pistor

As part of our honeymoon in Thailand, we are planning a few days on the beach. We chose Kho Phi Phi. Our flight from Bangkok arrives in Phuket at 5pm or so and every ferry schedule I've seen doesn't have anything in the evening. Is there a way to get from Phuket to Kho Phi Phi in the evening or do we need to book one night in Phuket to take the ferry the next day?
Advise is most appreciated.

Kathie

You can arrange a private speedboat transfer - a bit pricey - but it is your honeymoon. Ask your hotel about this option.

LeighTravelClub

I think you will struggle to get even a speedboat so late in the day.
Arriving at Phuket airport at 5pm means realistically it will be around 6.30 before you can reach the pier, so it may be too late for a speedboat transfer.
But as Kathie says....ask your hotel.

Prachuap

Stay on Phuket for 2 nights. Phi Phi is very small and apart from snorkelling has little to do. You can book a ferry from the hotel.

Prachuap

Note: The airport is more than an hour drive from ferry pier.

Dickie_Gr

How much research have you done?

how much cash do you have?

The days of a deserted heaven have long gone for KPP. Look at the Tripadvisor reviews, the place is overrun with down market tourists and over exploited by money grabbing Thais. I would say it isn't honeymoon material. We sailed there over this New Year, anchored the boat, went ashore and left after 10 minutes. It is a pretty tacky place.

On the other hand, head further north and here are some incredible resorts in Krabi and Phang Nga bay, some of which I which I had visited for my honeymoon!

Prachuap

I agree with DG. Sheraton at Krabi is nice.

pistor

This is the last leg of our trip to Thailand/Cambodia. I'm sad to hear KPP is not as charming as I thought it was. We do have reservations at a very nice hotel (or so it seems from Trip Advisor) and we just want to relax after 2 weeks of trekking around Thailand.
As long as there is great food and beautiful beaches, I'd be satisfied.

simpsonc510

I would spend that first night on Phuket and then take the ferry. I don't know when you plan to go, but it's possible to have rough seas. Do observe red flag warnings on the beaches. December January timeframe has the best beautiful weather and usually calm seas. Phi Phi can be a great place to relax.

That said, there are fabulous places to relax on Phuket also.

Prachuap

PP hasnt been charming for about 20 years. Mass overdevelopment and a party island.

filmwill

Partying on the East side of the island? Hardly. When's the last time you were there? Sounds like the OP is staying at one of the resorts on the East side. Still lovely beaches there and mostly peace and quiet.

But you do speak some Thai, so you probably know better than I.

Prachuap

Only the remote beaches are decent. The Ton Sai area is terrible.

You really have a big chip on your shoulder.

Dickie_Gr

There are two or three resorts on the north east coast of KPP which look fine, the only issue is the proximity of trips out. Many of the options are just as overcrowded as KPP, you would probably be offered Mosquito Island, Bamboo Island or KPP Don which are swamped by people. The real issue is the new wealth of Russian and Chinese tourists, they are hoarding to this area.

If your reservation isn't in this area I would really consider moving, South KPP is really that bad. I hung onto brochures of the KPP for 6 months prior to going, we had a long hard days sail to get there and we literally lasted 10 minutes, it was that disappointing.

Tubkaak Resort in Northern Krabi is lovely, incredible food and very close to some stunning islands as packed with wildlife not people. This resort is very close to the deserted areas of Phang Nga bay. Koh Chong Lat, Koh Kudu Yai and Koh Roi are simply incredible and we are used to deserted areas of The Bahamas.

mcbg1

I personally find PP charming.

filmwill

As do I...

(Pardon me, removing this large chip from shoulder in order to type response...)

When we visited KPP for the 2nd time (just about 2 years ago) it was definitely busier, but our little haven on the east-side was perfect. We actually took quite a few trips just offshore to both Mosquito and Bamboo Islands (late afternoon visits) and both were dead. And this was in December.

So maybe you just had a bad stroke of luck?

Anyway, I would encourage the OP to continue onwards with KPP if they are indeed planning on staying at one of the resorts in the less touristed areas of the island.

Dickie_Gr

Looking at tripadvisor I don't think I am alone in thinking much of KPP is diabolical.

Feeding chocolate and beer to monkeys on the beach is not my idea of fun, as it does seem to be for many of the visitors.

There are far safer bets as locations for trips from Phuket.

pistor

We're staying at the Zeavola Resort, which the map puts at the very top, east side of the island. Looks pretty remote. I just want to snorkel, scuba and relax.

filmwill

You've chosen well, pistor.

Zevola is, indeed, on the more quiet side of the island. It is located near a local village (which I think makes it so more interesting than the usual glut of resort build-up) -- but, don't worry, you'll still have your privacy and everything you seek.

Despite what you may read, you won't be seeing any chocolate or beer-feeding happening anywhere near your resort.

You're also a quick longtail boat ride (right off your beach) to Mosquito and Bamboo Islands. You'll find beautiful snorkeling off both islands as well as the stretch in between your resorts and the islands. Just a quick bit of advice: head to Long Beach (the bay just behind your resort) for the cheapest longtail boat prices. All resorts charge a hefty premium for the otherwise dirt-cheap rental price of a longtail boat.

Enjoy. You'll have a lovely time.

Prachuap

Charming hmm. Dickie Gr is correct.

Dickie_Gr

Zevola is the only area on KPP I would consider.

It is much quieter and much less down market than the rest of the island. I may have missed this but what time of year?

If you do day trips pay the longboat driver twice the price to take you to destinations later in the day. We anchored at most of the popular spots and the hour before sunset was beautiful. At most spots around KPP around midday it was just living hell just trippers everywhere.

This was New Year and clearly the busiest period, I am unsure how the footfall differs throughout the year.

If you do get the chance, the seascapes around the NE coast of Phang Nga bay is just simply stunning.