Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Island)

Phi Phi Don Island covers a total area of 28 square kilometers : 8 kilometers in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end is Cape Laem Tohng, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Tohng is excellent, as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south.

There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving bays are especially beautiful : Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found.

Yung Island
lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky beach on the east side, and a smaller strand of sand in a fold of the hill. Many beautiful and various corals are found there.





Pai Island
lies also to the north of Phi Phi Don, not far from Koh Yung. Sandy beaches are on the north and east sides of the island. Broad coral reefs stretch away into the south.


Phi Phi Ley Island
is an Island of 6.6 square kilometers. It is mountainous and rocky. Tall cliffs rise straight up from the sea's surface and 34 meters is the deepest Spot, at the south end of the island and others. On the northeast is the famous 'Viking Cave' so-called from the painting therein, which His Majestry King Bhumibol was pleased to grant also the name 'Payanak' meaning 'Serpent Lord', in honour of the villagers who gatter swallow's nests on the island. Inside, on the east and south walls of the cave, are paintings from historical times of an elephant, and boats of various kinds :

Arab prows, junks, sharp-stemmed vessels probably of European origin, Steam ships, and propeller-driven sailboats. It is theorized that these are the work of sailors, or perhaps even of pirates, because the island provides refuge during the monsoons and lies on the main shipping lane from west to east. It was thus a place suitable for offloading cargo and conducting repairs.