Diving,Snorkeling,Kayaking

 Diving,Snorkeling,Kayaking

     No matter where you choose to call home while staying on Phi Phi, consider it a base camp - regardless of how beautiful and perfect. If you stay at A, you'll want to see B; everyone - from both A and B - will want to see C. With so many astounding sights packed into such a relatively small area, afternoon trips away from your resort's beach are always rewarding.

Wake up, down a big breakfast, and get ready for the action. Today, you might be checking out the reef gardens on a diving or snorkelling trip. Or rent a canoe and explore the fascinating coastline. Or grab your rope and climb a rock; many of Phi Phi's cliffs are scalable. Nearby islands hold secrets; hire a boat and let a guide reveal them.

Of course, a big part of a Phi Phi holiday is to kick back and soak in the sights and the sun. A gorgeous beach is never more than a few steps away, and sometimes even closer. Pack a picnic, join a game of beach volleyball, and splash in the sea with the kids. Doing nothing has never been so much fun.

Snorkeling in Phi Phi

     To the uninitiated, Phi Phi's snorkelling is like being on a fantasy planet. Even the experienced agree - it's good. Really good. With one of the world's most abundant coral reef systems, the locations and sights are both plentiful and astounding.

When the tide is right, places like Monkey Bay are just about as accessible as physics allows. The coral is just below the surface and brightly coloured fish dart here and there, inches from your mask. Hin Klang is in the middle of the sea, though it isn't nearly as deep as expected; you don't have to impersonate an island native on the hunt to enjoy the views - floating on the surface is fine. Phi Phi Lei has a few more snorkelling locations, as does Phi Phi Don, Bamboo Island, the list goes on.

Tour operators will supply equipment - i.e., fins and a mask - if you book a package trip, or you can rent them from dive operators if you choose to strike out on your own via foot or longtail boat. The serious may want to bring their own gear, or inspect before booking, as quality and available sizes will vary between shops.

Phi Phi Diving

       Diving in the Phi Phi islands is an experience not to be missed! From shallow sheltered bays to wall and drift dives, there's something for every level of diver. Visibility ranges on average from 10-25 metres with weak to moderate currents. Water temperature remains a fairly constant 27-30C throughout the year, depths from 10 - 30 metres, and, there's lots of marine life!

You will see an amazing variety of fish life, beautiful soft corals, staghorn coral gardens and huge sea fans. On the sandy bottom, leopard sharks can be found resting.

For non-divers the Phi Phi area offers superb snorkelling, with the opportunity to see not only beautiful coral gardens but also some of the larger fish at shallow depths.

Local operators offer day trips around Phi Phi and the neighbouring islands with longer trips available on liveaboard dive boats to further destinations like the Similan Islands and Burma.

Kayaking in Phi Phi

      Be captain of your own ship (sort of): paddling around Phi Phi in a two person kayak is a great way to see the island's dramatic features up close and personal. Join an organized tour or go it alone - just you, a friend, and nature's many wonders.

You can rent kayaks from most beaches for around 150 baht per hour (US$ 5, 2007) or 700 baht for the whole day.