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Nature trail
Explore the stunning natural beauty of Phi Phi Island through a variety of engaging routes designed to immerse you in the local ecosystem. Whether you prefer kayaking, cycling, or snorkeling, there's an adventure waiting for you. Each route is carefully curated to offer unique perspectives on the island's rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes.
Kayak Mangrove Adventure
Time of day - high tide
Duration – 2 hrs
Distance 1kms
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Kayak Extended Adventurer’s Expedition
Time of day - high tide
Duration 3 hrs
Distance: 2.11 Kms
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Cycling
Time of day – Early morning or late afternoon (to avoid the heat)
Duration 2.15 hrs
Distrance 9.3 kms
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Snorkeling
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Discover also
You can found many species here.
Vegetation
Indian Fleabane is a shrub commonly found in coastal regions and mangrove forests. It grows up to 1-2 meters tall and has dark green, serrated leaves with small, purplish-pink flowers. This plant thrives in saline and waterlogged soils, helping to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. It also attracts pollinators, supporting local wildlife.
Beach Morning Glory is a creeping vine that thrives on sandy beaches. It features bright purple-pink flowers that open in the morning. This plant is crucial for stabilizing sand dunes, preventing erosion, and providing habitat for coastal insects and birds.
Blind-your-eye Mangrove is known for its milky sap that can cause temporary blindness if it contacts the eyes. It has leathery leaves and is often found in coastal mangrove forests. This species helps protect shorelines from erosion and provides habitat for various wildlife.
Cannonball Mangrove gets its name from its large, woody fruits that resemble cannonballs. This tree is important for stabilizing shorelines and providing habitat for marine and terrestrial animals. Its dense root system helps protect against coastal erosion.
Tall-stilt Mangrove is characterized by its stilt-like roots that provide stability in soft, muddy soils. It plays a critical role in protecting coastal areas from erosion and storm surges, while also providing habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife.
Loop-root Mangrove is known for its looping aerial roots that help it thrive in tidal environments. This mangrove species is vital for shoreline protection and supports a diverse range of marine life by providing nursery habitats.
Beach Cabbage is a hardy shrub found on sandy beaches, with thick, succulent leaves and small white flowers. It helps stabilize coastal dunes and provides food and shelter for coastal wildlife.
Fragrant Screw-pine is a coastal plant with long, spiky leaves and fragrant, pineapple-like fruits. It is often found in sandy or rocky coastal areas and is important for stabilizing soil and providing habitat for various coastal specie
Did you know this is an Island Fringe Mangrove forest?
What Makes it Special:
This mangrove forest is unique due to its location far from the mainland and close to a coral reef barrier. The coral reef forms a natural lagoon inside, contributing to the clear blue seawater with less sediment and a strong influence from the tides. This pristine environment supports a rich biodiversity and offers exceptional conditions for observing marine and coastal life.
Mammals
The Flying Fox is a large fruit bat with a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters. They roost in large colonies in trees and are crucial pollinators and seed dispersers for many tropical plants. Look for them at dusk as they set out to forage.
The Red Hawk, also known as the Brahminy Kite, is a striking bird of prey with chestnut-red plumage and a white head. These hawks are commonly seen soaring above coastal areas, feeding on fish, small mammals, and carrion.
Birds
The Red Hawk, also known as the Brahminy Kite, is a striking bird of prey with chestnut-red plumage and a white head. These hawks are commonly seen soaring above coastal areas, feeding on fish, small mammals, and carrion.
The Pied Imperial Pigeon is a large, striking bird with white and black plumage. These pigeons are often seen in flocks, feeding on fruits and seeds in coastal forests and playing a role in seed dispersal.
The Pacific Reef Egret is a wading bird found along rocky shores and reefs. They come in dark and light morphs and are skilled hunters of fish and crustaceans in tidal zones.
The Common Sandpiper is a small, migratory shorebird often seen along riverbanks and coastal areas. Recognizable by its distinctive “teetering” motion as it forages, it feeds on insects and small invertebrates.
The Oriental Pied Hornbill is a large, striking bird with a distinctive casque on its bill. Found in forests and coastal areas, it feeds on fruits, insects, and small animals, playing a vital role in seed dispersal.
The Oriental Dollarbird is named for the distinctive white, coin-shaped spots on its wings. These birds are often seen perched on high branches, swooping down to catch insects in mid-air.
The Garden Sunbird is a small, colorful bird with iridescent plumage, commonly found in gardens and coastal areas. It feeds on nectar and insects, contributing to pollination.
The Pale-rumped Swiftlet is a small, aerial bird that nests in caves and under eaves. These swiftlets are excellent fliers, catching insects on the wing and playing a role in controlling insect populations.
The Olive-backed Sunbird is a small, vibrant bird with a metallic green and yellow plumage. It feeds on nectar and small insects, aiding in pollination.
The Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo is a distinctive bird with long, tail streamers. Known for their mimicry, they feed on insects and small animals, helping control insect populations.
Reptiles
The Water Monitor is a large lizard found in coastal and wetland areas. These impressive reptiles are skilled swimmers and feed on a variety of prey, including fish, birds, and small mammals.
The Changeable Lizard is a small reptile known for its ability to change color, especially during the breeding season. It feeds on insects and plays a role in controlling insect populations.
The Sumatran Flying Dragon is a small lizard capable of gliding between trees. It has wing-like flaps of skin that allow it to move effortlessly through the forest canopy.
The Brackish Frog is a small amphibian found in coastal and brackish water habitats. It feeds on insects and small invertebrates, contributing to the control of these populations.
This gecko species is known for its distinctive bent toes and is found in forested areas. It feeds on insects and other small invertebrates.
Insects
Striped Nomia is a species of bee known for its distinctive striped abdomen. These bees are important pollinators in their ecosystems.
The Lichen Huntsman Spider is well-camouflaged against tree bark and lichen. It is a nocturnal hunter, preying on insects and other small creatures.
This small, colorful jumping spider is found in coastal areas and is known for its excellent vision and agile hunting skills.
Crustacean
Mangrove Crabs are important inhabitants of mangrove forests, feeding on detritus and helping to recycle nutrients in these ecosystems.
Fiddler Crabs are easily recognized by the males’ oversized claw. They are common in mangrove and coastal areas, where they play a role in aerating the soil.
Land Crabs are found in coastal forests and are important for soil turnover and nutrient recycling. They are often seen during their mass migrations.
Mud Lobsters are burrowing crustaceans found in mangrove forests. Their burrowing activities help aerate the soil and create habitats for other species.
Ghost Crabs are nocturnal crustaceans found on sandy beaches. They are known for their quick movements and burrowing behavior.
Snapping Shrimps are small, burrowing crustaceans known for their loud snapping claw, which they use for communication and hunting.
Fish
A small fish often found in mangrove roots and rocky areas. It feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates. Males brood eggs in their mouths until they hatch.
A large, colorful eel with intricate patterns. Found in coral reefs and rocky areas, it feeds on small fish and invertebrates.
A small goby that lives symbiotically with shrimp. It provides a warning system for shrimp while sharing burrows. Found in sandy and muddy areas of mangroves.
A large red snapper that starts its life in mangroves before moving to coral reefs. It feeds on small fish and invertebrates and plays a role in controlling fish populations.
A brightly colored damselfish found in coral reefs and mangroves. It feeds on algae and small invertebrates, contributing to the health of reef ecosystems
Known as the “Wolf of the Sea,” the Great Barracuda is a formidable predator that can grow up to 2 meters in length and weigh up to 50 kg. It has a slender, arrow-shaped body and sharp teeth, making it an efficient hunter. Juveniles often use mangrove forests as nurseries, hiding among roots and debris to ambush prey. Adults are commonly found in coral reefs and open waters, preying on a variety of fish and invertebrates. Despite its fearsome appearance, the Great Barracuda is essential for maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, controlling populations of smaller fish and invertebrates.
Known for its size and strength, the Giant Trevally can grow up to 1.5 meters long and weigh up to 80 kg. Juveniles inhabit coastal mangroves and estuaries, seeking shelter and food. As they mature, they move to deeper waters and coral reefs. They are opportunistic feeders, preying on fish, crustaceans, and even birds. Their presence indicates a healthy marine environment, and they play a crucial role in regulating fish populations.
A unique fish with a boxy, rigid body and short snout. Found in coral reefs and rocky coastal areas, it feeds on algae and small invertebrates. Its distinctive shape and coloration make it a fascinating species to observe.
This iconic fish, known for its vibrant orange color with white stripes, lives symbiotically with sea anemones. They are often found in coral reefs and add a splash of color to the underwater landscape.
A stunning marine organism that provides a safe haven for clownfish. Its tentacles are equipped with stinging cells to deter predators, making it a fascinating subject of study in coral reef ecosystems. The sea anemone and clownfish share a mutualistic relationship, where the anemone offers protection to the clownfish, and the clownfish helps keep the anemone clean and provides nutrients through its waste.
Clams
Commonly found attached to rocks, mangrove roots, and bridge pilings, oysters have a rough, calcified shell that protects their soft bodies. They filter water to feed on plankton, playing a crucial role in maintaining water quality and clarity.
These snails have intricately patterned and spiny shells. Found on rocky shores and coral reefs, they are predators that feed on other mollusks and marine invertebrates. Their shells are often collected for their beauty and unique designs.
Nature Trail Guidelines
1. Do Not Touch or Stand on the Coral Reef
Help protect our delicate marine ecosystem by avoiding contact with the coral.
2. Do Not Litter
Keep our nature trail clean and preserve its beauty for everyone to enjoy.
3. Do Not Feed the Coral Reef Fish or Wild Animals
Feeding wildlife can disrupt their natural behaviors and diets.
4. Stay on Designated Paths
Ensure your safety and minimize environmental impact by staying on marked trails.
5. Respect Wildlife
Observe animals from a distance and do not disturb them.
6. Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints
Enjoy the beauty of nature without removing plants, animals, or rocks.
7. Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protect marine life by using sunscreens that do not contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone.
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