Tonsai Bay

Stunning Tonsai Bay has turquoise waters and is a hive of boating activity. Ferries come and go, yachts anchor, dive and tour boats pick up their customers and long-tails whiz back and forth carrying passengers or goods.

The bay is nearly 2 km long from the outer points, with tall cliffs giving way to small beaches inhabited by monkeys and with coral reefs fringing the west side. The east side of the bay is shallower, with large areas of coral and a series of beaches and hotels occupying the shore. At the mouth of the bay, on the east side, is Long Beach and Shark Point, which face Phi Phi Leh.

Although the area close to the pier is taken up by boats, the far west end of the beach is very isolated. Silky-soft sand, clear water and coral await. It's strange that it's not more popular. From afar, it looks like there's nothing there, but the 10-minute walk along the beach is well worth it.

You can rent deck chairs and kayaks for very little from one of the small bungalow resorts. Lunch, drinks and snacks are provided, and there are toilets as well. Snorkelling is good all along the edge of the bay and the close-by cliffs are used by climbers to test their skills. If you're looking for somewhere close to Tonsai Village that's secluded to relax at... then this is your spot.