3. Tonsai Beach
Surrounded by palms softly swinging in the sea breeze, Tonsai beach is sandwiched between two cliffs. To get to it, you either have to wait for low tide and walk here from Railay Beach, or you have to kayak your way to it.
Tonsai is not the best destination for swimming or snorkeling, as the strong currents and the reef that sits right against the sand make it slightly dangerous. As the beachfront shops renting equipment confirm, however, Tonsai is a great place for sea kayaking and diving, and a well-loved climbing destination for experienced climbers.
Because of its unique blink-and-you-miss-it location, Tonsai is much more serene than the surrounding beaches. You’ll find dramatic views and rustic beauty here, as well as plenty of activities to keep you moving when you’re not working on a tan.
4. Koh Mai Phai
If you have your heart set on solitude, Koh Mai Phai (Bamboo Island) can provide just that. Located about 45 minutes on a longtail boat from Phi Phi Don, this tiny island (you can literally walk the entire island in about 30 minutes) sees much smaller crowds. Koh Mai Phai has no impressive limestone cliffs, so it doesn’t attract climbers, and there are no hotels or restaurants on the island, which keeps away most backpackers and visitors looking for a busier vibe.
Those who make the long boat trip here come for the pinkish-white sands and the clear turquoise waters. There are no palm-lined stretches of beach here, but walking inland will get you to a lush green area where you’ll find the bamboo trees the island gets its name from and a small shack selling cold drinks. If you have your own snorkeling equipment, the coral here is some of the best in Krabi.
Perhaps the best part of visiting Bamboo Island is that you can stay overnight–right on the beach, in a rented tent, waiting for the sun to come up the next day over the turquoise waters.
