Phi Phi Islands famed as among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions of Thailand. Phi Phi The name is derived from Malay, and the original was Pulao Pi ah Pi, where in pulao is the Malay word for island, and pi pronounced with only a half p sound, was very close in pronunciation to the English word be; the ah was eventually dropped, so the name was said something like Bi Bi. Later the p was pronounced with a stronger aspiration and the name became the Phi Phi or Pee Pee we know today.

The name refers to the mangrove wood found there. Six islands are in the group: Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi Ley, Koh Biddah Nok, Koh Biddah Nai, Koh Yoong, and Koh Pair total area is 42 square kilometers. They were incorporated into the national park in 1983.

Krabi: The nearest beach in physical proximity and of major importance is Hat Noppharat Thara located some 18 kilometres from the provincial capital. It is part of the Mu Ko Phi Phi national park even though it is on the mainland. It is an extensively scenic beach that is lined with casurina trees and coconut groves. It also offers commanding views of the offshore islands. The beach is popular with those who prefer swimming and sunbathing in tranquil surroundings.

A few kilometres to the south, the palm fringed Ao Nang Beach is fronted by resort accommodation, guest houses, bungalow complexes, dive shops and restaurants offering Swiss, Italian, Thai and Chinese food. There are also windsurfing clubs and souvenir shops. The beach is popular with snorkellers and windsurfers and is an ideal place for sunbathing and swimming.

Due south again and accessible only by boat is the secluded Ao Phra Nang Bay. The southern extremity is marked by a mountain cave containing a shrine dedicated to the spirit of a resident goddess ( Phra Nang ). The beach is a popular venue for swimming and sunbathing and most importantly for rock climbers who scale the sheer limestone cliffs for exhilarating views of the immediate environs and offshore islands.

Railay Beach is located on a peninsular which juts out from the mainland. It, like Ao Phra Nang Bay, is only accessible by boat from Ao Nang Beach. The entire area is covered with towering cliffs of limestone and dense unspoiled jungle which conceals fantastic caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. The white beach melts into an aquamarine sea as the sun beats down. Palm fronds and billowing foliage provide shade as you gaze out over the azure blue waters.

The Susan Hoi ( literally' Shell Cemetery ) is located some 17 kilometres west of the provincial capital and comprises granite like slabs of grey fossilised shells. These slabs are estimated to be 75 million years old. The cemetery is the only one of its kind in Asia. The environs are a popular shopping place for shell souvenirs, comprising largely decorative figurines, mobiles, jewellery and household items such as ashtrays and picture frams.

As most visitors to Phi Phi Islands come from Phuket some 40 kilometers away, many of them think that the islands are part of Phuket. In fact, Phi Phi belong to Krabi province, although the distance from Krabi to Phi Phi is about the same as that between Phuket and Phi Phi.

The islands and the coastal hills are mostly composed of limestone and are an extension of the limestone mountain range in Phang-Nga province. Some of the characteristics of such mountains and islands are their steep cliffs, large caves and dwarf trees growing out of the crevices in the rocks.

What are of much greater interest to ordinary tourists are the colourful coral and exotic fishes of many different colours and shapes. Large fishes such as blue marlin are occasionally caught. But they usually come and go with the southwest monsoon and so are not easilly encountered in the area.

The island group is composed of two rocky, tree-covered islets-Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. The former, the larger of the two which lies in the north, is well known for its fine beaches and coral formations around the island and is provided with an assortment of accommodation facilities along Ton Sai Bay, Lodalam Bay and Loh Bagao Bay at the northern of the island.

About 2 kilometers to the south is Phi Phi Le.Contrary to Phi Phi Don, this islet is uninhabited not only because this is banned, but also because there is no beach around it. The island descends abruptly into the sea on all sides. Its main point of interest is a large cave about 3.2 square kilometers in size known as Viking Cave. It is so called because one of the numerous drawings on the walls resembles a viking shin. The cave has a ceiling about 10 to 15 meters high which contains many ledges inhabited by thousands of Swallows. A demonstration of bird's nest collection is a regular feature of a guided tour of the islands. The sea around the island is deep and the southern part is full of coral formations and so is a favourite diving spot.

With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, wooded cliffed mountains, colourful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman. Koh Phi Phi Don covers a total area of 28 square kilometers: 8 kilometers in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end is Laem Thong Cape, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gipsies emigrated from Koh Lipao in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia. There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving bays are especially beautiful: Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. Furthermore the other beautiful bay such as Lohbagao, long beach. This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found.

Koh Phi Phi is 6.6 square kilometers in total area: 3 kilometers in length and 1 at its broadest point. The island is entirely limestone and steep cliffs rising from the sea very nearly ring it. Surrounding waters average about 20 meters in depth, reaching 34 meters at the deepest point off the island's southern trip. Phi Phi Ley has several beautiful bays: Billeh, Mahya, and Loh Samah.

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