Thailand today is a major tourist destination. Though a large number of tourists head for Phuket, the somewhat lesser known Phi Phi Islands have a lot to offer for the discerning tourist. Located in the Krabi province these islands are almost the same distance from Phuket as well as Krabi.

Basically a group of six islands only Koh Phi Phi Don is inhabited. The next biggest island is Koh Phi Phi Leh and is renowned for its lovely beaches and fantastic cliffs that tower over you. The rest of the Phi Phi islands are nothing more than high cliffs and can be visited as part of a day trip by boat. One can reach Phi Phi Island by ferry boat which would take about 2 hours from Phuket or Krabi to reach or one can hire slightly more expensive private speedboats that would get you there within 45 minutes.

A part of the marine national park these islands offer a wide range of recreational activities like kite boarding, diving and snorkeling. Those who prefer rock climbing would also find ample opportunity on the island. The more adventurous can of course try cliff jumping from various heights. Another common activity is taking a boat trip around the smaller islands. If vigorous activity is not your kind of thing then you can spread out on the many beaches and soak in the sun.

Phi Phi Islands being small islands are literally full of sandy beaches. One can enjoy the serene beauty of Maya Bay and Pi Leh Bay at Koh Phi Phi Leh. If one wishes one can enjoy snorkeling among the shallow coral reefs at Bamboo Island that is just 5 km from Phi Phi Don. The pleasure of diving and snorkeling in the clear waters is a unique experience in itself. Another popular beach at Phi Phi is the Laem Tong beach which is located in the Northern part of the island. It is known for its peace and tranquility and is ideal for relaxing. One can also enjoy wind surfing here.

The nightlife at Koh Phi Phi Islands is quite interesting where staying open till late is the norm. Something unique to this place is the beer buckets and fire dancing. The best part of its nightlife is that you will not find any vulgarity or cheapness that one often encounters at tourist spots.

Though Thailand gets visitors throughout the year, the best time to visit these islands is after the rainy season from November to March. However the busiest tourist season is from December to January when getting accommodation can be a bit difficult. Koh Phi Phi Don has a number of hotels, resorts as well as bungalows to fit every kind of budget. You can also stay in one of the Phuket resorts and just go to Phi Phi Islands on a day trip.

The cuisine in Phi Phi is basically Thai and has a predominance of seafood.

The Phi Phi Islands are a great place to visit if you wish for a rejuvenating trip far from the hustle bustle of modern life. In fact even the biggest island Koh Phi Phi Don does not have proper roads and only has paved roads for walking. In all a visit to the Koh Phi Phi island can be a very invigorating and refreshing experience.