A Sandy Bay on Phi Phi Island
Long Beach is a 600-metre stretch of soft white sand on the southeast coast of Phi Phi Don on Phi Phi Islands. It faces southwest, with a direct view across the water to Koh Phi Phi Leh. The beach is only about a 5-minute longtail boat ride from Tonsai Pier, or a 25 to 30 minute walk along a coastal path. That short distance makes a big difference. Long Beach is quieter, cleaner, and far more relaxed than anything in the Tonsai area. There are about six resorts along the beach, each with its own restaurant, and not much else. No loud bars, no bucket sellers, no tattoo shops. If you want a proper beach day on Phi Phi without the chaos, this is where to go.
Location
Long Beach sits on Phi Phi Don’s southeast coast, just around the headland from Tonsai Bay. You cannot see it from the village. The beach faces Koh Phi Phi Leh, and on a clear day, the view across the turquoise water to the limestone cliffs of the smaller island is one of the best on Phi Phi. The northern end of the beach is closer to Tonsai and has a few budget bungalows. The southern end, near Phi Phi The Beach Resort, is where the sand is widest, and the snorkelling starts.
How to Get to Long Beach
The easiest way is a longtail boat from Tonsai Pier. It takes about 5 minutes and costs 100 THB per person during the day, 150 THB in the evening, and 200 THB after midnight. Longtail drivers wait at the pier and along the beach, so finding a ride back is never a problem.
You can also walk. The path starts near Carlito’s Bar on the eastern edge of Tonsai. Follow the concrete path past the mosque, then down a jungle trail and over some rocks. It takes 25 to 30 minutes. The route is fine during the day but involves some steep and uneven sections, so wear proper shoes. Do not attempt it at night. At very low tide, you can sometimes walk along the beach between Tonsai Bay and Long Beach, but this depends on conditions.
Atmosphere
Long Beach is the opposite of Tonsai. It is quiet during the day and even quieter at night. Most people here are guests at one of the beachfront resorts. A few day-trippers come by longtail, but not many. The beach is lined with trees, so there is plenty of shade. Some resorts set up sun loungers, and you can also rent them independently for about 100 THB per day.
In the evening, there are occasional fire shows on the beach, but nothing like the nonstop noise of Loh Dalum. People tend to eat at their resort restaurant, have a drink, and call it a night. If you want nightlife, you take a longtail back to Tonsai.
About the Beach
The sand is fine and white, possibly the softest on the island. The water is clear and drops off fairly quickly, making it a good beach for swimming. From November to April, the sea is calm and flat. During the monsoon season (May to October), it can get choppy, and swimming can be difficult at low tide because of rocks and coral near the shore. The beach faces southwest, so you get good light most of the day and the sunsets can be spectacular with Phi Phi Leh in the foreground.
Snorkelling at Shark Point
Long Beach has some of the best shore-accessible snorkelling on Phi Phi. About 100 to 150 metres offshore, at the southern end of the beach, there is a rocky outcrop called Shark Point. It breaks the surface of the water and is easy to spot. The reef around it attracts blacktip reef sharks, and sightings are fairly common, especially early in the morning. The sharks are small and harmless to humans.
Beyond the sharks, the snorkelling itself is good. Expect to see colourful reef fish, coral formations, and sometimes cuttlefish. You can rent a mask and snorkel from the beach resorts for about 100 THB per day. Fins cost a bit extra.
A few things to keep in mind. At low tide, the water over the reef can be very shallow, with sea urchins on the rocks. Watch out for longtail boat traffic when swimming out to Shark Point. The boats do pass through this area, and not all drivers are watching for snorkellers. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can hire a longtail from the beach to take you out and wait for about 500 THB. During the monsoon season, currents can be strong. Only go on calm days.
Nearby Beaches
From the southern end of Long Beach, a short trail (about 12 minutes) leads over a small hill to Loh Moo Dee Beach and Ao Poh. Both are much quieter than Long Beach and good for snorkelling when the western side is too rough. Loh Moo Dee has sun loungers for rent but no other facilities, so bring water. These beaches are rarely crowded and feel like a proper discovery.
Where to Stay on Long Beach
There are about six resorts along the beach, ranging from basic bungalows to proper mid-range resorts. Long Beach is not the cheapest part of Phi Phi. You pay more for the peace and the beach quality.
Phi Phi Long Beach Resort & Villa sits in the middle of the beach, with 49 rooms, a swimming pool, and two restaurants. The beachfront restaurant is open-sided with views straight over the Andaman Sea. It is the largest resort on the beach and offers the most facilities.
Phi Phi The Beach Resort is at the southern end, near Shark Point. It has a pool, a beachfront restaurant, and a more relaxed feel. Deluxe and Superior Villas are available. The beach bar here is the best spot on Long Beach for a sunset drink.
Phi Phi Villa Resort is a simpler option with bungalows on the northern part of the beach, closer to Tonsai. It is more budget-friendly and has a loyal following among return visitors who prefer something basic and close to the sand.
Viking Nature Resort is perched on the hillside between Tonsai and Long Beach. Rooms are basic, but the viewpoint from the resort is impressive. It is the most affordable option in the area.
Where to Eat
Each resort on Long Beach has its own restaurant, and they are all open to non-guests. There are no independent restaurants or street food stalls here. The Phi Phi Long Beach Resort restaurant serves Thai and international dishes, pizza, and barbecue. Phi Phi The Beach Resort has poolside dining with seafood and Thai food. Portions are decent and prices are in line with what you would pay elsewhere on Phi Phi. For more variety, take a longtail or walk back to Tonsai.
What to Do on Long Beach
Snorkelling at Shark Point is the main activity. Beyond that, you can rent kayaks from the beach resorts and paddle along the coast towards Tonsai. There are several small beaches and coves to explore on the way. Thai massage is available in small open-air salas along the beach, usually for 300 to 400 THB per hour. Some resorts also have a dive centre on site. Blacktip Scuba, based at the southern end of the beach, offers trips and courses.
In the late afternoon, volleyball games sometimes start on the beach. It is also a good starting point for the walk to the Phi Phi Viewpoint, which you can reach from the path behind the resorts that leads up the mountain towards the main village.
| Long Beach Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Beach Length | About 600 metres |
| Sand | Fine white sand, soft |
| View | Koh Phi Phi Leh and the surrounding limestone cliffs |
| Getting There | Longtail boat 5 min (100 THB) or 25 to 30 min walk from Tonsai |
| Snorkelling | Shark Point, 100 to 150 m offshore. Blacktip reef sharks, reef fish, and coral |
| Resorts | About 6, from budget bungalows to mid-range |
| Best For | Couples, families, anyone wanting a quiet beach away from Tonsai |
| Best Season | November to April (calm seas). May to October can be rough. |
| Nightlife | Minimal. Resort restaurants and occasional beach fire shows. |
Insider Tips
I always tell people that Long Beach is where I would stay if I wanted to actually enjoy Phi Phi rather than just survive it. Tonsai is fun if you are 22 and running on buckets and adrenaline. But if you want to wake up to clear water, snorkel before breakfast, and not hear bass-heavy music until 2 am, Long Beach is the answer. The resorts are nothing fancy, but the beach makes up for it.
The best time to snorkel at Shark Point is early morning, around 7 to 8 am, before the longtail boats start running tours. That is also when your chances of seeing blacktip reef sharks are highest. Bring your own mask if you have one. The rental gear varies in quality.
If you are walking from Tonsai, do it at low to mid tide. The rocky sections between the beaches are much easier when the water is lower. At high tide, some parts require scrambling over slippery rocks. And bring a torch if you think you might stay for sunset. The path back is dark once the sun goes down.
Long Beach Through the Years
Long Beach was one of the first spots on Phi Phi where simple bungalows appeared in the 1990s. Back then, the only way to get there was by longtail, and there were maybe two or three places to stay. The beach itself looked much the same as today, and that is one of the things I like about it. While Tonsai has been transformed beyond recognition, Long Beach has stayed relatively unchanged. The resorts got a bit nicer, the path got paved in places, and Shark Point became well known. But the beach, the sand, the view of Phi Phi Leh on the horizon, all of that is exactly as I remember it.
