Phi Phi Don - Tours / Activities

Phi Phi Don - Tours / Activities

Author
Discussion

Caldo

Original Poster:

29 posts

199 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
Lots of people seem quite knowledgeable about Thailand on here, so hopefully someone can help. Going to Thailand in the new year; spending 4 nights on Phi Phi and looking to do a boat tour to all the tourist sights, see "The Beach" and monkey beach etc. Have had a look at various reviews on trip advisor etc and most trip seems to involve a lot a snorkeling, which is something I am not really interested.

Has anyone been on any boat tours from Phi Phi and can tell me if I'd need to sit about for hours as others snorkel or is there a better way for me to enjoy the sights? I have read about booking your own long-tail, but apparently these go in to what sounds like a rather dodgy / dangerous back entrance and not the beach?

sneijder

5,221 posts

233 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
I went before the tsunami, IIRC there's really not much to see and can be done in a morning or afternoon.

We went 'cliff jumping' one day which was fun. Basically wearing PE Pumps and jumping off different heights into the sea.

Carlitos and Apache Bar were very fun (assuming you like a drink) Accomodation used to be very limited so the best places were always booked in advance. We'd end up in a crap hole for a night or two whilst waiting for a nicer room.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
I don't like phi phi, but there is loads of accommodation, I can do it for a weekend, just drive to the ferry and cross, never prebooked, that the problem its packed now, nothing like even 10years ago, you can book what ever trips you want through the agents, or just book a private boat and do your own.

g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
quotequote all
Caldo said:
Lots of people seem quite knowledgeable about Thailand on here, so hopefully someone can help. Going to Thailand in the new year; spending 4 nights on Phi Phi and looking to do a boat tour to all the tourist sights, see "The Beach" and monkey beach etc. Have had a look at various reviews on trip advisor etc and most trip seems to involve a lot a snorkeling, which is something I am not really interested.

Has anyone been on any boat tours from Phi Phi and can tell me if I'd need to sit about for hours as others snorkel or is there a better way for me to enjoy the sights? I have read about booking your own long-tail, but apparently these go in to what sounds like a rather dodgy / dangerous back entrance and not the beach?
I did a 'tour' from Phi Phi when I visited years ago.

Essentially consisted of a boat ride, kayaking, snorkelling and visiting the beach from 'The Beach'. I think I also remember a beach with monkeys. It was actually very good but unfortunately was so long ago I can't remember who it was organised with or how much it cost.

It was actually very enjoyable and worth doing.




Colonial

13,553 posts

204 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Don't bother.

I'm at cape panwa right now. Phi Phi is crowded and not all,that nice. We chartered a catamaran from Andaman Sea Club in Ao Yon and went to some great snorkelling spots instead.

So much better. Unless you want lobster red drunk tourists

TheBMWDriver

591 posts

153 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
Having spent a lot of time out in Thailand I would not recommend Phi Phi.

Its dirty, over crowded, expensive, very few good restaurants, the hotels are very poor and over priced.

Phuket has a bit of everything, luxury, budget hotels, good restaurants, bars, hookers, spa's and there are day trips to many of the local islands.

If not too late to change your plans I would.

Im going back to Phuket next week.

HotJambalaya

2,023 posts

179 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
TheBMWDriver said:
Having spent a lot of time out in Thailand I would not recommend Phi Phi.

Its dirty, over crowded, expensive, very few good restaurants, the hotels are very poor and over priced.

Phuket has a bit of everything, luxury, budget hotels, good restaurants, bars, hookers, spa's and there are day trips to many of the local islands.

If not too late to change your plans I would.

Im going back to Phuket next week.
Fully agree with this. Though I prefer Koh Samui to Phuket by a long way, Phuket doesn't have the same island feel that samui does...


Phi Phi is at best a day or two, "the beach" is now a crowded hell hole that stinks of diesel.

g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
TheBMWDriver said:
Having spent a lot of time out in Thailand I would not recommend Phi Phi.

Its dirty, over crowded, expensive, very few good restaurants, the hotels are very poor and over priced.

Phuket has a bit of everything, luxury, budget hotels, good restaurants, bars, hookers, spa's and there are day trips to many of the local islands.

If not too late to change your plans I would.

Im going back to Phuket next week.
How long has it been like that?

I went probably 8 years ago and thought it very pleasant.

sneijder

5,221 posts

233 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
I only went before the tsunami, I think after that it was a free for all with building. I heard the effort was to go a bit more up market and cram as much in as possible.

g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
sneijder said:
I only went before the tsunami, I think after that it was a free for all with building. I heard the effort was to go a bit more up market and cram as much in as possible.
I can believe that. I suppose that is the temptation when an area is so reliant on tourism (and has to compete with other areas of the same country).

During my visit, I remember the island was still recovering from the tsunami. There were still many ruined areas and some building work going on. From what I could see much was repair work but I have no doubt it was taken as an opportunity for expansion. My overwhelming impression though was that it was actually very chilled out and the beaches quite quiet. It's a shame to hear things have changed. frown


Philplop

341 posts

173 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
I wasn't particularly keen on Phi Phi either, but if you're set on going then I'd try not to let the negative comments get you down about it. People have totally different budgets, expectations, intentions and comparisons when going on holiday. Some only want luxury and others are prepared to rough it a bit, for example.

I had a couple of nights on Phi Phi Don two years ago, but didn't do a trip to Phi Phi Leh to see The Beach, so I can't help you with that. The main town is pretty busy with loud clubs.

Paid £12 per night for our basic hotel, which had a small pool with swim-up bar. £4 for an hour massage. The food was on par with any other Thai restaurants I've been in, from what I remember.

I agree that smaller islands just have something about them that Phuket doesn't. And Phuket has it's holes as well.

If 'The Beach' is on your To Do list then do it.

Caldo

Original Poster:

29 posts

199 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
TheBMWDriver said:
Having spent a lot of time out in Thailand I would not recommend Phi Phi.

Its dirty, over crowded, expensive, very few good restaurants, the hotels are very poor and over priced.

Phuket has a bit of everything, luxury, budget hotels, good restaurants, bars, hookers, spa's and there are day trips to many of the local islands.

If not too late to change your plans I would.

Im going back to Phuket next week.
We are going to Phuket after Phi Phi. I am not looking for luxury and Phi Phi should be good for a few days of partying. I have noticed that hotels are more expensive and good reviews are few and far between, but I suppose they get away with it due to supply and demand.

Going to Koh Phangan > Koh Samui > Phi Phi > Phuket and then up to the north.

TheBMWDriver

591 posts

153 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Ok, its up to you, For me Paton was a much better place to party but the upside of Phi Phi is I did not see any working girls. I am off the phuket in the morning for a week smile

Corpulent Tosser

5,459 posts

244 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Early March we are going to Bangkok for a few days then a week at Karon Beach, Phuket.
A day trip to Phi Phi is something we plan to do, advise on the best way to do that would be appreciated, any other advise on good stuff to see/do while on Phuket would be good.

TheBMWDriver

591 posts

153 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Corpulent Tosser said:
Early March we are going to Bangkok for a few days then a week at Karon Beach, Phuket.
A day trip to Phi Phi is something we plan to do, advise on the best way to do that would be appreciated, any other advise on good stuff to see/do while on Phuket would be good.
There are a lot of speed boat tours, some are better than others you should get around 50% discount not eh face value advertised.

James bound island tour is also good.

Corpulent Tosser

5,459 posts

244 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
quotequote all
OK, so the advertised prices are just a starting point for negotiation ?

Cheers

TheBMWDriver

591 posts

153 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
quotequote all
Corpulent Tosser said:
OK, so the advertised prices are just a starting point for negotiation ?

Cheers
In Patong they will have a sign saying 50% off etc... however if you book in other areas or via a nice hotel you will pay full price.

Corpulent Tosser

5,459 posts

244 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
quotequote all
OK, so book directly with the operator not through the hotel.

I probably would have gone the easy route and booked through the hotel, but I know better now smile

TheBMWDriver

591 posts

153 months

Friday 28th November 2014
quotequote all
I am in Paton now, I will get a couple of numbers of agents and post them for you over the next few days.

You are still booking via a agent but its just that there is so much competition in Patong they cut their commission, well it was like that when I came last year.

TheBMWDriver

591 posts

153 months

Friday 28th November 2014
quotequote all
ok got a card from one of the travel agents here, so for example the published price for James bond island speed boat tour is 3400 THB per person, his price was 1400.

Godless beach travel
100/ 26 -29 post office road
Taweewong raod
Patong

Email Goldseabeach@gmail.com mobile 0815377786

note I have nothing to do with this guy and many agents in Patong will give you the same price, In fact I did not like the guy because he made assumptions about me.