DAY 40 - PHI PHI LEH BY LONG TAIL BOAT

Arranged with the dive shop to have a long tail boat take us out on a 4-hour tour of Phi Phi Leh - an uninhabited island about 1 hour from here by long tail boat (likely at least half that time by speed boat).  The boat was far more rustic than I'd been expecting...  But as the resort contracts with these guys to take resort guests out on tours, I felt confident they had to be sea-worthy and I'm pretty sure these guys know exactly what they're doing.  Our resort is located on the northern end of Phi Phi Don, east side, in the Malacca Strait.  We travelled down the length of the island then over to Phi Phi Leh.  The tour takes you first around the back (west) side of the island, open to the Andaman Sea.  There were no whitecaps on the water but some pretty big swells which made for an interesting ride in our rather shallow boat :o  When we rounded the island back to the east side, the water was much calmer and I think we were all pretty happy that part was over.

That's Phi Phi Leh in the distance, east side view

Most of the island is sheer cliffs towering above with only
a few beautiful bays for access.

First stop was Maya Bay - made famous by the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio.  It really was a breathtaking spot, unfortunately, you have to use your imagination to edit out all the people - the place was just packed with people on the beach and all the tour boats.

Entrance to Maya Bay, as seen from the beach. 

Maya Bay - the sand is even whiter and softer (texture of flour) than on
Phi Phi Don where we're staying.  Just too many people!

Next was a tour around Loh Samah Bay.  Again, a gorgeous little bay with fabulous crystal clear water and incredible mountains surrounding it, but packed with people and boats.

Last stop was my favourite - our driver was going to have us snorkel with the rest of the crowds but Linda asked him to take us right into the beach.  There was only one other long-tail boat there at the time so it was pretty nice and quiet.  We got our snorkelling gear on and went out just far enough so we wouldn't be in with the crowds.  Really wish I was up to speed on names of tropical fish.  We saw loads - lots that we've seen in salt water tanks at home but couldn't tell you the names lol :)

Stopped at this beach then swam back out to the bay to snorkel.
The water is crystal clear and the colour is incredible.
Saw lots of different fish - Danny even saw an eel!

The trip back was a little calmer