Koh Phi Phi is a constellation of beaches. Some for swimming, others for calm, a few just for the sunset.
Our team has lived on the island since 2019. We know every bay, every tide. Here's our honest tour of the best beaches, without the Instagram filter.
Tonsai Bay: your arrival point
All ferries dock here. Tonsai is the beating heart of Phi Phi Don. This is not the beach where you go swimming: too many boats, too much traffic. But it's your front door. The village, restaurants and long-tails all leave from here. Treat it as a base camp, not a swimming destination.
Loh Dalum: the crescent bay of the village
A two-minute walk from Tonsai, you come across Loh Dalum. A crescent of white sand, turquoise water. Be careful with the tides: at low tide, the water recedes very far. The best is to come early in the morning. The sand is clean, the water is calm, and the crowds are still sleeping. In the evening, it's more of a festive atmosphere.
Long Beach (Hat Yao): the best for swimming
If you really want to swim and snorkel, this is it. Long Beach has a real reef right on the shore. The water remains clear, between 27 and 30°C all year round. Opposite, you see the silhouette of Phi Phi Leh silhouetted. A long tail drops you there in a few minutes from Tonsai. This is our favorite beach for a real day in the water.
Nui Bay: the secret and calm corner
Nui Bay is a small cove hidden under the cliffs. Few people, lots of calm. The sand is golden, the water clear. It is reached by long-tail, often during a tour of the island. It's our favorite beach to relax away from the hustle and bustle. Ideal if you are looking for silence and the shade of the rocks.
Bamboo Island: the white sand of the north
North of Phi Phi Don lies Koh Mai Phai, aka Bamboo Island. Powder sand, shallow water, pure turquoise. The island is part of the Marine National Park. It fills up quickly in the middle of the day. Our advice: leave early. From the first hour, you have the beach almost to yourself. Snorkeling is superb there, right in front of the sand.
Maya Bay: the icon of Phi Phi Leh
Maya Bay is THE postcard beach, made famous by the film. Reopened in 2022, it is accessible again. Entrance to the national park costs 400 THB per adult. It's 200 THB per child from 3 to 14 years old, and free under 3 years old. This is paid on arrival, generally outside the price of the tour. Good to know: you don't swim from the beach. The boats dock at the Loh Samah pontoon, then you reach Maya via a footbridge. The visit lasts approximately 1 hour, with a limited number of visitors. It closes every year from August 1 to September 30, to let the reef regenerate. To understand everything, read our Maya Bay 2026 guide.
For the sunset: head for the water
The most beautiful sunsets are experienced from a long tail. The light gilds the cliffs, the sea turns pink. Some outings continue with bioluminescent plankton once night falls. It's magical, and much calmer than in the middle of the day. The price is displayed directly on our excursions, with the actual price of the moment.
When to come and how to beat the crowds
The high season is from November to April: calm sea, clear water. From February to April, it is the driest period. The water stays between 27 and 30°C all year round, so you can swim whenever you want. The real secret isn't the beach, it's the time. Leave before the big boats from Phuket and Krabi. At 8 a.m., Bamboo and Maya are almost empty. At midday, it's a different story.
How to reach the beaches
Phi Phi has no airport or cars. You arrive by ferry or speedboat: around 2 hours from Phuket, 1h30 from Krabi. On site, everything is done by longtail or speedboat. For a tour of the beaches at your own pace, we'll hire a boat just for you. Our team is based on the island, TAT licensed, and rated 4.93/5 on Google. We adapt the itinerary according to the tide and the weather of the day.
