The Koh Phi Phi Archipelago is located between the hugely popular Thai tourist hotspots of Phuket and Krabi. You can access Phi Phi easily in equal time from either one. Phi Phi Don is the only island in the Phi Phi group that you will find accommodation. It's also the only one that has beaches accessible by foot.
Koh Phi Phi Don offers white sand, coconut tree-lined beaches and is surrounded by a seemingly endless coral reef, making it the ideal destination for diving and snorkelling. It's no surprise that it has become a significant Thailand travel destination in the last ten years.
The islands are a perfect place to get your desert island fix. To make sure so you find your ideal spot, we've made a comparison of the best beaches on Koh Phi Phi.
Tonsai Bay
Tonsai Bay is the main arrival and departure point on Koh Phi Phi. There are ferries, dive boats and longtail boats coming and going all day long.
The Main village on Phi Phi Don, Tonsai Village, is also located here, making it one of the busier beaches on the island. Here is where you will find the vast majority of dive shops, tour shops, restaurants and bars on Phi Phi.
Activities
During the day, deck chairs are available on the bay for around 200 baht and you can also rent a kayak for 300 baht. There are plenty of stalls and shops selling snacks and refreshments and the bay's close proximity to the town means there is no shortage of dining options to choose from.
Good snorkelling can be found around the bay as well and there are some great opportunities for rock climbing. If you are staying in Tonsai Village and want somewhere close to chill out but don't mind the crowds, this is your spot.
Travel Essentials
The last ferry leaves Phi Phi at 14:30, so before that, Tonsai Bay and the surrounding town are very busy. After the Last boat departs, Tonsai has a more relaxed feel.
The evenings around Tonsai come alive with travellers looking for a place to eat and have a drink. If you are staying on another part of the island but want to stay a bit later to eat, a longtail taxi is your only option to get back to your hotel.
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Laem Tong Beach
Laem Tong Beach is located at the far north of Phi Phi Don. It's the perfect beach to escape the crowds of Tonsai village and is an ideal spot for couples and families to enjoy a day of pure relaxation.
Laem Tong has long been home to the Phi Phi's sea gypsy community who have made the northern tip of Koh Phi Phi Don into a small village. Over the last two decades, the village has welcomed a few resorts but the beach still retains its rustic charm.
Activities
Snorkelling is the main attraction on Laem Thong. After a short swim out to sea, you will reach a fantastic coral reef, which also makes the beach perfect for diving.
There is a dive school at the beach where you can book trips to some of the incredible dive spots nearby.
The only other thing to do on the beach is relaxing. There aren't any deck chairs or loungers for on Laem Tong but the hotels and resorts on the beach provide them for guests.
Travel Essentials
It is possible to walk to Laem Thong but the footpath that leads to the beach is quite steep in places and not suitable for young children. It would take a good two hours to walk here, so the best way to reach the beach is by longtail taxi, which takes around 10 minutes.
Snorkelling and diving are best enjoyed between the months of December and February when the water visibility is at its best.
Long Beach
Long beach is close enough to Tonsai Village to walk to at a push but secluded enough that you can feel like you are on a whole other island.
With magnificent views over Phi Phi Leh and a laid back atmosphere, Long Beach mainly draws young travellers and backpackers who like a slower pace of life.
The beach is very tranquil as nearly all of the people that visit the beach come to stay there, meaning there aren't a lot of day-trippers at the beach.
Activities
There's not much to do on Long beach except relax. The beach is as far away from the party scene in Tonsai Village as you can get, while still being accessible by longtail boat if you do want to head into town for a slice of the action.
Travel Essentials
The best time to visit Long Beach is between November and April when the water is at its calmest. From May to October, the sea can get a little choppy and swimming isn't advised at low tide due to the rocks and coral that surround the beach.
Accommodation is made up almost entirely of beach bungalows, making this the perfect beach for the budget-conscious.
It is possible to walk to Long Beach from Tonsai Village but it will take around an hour on a poorly signposted, up and down path through the forest. It's not an easy walk at all, so we suggest that you take a longtail boat taxi from Tonsai Bay, which takes around 5 minutes.
Loh Dalum Bay
Surrounded by the province's distinctive limestone cliffs shooting up around the bay, Loh Dalum is visually Phi Phi Don's most stunning beach.
It's also by far the busiest stretch of sand on the island. Even if you aren't a fan of crowds, Loh Dalum Bay is worth a trip just for the views, especially if you are staying in Tonsai Village or Tonsai Bay.
Activities
There is no shortage of sun loungers and beach umbrellas on Loh Dalum, making sunbathing and relaxing the thing to do here.
The water is shallow and calm with very little waves between November and April, making it the perfect time to visit. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards at numerous places at the beach for around 200 baht an hour.
Travel Essentials
Tonsai Village is spread between Loh Dalum and Tonsai Bay, making it an easy walk between the two beaches and also to the main shops, bars and restaurants.
After dark, the beach suits younger travellers and night owls as the evenings on Loh Dalum are a party lover's dream. As the deckchairs go away, the buckets of vodka and Redbull come out, while young travellers dance away long into the early hours.
Phak Nam Bay - Relax Bay
Phak Nam Bay, also known as Relax Bay, is located on the east coast of Phi Phi Don. This 400-metre stretch of white powdery sand can make you believe that you are on your very own Thai desert island.
Activities
Pak Nam's small tranquil beach boasts tranquil, clear, turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkelling almost year-round. Sip away on a cocktail and relax at one of the beaches two hotels and you will feel the stresses of everyday life melt away.
Travel Essentials
Perfect for couples and honeymooners that like to be off the beaten track, Phak Nam Bay is a very peaceful, quiet beach with almost no crowds at all.
It's a world away from Tonsai Village in terms of tourist numbers. The primary way to get to the bay is by longtail boat but if you are staying in Laem Thong, you could walk to the beach through the jungle if you are feeling adventurous.
8-Day An Idyllic Honeymoon in Thailand:
Monkey Beach
You will find Monkey Beach on the south side of Tonsai Bay, 700m or so from the pier. It is a 200-metre long strip of powdery white sand, surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water.
The steep karst limestone cliffs and forest behind the beach make for the perfect habitat for the Thai macaque monkeys that have made this beach their home.
Activities
Meeting the monkey's isn't the only reason to visit Monkey Beach, it's also a fantastic spot for snorkeling right off of the beach, especially between December and April.
Travel Essentials
Although they are used to seeing humans daily, the monkeys are wild animals. It is essential to keep that in mind. Scratching and biting are issues often faced by Travellers to the beach, which usually means a dose of rabies jabs at the local hospital!
There are no shops or restaurants on Monkey Beach, so make sure to bring enough water and snacks for however long you intend to stay at the beach for.
Maya Bay
Although it's not strictly on Phi Phi Don, Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le is by far, the best beach on the list. It was made famous as the shooting location for the film,
The Beach, where a young Leonardo Dicaprio played a first-time traveller exploring the island. The scenery in Maya bay is breathtaking, with giant limestone cliffs shooting out of the sea and surrounding the bay. The sand on the beach is powdery white and makes for the perfect place to relax and take in your surroundings.
Activities
Snorkelling and diving are incredible all around the bay, underwater boulders, coral and vividly coloured fish are abundant. Visibility is excellent. Numerous tour companies bring visitors here to snorkel from Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi Don.
Travel Essentials
The Maya Bay tour is one of the most popular day trips in all of Thailand, so we suggest taking a private tour and leaving as early as possible to avoid some of the crowds.
Enjoy a Beach Holiday with Us
Want to enjoy Koh Phi Phi without all the hassle of planning? Don't hesitate to contact one of our professional travel consultants. We are on hand to offer you expert advice on the perfect beach for you and your family.
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