Koh Phi Phi Don, the main island of the Phi Phi islands is definitely worth visiting if you have the chance. This island may be the reason you wish to visit Thailand and proves to be very popular amongst tourists. If you’re looking for some of the clearest, turquoise coloured water Thailand has to offer, Koh Phi Phi is the place to visit.
Why Koh Phi Phi?
At Koh Phi Phi Don you can hike up to the viewpoint to take some Instagram worthy photos. You can also travel by boat to catch a glimpse of the Viking cave. Travelling can be very exhausting and Phi Phi is the ultimate place to relax. We would strongly recommend taking a private tour to go snorkelling or diving as this is the perfect place to discover the underwater world.
From Phi Phi Don you can go on (private) day tours to one of the other islands. Koh Phi Phi Leh is the most famous for its role as the beach in the Hollywood hit movie ‘The Beach’ which is filmed at Maya Bay. Due to mass tourism Maya Bay is unfortunately closed until 2021 to restore its natural environment. The other islands Koh Mai Phai (Bamboo Island), Koh Yung (Mosquito Island), Koh Bida Nok and Bida Nai (Khai Nok & Khai Nai) are perfect to visit if you have more time.
Nightlife
At night Koh Phi Phi does not disappoint. There are many beach clubs, bistro’s and bars to enjoy the fire shows and live music. Tonsai Bay and the Loh Dalum Beach are places designed to capture the best nightlife and will not disappoint. The Banana Rooftop Bar located close to Loh Dalum Beach has an amazing vibe serving the best cocktails, Mexican food and hosts a memorable movie night.
A minor setback
In Koh Phi Phi Don Mandy was struck down with a severe kidney infection. This led to a week-long stay in World-Med Hospital and was a real setback during our relaxing time on the island. The local doctors and nurses were incredibly knowledgeable and kind. The experience was very personal and whilst scary the nurses were extremely reassuring. The hospital was perfectly clean and the staff spoke impeccable English. Mandy’s Dutch health insurance covered all costs and arranged all the details without any hassle. We cannot stress enough how important good travel insurance can be. A little bonus from the trip to the hospital was the beautiful bedside view as featured at the top of our blog.
Time to get honest
An island that characterises the word paradise but still leaves something to desire. If you want a quiet place to enjoy the beach without hordes of people, this might not be the spot for you. Koh Phi Phi is so loved by tourists and locals that almost all year round the island is busy. Don’t let this stop you from visiting the island but just be prepared so you won’t be disappointed. Negatively, due to many tourists who don’t give a **** about nature, there was also a lot of trash on the island. This is a recurring theme throughout South East Asia. Lately there have been many initiatives to clean up such beaches. Some hostels even offer free beer for your help. We would encourage everyone to help where they can. When visiting Koh Phi Phi (and Thailand in general) we have a very weird but practical tip; bars and public places do not always offer toilet paper in the toilets. Take a pack of tissues when going out for the day if you need to save yourself!
Places like Koh Phi Phi will become even more popular than they are today. Therefore, we recommend visiting as soon as possible.
Travelling Translated
