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 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.
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.
Yung Island
lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky beach
on the east side, and a smaller strand of sand in a fold of the
hill. Many beautiful and various corals are found there.
Pai
Island
lies also to the north of Phi Phi Don, not far from Koh Yung.
Sandy beaches are on the north and east sides of the island.
Broad coral reefs stretch away into the south.
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