How one resort is fighting to save Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands

Karla Cripps
By Karla Cripps, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 5:03 AM EDT, Fri September 7, 2018
<strong>Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort: </strong>Located on Phi Phi Don's Loh Bagao Bay, the 70-acre Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort offers travelers a chance to enjoy Phi Phi's famed beauty away from the crowds.
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort: Located on Phi Phi Don's Loh Bagao Bay, the 70-acre Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort offers travelers a chance to enjoy Phi Phi's famed beauty away from the crowds.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Marine Discovery Centre: </strong>A new addition to the resort, the Marine Discovery Centre is the latest in a line of investments by owner Singha Estate to restore the area's marine ecosystems. The center is free to all visitors, including non-guests. <br />
Marine Discovery Centre: A new addition to the resort, the Marine Discovery Centre is the latest in a line of investments by owner Singha Estate to restore the area's marine ecosystems. The center is free to all visitors, including non-guests.
Phi Phi Island Resort
<strong>Clownfish Room: </strong>The center is divided into four main zones: The Shark Room, the Phi Phi Islands Room and the Clownfish Room, where the popular fish are bred and released into the waters of the Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
Clownfish Room: The center is divided into four main zones: The Shark Room, the Phi Phi Islands Room and the Clownfish Room, where the popular fish are bred and released into the waters of the Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
Phi Phi Island Resort
<strong>Shark Room: </strong>In the bamboo shark nursery, juveniles -- endemic to the area -- are also raised then released into the Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
Shark Room: In the bamboo shark nursery, juveniles -- endemic to the area -- are also raised then released into the Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
Phi Phi Island Resort
<strong>Making things happen: </strong>Development of the Marine Discovery Centre was overseen by marine biologist Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, who has been working with the government on efforts to rehabilitate Phi Phi's waters.
Making things happen: Development of the Marine Discovery Centre was overseen by marine biologist Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, who has been working with the government on efforts to rehabilitate Phi Phi's waters.
Singha Estates
<strong>Main pool: </strong>The resort has two swimming pools, as well as a recreation center, PADI dive center, fitness room, spa and tennis courts.
Main pool: The resort has two swimming pools, as well as a recreation center, PADI dive center, fitness room, spa and tennis courts.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Phi Phi Island Village Resort rooms:</strong> There are 201 rooms, including 189 traditional thatched roof bungalows and 12 private Hillside Pool Villas.
Phi Phi Island Village Resort rooms: There are 201 rooms, including 189 traditional thatched roof bungalows and 12 private Hillside Pool Villas.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Hilside Pool Villa: </strong>Each 110-square-meter pool villa offers amazing views of nearby Loh-Bagao Bay.
Hilside Pool Villa: Each 110-square-meter pool villa offers amazing views of nearby Loh-Bagao Bay.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Api Restaurant & Bar:</strong> Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort has four restaurants and three bars, including Api, pictured here.
Api Restaurant & Bar: Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort has four restaurants and three bars, including Api, pictured here.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Beachfront junior suite: </strong>The beachfront junior suites provide easy access to the bay's 800-meter stretch of sand.
Beachfront junior suite: The beachfront junior suites provide easy access to the bay's 800-meter stretch of sand.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Infinity pool: </strong>Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is one of just a handful of higher end properties in the area.
Infinity pool: Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is one of just a handful of higher end properties in the area.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Koh Pai:</strong> The resort can arrange private boat tours of the surrounding islands and waters.
Koh Pai: The resort can arrange private boat tours of the surrounding islands and waters.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Aerial view: </strong>Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort offers a direct boat service to the hotel via Phuket. Public ferries are also available from Krabi, Aonang and Koh Lanta to Phi Phi's Tonsai pier. Guests can then take a long-tail boat to the resort.
Aerial view: Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort offers a direct boat service to the hotel via Phuket. Public ferries are also available from Krabi, Aonang and Koh Lanta to Phi Phi's Tonsai pier. Guests can then take a long-tail boat to the resort.
Courtesy Phi Phi Island Village
<strong>Phi Phi Leh: </strong>An aerial view of Phi Phi Leh, home to the famous Maya Bay. It's a 20-minute boat ride from the Phi Phi Island Village Resort.
Phi Phi Leh: An aerial view of Phi Phi Leh, home to the famous Maya Bay. It's a 20-minute boat ride from the Phi Phi Island Village Resort.
Shutterstock
Thailand's Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand CNN  — 

That Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands are among the country’s most popular beach destinations should come as little surprise to anyone.

Home to Maya Bay – made famous by the release of 2000 film “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio – they’re ridiculously stunning, a place where towering limestone cliffs frame frosty white beaches.

But like countless tourist hotspots before them, Phi Phi’s beauty has led to unmanageable arrival levels.

Located in Thailand’s Andaman Sea about 46 kilometers from Phuket, Phi Phi has two main islands – Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don.

Phi Phi Leh is where you’ll find Maya Bay. There are no accommodations here, as staying overnight is prohibited.

The much larger Phi Phi Don, considered a backpacker paradise due to the abundance of budget and mid-range accommodation options in Loh Dalum, is famous for its wild party scene.

Both are part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which according to government stats attracted over 2 million visitors in 2017. Maya Bay in particular drew an estimated 3,700 visitors a day on average, many of them day trippers roaring in on speedboats from nearby Phuket.

This year, the government took the surprising step of closing the bay to tourists for four months, from June 1 to September 30, to embark on a rejuvenation project that includes coral restoration work and the installation of a new jetty.

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An aerial view of Phi Phi Leh, home to Maya Bay.