A large variety of corals and beautiful reefs make diving or snorkeling a must. The leopard shark and blacktip shark call the waters off the islands their home, while catches of Blue Marlins are occasionally reported. While the island’s ‘capital’, Tonsai has been developed into a highly commercial village with countless tourist businesses, the rest of the island still represents what many tourists consider a true ‘Paradise’. Particularly, Laem Thong Beach in the Northeast, where only a handful resorts are available. There are no roads on the island, only natural footpaths or often badly paved walkways in the Tonsai area.

Therefore, getting around on the island is on foot – or by hiring some of the water taxis that come in the form of longtail boats or speedboats. The height of popularity was reached with the movie 'The Beach' that starred heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio. It is needless to say that every tourist nowadays is drawn to Maya Bay – the ‘Paradise location’ where the movie was shot. Now, Singapore-based Star Cruises have included Phi Phi in their itinerary.