I have put this together as i have been asked by friends for advice here and there. These are my own opinions based on experience of living on the island prior to the tsunami as well as visiting 3.5 years later. Please use this only as a basic guide and if you have any further questions you can email me and I will try to help the best I can!

If you are diving or learning to dive – plan for very least 5 days on the island! Lots to do and lots not to do if that is what you wish!

If you have been to PP before you will definately notice the increase in prices for everything from accomodation to ferry prices & even food.

Getting to Phi Phi
Phi Phi is just a 1.5hr (ish) ferry ride from Phuket Rasad pier or from Krabi.

Accommodation
It is tiny. (the island) and there are now more tourists then there ever was. Prices have soared for accomodation compared to a few years ago. So,,, regarless depending on when you are going it may pay to book at least one night in advance somewhere so that you don't have to run around looking when you get there (if it is busy then it might be a problem - especially if you arrive in the afternoon!) You don’t have to book from overseas – just book the day before you head to the island. Suggestions – (don’t hold me on them – just good to have one day with a room then you can look around after you get there)

If you want to chance it and look for a cheaper room when you arrive of course you can..... you will be spotted by a hoard of people when you get off the ferry and everyone will have a place for you to stay. There are a few rooms you can rent above shops which you can get for about 500bhat but you would be lucky to find anywhere much cheaper (maybe one or two for 300bhat at the cheapest if you are there in low season).

Some places to stay

Accommodation Pitharom PP Resort (nice!) PP Hotel Bay View Resort JJ Bungalow Andaman Beach Resort PP Casita Kinnaree House PP Don Chuckit Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort Cabana Hotel Chunut Guesthouse

If you want to dive, eat in the markets, enjoy the nightlife etc and want to stay within walking distance to all then I wouldn’t suggest staying on Long Beach if you have a choice – only because if you dive you have to get up extra early – and will always have to pay for longtails (boats) to get you back and forth each day. You do have dive shops there and it is quiet (bar the longtail boat engines that some people don’t like!) (other places to avoid only due to distance from town – PhiPhi Natural Resort, Holiday inn, Zeavola, PP Island Village, Holiday Inn etc). All will have dive shops near however it is the distance to the actual town you might have issues with.

Diving
If you dive with any of the people below you will be sorted 100%!!!

1. Blue View Divers It is on Loh Dalum Bay side of island - (opposite side from where you come in on ferry) My good friend Clare set up the shop in 2006 and it is now run by Cian & Lisa. It is a very different shop from the rest of the ones on the island - you dive on longtail boats, leave at different times to miss the crowds, there is a very ecofriendly attitude and the shop also puts a lot back into the thai community.

2. Visa Diving - A wonderful friend of ours, Joost is there

3. Harlequin Scuba - another low key shop much like Blue View run by our mate Jen. He is located near Andaman Resort . They do not run on longtail boats though.

There are many other dive shops but I can guarantee these shops are run well and I would and have dived with them! There is something like 30shops on the island. There is a price agreement on the island whereby all shops are required to offer diving & courses at the same rates so shopping around is only required for where you feel the most comfortable.

Courses:

(you may here that prices are a bit more expensive on Phi Phi to do these courses – but I guarantee – you will get better diving!
- DSD: try dive – you learn a bit of theory (up to 1hr) then do a couple of little “skills” before you actually head UNDER water. This is 1 day worth – you don’t get qualified but you get to dive! Just trust the instructor and you are guaranteed to have fun!
- Open Water Course: This is the first course you can do – 3 1⁄2 days – you have theory, quizzes and an exam – play in the shallow water first to learn skills then you get 4 dives after that. You get your Open Water PADI Certification where you can dive anywhere in the world after that.

Food
Every stall in PP claims to be the best place in Thailand however I know for a fact you have to go visit Nod – ask anyone who lives there and they can tell you where he is! (Papaya is the name of his place) it is nothing fancy – but the best Thai food you might ever get in your life! And lots of it and CHEAP too!

If you fancy a fry up....find Little Britain near the regae bar.

The market is amazing and safe (for those unsure). Definately a place for lunch!

Shopping
There are lots and lots of little gift shops and clothes shops for souvenirs scattered all over the island. Also you can get tattoos (bamboo tats as well)

Sightseeing around Phi Phi
You must take a tour around the main island by long tail boat – take 1⁄2 - 1 day to go snorkelling, packed picnic. Lots of lovely beaches. Go around to Bamboo Island and thereabouts. There are trips to Maya Beach, and the Bida Islands but you do those when you go diving so better to go around the other island for your trip (weather depending of course)
If you want to sit on the beach, snorkel and maybe see black tip reef sharks (have to get up really early to see them) go to Long Beach – can take a short long tail boat ride over to the beach – there is a restaurant and you can get icecream!

Rock Climbing

Besides snorkeling etc as per above Krabi province is famous for it's rock climbing - you can do a course and/or climbing excursions on PP. check out this updated site

Other bits and bobs

Internet access is found everywhere on the island - there is also wifi access which you can purchase credit from at several places around.

You can find all of the following in town on PP - pharmacies, many many cashpoints, walk in bank, book shops, a hospital, massage parlours, hair salons, manicure&pedicures, western food, market food, 7-11 for slurpies, and more. You don't need to worry about not getting things on the island - there is even now an optomitrist in case you lose your contacts or glasses!!!

Good Website for more detailed info and maps - - - - www.hiphiphi.com

  © 2006 Twila Midgley