Koh Phi Phi Archipelago
Staying in Krabi is advantageous because of its prime location in the middle of some of the Andaman Sea’s most beautiful attractions. One of those we had to see while staying in Ao Nang was Koh Phi Phi, an archipelago featuring some of the most stunning islands in the region. Although it is technically in the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi, it’s easily accessible from Phuket as well. This area has beautiful lagoons and the beach made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2000 film, The Beach.
Krabi Tourism Day Tour
After a bit of research at our favorite beachfront café in Ao Nang, we found Krabi Tourism that we actually used for another tour of the Mangroves that is next in this series, so make sure to subscribe to my mailing list if you’re interested in that! The tour to Koh Phi Phi was 3,502 baht for two people, which breaks down to $100.52 a person. Not too steep for an entire day of boating around one of the most iconic areas of the Andaman Sea. Our guide, Bebe, was quite the jokester, and also had impressive knowledge of the area that made for great conversation as we stopped at the various sites along the route. The tour guides pick you up at your hotel, typically in a rickshaw or open-air truck with seats in the back. Good news if you are staying in Ao Nang—you get to sleep in a bit long than those starting off from Phuket. You get dropped off at Noppharathara Beach, where tons of boat tours and taxis scuttle back and forth between the Ao Nang and Hat Noppharat Thara National Park area. This beach alone is actually quite impressive, with the limestone cliffs and teal lagoons nestled along the coast. There are a number of top attractions in the area on the itinerary, making it an easy option if you travel heavy like me and don’t want to lug your luggage on yet another longtail boat to get to Koh Phi Phi Don to stay overnight. Still, if you’re looking for more time in each area, staying on Phi Phi Don is a great idea to get ahead of the crowds and enjoy a more tailored itinerary with a hired boat taxi. Check out hotels here.
Bamboo Island
The first stop on our tour was Bamboo Island, or Koh Pai. When we pulled up on shore, my jaw dropped. It was like I was looking at a Photoshopped picture is real life right in front of me! I had never seen such soft white sand and crystal-clear waters and I fell in love. We only had about 40 minutes on the island, but I could have spent all day there. The water is shallow and warm. There was a slight breeze rustling through the trees onshore. It was almost as beautiful—almost—as our next stop.
Maya Bay
Maya Bay is world famous for its white, velvety sands and water so teal, it would be insulting to add a filter on those travel pictures. The bay is home to delicate coral and other species, like blacktip reef sharks, as it provides shelter from the gales brewing across the Andaman Sea. As such, the Thai government takes diligent measures to protect and conserve the area, especially after so recently being damaged by over tourism. Your boat actually drops you off on the other side of a narrow straight. You are corralled up a steep pier to the entrance of the national park, where you pay another 400 Thai Baht ($11.44) for entry. Our tour actually took the national park fee earlier before we launched from Ao Nang, so it was a perk to just walk past the ticket line area. It is a short and pleasant walk across a cool wooden boardwalk flanked with ghost lime (according to the park plaques) that reminds of the ones they have in the national parks in Croatia, passing through a shady forested area to the beach. There is a little store right at the end of the path where you can buy water and a fresh coconut—if you’re thirsty.
After nearly three years of being closed over ecological concerns, the Thai government opened Maya Bay back up to the public in January of 2022. It was just my luck to be there right when it opened, and I foolishly thought it would be rather slow given—you know—the extenuating circumstances of the world and everything. However, I was wrong. It was packed. Still, there are guards diligently watching with whistles, waiting for those tourists who try to swim out too far. It’s actually quite hilarious to have such an awe-inspiring landscape interrupted periodically with frantic whistling from the tree line. I admit, I’d definitely want their job.
I actually just read that Maya Bay will be closing again for at least two months from August to September 2022 to continue to protect the delicate ecosystem as it continues to recover. So if you are planning a Thailand trip this summer, definitely get there beforehand to be able to see this impressive beach for yourself!
Pi Leh Bay
Next on the list was Pi Leh Bay, a beautiful lagoon encased by towering limestone mountains and with water almost as teal as Maya Bay—again, almost. This was booming with longtail and speed boats, stopping for a quick swim in the cerulean water. We had a blast jumping off the boat and floating around without a care in the world. Along the cliffs, there are plenty of spots for snorkeling and just lounging around on your boat.
Viking Cave
On our way from Bamboo Island, our tour guide stopped in front of what she called the Viking Cave. The cave houses ancient cave drawings that resemble long Viking ships, hence the name. Many believe that the cave has served as a respite for sailors waiting out storms for centuries. This whole area is actually quite significant in terms of its prehistoric archeological sites as well—make sure to check out the next location in this series for more prehistoric sites! Today, tourists can’t enter the cave, but it makes for an interesting sight from the boat. I know this is a niche interest, but I'm fascinated with all things archeology, so the prehistoric art in this whole area was super interesting for me!
Koh Phi Phi Don
Our stop for lunch for the day was in Ao Tan Sai, the main village at the Ton Sai Pier on Koh Phi Phi Don, the main inhabited island of the archipelago. Lunch was cafeteria style, which was an interesting choice in the middle of COVID, but hey, it was pretty good after several hours messing around in the sand and sun. I do wish I had more time on the island, and I think that when I come back through this area, I want to stay on Phi Phi Don. There are several impressive viewpoints that I would have loved to flown the drone around. But we only had time for a quick beer at a seaside bar before we were shuffled back onto the boat.
Leaving the bay, we passed by a beach filled with monkeys. It was my luck that there were too many other dumbies trying their luck with the monkeys, because I hate the typical macaque that lives all throughout this region. Word to the wize—stay the hell away from macaques! We did, however, get a spot nearby for some snorkeling before packing up and making the journey back to Ao Nang. The waters were a bit choppy later in the afternoon, so be ready for some thrashing—especially on the way back when your boat driver will probably be at a higher pace trying to get home on time.
Overall, I would highly recommend the tour group we used for our day around Koh Phi Phi Le! Like I said before, I have another tour next in the series from the same agent coming in two weeks so make sure you are subscribed to get notification when that goes live. Only one more in the Andaman Sea before heading across the mainland to the Gulf of Thailand!
Thanks for reading and I hope this helps you plan your next adventures in the Andaman Sea!!
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