Long Beach literally translates to “long beach,” but honestly, I never quite understood why. Visually, Ton Sai and Lo Dalum seem much longer. Long Beach is located on Phi Phi Don, the inhabited island (Phi Phi Leh is considered uninhabited).
It’s on the southern part of the island and is probably the closest beach to Phi Phi Town where you can properly swim. The main thing that sets it apart, in my opinion, is its straight shoreline.
Unlike other beaches with graceful curves, Long Beach is straight as an arrow. It’s beautiful and quiet, but otherwise just a typical tourist beach without anything particularly special.
Beach Overview
Long Beach is your typical tourist beach, stretching about 2,130 feet (650 meters) with a sandy strip width ranging from 33 to 82 feet (10 to 25 meters) on average. The sand is soft and medium-grained—not quite powdery, but very pleasant. When dry, it has a light yellow hue, though not fully white.
In the middle of the beach, you’ll often find a lot of boats parked, which slowly start to clear out in the afternoon. Boats are also anchored in other parts of Long Beach, and it seems that the clutter of boats and the web of mooring lines are a common issue on all Phi Phi islands’ beaches.
Some resorts have roped-off swimming areas with buoys to keep boats out. While it’s nice to have a safe swimming zone, the ropes can make the beach look a bit less appealing.
Swimming
The shoreline on this part of Phi Phi Don has a steep slope, so the water deepens quickly during high tide—after just about 16 feet (5 meters), you’ll already be up to your neck.
I didn’t visit during low tide, but like most beaches on Phi Phi Don, it probably becomes less suitable for swimming then, though not to the point where you’d have to avoid the water altogether.
Because of the depth, waves do form here from time to time, which is why there are stone breakwaters in some areas (you can see photos of them later in the post). They slightly detract from the beach’s overall aesthetic. The seabed is clean, but uneven.
Near the P. P. Blue Sky Resort, there are rocks just below the water’s surface, very close to the shore.
Sunbeds and Shade
Many hotels provide their own sunbeds, which are exclusively for their guests, as clearly indicated by signs on the beach. However, some hotels allow you to rent a sunbed for 100 baht.
The beach is lined with vegetation, but natural shade disappears after noon. On the public areas of the beach, only a few spots remain where you can hide under trees unless you’re a guest at one of the resorts.
The resorts have their own tree-lined areas, but they don’t allow non-guests in, even for a fee. Overall, Long Beach is a purely resort-style beach with plenty of amenities and comforts, mostly reserved for those staying at the local hotels.
Beach Photos
Amenities
People who stay here usually prioritize a relaxing beach vacation, but they can still easily reach busier parts of the island since boats run regularly. I’ve also heard that some hotels have their own taxi boats for guests.
Aside from hotels and resort cafés and restaurants, there isn’t much else in terms of infrastructure. Behind the beach, instead of a second row of buildings, you’ll find forest and jungle.
From what I understand, most people get around by walking along the beach. You can also take a road that goes through the hilly part of the island, but it’s a longer and more physically demanding route.
Just about 330 feet (100 meters) from the shore, there’s Shark Point—a reef where you can sometimes spot sharks. I’m not sure how frequently they appear, but boats regularly bring tourists there for snorkeling.
Accommodation
The entire beachfront at Long Beach is lined with resorts of various price ranges and star ratings. Many tourists choose to stay here for extended periods, venturing into Phi Phi Town or on island tours only occasionally by boat.
There are no private houses for rent here, or anywhere else on Phi Phi Don for that matter. According to visitor reviews, the hotels on Long Beach tend to have higher ratings than those in Ton Sai or Lo Dalum.
If you’re looking for top-rated options, I’d recommend checking out these two resorts. The second one is especially worth considering as it’s located near the best part of the beach with a clean, sandy bottom.
- Phi Phi The Beach Resort
- Paradise Pearl Bungalow
Click the link below for a full list of hotels on Phi Phi Don. Be sure to use the map view to find accommodation specifically on Long Beach.
Hotels on Long Beach Phi Phi Don →
How to Find the Beach
If you’re walking from Phi Phi Town, it’ll take about 30 minutes. By boat, it’s just a five-minute ride. If you’re staying near Phi Phi Andaman Resort, the walk takes about 20 minutes.
Start by following the small street along the shore, passing resorts and cafés, then walk a short stretch of beach. You’ll soon come to Arayaburi Resort, where a concrete path begins and soon turns into a jungle trail.
The trail takes you up and down hills, over tree roots, and past a few tiny beaches about 33 feet (10 meters) long. You’ll also pass Viking Beach, named after the nearby Viking Resort—a bungalow complex with a charming, authentic feel, featuring wooden carvings and a pleasant beach. However, it’s a bit of a hike to get there, so it’s not ideal for daily trips.
Right after Viking Resort, you’ll reach Long Beach. If you prefer to skip the walk, a boat ride from Ton Sai Pier costs 100 baht one way.
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