Laem Tong Beach is the quiet resort beach at the northern tip of Phi Phi Don, a long strip of white sand with a handful of upscale hotels, a small fishing village and a coral reef a short swim from the shore. There are no roads on this side of the island, so you arrive by boat, and that is the appeal. It is the part of Phi Phi that stays calm after the day-trippers leave.
This guide explains where the beach is, which resorts and prices to expect, how to get there by boat from Phuket, Krabi and Ton Sai, what to do and when to go. It draws on Phuket 101, Hotels.com, Touropia, The Lost Passport, the resort's own page and a Booking.com list that we checked on 26 October 2026. The beach is also spelled Laem Thong, and prices and transfer times change, so confirm them before you book.
- Location
- Northern tip of Phi Phi Don
- Length
- Almost 1 km
- Longtail from Ton Sai
- 40 to 45 minutes
- Hotels from
- About ฿3,400 a night
- Nightlife
- Almost none
- Calmest months
- November to April
Is Laem Tong Beach worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a long, quiet beach and a resort stay with reef snorkeling at your door. It is not the right base if you want bars, shops or an easy walk to Ton Sai, because there is no road and every trip is a boat ride.
Laem Tong Beach at a Glance: Location, Sand and Atmosphere
Hotels.com describes Laem Tong, also called Golden Bay, as a long strip of sand on the northern side of Phi Phi Don. Apart from a few upscale resorts it has a small fishing village and a couple of standalone bars and restaurants. Phuket 101 adds clear turquoise water and soft white sand, good for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling, and says the area is less developed than the other beaches on the island.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern tip of Phi Phi Don, reachable only by boat |
| Length | Almost one kilometre, according to The Lost Passport |
| Sand and sea | Soft white sand and clear turquoise water |
| Atmosphere | Quiet, used mostly by hotel guests |
| Facilities | A few resorts, a small fishing village and a couple of bars and restaurants |
| Snorkeling | A coral reef within about ten minutes' swim of the shore |
| Nearby islands | Bamboo Island about 5 km away, plus Mosquito Island and Hin Klang |
The resort's own page says the beach lies inside the Hat Nopparat Thara–Ko Phi Phi National Park and is quieter and more protected than the busier bays. For the bigger picture, our guide to Phi Phi Don explains the layout of the island.
Who This Beach Suits
- Couples and families who want a resort stay with a long, calm beach and space to spread out.
- Snorkelers who like to swim straight from the sand to a reef.
- Travelers who want Phi Phi's scenery without the noise of Ton Sai or Loh Dalum at night.
It does not suit people who want a choice of restaurants and bars within walking distance, or anyone who would be unhappy about arranging boats for every trip.
Where to Stay at Laem Tong Beach: Resorts and Prices
Accommodation at Laem Tong Beach is resort-only, with one five-star property, a few beachfront hotels in the middle of the range and cheaper rooms at Loh Bagao Bay, a little way down the coast. The table shows the starting prices that Booking.com displayed for the area when we checked.
| Property | Stars | From, per night | Guest score | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi Natural Resort | 4 | ฿3,400 | 8.5 | 20 m from the beach |
| PP Erawan Palms Resort | 3 | ฿3,608 | 8.4 | 3 m from the beach |
| Phi Phi Holiday Resort | 4 | ฿5,472 | 8.4 | 20 m from the beach |
| OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort | 5 | ฿7,716 | 9.3 | On the beach |
| Phi Phi Phu Chalet Resort | 4 | ฿12,000 | 9.1 | 1.2 km from the beach |
| PhiPhi Coralbay | 2 | ฿1,700 | 7.4 | Loh Bagao Bay |
| Phi Phi Little Star Resort | 3 | ฿1,700 | 7.8 | Loh Bagao Bay |
| The Hip Resort @ Phi Phi | 3 | ฿1,600 | 6.8 | Loh Bagao Bay |
| Phi Phi Ba Kao Bay Resort | 3 | ฿1,386 | 7.3 | Loh Bagao Bay |
| SAii Phi Phi Island Village | 5 | ฿5,698 | 8.7 | Loh Bagao Bay |
OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort
The top address on the beach is the five-star OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort, which was Zeavola until Phuket 101 says Outrigger Hospitality Group bought it in 2025 and renovated it. It has 63 suites and villas, in garden, family, beachfront pool and hilltop pool categories, two pools, a spa, a PADI dive centre and a kids' club. Booking.com showed a guest score of 9.3 from 452 reviews and prices from about ฿7,716 a night.
The resort's own page said a soft opening was planned for May 2026 and that some villas, the main restaurant and the spa were still getting finishing touches. Ask which facilities are running on your dates before you pay. Dining includes Mala Kitchen and the beachfront Edgewater Bar and Grill, according to the resort.
Mid-range beachfront hotels
- Phi Phi Holiday Resort is a four-star beachfront hotel with 80 rooms and bungalows, says Phuket 101. It has the most reviews of the group, with a score of 8.4 from 2,183.
- Phi Phi Natural Resort is a four-star hotel with wooden cottages, 20 m from the sand, and the cheapest of the beachfront choices at about ฿3,400.
- P.P. Erawan Palms Resort is a three-star property 3 m from the beach, with modern Thai-style bungalows and a beachfront restaurant. Phuket 101 says it also runs snorkeling, kayaking and island-hopping tours.
Cheaper rooms at Loh Bagao Bay
If the resorts are too expensive, Loh Bagao Bay has simpler properties 1.4 to 1.8 km from Laem Tong Beach on Booking.com's list, from about ฿1,400 to ฿1,700 a night. They are not on the beach in question, but the east coast has a village with local bars and restaurants, according to Hotels.com. Touropia says you can walk along the coast between Loh Bagao Bay and Laem Tong Beach. For dorm beds, see our guide to hostels in Phi Phi.
There is almost nowhere to eat outside the hotels, so the choice of resort also decides your meals. For the whole island, see our guides on where to stay in Phi Phi and Phi Phi hotels.
How to Get to Laem Tong Beach: Boats From Phuket, Krabi and Ton Sai
There are no roads to the resorts, so every route ends on a boat. Ferries from Phuket and Krabi dock at Ton Sai Pier, and our guides to Phuket to Phi Phi and Krabi to Phi Phi cover that crossing. From there you take a longtail, or you book a direct resort transfer.
| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ton Sai Pier to Laem Tong Beach by longtail | 40 to 45 minutes | Touropia and Hotels.com; agree the fare before you board |
| Royal Phuket Marina to OUTRIGGER, shared boat | Leaves 14:00, arrives about 15:30 | Once a day; the resort lists the return at 11:00, arriving about 12:30 |
| Phuket to OUTRIGGER, private boat | On request, 06:00 to 16:00 | Up to 10 people; costs extra |
| Laem Thong Beach to Krabi by speedboat | About 1 h 30 | ฿1,300 on 12Go, as noted in our Krabi guide |
How to Plan the Arrival
Book the resort first
Transfers are tied to the hotel, so choose where you will stay before you plan the boats.
Arrange the boat early
The resort asks you to contact it at least 48 hours before arrival, according to Phuket 101.
Reach the departure point
That is Royal Phuket Marina for the shared transfer, or Ton Sai Pier if you come by public ferry.
Arrive in daylight
The resort page says boats do not run after 16:00, so a late ferry can strand you for the night.
A guest review on Trip.com advises staying at least three nights, because the trip north takes time and can cause seasickness. If you only have a night or two, Long Beach or Loh Dalum is a better fit.
Things to Do at Laem Tong Beach: Snorkeling, Island Trips and Quiet Days
The activities here are simple and mostly in the water. Most are organized by the resorts, which keeps the beach quiet.
Swim and Snorkel From the Sand
The Lost Passport says a coral reef is within about ten minutes' swim of the shore, and Phuket 101 describes good snorkeling just offshore, with tropical fish. Its page on the resort goes further and says the reefs around the northern tip are among the best in the area for diving and snorkeling. Our guide to snorkeling in Phi Phi compares the main sites.
Take a Longtail to Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island
Bamboo Island is about 5 km from the beach, according to Hotels.com, and Phuket 101 says longtail trips run from Laem Tong to Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island. Touropia names Hin Klang as a third reef nearby. Our guide to Bamboo Island Phi Phi explains when to go.
Kayak, Dive or Do Yoga
The resorts supply most of the extras. The OUTRIGGER page lists kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, a PADI dive centre, cooking classes and an open-air yoga sala, and Erawan Palms offers kayaking and island-hopping tours. Hotels.com also mentions walking the coastal path.
A Simple Day on the Sand
- Early morning: swim or snorkel while the water is still and the beach is empty.
- Mid-morning: breakfast at your resort, then a kayak or a walk along the coast.
- Afternoon: book a longtail trip to Bamboo Island, or stay on the sand with a book.
- Late afternoon: swim again before sunset, and plan to be back from any trip before 16:00 if you rely on resort boats.
- Evening: dinner at your resort or on the beach. Do not expect nightlife.
Is Laem Tong Beach Right for You? Compared With Long Beach and Loh Dalum
Phi Phi Don has several beaches with very different moods, and our guide to the best beaches in Phi Phi covers all of them. The table shows how this one differs from the two that most visitors consider first.
| Beach | Mood | Getting there | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laem Tong Beach | Quiet, resort-based, long sand | 40 to 45 minutes by longtail | A secluded resort stay with reef snorkeling |
| Long Beach | Quiet, soft sand, few shops | 5 minutes by longtail or a 20 to 30 minute walk | Calm swimming close to Ton Sai |
| Loh Dalum Bay | Lively, shallow water, nightlife | 1 to 2 minutes on foot from Ton Sai | Convenience and parties |
Our guide to Long Beach Phi Phi explains the closer alternative in detail.
Pros and Cons of Staying Here
Good
- A long, quiet beach with soft white sand
- A coral reef within a short swim
- Upscale resorts with their own restaurants
- Few crowds and no road noise
Not so good
- Boat access only, with no boats after 16:00 on resort transfers
- Resort prices and almost nowhere else to eat
- Little nightlife and no shops
- The trip can be rough in the monsoon
Best Time to Visit Laem Tong Beach
The calm months for Phi Phi are November to April, when the sea is flat and swimming and snorkeling are easiest, according to Phuket 101 and Hotels.com. From May to October the sea can be choppy, which matters here because every trip is by boat. Our guide to the best time to visit Phi Phi gives the month-by-month picture.
| When | What to expect | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| November to April | Calm, flat water | Best for swimming, snorkeling and island trips |
| May to October | Choppy sea, longer and rougher boat rides | Allow a spare day, and book flexible rates |
| Early morning | Quiet beach and still water | Best light and best chance of an empty reef |
| After 16:00 | No resort boats | Plan to arrive and leave in daylight |
Laem Tong Beach FAQ
Where is Laem Tong Beach?
It is at the northern tip of Phi Phi Don, inside the Hat Nopparat Thara–Ko Phi Phi National Park. It is also spelled Laem Thong and is reachable only by boat.
How do you get to Laem Tong Beach from Ton Sai?
By longtail boat in about 40 to 45 minutes. Agree the fare before you board, and book your return, because boats stop running late in the day.
Is there a road to Laem Tong Beach?
No. There are no roads to the resorts, so every route ends on a boat. You can also walk along the coast from Loh Bagao Bay, according to Touropia.
Which resorts are at Laem Tong Beach?
The main ones are OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort, formerly Zeavola, Phi Phi Holiday Resort, Phi Phi Natural Resort and P.P. Erawan Palms Resort. SAii Phi Phi Island Village is nearby at Loh Bagao Bay.
How much is a hotel at Laem Tong Beach?
Booking.com showed beachfront hotels from about ฿3,400 to ฿5,500 a night in the middle of the range, and ฿7,716 for the five-star OUTRIGGER resort, on 26 October 2026. Prices change by date.
Can you snorkel at Laem Tong Beach?
Yes. The Lost Passport says a coral reef is within about ten minutes' swim of the shore, and the resorts run snorkeling trips to nearby reefs and to Bamboo Island.
Is there any nightlife on this beach?
Almost none. Hotels.com mentions a couple of standalone bars and restaurants. For nightlife, take a longtail to Ton Sai and Loh Dalum.
When is the best time to visit Laem Tong Beach?
November to April, when the sea is calm. In the monsoon the boat trip can be rough, so allow extra time.
Still choosing where to base yourself?
Compare this beach with Ton Sai, Loh Dalum and Long Beach, with the main resorts and prices for each area.
Photo credits: Laem Tong Beach by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Seafront path in the north of Ko Phi Phi Don by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Beach in the north of Ko Phi Phi Don by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons).
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This guide is compiled from published park, operator and traveler information, checked on 26 October 2026. We have not run these trips ourselves for this page. Prices, schedules, fees and rules around Koh Phi Phi change often, so confirm with your operator before you travel. Hotel prices come from Booking.com and are shown for information only.