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Also called Yong Gasem Bay, Monkey Beach is a small piece of seashore located on Ko Phi Phi Don Island, north-west of Loh Dalam Bay. Each day, hundreds of visitors come ashore from boats looking for an encounter with the colony of crab-eating monkeys living on the beach and in the neighboring jungle. But Monkey Beach is not all about monkeys; it is also a place for snorkeling lovers. The bay’s underwater life includes giant clams, schools of parrotfish, yellow damselfish and clownfish in sea anemones.

Monkey Beach, Koh Phi Phi
Monkey Beach, Koh Phi Phi.

How to get to Monkey Beach snorkeling spot?

Monkey Beach is located a few hundred meters northwest of Loh Dalam Bay. Several options are available to reach the spot:

  • Taking part in a boat tour (speedboat or long-tail boat, half day or full day trip). Quite a lot of companies run daily tours not only from Ko Phi Phi center but also from Phuket and Krabi. They include stops at other neighboring snorkeling spots such as Maya Bay and Bamboo Island.
  • Renting a kayak in Loh Dalam Bay. Paddling to Monkey Beach requires half an hour: consider renting your kayak for at least two hours.
  • Walking to the beach at low tide along the shoreline for about 500 meters.

Monkey Beach snorkeling map, Phi Phi Islands

Water entrance for snorkeling Monkey Beach

Enter the water from the sandy beach, avoiding the area where the boats moor.

Monkey Beach snorkeling tips and recommendations

Monkey Beach is fringed by an about 50 meters wide coral reef. We recommend exploring the eastern part (on your right when facing the sea): coral is far denser there than it is on the western side. Tour companies know it: boats stop on this same side.

Don’t hesitate to swim away from the beach towards the rocky shore; the best-preserved corals are found there.

Coral reef at Monkey Beach, Koh Phi Phi
Coral reef at Monkey Beach.

This spot profile is a reef flat gently sloping (↕3-9ft/1-3m) as you swim away from the shore. It ends up with a drop-off leading to deeper areas (↕9-18ft/3-6m). This spot is busy with swimmers and snorkelers and the corals are badly damaged. However, you will still spot a wide variety of fish species here.

Colorful giant clams are fixed on the reef. Bright yellow damselfish swim over tabular corals, their color flashing against the deep blue. Cute anemonefish are also found in the huge sea anemones scattered on the seabed (↕6-9ft/2-3m). Most of them are pink skunk clownfish, recognizable with their distinctive single thin vertical white line.

Giant clam at Monkey Beach, Koh Phi Phi
Beautiful giant clams inhabit Monkey Beach reef.

The main danger while in the water comes from boat traffic. Stay away from the areas where they moor and don’t swim further than the drop off. On the beach, monkeys are used to being fed and can be aggressive.

Restaurants and accommodation in Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach is a natural site. You won’t find any snack or restaurant, but “street” vendors sometimes can be here. Bring your own water and snacks.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth20ft
  • Water entranceEasy, from a sandy beach
  • Potential DangersUsual precautions
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsTour price
  • Restaurants nearbyNo
  • Public toilets & showersNo

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.