Ko Phi Phi Le
Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand
Part of the glorious Phi Phi archipelago in Thailand’s turquoise Andaman Sea, Ko Phi Phi Le is an uninhabited island whose standout feature is Maya Bay—which catapulted to fame after appearing in the 2000 film The Beach. The pristine waters surrounding it are prime snorkel and scuba diving spots, as they’re home to blacktip reef sharks, sea snakes, hawksbill turtles, and octopi.
The basics
Along with Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Le is home to two other big hitters: Viking Cave—where swiftlets make their nests out of saliva, creating an outrageously expensive delicacy used in Bird’s Nest Soup—and Pi Leh Bay, with its limestone cliffs and shallow waters ideal for swimming. These three natural features are a staple of Phi Phi island-hopping tours, which take you in a speedboat, catamaran, or traditional long-tail boat, and typically depart from Phi Phi Don, Krabi, or Phuket.
Things to know before you go
Since Ko Phi Phi Le is uninhabited, you won’t find any stores or accommodation options on this protected island.
The waters are so clear and full of marine life that they’re the ideal place for underwater cameras; be sure to take yours along with you.
The refreshing ocean breeze can be deceiving on boat tours; make sure you wear a sunhat and plenty of sunscreen, and stay well hydrated during your day out on the water.
On most boat tours, wearing a lifejacket is compulsory.
How to get there
Public ferries from Krabi, Phuket, and other nearby islands only dock at the major Phi Phi island of Phi Phi Don. The main pier on Phi Phi Don is called Ao Tonsai, and that’s where most ferries and boat tours depart from. You can charter a private speedboat to take you to Phi Phi Le, but the best way to cover its myriad sights is on a boat tour.
When to get there
The Phi Phi islands are one of the most popular places to visit in all of Thailand, so you can nearly always expect them to be busy. To beat the crowds, opt for an early-morning boat tour or visit during the shoulder-season months of June or October, when the chance of rain slightly increases, but the price of hotels plummets.
An after-sunset glow
While the Phi Phi islands are a magnet for travelers during the day, after dark they offer a unique natural phenomenon. Stick around for sunset (when most of the day trips have departed) and you can experience the bioluminescent plankton that inhabits the waters. Don a snorkel and then move your arms and legs to watch them brighten the inky blackness of the Andaman Sea.
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