; it is to step into a world of stories in personnel experiences and legends from generation to generation.
- The Golden Sword
- This legend remains perhaps the most famous and the one mentioned by all the informants: the Golden Sword.
- This fable has it that a prince was to leave a golden sword so that his beloved was to be counted as his lawful wife through the island of Phi Phi.
- Despite the lack of the sword to this day, the legend urged many people to go in search of the islands and the sword.
- The Feathered Snake
- Yet another famous Myth is of the Naga or the Feathered Serpent.
- This is a sea creature that according to legend resides in the sea close to the Phi Phi Islands.
- But it is also regarded as one of the protectors of the sea and all the creatures living in it.
Weather of Phi Phi Islands
- Looking at the weather of Phi Phi Islands
- The Phi Phi Islands also situated in the Thailand has got the tropical weather throughout the year.
- This is because depending on the period that you choose to embark on your visit, you will be guaranteed high and rather humid temperatures.
- However, the climate in the Phi Phi Islands can be divided into two main seasons:
- Dry Season
- It therefore emerges that the Phi Phi Islands receives its dry season between the period of November and April.
- This is the time of year from December through February where the temperatures average from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius and experiences a negligible amount of precipitation.
- It can be noted that the sea is largely aqua, without waves and with good visibility for diving and snorkeling.
- If your purpose of travelling is to lie on the beach and tan, it is recommended to travel to the Phi Phi Islands during January to February.
- Monsoon Season
- It should however be noted that the Phi Phi Islands receive their monsoon rain between the months of May and October.
- This is the rainy season which is characterized by frequent and at times heavy downpours.
- It is somewhat cool, however, the sea is slightly choppy for water-related activities, though that is quite expected for this season.
- But on the same note, this is also a time when the crowd in the islands is relatively low; hence you can try it if you consider the large crowd an inconvenience.
- Dry Season
- Tourists should consider the following the best time to visit Phi Phi islands depending on the season:
- However, if you are an introverted learner and do not have an issue with getting wet sometimes then the monsoon season is good to go.
- When planning for the trip, do not forget to check the kind of weather you are going to be wake to on your trip to the Phi Phi Islands.
Where are Phi Phi Islands
- From Phuket
- The easiest means to get to the Phi Phi Islands is from Phuket and is preferred by most tourists.
- Many ferries can be boarded to make the crossing many ferries operate daily.
- The time it takes to travel from one station to the other is two hours.
- For the same reason, it is advisable to order tickets in advance, especially during the hours when people gather in large numbers.
- From Krabi
- A second way to get to the Phi Phi Islands is from Krabi.
- Since the town of Phuket, transport by ferry is available daily.
- If one has to go from Krabi it is comparatively a shorter distance and can cover it within an hour and a half.
- C/O to Phuket or Krabi
- If you have not yet asked yourself how to get to Phuket or Krabi, the cities through which the ferry to the Phi Phi Islands is available, we answer that both cities have international airports.
- Thus, you can have a flight starting from your country or if you are in Thailand you can have an internal flight.
- Private Boat Trip
- If there is more desire and the willingness to pay extra the option for hiring a boat and get straight to the Phi Phi Islands is possible.
- This option, despite the fact it would cost more is flexible enough to allow one to enjoy the beauty of the Andaman Sea than through the window of the car.
Sights and Attractions
- Phi Phi Don Lookout
- Phi Phi Don lookout is one of the most pronounced viewing points in Phi Phi Don Island.
- From here, one can be able to view the bay and other beaches more so from this place.
- The lookout is most popular for the view of the sunset and the sunrise views in that region.
- It takes a moderate trek to get to the lookout point, though the reward is breathtaking picturesque.
- Tonsai
- Tonsai is the focal location and busy core of the Phi Phi Don Island.
- This place contains a blend of small shops, restaurants, bars, and places to stay for the international travelers.
- The town lies on the eastern coast of the island and it has a laid-back but party-like feel to it.
- It is also a perfect spot for communication, clubbing, and other entertainments as well as for discovering the sights of the island.
- Spidermonkey Climbing
- Spidermonkey Climbing is a rock climbing company located in Phi Phi Islands.
- They provide guided tours and lessons on some of the large rocks that are found closely associated with the islands.
- This is a fun way of feeling the appeal of Phi Phi island while at the same time having the extra adventure of folding rocks.
- The involved rock adventures can be undertaken by both the novice climbers and the steep ones.
- Viking Cave
- Viking Cave stretches for some distance, and one of the attractions is prehistoric paintings and carvings on the walls, especially the Viking ships hence the name Viking Cave.
- Even though you cannot go there in search of land, you can pay it a tour via a boat trip and be able to behold its natural face as well as the legends that are attached to it.
Conclusion
Phi Phi is an interesting place to capture many historical landmarks, natural beauty, and thrilling experience. Different people may go for different types of trip.