Koh Phi Phi consists of two islands situated about 40km from Krabi; Phi Phi Lei and Phi Phi Don. Phi Phi Don is arguably one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Andaman Coast, especially during the peak months from December to March, when many tourists visit. Even so, the island retains much of its original beauty.

Koh Phi Phi Don is the larger of the two islands, a sort of dumbbell-shaped island with scenic hills, awesome cliffs, long beaches, emerald waters and remarkable bird and sea life. The ‘handle’ in the middle, has long white-sand beaches on either side, only a few hundred metres apart.

The beach on the southern side curves around Ao Ton Sai, where boats from Phuket and Krabi dock. There is also a Thai Muslim village here. On the northern side of the ‘handle’ is Ao Loh Dalam. Except for beach bungalows, the western section of the island, Koh Noak, is completely uninhabited.

At the north of the eastern end of the island is Laem Tong, where the island’s Chao Naam population lives. The number of Chao Naam living here varies from time to time, as they are still nomadic, sailing from island to island, stopping off to repair their boats or fishing nets, but there are generally about 100 on the island of Phi Phi at any given time. 

Hat Yao (Long Beach) faces south and has some of Phi Phi Don’s best coral reefs. Ton Sai, Loh Dalam and Hat Yao all have beach bungalows. On the eastern coast of Phi Phi Don is another very beautiful beach, Hat Lanti, that offers excellent surfing opportunities. For several years the locals wouldn’t allow any bungalows to be built here out of respect for the large village mosque in the coconut groves above the beach, but economic gain prevailed.

Phi Phi Lei is surrounded almost completely by sheer cliffs plunging into the ocean, with a few caves and a sea lake between two cliffs allowing water to enter. The so-called Viking Cave contains prehistoric paintings of stylized human and animal figures alongside later paintings of ships (Asian Junks) no more than 100 years old. The cave is also a collection point for highly coveted swiftly nests. No-one is allowed to stay on Phi Phi Lei because of the bird-nest business but boats can be hired from Phi Phi Don for short jaunts to see the caves and do a little snorkelling at the coral reefs in Ao Maya.

The accommodations in Phi Phi are abundant and there is definitely something for everyone. If you are seeking truly luxurious accommodations, the 5-star Zeavola Resort Phi Phi Island is the place to go. Besides the awe-inspiring views and the spectacular rooms, you receive exceptional service in the warm and welcoming Thai style. Less expensive accommodations such as the 4-star Holiday Inn Resort and the 4-star Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa also offer fantastic service and scenic locations at an affordable price.

Sea gypsies have been coming to Phi Phi Don for as long as records have been kept. These gypsies made temporary homes as the seasons changed and they often sought shelter in Phi Phi Don during the low season.

In 1945 Phi Phi Don remained uninhabited. The first settlers arrived in 1950 from the north of Phi Phi Island in the Phang Nga Bay. Eventually people from Krabi and other provinces began settling. Many of the families who still own most of the land today are descended from these first settlers. Most of these new inhabitants were Muslim fishermen. The island later became a coconut plantation.

Ko Phi Phi Lei was the backdrop for the 2000 movie The Beach. This movie staring Leonardo Dicaprio, caused tourism to increase dramatically on both Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lei. With the new found notoriety, hotels and businesses seem to sprout up overnight.

On 26 December 2004, much of the inhabited part of Phi Phi Don was devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. The island's main village, Ton Sai is mainly built on a sandy cape between the island's two long, tall limestone ridges. On both sides of Ton Sai are semicircular bays lined with beaches. Shortly after 10 am on the morning of 26 December, the water from both bays receded. When the tsunami hit, it did so from both bays and met in the middle of the cape causing many fatalities and destruction to nearly 70% of the buildings on the island.

Phi Phi has rebounded remarkably since the devastation caused by the tsunami. The resiliency of Thai people as well as the influx of worldwide support, helped to rebuild Phi Phi, turning it once again into a ‘must-see’ tropical paradise.

The weather in Phi Phi is typically that of tropical monsoon areas, providing the province with just two seasons, the hot season from January to April, and the rainy season from May to December. Monsoon winds, which change according to season, blow from the southeast, the southwest, and the northeast.

Temperatures range between 16.9 and 37.3 degrees Celsius and the yearly rainfall averages 2,568.5 mm. The continuous warm weather throughout the year makes Phi Phi a glorious tropical paradise (even when it rains).