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Shore Day Trip Live Aboard
Country: Thailand Area: Thailand
Water Temp: 28 - 30°C (82 - 86°F)
Visibility: 5 - 20m (16 - 66 ft)
Book A Diving Trip OnlineOne of the most beautiful areas in Thailand, the Phi Phi Islands dramatic landscape is just as beautiful underwater as it is above. Perfectly placed to access all the best dive sites of the area, Koh Phi Phi is a very popular holiday destination.
Book A Dive Center OnlineThe Phi Phi Islands are located between Phuket and the Krabi mainland in the Andaman Sea. The two main islands, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh are very popular with backpackers and along with the beautiful scenery, beaches and tropical island feel they also have access to some excellent diving.
Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest and most populated whilst Koh Phi Phi Leh is famous for where the film “The Beach” was filmed and although is mostly uninhabited, it is packed during the day with visitors in the easily recognisable Maya Bay. Both islands were affected by the Tsunami of 2004 which huge destruction on the low lying areas of Phi Phi Don, most of with has been repaired and rebuilt since and all new buildings have been height restricted to preserve the islands stunning views.
Phi Phi underwater, Credit
Phi Phi Don can easily be reached from all the surrounding tourist locations with frequent ferries from Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta and the nearest international airports being in Phuket and Krabi so the islands are relatively quick and easy to reach. There is also the option of taking a seaplane to Phi Phi from Phuket. Once on the island there are officially no motorised vehicles except a couple of motorbikes, so everywhere is reached on foot or by water taxis.
Boats, Credit
Koh Phi Phi is tropical like most of the Andaman coast of Thailand. This means there is a monsoon season bringing with it rain from Late May through October. Even so most of this time is still very sunny with only brief showers. The visibility does drop during this time as does the water temperature with the coldest period between June and September. The winds can also cause choppier waters but it still is rare to have an entire diving day cancelled. February to the beginning of May is the best weather and diving conditions with the waters at their warmest in April.
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Koh Phi Phi’s scuba diving ranks highly amongst the best sites in Thailand, as well as being perfectly located to act as a gateway to sites around Phuket, Koh Lanta and to the islands further up the Andaman Coast. There is a huge choice of dive centres on Phi Phi Don all which can provide dives in the local area and some of which provide trips to further afield sites either on day trips or liveaboards. Liveaboards run year round and when the seas are less choppy in the dry season also visit the famous sites in the Simian Islands and Richelieu Rock combined with local Phi Phi sites.
Diver, Credit
The rugged steep limestone cliffs that rise out of the water creating the beautiful landscapes continue underwater and create some dramatic topography with the wonderful soft coral walls that Phi Phi’s diving is famous for. Some of the most popular local sites include Bida Nok and its neighbour Bida Nai. Bida Nok is an enjoyable dive with colourful corals, a good chance of Hawksbill Turtles, Black Tip Reef Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Banded Sea Snakes and occasionally some lucky divers may see a Whale Shark or Manta Ray in season! Bida Nai has a couple of swimthroughs filled with glass fish, seahorses and harlequin pipefish. These sites are both suited and can be enjoyed by all levels.
Coral reef, Phi Phi, Credit
Along with the close by local sites, divers can also visit further afield sites on day trips such as Shark Point, Anemone Reef and King Cruiser Wreck. Shark Point is made up of three rock pinnacles home to a diverse, dense amount of marine life including the commonly seen Leopard Sharks against a backdrop of colourful pink and purple corals. This is an ideal site as combined with excellent marine life the site is made up of more than one pinnacle there is always somewhere you can hide from the currents whatever the weather or winds are up to.
Moray eel, Credit
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As a popular tourist destination Phi Phi has a wide range of restaurants to cater for almost every taste! It is very easy to walk around and choose from Thai, Indian, Western, Japanese and other restaurants. Most the food is excellent and of good value for money.
Food! Credit
It is always Friday in Phi Phi and it is a popular party destination for many young westerners. This doesnt necessarily spoil the atmosphere but if you are easily disturbed by noise the center of town accomodation might not be suitable!
It can almost be hard to avoid having a few beers (or a bucket) and end up drifting towards the beach for the nightly fire shows at Slinky Bar or Woody's Bar where there are nightly discos and several other premises willing to serve you large amounts of alcohol and burning hoops to jump through.
Other bars worth checking out;
Banana Bar: A chilled out bar on the top of the building - often accompanied by the smell of certain substances being smoked.
Relax Bar: On the way down to Slinky and Woody bar; a great bar run by a nice Swedish chap with very reasonable prices, board games and probably the best atmosphere in Phi Phi.
Dojo Bar: For a more modern feel
Regae Bar: For frequent Muai Thai boxing matches (often pitting tourists against each other for buckets) often entertaining even if some regret taking part!
Becareful you do not end up partying so much you end up unable to dive!
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Although the Phi Phi Islands offer excellent diving you cannot ignore the many other activities and features of the area. The area is the most beautiful in Thailand and whether you trek into the jungle or to the top of one of Phi Phi s hills to get a jaw dropping view of the islands, take a trip to a secluded sandy bay or a kayak trip around the coastline you must take the time to experience all the these magical islands have to offer.
A Cliff in Phi Phi, Credit
Other activities that are available;
Wake Boarding/Water-sking - Just do not expect a high level of coaching; not really suitable for beginners as they will generally expect you to know what to do!
View-point sun-sets - Amazing views - especially at sunset from the various view points. It does involves some up-hill walking as you might expect but totally worth it. Best to bring a torch if you are going to the further afield view points.
Kayaking - A great afternoon can be had exporing the coast and it is relatively cheap! Worth bringing your snorkel & fins if you fancy some free diving/snorkeling.
The Beach, Credit
Cooking classes - There are a few restaruants that do cookery classes and are well recommended by those who have done them.
Rock climbing - There is some decent rock climbing and there are places where you can hire gear and/or a guide!
Party Boat day-trips - There are various party-boat trips for those who are not expecting to dive the next day. They generally take you out in the morning take you round various Islands, give you drinks, food and sometimes BBQ.
Phi Phi is known for its every-night parties and is popular with young Western backpackers.
Although there is no Elephant Trekking on offer at Phi Phi to raise awareness we are publishing this bit here anyway!
Please do not support Elephant torture and abuse by riding Elephants (or supporting Elephant performance) in Asia;
You can help these magnificent animals by making your travel companions aware of what lies behind this industry. The main problem is a lack of awareness - most people have no idea!
Dive Report is committed to raising awareness to the abuse suffered by Elephants used in the tourist industry. If you want to know more you can find out more here, here, here and here. Also see a PETA documentary video here.
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Accomodation is often sold to you as you get off the boat; if you are budget concious it is best to find your accomodation yourself else you will have to pay 50 baht a night extra which goes to the guy who took you to see the accomodation.
Muai Thai - beware - often fights between freinds get visious and people end up in a bloody mess with broken noses or disjointed appendages for the sake of winning a 200 Baht bucket (and their pride). Medical facilities are not all that great in Phi Phi; anything serious needs to be taken off the island which usually involves a ride on a hand-cart to the ferry port. Best to avoid fighting if you or your friend is very competitive!
Such beauty! Credit
You will find a number of ex-pats (usually British or Scandinavian) working in bars, dive centers or promoting bars; these are generally a very friendly bunch who can help you out if you need any impatial advice.
There are good ATMs on the island (a bank & money exchange can be found near Dojo Bar in the center of the main town).
So I finally got wet and started my open water course with Blue View Divers on Phi Phi Island, two hours underwater with one of their Instructors Caroline made my week, I chilled with a turtle, saw chameleon cuttlefish and ate a great Penang curry :)
Diving was much less intimidating then I thought it would be! Competent instructors help here of course - but the the mask clearance was not so bad.
Dive at the following sites Viking Cave, Maya Nui and Bida Nok, if I've spelt them correctly.
Joined the daily dive with Kon-Tiki in Krabi and was well taken care of as they knew I had only just gotten my OW.
saw a few green turtles, one leopard shark sleeping at the bottom. Clown fish is quite common too. Current was strong for me when i was there and i experience my first surge and =( seasick. haha Felt better after throwing up and continue with dive2.
i think i will return and try the King Cruiser wreck dive.
And did you appreciate this dive center? I will stay 3 nights on Koh Phi Phi and 4 days in Krabi. I need to check if it is better to book direcly on Koh Phi Phi or via Krabi for a trip around Koh Phi Phi. That's the question :P
@Guillaume i made all my arrangements before going down. Including getting discount :p more of the staff are Scandinavians. I do think i would dive with them again if i am there.
@Niki Thx for the info. I will check with this dive center. By the way, they are probably Norvegians just by the name Kon-Tiki. Because I saw a movie last year and Kon-Tiki was the raft used by Norwegians explorers expedition across the Pacific Ocean from South America to the Polynesian islands. If you want to know more about this story, i suggest you this movie :)
Lots of sea life, saw a huge sea Krait (5ft at least) and a Hawks bill turtle. Unfortunately no sharks today but if you go without the intention of just wanting to see large sea life you will be more than happy.
Left from Koh Lanta, approximately 35 minute ride to the Phi Phi islands, visited Nok and Nai.
I tried for 4 days to dive with sharks (Shark Point) in Phi Phi - although two of the times I just swam out and snorkeled from Long Beach - but no good luck either :( - I did see turtles though!
1000+ dives
Since it has been storming for the past weeks going to dive locations from Phi Phi has been limited.
mostly stay at Phi Phi Ley out of the waves.
as also this day.
the first Dive of the day was done at Viking Cave
being dropped almost on top of the artificial reef we found ourselves surrounded by Batfish .. most I have seen until now on this location..
after slowly moving towards the north point of the island to swim through the bigger boulders and corals
we come across a Peacock Mantis shrimp in the open area.. it does not run away..
it stays still in the sand and allowes us to look close and take some awesome pictures of it..
we continue our dive towards the north end where on the way we are welcomed by a Hawksbill Seaturtle that is eating of the coral and not disturbed by our presence.
<10 dives
I went diving for the first time today on a DSD day - the visibility was really good (20-30m) and diving was very relaxed.
Two dives - second one being a full hour which was great - and saw an adult and a baby Turtle and a Leopard Shark which was fab. Also saw Cuttle Fish and a wide variety of other cool fish.
Sea seems very salty here at the moment - but I guess that is seasonal in Thailand.
Boat and crew were great - and really nice people and great teaching style... also awesome that they help pick up rubbish from the beaches at lunch time - if all tour operators here had the same attitude it would be a far nicer place!
Now just need to decide if I will do my open water course - very tempted but depends on time! :)
a nice view of the island and almost perfect. seductive light blue sea, endless white sand beaches also like tapestry. really fantastic.
are located in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Strait of Malacca coast of the mainland. The islands are administratively part of Krabi province.
3000+ dives
A day trip at Koh Phi Phi, my first dive here at Phi Phi was at a dive site called Koh Bida Nok, I was introduced to my dive guide, she was called Nat, a local girl who had been diving around Phuket and Phi Phi for 10 years.
Nat gave us a thorough dive briefing, my first sight was a school of blue fin trevallies i thought wow! as we descended even further we then hit a beautiful coral reef. Nat our guide was showing us everything, macro stuff like sea horses, nudi-branch and the elusive clown angler fish, which at first i couldn't see until Nat started to point at it. Giant moray eels, lion fish and the beautiful cuttle fish.
We then ascended to a shallower depth and this is when it got really exciting WOW, black tip sharks everywhere! my first sight of a shark this was truly amazing, so elegant and super fast, after a 2 or 3 minutes the sharks then just disappeared into the blue. I have to say a special thanks to Nat our amazing and most sincere dive guide, also the boat we was on MV Scuba Fun, amazing crew who made everyone feel special and we all enjoyed their hospitality.
incredibly beautiful, makes me more impatient to get there. planned that I would leave there in the mid 2014
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Almira Syegh
Love Phi Phi xox