Long Beach, or Hat Yao in Thai, is the sandy beach on the south coast of Koh Phi Phi, east of Tonsai Bay, facing the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh across the water. It is only a few hundred metres long despite its name, but it has the clearest, deepest water within reach of the village, a sandy bottom and, just offshore, Shark Point, where blacktip reef sharks cruise in the shallows. A handful of bungalow resorts line the sand and the slopes behind it, and at night, when the long-tails stop, it is one of the quietest places on the island.
On this site the Long Beach zone also includes Viking Beach, the small cove between Hin Khom and Long Beach, and the hillside above Loh Moo Dee, the next bay to the north-east, reached over the headland. Together they form a small community of resorts between the village and the empty east coast.
Who should stay on Long Beach?
Long Beach is for swimmers, snorkellers, couples and families who want to wake up on the sand, spend the day in the water and have a quiet dinner watching the sunset over Phi Phi Leh. It suits travellers who plan to go to the village for a trip or an evening rather than every hour, and who are happy to take a long-tail or walk the coastal path. Families with children like the calm evenings and the gently sloping beach; snorkellers like having the sharks a few minutes' swim from the room.
It suits less well travellers who want nightlife, a choice of restaurants every evening or easy access to the pier for early boats. After dark, getting to and from the village depends on the long-tails, which charge more at night, or on the coastal path, which is rough and unlit. And some bungalows here are simple while others are full resorts with pools: the listings say which is which.
Resorts and bungalows on Long Beach
The 9 properties listed in this zone are mostly resorts, with a couple of hotels, and nearly all carry three stars; the average guest score is among the highest on the island. The range runs from bungalows on the sand and in gardens behind the beach to sea-view resort rooms and villas with pools on the slopes, at roughly 1,500 to 4,500 THB a night, more at Christmas and New Year. The resorts above Viking Beach and Loh Moo Dee sit higher on the hill, with wide views and more steps. Each listing states whether the property is on the sand or on the slope, how far it is from the pier, and whether it runs its own boat transfer; several do, and it is worth asking for it when you book.
How do you get to Long Beach?
By long-tail, most easily: boats from Tonsai pier and the beach in front of the village take a few minutes and cost about 100 to 200 THB per person, a little more after dark (around 150 THB per person at night). The resorts often arrange a transfer from the pier when you send your boat time, and some have their own boats.
On foot, the coastal path from Tonsai runs east past Laem Hin, Hin Khom and Viking Beach to Long Beach. Estimates range from 20 to 45 minutes depending on the pace and the tide: the path crosses rocks and roots and a few short climbs, and it is easier at low tide and in daylight. A longer inland route goes over the hill via the viewpoints. With luggage, take the boat; there are no carts on the coastal path.
What is there to do on Long Beach?
Swimming and snorkelling straight off the sand: the water on Long Beach is clearer and deeper than on the other beaches near the village, and the reef at the ends of the beach holds fish and coral. Shark Point, just off the south side of the beach, is where blacktip reef sharks patrol the shallows; they are small, shy and harmless, and the best chance of seeing them is early in the morning, from about 06:00 to 08:00, or after 17:00, at a moderate tide. Snorkel gear can be rented on the beach, and organised shark-watching snorkel trips run from the village.
Loh Moo Dee, over the headland to the north-east, is a quiet, very shallow bay with a bar and almost nothing else, reached in about 15 minutes on a footpath past the resorts. From Long Beach the view of Phi Phi Leh at sunset is one of the best on the island.
The rest of the island is a boat ride away: the village with its dive schools, tour desks and restaurants, Tonsai pier for trips to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon (roughly 600 to 1,500 THB per person on a shared long-tail, plus the national park fee of 400 THB per adult; Maya Bay closes from 1 August to 30 September), and Bamboo Island to the north. Evenings are dinner at the resort restaurants on the sand and the stars; the fire shows of Loh Dalum are a long-tail ride away.
Is Long Beach quiet?
Yes. There are no bars with late music on Long Beach, and the only sounds by day are the long-tail engines of visiting boats and snorkel trips, which can be busy in the late morning. At night the beach is dark and calm. The trade-off is the transport: plan the evening's boat back from the village before you go, or eat at the resorts.
When to stay on Long Beach
The dry season, from December to April, is the best time for Long Beach: calm, clear water, the best snorkelling visibility and sunsets over Phi Phi Leh; January and February are the calmest months. Prices peak at Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. From May to October the south-west monsoon can bring waves and murky water to the south coast, and on rough days the long-tails stop running; rates fall accordingly, and the beach is at its emptiest. The water is warm all year, at about 28 to 30 °C.
