Tonsai Bay Phi Phi Island.
First Impressions of the bay. As you round the headland from Phuket Island between Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley Islands or arrive from Krabi rounding Shark Point you get the impression of entering a special part of the world. The cliffs of Tonsai through to the golden sands of Long Beach creates an awe inspiring spectacle. Many of the passengers of the daily move to the side of the ferries and even the bigger ferries list a degree or two.
The Bay stretches along a 2km wall of cliffs round to the man village which is a 2 km wide beach, which as it heads east is interrupted with headlands and smaller beaches.
Tonsai Beach.
This is the heart of the islands where the Asian bazaar like village is noisy, exciting and fun, to the coconut groves under the mountains near the health center, where cows wander among the short cropped grass and palm fronds.
The Hotels on Tonsai bay.
Hotels and resorts are numerous. They are as follows and all have impressive views of the cliffs and Phi Phi Ley; Cabana Hotel, Phi Phi Hotel, Phi Phi Banyan Village, Chao Koh Bungalows, PP Don Chukit, PP Andaman Bungalows, Phi Phi Villa, Phi Phi Andaman Beach Resort, Bay View, PP Villa School, Maphrao, Viking resort, Phi Phi Paradise Pearl, PP Long Beach, Phi Phi The Beach Resort and Phi Phi The Hill Resort.
Tonsai Village.
This bustling community of local Muslim, Thai trader, and western diver traveler and holiday maker create a rich and colourful spectacle. Stay in a comfortable 4 storey hotel like the Phi Phi Hotel, Dive at Sea Frog Divers, eat at the renowned Le Grand Blue, stay connected at Cheap Charlie Internet café, buy a painting at the art gallery, eat local spicy curries, organize Shark watching at the Adventure Club, get a Tattoo, watch the fire show at Hippies, watch the nightly Thai Boxing at the Reggae Bar, shop till you drop and much much more….. this is a wonderful place to visit.
Tonsai harbour.
With the sea dropping like a stone from the edge of the cliffs it is a natural deep water harbour. Protected from the worst winds of low season and while the seas can have 5 meter waves off shore the Tonsai Bay stays flat as a pancake. This has given rise to an all year water sports haven.
It is so deep that one of the more wild tours on Phi Phi Island is cliff jumping. I’ve seen some dare devils leap 12 meters off the cliffs and all bobbed to the surface with a huge grin.
Diving is often done here in the low season as there are very beautiful reefs under the cliffs and also a 30 m rock called Hin Dot just off the end of Tonsai Cliffs.
