Phi Phi Beaches

Because Loh Dalum is a horseshoe shape the shallow water in the bay is almost as warm as a bath. Loh Dalum is lined with hotels and deck chairs and is busy at pretty much any time of year but renting a kayak and exploring its furthermost reaches is a great option. Because the water is so shallow this beach is kids friendly, too, the only danger for the little ones being too much exposure to the sun.

At around five o'clock when the sun is low enough games of takraw (a Southeast Asian form of volleyball played with the feet) and volleyball, as well as beach soccer are played. (Read more...)

Ton Sai Bay's greatest attribute is its vivid turquoise waters teeming with tropical fish. On its north side vertical limestone cliffs rise up out of the bay and further to the west along the cliff face is some great snorkelling, although you'll need a kayak to get out there.

This is Phi Phi Don's point of arrival and departure so a lot of space is taken up by the pier and the many longtail boats tied up along the beach. Towards the centre of the bay there are many shops and restaurants and Loh Dalum is a short walk away through the isthmus. (Read more...)

Laem Tong is an enchanting spot. In the northeast of Phi Phi Don. The shallow waters make it a good spot for children to play and it is tree lined, affording much needed shade. The Holiday Inn Phi Phi dominates but not obtrusively so.

In the distance you can catch glimpses of the limestone cliffs on the mainland in Krabi Province and the beach exudes an almost tangible sense of calm and belonging. Local schoolchildren run and chatter past on their way to and from school and there is a small Sea Gypsy village with cheap seafood restaurants and shops. Only accessible by sea. (Read more...)

Long Beach flanks the southern part of Ton Sai Bay. There is a path running along the sea front from the 'centre' of town and the beachside itself for the first few hundred metres is lined with seafood restaurants and bars. These thin out after a while and the path itself becomes fairly uneven and quite extreme as it leads to several resorts.

Parts of the beach are used for mooring longtail boats and there are some pockets used by sunbathers. This is a great snorkelling place from November to April but there are quite high waves the rest of the year. (Read more...)

Surrounded by limestone cliffs and fairly secluded, lying south of Laem Tong, Loh Bagao is the archetypal tropical beach. There is very little there except the Phi Phi Island Village Resort but unlike Loh Dalum the beach has deep waters, thus making swimming a real treat.

Not many people know, but there is a walking path to the Ton Sai side of the island from Loh Bagao although it is a difficult three-kilometre struggle. Loh Bagao is one of Phi Phi's longest beaches and at 800 metres there's well enough space for you to spend a quiet undisturbed afternoon here. (Read more...)

Maya Bay

Most people, even though they've never been to Maya Bay, will be familiar with it. Not only did it feature heavily in Hollywood's 'The Beach' but it's also one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

With its surrounding limestone cliffs, white sand and brilliant turquoise waters Maya Bay is definitely worth a visit but beware; many other people think it's a good idea too, so the beach can be crowded mid-morning to mid-afternoon. It's therefore best to pay a visit early morning or late afternoon (staying overnight is prohibited). The snorkelling here is superb so bring mask and fins. (Read more...)