Where to find ‘The Beach’?

Have you ever seen the movie ‘The Beach’ with Leonardo DiCaprio? This movie tells a story about a beach paradise in Thailand, which almost nobody knows or can reach. Our last blog was about the ultimate Tarzan and Jane experience in Khao Sok National Park. This blog will be about how to get from Khao Sok to ‘The Beach’. Moreover, we will give recommendations about where to find the best situated resorts, without being in the touristic area.

Phi Phi Islands

You can find ‘The Beach’ at a small tropical island named Koh Phi Phi Leh, which is a part of the Phi Phi Islands. The Phi Phi Islands consists of six small islands in southwest Thailand, close to Phuket and Krabi. The Phi Phi Islands are known for their breathtaking white beaches and their tropical green vegetation. Besides, it is among tourists a very popular destination for diving, snorkeling and kayaking. Take a look at the video (below), to see what a real paradise looks like!

In the early 90’s, Phi Phi was mostly visited by adventurous travelers who stayed in very basic accommodations. Nowadays, however, Phi Phi has become one of the most popular destinations of Thailand. Mainly the movie ‘The Beach’ caused this major growth in tourism, which has formed Phi Phi to a ‘party island’ with many bars and full moon party’s. However, there is a way to escape from this noisy area and enjoy the most beautiful parts of the island.

How to get here?

When Bangkok or Khao Sok National Park is your destination, you first have to go to Surat Thani. As mentioned in our previous blog, you can take a (night) train from Bangkok to Surat Thani (+/- 12 hours). From Surat Thani, you can arrange a bus or taxi to Krabi Town (1,5 hours). In addition, it is also possible to fly from Bangkok to Krabi Airport or Phuket Airport. From Krabi Town or Phuket, you can take a ferry to Koh Phi Phi.

For more information about transfers to/from Koh Phi Phi, take a look at this site.

                                                                                                                                         Monkey Beach

Where to find the best situated resorts?

The only inhabited island of the Phi Phi Islands is named Koh Phi Phi Don. As mentioned before, Phi Phi has become one of the most popular islands of Thailand, but there is a way to escape from this touristic noisy area. Most boats and other public ferries arrive at and departure from ‘Ton Sai Bay’. At Ton Sai Bay, you can find most restaurants, bars and resorts. In case you would like to stay at a quiet place and have a fantastic view on the beach, we advise you to stay at a resort on ‘Long Beach’ or at the east or north side of the island. For example, we recommend to stay at P.P. Erawan Palms Resort or Phi Phi Natural Resort, where you can stay for only €23 a night per person.

Take a look at the map, to find out where you can find these (and other) resorts. 

                                                                                                                 Phi Phi Natural Resort 

Things to do

One thing you should definitely do when visiting Phi Phi is the Phi Phi Islands trip, where you can see the most beautiful beaches and islands like Maya Bay (‘The Beach’),  Bamboo Island, Mosquito Island and Monkey Beach. You can choose to rent a private boat (long tail boat) or to buy a ticket for a speed boat. In June 2011, I did this island trip with my girlfriend and we found it really amazing. We rented a private boat (only €40 a day!), so we did not had to travel with others and we could make our own plan. During the trip we enjoyed the most beautiful beaches of Thailand.

 

Another thing you should do is scuba diving. Take a look at this video to see why people say this is one of the best diving places of the world. If you are lucky, you can spot Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Reef Sharks and many more.

 

         

           Scuba diving
 


 




           Bamboo Island



    
     

            Maya Bay

 

           Phi Phi Don