Laem Thong Beach, located at the far northern tip of Phi Phi Don Island, stretches out like a long, narrow peninsula facing east. It’s considered the most remote of the major beaches on Phi Phi Don, accessible only by boat or, for trekking enthusiasts, on foot through the jungle.
The beach is stunningly beautiful and peaceful, with basic yet sufficient amenities. There’s even a pier hidden on the rocky side of the island, where the “peninsula” is just 180 meters (590 feet) wide at its narrowest point.
I only caught a glimpse of the backside of Laem Thong—the pier on the rocky shore—as I passed by, so all I can offer for now is a description of the beach and a few pictures of the cliffs. I’m planning to visit Laem Thong on my next trip to Phi Phi Don.
Beach Overview
Laem Thong Beach is the best beach in this part of the island, stretching 900 meters (2,953 feet) with soft, white sand tinged with yellow, almost completely free of debris. Near the palm trees, the sand becomes finer and softer, while underwater and closer to the reef, you’ll find stones and shells of various sizes.
The beach attracts a more affluent and relaxed crowd. There’s none of the hustle and bustle of Phi Phi Town, and while it’s usually not crowded, it can get busier during peak season.
Surrounded by lush vegetation, Laem Thong forms a nearly perfect straight line, with a clear, sandy seabed along most of its length.
Swimming
The shoreline at Laem Thong is gently sloping, unlike the rocky area across the way where the pier is located. The slope is so gradual that during high tide, the beach almost disappears under the water. However, at low tide, a vast stretch of sand is revealed—about 150 meters (492 feet) wide and nearly a kilometer (0.6 miles) long.
Large flat rocks are hidden underwater along the edges of the beach, and if you walk to the far end of this sandy expanse, you’ll find the remnants of a coral reef—best explored at high tide.
During peak season, the waves are small and manageable due to the shallow waters. However, during monsoon season, swimming here becomes less enjoyable, and the beach can suffer from storm damage, which is why parts of it have been reinforced with concrete rings.
Sunbeds and Shade
Sunbeds are mostly available within the grounds of the four nearby resorts. The best time to swim is during high tide and for about two to three hours afterward, as the tide begins to recede.
At high tide, the sea comes right up to the trees along the shore, and most visitors relax under the resort umbrellas or in the natural shade provided by the dense greenery. As the day progresses and the sun moves west, longer shadows are cast on the beach, though they don’t cover the entire 150-meter (492-foot) stretch of open sand.
Beach Photos
Amenities
The infrastructure at Laem Thong Beach is centered around the services provided by the four resorts (massage parlors, spas, and restaurants). There are also boatmen who dock directly on the beach, which can be a bit of an inconvenience for swimmers.
You’ll find a couple of kayak rental spots, and there’s a proper concrete pier on the other side of the hill behind the beach. There are no chain or private stores here due to the beach’s isolated nature and low foot traffic.
Laem Thong is more suited for a full, relaxing vacation, where you can spend your entire time at the beach and your resort. There aren’t any notable landmarks or attractions nearby, but if you feel like exploring the surroundings, one walk around should suffice.
Accommodation
Laem Thong is home to four highly-rated resorts, not just by Phi Phi standards, but on par with top-tier hotels in Thailand:
- Phi Phi Natural Resort
- Zeavola Resort
- P.P. Erawan Palms Resort
- Phi Phi Holiday Resort — Sha Extra Plus
With the added bonus of a coral reef perfect for snorkeling right off the shore and its low visitor numbers, Laem Thong stands out as one of the best spots on Phi Phi Don for a high-quality beach vacation. You can find a full list of Phi Phi Don hotels via the link below.
How to Find the Beach
I doubt you’ll be interested in the hiking route, so the easiest option is to take a boat. Just approach a boatman on any beach with a tourist map, point to your destination, negotiate the price, and then set sail — in that order, not the other way around.
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