Long Beach, Phi Phi Don

Why go

If you stay on Phi Phi Don, this is the beach for a swim: white sand, a view across to Phi Phi Leh, and the bustle of Ton Sai out of sight round the headland.

What you will find

Hat Yao, Long Beach, runs along the southeast shore of Phi Phi Don, out of sight of the village. A handful of resorts line it, with their own restaurants, and the evenings are quiet.

Off the southern end, a rocky outcrop called Shark Point (not the dive sites of the same name south-east of Phi Phi Leh and between Phuket and Phi Phi) has a reef where small blacktip reef sharks are often reported, especially early in the morning. They are described as harmless to people. Longtails pass between the beach and the reef, so stay visible if you swim out.

Getting there

By longtail from the pier at Ton Sai, the quickest way, or on foot along a rough coastal path over rocks and through the forest. Walk it in daylight only, in shoes, and not alone.

To reach Phi Phi Don at all, take a ferry from Krabi Town or Ao Nang. The day tours from Krabi that we list do not stop here.

Before you go

From May to October the sea can be rough and the currents strong: swim and snorkel only on calm days.

At low tide, rocks and coral show close to the surface and there are sea urchins on the rocks: watch your feet, and do not stand on the coral.

Do not confuse it with Long Beach on Koh Lanta, a different beach on another island.