Lo Dalum and Ton Sai are the two main beaches on the narrow strip of Phi Phi Don Island. Unlike Ton Sai, which is deep and busy with boats, Lo Dalum is a classic shallow beach.
It’s stunning during high tide, with beautiful turquoise water and incredibly photogenic in the midday sun. Lo Dalum is the heart of Phi Phi Don’s day and night party scene, perfect for sunbathing and entertainment.
For a peaceful stay and quiet nights, I’d recommend finding accommodation away from this beach. It’s also easy to reach Monkey Beach by renting a kayak from here. Lo Dalum is a true postcard of Phi Phi Don, as it’s visible from all three of the island’s viewpoints.
Beach Overview
Lo Dalum Beach is ideal for swimming, but only during high tide. It follows the curve of the island’s isthmus, stretching from east to west, and is framed by Phi Phi Don’s lush mountains, which naturally protect it from waves and wind. There’s no direct footpath to Lo Dalum from neighboring beaches.
The beach is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) long, with a sandy strip 15 to 20 meters (49 to 66 feet) wide. The sand is light yellow and incredibly fine, almost powdery. You might occasionally come across bits of shells and stones, but overall, it’s nearly perfect for barefoot walks.
On the far right side of the beach, there are a couple of small, unpleasant-smelling rivers, so it’s best to avoid that area, especially if you’re planning to swim.
Swimming
Lo Dalum is very shallow. During low tide, the water recedes up to 1 kilometer (0.6 miles), leaving behind wet sand dotted with puddles of seawater—perfect for a leisurely stroll.
The shore has a gentle slope, with small concrete blocks installed to prevent erosion. The entire isthmus sits just a few meters above sea level and is only about 150 meters (492 feet) wide at its narrowest point. This made it particularly vulnerable during the 2004 tsunami, when waves swept across the land.
Under normal conditions, the waves are small and gentle, barely noticeable, making it a calm and peaceful spot in good weather.
Sunbeds and Shade
There are plenty of sunbeds near the large resorts, but they are usually behind the concrete blocks that mark the boundary between the private and public areas. I didn’t see any sunbed rentals, but it’s not an issue—people bring their own beach mats and spread out wherever they like. There’s plenty of room for everyone.
In the morning, the shade from the trees that line the beach covers most of the area. However, by noon, it gets quite hot as Lo Dalum faces northwest, and the shade becomes scarce in the afternoon.
Beach Photos
Amenities
Due to the small size of the isthmus on Phi Phi Don, the infrastructure at Lo Dalum Beach is very similar to that of Ton Sai and Phi Phi Town—essentially, these three areas form one connected space.
Ton Sai is to the south, Phi Phi Town in the center, and Lo Dalum to the north. So, you’ll find all the tourist amenities typical of a small island village.
Right on the beach, there are plenty of kayak rentals, bars, restaurants, and hotels. The one thing you won’t find at Lo Dalum is a pier or a fleet of boats. In the evening, the beach transforms into a lively party zone with music and fire shows.
Accommodation
The Phi Phi Don pier is essentially the center of the isthmus. To the left of the center, Lo Dalum Beach has fewer decent hotels, with most clustered closer to the cliffs. However, moving from the center and to the right, you’ll find a wider range of accommodations.
That said, overall, the quality of hotels on Phi Phi Don doesn’t quite match their price. A general tip for all accommodations: wherever you stay, expect a certain level of shabbiness that seems to be common across rooms and bungalows on the island.
Here are a few relatively decent options at Lo Dalum:
- PP Insula Hotel
- PP Princess Pool Villa
You can use the link below to explore a full list of hotels on Phi Phi Don. Use the map to find the best options near Lo Dalum Beach.
How to Find the Beach
There’s no need to search for it. Lo Dalum Beach is just on the opposite side of Phi Phi Town. Once you arrive at Ton Sai Pier, simply walk straight inland, and in about five minutes, you’ll reach Lo Dalum, near the PP Charlie Beach Resort.
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