Koh Phi Phi island has some of the most stunning water anywhere in Thailand, but it’s no hidden secret. Beyond its reputation as a party destination, beaches like Maya Bay are notoriously crowded and it can be hard to find a moment of peace. Enter Loh Moo Dee Beach — Koh Phi Phi’s best-kept secret. There’s a scenic walk to get there, you can visit for free, and you may even have the beach all to yourself.
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What to expect at Loh Moo Dee beach
Loh Moo Dee Beach is quiet — that’s what I love about it. It’s got that dreamy soft white sand and crystal-clear water that slowly changes from beige to teal to deep blue the further out you go.
When we went, there were maybe three long tail boats parked with a handful of people at the northern end of the beach.
There’s no drink stalls, no restaurants, no public bathrooms, and no one selling kayak rentals or snorkel gear. Whether those are pros or cons is up to you, but it means no big tour groups are going to show up.
The only thing out here is the UMA Resort, but you’d barely notice it if it weren’t for a few beach chairs they have for rent. (Price was not listed — probably 100 THB to 500 THB.) But you don’t need a chair. Just bring a beach towel.
Fair warning on the snorkeling: it’s decent but not jaw-dropping. If you’re happy to just lie on a peaceful beach for a few hours, you’ll be equally satisfied leaving the mask behind.
I feel like this looks really far, but the hike only takes an hour.
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Why hike to Loh Moo Dee Beach when you can boat?
A private longtail boat trip around Koh Phi Phi will set you back around 2,500 THB for three hours.
Comparatively, hiking to Loh Moo Dee Beach and snorkelling all morning cost Chesney and I a grand total of 400 THB.
That’s for both of us over three hours, including snorkel hire and a water taxi back to town. If you hike both ways and don’t rent snorkel gear, this could bee a free activity in Koh Phi Phi.
But it’s not just about the money. The walk is stunning! It takes about an hour one-way and is not challenging, but there are some hilly bits.
You follow the coast for most of it and pass through a few resorts along the way — including Viking Nature Resort with its adorable treehouse bungalows. And I don’t know about you, but I love sneaking a peek at other peoples’ hotels. It’s also nice to wander through epic scenery rather than zipping past it on a boat.
Also, I have one more important reason the hike to Loh Moo Dee Beach is worth it: Loh Dalum Beach and Tonsai Beach (on either side of Koh Phi Phi’s main town) are not nice.
Loh Dalum has literal sewage flowing into it, and Tonsai is about 96% boats. People do swim at both of these beaches, but I don’t think they should lol.
Loh Moo Dee Beach and trail
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The route to Loh Moo Dee Beach
Start from Ton Sai Pier in Koh Phi Phi (the main hub) and head toward Long Beach. The path isn’t treacherous — you can do it in flip flops, just make sure they’re comfortable ones because it’s a decent distance.
You’ll walk along the beach in the full sun, but also in-land with lots of tree cover. So it’s not blisteringly hot the entire time.
About 3/4 of the way there, you’ll hit a Mini Mart on Koh Phi Phi’s Long Beach that’s worth stopping at. The lady running it was so friendly and helpful and will rent you a snorkel mask for 50 THB (plus a 500 baht deposit).
The Mini Mart even has a shaded spot with tables and a view if you need a break before pushing on. You can also fit in a quick game of checkers with the chips made of old bottle caps.
From there, it’s onward to Loh Moo Dee Beach.
You’ll get epic views of the island hiding Maya Bay along the trail to Loh Moo Dee
Tip: Don't trust Google Maps
If you try to map your route on Google it’ll show you a weird inland route or get even wonkier. Instead, you have to trust me, an internet stranger.
Just walk to the end of Ton Sai Beach Road / and the actual beach — you’ll know you’ve reached the end when you hit Phi Phi Bayview Resort. It may look like a dead end or like you have to scramble over rocks, but keep looking.
There’s a blue set of stairs, clearly visible from the beach, that cut through the resort and connect you with the path to Loh Moo Dee. Once you’re on the path, everything else is straightforward.
It feels illegal, but it’s not.
Getting back to Koh Phi Phi town
If the walk out to Loh Moo Dee felt too long, or you’re just over roasting in the Thai sun, you don’t have to walk back. Water taxis run from the Mini Mart on Long Beach back to Ton Sai Pier in Koh Phi Phi central town. The trip takes maybe 10 minutes and costs 300 THB for two people, or 100 THB per person if you’re a group of three or more.
Unlike some boat taxis (like the ones from Ao Nang to Railay), you don’t have to wait around for more strangers to fill the boat. It’ll mostly be just you — yay private boat trip! Though I’m sure if someone else happens to be heading the same way, they’ll bundle you together.
Personally, this is my ideal scenario: Hike there, beach for a few hours, taxi back. *Chef’s kiss.*
Water taxi sign outside the Mini Mart
Private boat back for 300 THB
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Bonus for an active day in Koh Phi Phi island
If the Loh Moo Dee hike, beach, and boat combo had you craving more beaches and boats, I’ve got you. A great budget-friendly activity in Koh Phi Phi is to rent a kayak.
When you get back to Ton Sai Pier, you can rent a kayak for around 200 THB per hour. It’s the same price whether you’re solo or want a double kayak (and you can prob haggle the price down). Paddle your way over to Monkey Beach in just 15 minutes or push on even further to little coves and hidden beaches.
Related but unrelated hot tip about activities in Koh Phi Phi
If you’re going to do the Maya Bay trip, make sure you book an early bird tour to avoid the main crowds. You’ll never be there alone but you can avoid all the day trippers coming in from Phuket, Koh Lanta, and Krabi/Ao Nang.
Where to stay in Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi island is super small and only has one main town. It’s walkable and doesn’t even have any roads for cars (in the town centre). So choosing a place to stay is pretty easy but here are my top picks to get you in the right direction.
Budget-friendly hostels in Koh Phi Phi
- Slumber Party Hostel. It’s in the name — a great place to party. Koh Phi Phi is maybe the top party destination in Thailand, so if you’re looking for a social place with pub crawls and lively in-house parties, this is the one. Dorms around 240 THB.
- Voyagers Hostel. A quieter hostel where you’re still close to all the action but won’t hear music pumping all night. Dorms around 400 THB.
Mid-range hotels in Koh Phi Phi
- P.P. Casitas. This is where I stayed! The location was unbeatable, our little “casita” had everything we needed for a couple of nights. It also had a pool and included breakfast (which was mid if I’m honest, but free is free). Casitas go for about 1,700 THB.
- Viking Nature Resort. You’ll pass this on the way to Loh Moo Dee beach and the treehouse bungalow vibes are just too adorable. It’s not as central/walkable, but if you want a quiet getaway, this is perfect. Stay for 2,100 THB per night.
Luxury hotels in Koh Phi Phi
- Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort. This is away from all of the action on a little cove in the northern part of the island. If you’re not a party person, you can instead enjoy the Phi Phis’ incredible water away from the crowds. Rooms starting around 7,000 THB.
- Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort. Still in town, steps from the beach, and very Instagrammable. I love the tall, triangular thatched roof cabanas, and they do not mess around with their included breakfast spread. Rooms starting around 7,000 THB.
Our spot at P.P. Casitas
Naomi Lai
Naomi is a Canadian travel editor and writer with 13 years of international travel across Southeast Asia, Europe, South America, New Zealand, and beyond. She covers everything from budget backpacking to luxury travel — always from personal experience.
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