Discovering the Phi Phi Islands beaches
If you’re looking for a great tropical beach destination in Thailand, rest assured that the Phi Phi Islands are a perfect choice.
With its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and stunning landscape, it’s no wonder that Phi Phi Islands are one of the most visited places in Thailand.
From the iconic Maya Bay to lesser-visited beaches on the north of Phi Phi Don, there’s a beach for everyone.
In this guide, we will cover the best ones to visit, as well as the best ones to stay at, so you can have the best experience depending on your budget and wishes.
Best areas to stay in Phi Phi Islands
While booking your stay in Phi Phi Islands, it’s important to consider location proximity to attractions you want to visit.
Going from one area to another in Phi Phi Don might be possible only by taxi boats. And this can be pricey, depending on the location of your stay.
The main and most accessible area to stay in Phi Phi Don is around Tonsai Village. However, be warned that this area can also be very loud due to parties. And most accommodations aren’t the best, but they are the cheapest here.
Best areas to stay in Phi Phi Islands:
- Tonsai Village and Loh Dalum – the heart of Phi Phi Don, packed with restaurants, bars, and shops
- Long Beach – the southern end of the island, a quieter, stunning beach
- Loh Ba Kao and Laem Tong – ideal for a luxurious and peaceful getaway
Beaches in Phi Phi Islands
1. Maya Bay
Maya Bay is the best beach in Phi Phi Islands and a bucket list destination in Thailand. It became extremely popular after its appearance in the movie The Beach, starring Leonardo Di Caprio.
But while its appearance in this famous movie helped popularize it, it became so well-known and visited primarily due to its natural beauty.
And rightfully so. It’s genuinely one of the most beautiful sceneries we’ve ever seen due to its fascinating beach in a closed bay. With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, breathtaking limestone cliffs, and gorgeous white sand beach, it’s also the most unique bay in Thailand.
Maya Bay is open for visitors in 2024 after being closed between 2018 and 2022 to restore its delicate ecosystem, which was severely impacted by mass tourism years prior.
After the reopening of Maya Bay at the end of 2022, there were significant changes to how you can access and enjoy this now-protected environment. For example, swimming in Maya Bay is now forbidden; you can only walk in water up to knee depth.
How to reach Maya Bay
The easiest and most affordable way to visit Maya Bay is by a traditional long-tail boat tour from Phi Phi Don, which will take about 20 minutes to reach it.
Most Maya Bay tours will also include a visit to the stunning Pi Leh Lagoon and Viking Cave and some snorkeling spots.
Best tours from Phi Phi Don:
- Private Longtail Boat to Maya Bay with snorkeling
- Maya Bay Sunrise Trip From Phi Phi Don
- Beat The Crowds Island Hopping
OPENING HOURS AND TICKETS
The entrance fee for Maya Bay is 400 Thai baht (12 USD) for adults and 200 Thai baht for children, and it’s open daily from 7 am until 6 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm.
Where to stay at Maya Bay
There are no accommodations at or near Maya Bay, as it’s a protected area and part of the uninhabited Phi Phi Leh island. Only Phi Phi Don is inhabited and offers accommodations in Phi Phi Islands.
2. Tonsai Beach
Tonsai Beach is the main arrival and departure point for visitors to Phi Phi Don and day trips around Phi Phi Islands. That’s why it will often be crowded.
It also primarily serves as a parking lot for many longtail boats. However, the area closer to Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort and from Carlito’s Bar towards Viking Beach is suitable for swimming and relaxing.
How to reach Tonsai Beach
If you’re staying in Tonsai or Loh Dalum area, accessing Tonsai Beach on foot is easy. Otherwise, you can get there via a longtail boat from other areas in Phi Phi Don.
Where to stay at Tonsai Beach
Tonsai Beach has various accommodations, from budget-friendly stays to beach resorts. The best beachfront resorts to stay in at Tonsai Beach in Phi Phi Islands are on the far west and far east side, away from the pier.
Best places to stay at Tonsai Beach:
3. Loh Dalum Beach
Located opposite Tonsai Bay, Loh Dalum Beach is one of the biggest and most accessible beaches on the Phi Phi Islands. You can enjoy water sports by day, while at night, vibrant parties and fire shows liven up the atmosphere.
Loh Dalum Beach is situated in a quite well-protected bay, so it’s very calm and great for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and kayaking. And it’s perfect for families with children.
However, keep in mind that Loh Dalum is a very shallow beach, so depending on the tide, it can take you a long time before you can swim properly.
The best snorkeling in Loh Dalum is on the sides of the bay or a bit further out.
From Loh Dalum Beach, you can kayak to Monkey Beach or Nui Beach. The price for kayaks in Phi Phi Islands is usually around 200 baht ($6) per hour for a one-person kayak and 300 baht ($8.5) for a two-person kayak or about 600 baht ($17) for a full day rent.
How to reach Loh Dalum Beach
If you’re staying in the Tonsai or Loh Dalum area, accessing Loh Dalum Beach on foot is easy. Otherwise, you can get there via a longtail boat from other areas in Phi Phi Don.
Where to stay at Loh Dalum Beach
Loh Dalum Beach in Phi Phi Islands has both budget and more luxurious beachfront accommodations with private pool villas, big common pools, and views of the bay.
Best places to stay at Loh Dalum Beach:
4. Long Beach
One of the best beaches in Phi Phi Islands is Long Beach, a great place to relax and snorkel at the famous nearby Shark Point snorkeling spot.
While Long Beach is quieter than some other beaches in Phi Phi Islands, it’s still easily accessible as it’s only a short longtail boat ride away from Tonsai Pier.
Long Beach is perfect for swimming as it goes deep pretty fast and has white powdery sand that is perfect for sunbathing. It’s one of our favorite beaches in Phi Phi Islands!
From Long Beach, you can even see Phi Phi Leh island, where the famous Maya Bay and Phi Leh Lagoon are located.
Long Beach’s serene location also provides an excellent setting to watch the sunset and stargaze on clear nights.
You can find a few hotel restaurants right on Long Beach where you can eat delicious Thai and international food. We ate at the Paradise Pearl Bungalows restaurant and loved the food and the beachfront view. Try their delicious Massaman Curry and simple but super tasty pasta dishes.
How to reach Long Beach
Long Beach is easily accessible by longtail boat or taxi boat from Tonsai Pier or other parts of Phi Phi Don.
From Tonsai Pier, the taxi boat fee is 100 baht ($2.8) per person one way. From other parts of Phi Phi Islands, it will, of course, be more expensive, as the price depends on the distance and frequency of the boats.
Alternatively, you can hike to Long Beach from Tonsai Pier in about 30-45 minutes.
Travel tip: You can walk to Viking Beach or Loh Moo Dee Beach from Long Beach and vice-versa.
Where to stay at Long Beach
Staying at Long Beach in Phi Phi Islands is a perfect choice if you want to be relatively close to all the action but still have a peaceful stay with a beautiful beach right in front of you.
Accommodations on Long Beach provide seaside access and stunning panoramas of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. You can choose from beach resorts, bungalows, and eco-friendly lodgings, with most having private sun loungers and beach services.
Best hotels on Long Beach in Phi Phi Islands:
Klook.com5. Viking Beach
Viking Beach is a small, secluded beach in Phi Phi Islands located between Tonsai and Long Beach.
It’s situated in a beautiful setting with rocks on the side and a small swing where you can take cool photos.
However, keep in mind that Viking Beach is very small, so it can feel crowded with just a few people. But when we visited at the end of May, it was usually empty.
In the high season, you can find a small bar on the beach where you can get some refreshments.
How to reach Viking Beach
From Tonsai, you can get a longtailboat to Viking Beach for about 100 baht ($2.8) per person.
Viking Beach is only a few minutes walk from Long Beach, so you can walk over easily. Sometimes, the taxi boat will even leave you at Viking Beach if the waves at Long Beach are too strong to drop off passengers safely.
Where to stay at Viking Beach
At Viking Beach, you can only stay at Viking Nature Resort, a budget-friendly resort that travelers usually love.
6. Loh Moo Dee Beach
Loh Moo Dee Beach in Phi Phi Islands is a secluded and tranquil beach that offers a serene escape from the crowds. Although some snorkeling tours come to this area, it’s otherwise quiet.
The crystal clear waters and soft white sand are surrounded by lush greenery, making it perfect for sunbathing.
Loh Moo Dee Beach is also an excellent spot for snorkeling, as just off the shore, you can find abundant marine life and some beautiful corals.
Since the Loh Moo Dee beach is very shallow, you might have a better or worse beach experience there, depending on the tide. When we visited, the water level was extremely low, so we didn’t find it suitable for swimming.
But for snorkeling, it would be a good option, as you can walk out to the snorkeling spot easily.
Loh Moo Dee Beach is less busy because there is still little development there, and you can only find one small bar called UMA by Veyla tucked away in the forest. They currently only serve drinks and rent beach chairs, and the prices are somewhat expensive.
We were the only people on the beach during our visit, except for a few snorkeling boat tours in the distance.
How to reach Loh Moo Dee Beach
The best way to get to Loh Moo Dee Beach is by a longtail boat to Viking or Long Beach, plus a 15-minute walk to the other side of the hill and down to the bay. From Long Beach, you must first walk through the Phi Phi The Beach Resort area.
Note: It looks like a new hotel/resort will soon be built at Loh Moo Dee Beach. While visiting, we saw signs of something new coming and signs saying it was private property. Hopefully, they don’t block access to the beach! We are following the development and will update the article accordingly.
Where to stay at Loh Moo Dee Beach
There is still no hotel or resort on the Loh Moo Dee Beach, so you can’t stay right next to it.
The best places to stay nearby Loh Moo Dee Beach are the Phi Phi The Beach Resort and Paradise Pearl Bungalows at Long Beach and the PP Mountain Beach Resort on the hill right above Loh Moo Dee Beach.
7. Nui Beach
Nui Beach is the most beautiful beach in Phi Phi Islands due to its astonishing natural location.
While Nui Beach used to be a hidden gem of Phi Phi Islands, it’s not anymore, as it’s recently become very popular due to its beauty and great snorkeling options.
The beach is in a remote location, with no bars or restaurants, so take snacks and water if you’re coming here. And please take your trash back with you!
Nui Beach is known as one of the best spots on Phi Phi Islands for snorkeling (after Long Beach and Shark Point), as the underwater world is teeming with colorful marine life. Many snorkeling tours visit this beach for this exact reason.
However, Nui Beach is quite affected by the weather conditions. We recommend visiting Nui Beach strictly in the high season when the weather is the best. That way, you’ll actually be able to experience why it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Phi Phi Islands.
Skip the next photos if you don’t want to see the reality of the offseason in Nui Beach.
We visited Nui Beach at the end of May (monsoon season) on a pretty wavy day, and it was a horrible experience. There was almost no beach due to the high tide and big waves. Plus, so much trash was washed up that you couldn’t walk a meter on the beach without stepping in some kind of plastic. It’s too bad, as the scenery was absolutely stunning.
The beach does get cleaned here and there, but many islands, not only in Thailand, are very much affected by trash that gets washed up during storms. We’ve observed this in so many places.
But please don’t let this discourage you from visiting, especially in the high season.
Nui Beach is also called ‘Camel Rock Beach’ due to a rock resembling a camel.
How to reach Nui Beach
The best way to get to Nui Beach in Phi Phi Islands is by taking a longtail boat or by kayaking.
You can also hike to Nui Beach from Loh Lana Bay or Tonsai through the path passing by the Viewpoints on the hill.
A long tail boat from Loh Dalum Beach takes about 15 minutes to reach Nui Beach and costs about 250 baht ($7) per person one way. However, we recommend arranging a return trip right away so you can be sure to have a way back. Write down your taxi boat driver’s number so that you can let him know when you want to be picked up.
During our visit, our longtail boat driver left us at Loh Lana Bay as it was impossible to stop at Nui Beach due to strong waves.
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A fun way to visit Nui Beach is by renting a kayak in Loh Dalum and kayak there in about 45 minutes to 1 hour one way.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can hike to Nui Beach from Tonsai, which takes two to three hours. For guided hiking in Phi Phi Islands, you can join the Trek in Phi Phi Islands Jungle Tour.
Check the last part of the trail from Loh Lana to Nui Beach on AllTrails.
Where to stay at Nui Beach
There is no accommodation at Nui Beach, and the closest area to stay relatively close to Nui Beach is either Loh Ba Kao Bay at SAii Phi Phi Island Village Resort, PP Red Tuna Hut, or Phi Phi Phuchalet Resort.
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8. Loh Ba Kao Beach
Situated in the north of Phi Phi Islands, Loh Ba Kao Bay is a peaceful bay with a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters and fine sand.
If you’re looking for a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of Tonsai Village, Loh Ba Kao Bay offers a peaceful retreat. Its picturesque surroundings make it the perfect spot for a relaxing day trip or a romantic getaway.
Loh Ba Kao Bay is also home to SAii Phi Phi Island Village Resort, one of the most luxurious resorts in Phi Phi Islands.
Like some other beaches, Loh Ba Kao is also affected by the tide, so it’s less enjoyable during low tide as you have to go far out to swim.
How to reach Loh Ba Kao Bay?
The easiest way to get to Loh Ba Kao Bay is by long tail boat from Loh Dalum Beach or Tonsai Pier, costing 600 to 1000 baht ($17 to $28) for a one-way ride.
Otherwise, you can hike to Loh Ba Kao Bay from Tonsai/Loh Dalum in about 1 hour and a half.
Where to stay at Loh Ba Kao Bay?
Loh Ba Kao Bay is perfect for your stay in Phi Phi Islands if you want to be close to a beautiful beach in peaceful surroundings and don’t mind being quite far from the other parts of Phi Phi Don.
The best place to stay in Loh Ba Kao Bay is the upscale SAii Phi Phi Island Village Resort, the budget-friendly PP Red Tuna Hut, or just outside the bay towards Laem Tong, the Phi Phi Phuchalet Resort.
Klook.com9. Loh Lana Beach
Loh Lana Bay is a remote bay in the north of Phi Phi Don, right next to Loh Ba Kao Bay. There’s not much in this bay except some small fisherman huts and an abandoned resort behind the beach.
Unfortunately, Loh Lana Bay is usually quite full of trash, and local fishermen and longtail boat drivers use it to anchor boats and even do repairs. Hopefully, it will get cleaned up at some point, as it has a lot of potential.
Recently, a little restaurant, TON-KHA-THIN, opened near the beach, so you can now grab some food if you’re there.
During our visit, a high tide at Loh Lana Bay made the beach non-existent. Therefore we didn’t really enjoy it. But if you decide to visit Nui Beach or Loh Ba Kao Bay, you might also walk over here.
How to reach Loh Lana Beach
The easiest way to get to Loh Lana Bay is by long tail boat from Loh Dalum Beach, which takes around 25 minutes.
These lines usually have fixed prices, but you can always try to negotiate. We paid around 1000 baht ($28.4) for a return ride from Loh Dalum for two people in the low season. If you stay in Loh Ba Kao Bay, you can walk to Loh Lana Bay in just a few minutes.
Where to stay at Loh Lana Beach
There are no accommodations currently at Loh Lana Bay, only an abandoned resort that’s been there for many years since the 2004 Tsunami that devastated it.
The best place to stay near Loh Lana Bay is Loh Ba Kao Bay at SAii Phi Phi Island Village Resort, PP Red Tuna Hut, or Phi Phuchalet Resort.
10. Laem Tong Beach
Laem Tong Beach, situated in the northernmost area of Phi Phi Don in Phi Phi Islands, is a beautiful beach boasting a nearly 1km stretch of soft, white sand.
Unlike other parts of Phi Phi Islands, Laem Tong remains somewhat secluded. Here, you won’t find any parties or loud music, and the number of hotels is limited.
Although some of the resort restaurants accommodate day tours that come to Phi Phi Islands, there will be more longtail boats and speedboats parked on the beach during those times of the day.
How to reach Laem Tong Beach
You can get to Laem Tong Beach by private longtail boat for about 1500 baht or 42 USD (8 persons fit on the boat) or for 250 baht ($7) per person if you manage to catch one of the scheduled boats.
Staying in Laem Tong is not ideal if you want to explore other parts of Phi Phi Don, but if you’re mostly planning a chill vacation, it’s perfect. Otherwise, Long Beach is a better choice for staying in a more peaceful setting but still being close to everything else.
Where to stay at Laem Tong Beach
The best places to stay at Leam Tong Beach are the 5-star Zeavola Resort, the 4-star Phi Phi Natural Resort, and Phi Phi Holiday Resort.
11. Phak Nam Beach
Phak Nam Beach is a secluded gem on the eastern side of Phi Phi Don in Phi Phi Islands, known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and stunning coral reefs. Its serene and peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for those who want to escape the crowds and enjoy some quiet time by the sea.
How to reach Phak Nam Beach?
You can get to Phak Nam Bay by hiking from Phi Phi Viewpoint 3 in about 30 minutes or by a longtail boat from Tonsai Pier for 150 THB ($4).
Where to stay at Phak Nam Beach?
The Phi Phi Relax Beach Resort is the only place to stay at Phak Nam Bay.
Klook.com12. Rantee Beach
Rantee Beach is another more secluded spot, just south of Phak Nam Bay. The beautiful beach is small and peaceful, and the snorkeling there is really good.
How to reach Rantee Beach
To get to Rantee Beach, you can walk from Tonsai for about 1 hour, but it’s a rough path through the jungle. So it’s better to get to Rantee Beach by a longtail boat for about 250 THB ($4) during their scheduled taxi boat times twice per day or by private boat starting at around 1000 THB ($28).
Where to stay at Rantee Beach
The only place to stay at Rantee Beach is The Cove Phi Phi.
Klook.com13. Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach in Phi Phi Islands, named after the monkeys that inhabit the lush jungle surrounding it is a beautiful white sand beach with a great snorkeling spot just off-shore.
It is the best beach to visit if you want to get up close to monkeys. But be cautious around the monkeys as they can be mischievous and steal food or personal belongings. And if they get too aggressive (because of some tourists), they can also bite. So be extremely careful around them and don’t invade their personal space or tease them.
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How to reach Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach is a secluded beach accessible only by boat or kayaking from Loh Dalum Beach for about 20 minutes.
And many tours include Monkey Beach as a visit, as well as a snorkeling stop.
14. Bamboo Island
Ko Mai Phai, known as Bamboo Island, is a stunning destination in Phi Phi Islands with rich marine life, a fine white sand beach, and crystal clear waters.
To enter the island, you must pay a national park fee of 400 baht ($11.3) per person for adults and 200 baht for kids. However, you can use the same ticket to enter Maya Bay, so combining Bamboo Island with Maya Bay is a great option.
You can also choose not to enter the island and just enjoy snorkeling around (which is amazing!), and in that case, you don’t need to pay anything.
How to reach Bamboo Island
Bamboo Island can be reached by hiring a roundtrip longtail boat from Phi Phi Don for approximately 1,800 baht ($51) for two people or by joining an organized tour (private or shared) that also visits some other nearby spots.
It takes 40 minutes to 1 hour to reach Bamboo Island from Tonsai Pier and only 15-30 minutes from Laem Tong Beach.
Phi Phi Islands tours that include Bamboo Island:
- Island Hopping and Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat
- Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat
- Half-Day Private Longtail Boat Charter
Many Phi Phi Islands day tours include Bamboo Island, like the tours from Phuket and tours from Krabi. It’s usually the last or first spot of the day, depending on the starting point. Since many Phuket tours end their day here, it can get a bit crowded in the afternoon, but it’s still manageable.
15. Wang Long Beach
Wang Long Bay is one of the most underrated spots in Phi Phi Islands and is also the hardest to reach.
You need to pass by the vertical cliffs of the bay to reach the opening where the beach is. It’s a stunning place! And from the beach, you can climb up to a cave locals use to collect swiftlet bird nests.
Although it’s a secluded bay, it can sometimes get crowded by longtail boats if you come at such a time. Otherwise, it can be pretty empty.
You can get to Wang Long Bay by a longtail boat ride (private charter) or by kayak in about 1 hour from Loh Dalum or 45 minutes from Monkey Beach. And some tours also include it in their itinerary.
Travel tips for visiting Phi Phi Islands beaches
When visiting the beaches on Phi Phi Islands, taking certain precautions is important.
Remember to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated. Remember to bring water if you’re going kayaking around various beaches and bays. And don’t leave any trash behind!
Be mindful of the tides and avoid swimming too far out if you’re not a confident swimmer.
Beware of jellyfish, especially during the rainy season. Check if there are any warnings at the beaches before entering the water.
Lastly, watch out for sharp rocks or coral while swimming or walking on the beaches, especially as you go snorkeling from beaches at low tide since you have to walk out a long way before getting to deeper water.
Stepping on sharp coral and cutting yourself can give you some nasty infections. So we definitely recommend avoiding that!
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☀ Have an amazing time exploring the beautiful beaches in Phi Phi Islands!
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