Koh Phi Phi Beaches: Which to Pick and How to Get There

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The short answer: which Koh Phi Phi beach?

Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island with the village, the pier and most beds. Phi Phi Leh is the smaller, uninhabited island next to it, and Maya Bay sits there. Choose by situation rather than by a ranked list.

• Staying two or more nights and want room to spread out: Long Beach (Hat Yao).
• Arriving by ferry and want a beach near the village: Loh Dalum Bay, beside Tonsai.
• Want quiet and distance from the crowds: Laem Tong, on the northern end of Phi Phi Don.
• Want the postcard view from the 2000 film The Beach: Maya Bay, reached by boat only.
• Want a short boat hop for a quick swim: Monkey Beach, also boat access.

Koh Phi Phi beaches at a glance

Use this table to narrow the field before you read the detail. Cells say "varies" where conditions change by season, tide or boat operator. Confirm anything you rely on locally, because facilities and park rules shift between visits.

Phi Phi Don beaches

Most of your beach time will happen on Phi Phi Don, where you can sleep, eat and swim in one place. Each shore has one clear trade-off, so decide what you can live without.

• Long Beach (Hat Yao): the longest stretch of sand on the island and a good base for relaxed days. The trade-off is distance from the village, so check how you will get back after dinner.
• Loh Dalum Bay (also spelled Lo Dalum): sits beside Tonsai and is the easiest beach for ferry arrivals. The trade-off is evening noise, and our Phi Phi nightlife guide explains why.
• Laem Tong: the quiet northern option, popular with travelers who prefer a resort stay. The trade-off is that you are further from the pier and the village restaurants.
• Ao Lana Bay (Loh Lana): a calmer bay for those who want less crowding. The trade-off is limited facilities, so bring water and snacks.

Phi Phi Leh and boat-only beaches

Maya Bay is on Phi Phi Leh and is reached by boat only. It was closed to visitors in 2018 so the bay could recover, and it reopened in January 2022 under national park rules. Swimming in the bay itself has been restricted since the reopening, so do not plan a swim from the sand there. Entry fees, landing points and opening hours are set by the national park, so check them on the day you book. Monkey Beach is a short boat ride away and works as a quick stop on most tours. Wild monkeys can snatch food and bags, so keep snacks sealed. Tours usually combine several stops, while a private longtail lets you pick the order and the time of day.

How to get to the beaches

Walking is possible only for beaches close to Tonsai, with Loh Dalum Bay the clearest example. For the rest, you will take a longtail boat or join a tour. Our longtail boat guide covers how to negotiate and share a ride. Ask three things before you board: the full price, the pickup time, and where the boat waits. Carry cash, since boat captains and park staff often do not take cards. Day-trippers should confirm the last ferry back before choosing a far beach. You can compare departures on the Phi Phi ferry page. Coming from the mainland, read Phuket to Phi Phi: Ferry vs Speedboat Guide (2026) or Krabi to Phi Phi: Ferry vs Speedboat, Piers & Times first. For moving around the island once you land, see Getting Around Phi Phi: Walking, Boats & Costs.

Best time for Koh Phi Phi beaches

Sea conditions change with the monsoon, and rough water can limit swimming, boat trips and landings at some beaches. Check the Thai Meteorological Department for current forecasts before you commit to a boat day. Our Best Time to Visit Phi Phi: Seasons and Trade-Offs page covers the seasons in more detail. In rough weather, favor a sheltered beach near the village over a far one. Early morning is usually quieter than midday, when tour boats arrive in numbers.

Where to stay by beach

Stay near Tonsai and Loh Dalum Bay if you value easy ferry access and evening options. Choose Long Beach if you want space and a slower pace. Pick Laem Tong if quiet matters more than convenience. The Where to Stay in Phi Phi: 4 Best Areas Compared page compares areas. If you are only here for a day, read Day Trips From Phi Phi: Islands, Mainland & Timing Tips before you pack.

Costs and park fees

We have no sourced figures for boat hire or park entry here. Check the current rates with the national park and your boat operator before you pay.

Mistakes to avoid

Most disappointments come from a few repeat errors. Plan around them and you will have a smoother day.

• Planning around one beach only, then finding the sea too rough to land.
• Skipping the return boat time and missing the last ferry.
• Assuming every beach has food, toilets and shade.
• Underestimating sun on open sand with little cover.
• Expecting to swim at Maya Bay.

Beach shortlist and next steps

For a first visit, pair Loh Dalum Bay with one boat trip to Maya Bay and Monkey Beach. Add Long Beach if you have a second day. Read our Phi Phi beaches hub for the wider picture. You can also compare the best Koh Phi Phi beaches for another take on the same shoreline.