General Information

Phi Phi Island
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 Pi Pi we know today (the h with which it is usually spelled is confusing and superfluous). The name refers to the mangrove wood found there. Six islands are in the group; Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Biddah Nok, Biddah Nai, Yung, and Pai; total area is about 35 square kilometers. They were incorporated into the national park in 1983. Some of the interesting places to visit include.

Phi Phi Don Island
covers a total area of 28 square kilometers : 8 kilometers in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end is Cape Laem Tohng, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Tohng is excellent, as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south.
There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving bays are especially beautiful : Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found.

Phi Phi Ley Island
is an Island of 6.6 square kilometers. It is mountainous and rocky. Tall cliffs rise straight up from the sea's surface and 34 meters is the deepest Spot, at the south end of the island and others. On the northeast is the famous 'Viking Cave' so-called from the painting therein, which His Majestry King Bhumibol was pleased to grant also the name 'Payanak' meaning 'Serpent Lord', in honour of the villagers who gatter swallow's nests on the island. Inside, on the east and south walls of the cave, are paintings from historical times of an elephant, and boats of various kinds : Arab prows, junks, sharp-stemmed vessels probably of European origin, Steam ships, and propeller-driven sailboats. It is theorized that these are the work of sailors, or perhaps even of pirates, because the island provides refuge during the monsoons and lies on the main shipping lane from west to east. It was thus a place suitable for offloading cargo and conducting repairs.

Weather
Rain Season : May - October
Best time for visit : November - April

Sea Temperature
The sea stays at a warm 29 degrees Celsius all year round. No cold swimming, kayaking or diving!!!

Wind
From October 20th to April 15th Thailand island is dominated by the light dry North Easterly winds. This gives dry blue skies and starry nights.
May 15th to October 1st Phi Phi Island is dominated by moist South Westerly winds. This gives a mixture of good days with some wet periods.