An introduction to Tonsai Bay in Krabi, Thailand

Tonsai Bay is a tropical gem in Krabi, Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands. With ferries at its busy pier bringing visitors to the area in the early morning, until the last ferry leaves in the afternoon, observers note that Tonsai has two different personalities. It’s a bustling hive of tourist activity from morning to early afternoon when most of the tourists depart. Afterwards, it becomes a quiet little, slow-moving village.

That’s not to say there’s nothing to do, or that there isn’t a lot of activity. It’s just that everything is much calmer. It’s a lovely place with modern conveniences like ATMs, inexpensive Thai restaurants, street food, shopping, and beach offerings. It may come as a surprise that as one of Phi Phi’s inhabited islands, that there are no cars and no roads. All supplies come from the mainland via boat. If you want to get somewhere, there are plenty of footpaths and bicycles. That’s how the villagers get around. Because Tonsai Village is small and compact, you can reach any part of it by foot within ten minutes.

If you want to go to places that are further away, you can always opt for a longtail boat.

Tonsai Beach

Tonsai Bay is a beautiful sight, with its clear turquoise waters and looming limestone cliffs. Even though the pier is a busy place, a short distance away to the west and east you will find beautiful beaches where you can get away from it all. Don’t be surprised if you see a host of monkeys, as this is their home. 

Please note that at times, Tonsai Bay is only swimmable at high tide, when the waters are much calmer and the bottom smooth. The waters become very rocky when the tide recedes. The good news though, is that the rocky waters are a problem for only ten days out of every month, depending upon the phases of the moon.   Coral reefs dot the waters on the west, where diving is a rewarding experience. The water to the east is shallower, and snorkeling is a favorite pastime. The east side is where many lodgings are located, with something for everyone’s budget. You can find accommodations ranging from isolated bungalows to 5-star resorts.

Another favorite activity access from the beaches is rock climbing. If you feel inspired by the monkeys on the beach, you’ve found climbing mecca in Tonsai. You can choose from hundreds of steep climbs, ranging from 6a+ to 8c. Tonsai Beach has some of the sheerest climbing cliffs you can find.

Railay Beach is nearby and at low tide, you can actually walk there from Tonsai. It takes about 20 minutes. From the south side of Tonsai Beach at high tide, there is a path at the end of the beach that will take you through the jungle, over a rock outcrop, and you’ll arrive on the north side of Railay Beach. Important Note: No matter where you are or what you do in Tonsai Village or Tonsai Beach, always carry sufficient water with you. That way you will be able to get the utmost pleasure from your Tonsai Bay outings.