Nui Beach: The Ultimate Guide to Koh Phi Phi’s Hidden Cove

There’s no denying the fact that the beaches of Koh Phi Phi are stunning. The towering limestone cliffs and colorful longtail boats make for a truly iconic Thailand setting. However, the constant crowding of the island’s two main beaches - Tonsai and Loh Dalum - can leave you feeling slightly underwhelmed. That’s why we recommend visiting the quiet and relatively untouched Nui Beach, tucked away on the northwest coast of Phi Phi Don.

Otherwise known as Nui Bay, this beach features those classic limestone cliffs but without the tourism buildup of Tonsai Village. Here you’ll find white sand, a peaceful jungle backdrop and some of the most emerald green waters we’ve seen in Thailand. Like all secluded coves though, it requires a bit of planning to visit successfully. In this complete travel guide, we cover the key points of how to get there, when to go, and what to pack on a day trip - helping you experience one of Koh Phi Phi’s hidden gems.

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - Emerald Waters — *Emerald green waters*

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - Day Trip — *Enjoying Nui Beach*

What Makes Nui Beach So Special

We arrived at Nui Beach in the morning, which meant much of the bay was covered in shadows. It wasn’t until 10:00 AM that the sun peeked above the cliffs and illuminated everything. At this moment, we realized just how beautiful Nui Beach was and then spent the next two hours swimming, exploring the rock formations at the edges of the beach, and admiring the views of Camel Rock (a small karst that resembles a camel’s hump). You can also go snorkeling here but we were content with pure relaxation.

The best part was having pretty much the entire beach all to ourselves: only three or four others joined us for our morning visit. That being said, more longtail boats pulled up at midday, so we decided it was time to head back to Loh Dalum for some lunch. Even with a few tour groups trickling in, the beach still feels pristine and unspoiled - there are no restaurants, beach bars, sunloungers or facilities of any kind (including no bathrooms).

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - Shadows in the Morning — *Shadows in the morning*

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - Limestone Cliffs — *Nui Beach*

How to Get to Nui Beach on Koh Phi Phi

Organize a Private Longtail Boat

We organized a longtail driver to take us to Nui Beach from Tonsai Pier. Normally, you’d go straight from Loh Dalum Beach (which is closer) but we wanted to visit another hidden spot along the way. We left at 8:00 AM sharp and spent a good 90 minutes at the incredible Wang Long Bay, before venturing further around the west of the island. Nui Bay only takes 10 minutes to reach by boat from Loh Dalum Beach and a private longtail trip can cost anywhere between 1,000-3,000 THB for a half-day experience.

And that’s how you should view the longtails, as an experience rather than just a means of transportation. Cruising around the limestone headlands provides epic views and classic photos, although some of the exposed areas can get rough (even in the dry season). Your ride can go from relaxing to uncomfortable in a matter of minutes - something we faced when we passed a tricky section by Pirate Beach Cove. The boat crashed over the waves aggressively and Kat, for one, was holding on for dear life.

Be sure to ask your driver about the sea conditions before you go, especially if you’re embarking on a wider trip around the island (like we did). You can easily find longtail captains at both Tonsai Pier and Loh Dalum, so just chat with them directly to organize your meeting point and departure time. Our captain was fantastic: happy to negotiate on the price a bit, donned a cool bandanna and most importantly met us on time. Most travelers visit Nui Beach by longtail but that’s not the only way to get there.

Nui Beach - Wang Long Bay — *Wang Long Bay*

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - How to Get There — *Arriving at Nui Beach by longtail*

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - Longtail Driver — *Our longtail captain*

Rent a Kayak and Paddle There

Another option for Nui Beach is renting a kayak from Loh Dalum and paddling there. This adventure takes about 45 minutes each way and will only set you back 300-400 THB for the day. Again, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast before you go just so you can avoid any high winds or rough seas. We recommend leaving in the early morning and returning well before sunset to ensure you’re not paddling back in the dark.

Nui Beach - Kayak Rental from Loh Dalum Beach — *Kayaks on Loh Dalum Beach*

Hike the Strenuous Jungle Trail

The third and final way of reaching Nui Beach is by taking on the jungle trail. From Tonsai Village, you first need to head up to the Phi Phi Viewpoint and then continue on the path past Bob Bar back down the hill. This will lead you in the direction of Loh Lana Bay where you’ll finally see signs for Nui Beach. In total, this steep, somewhat treacherous trail takes 75 minutes, which is why it makes more sense to just kayak there or hire a longtail.

Essential Tips for Your Visit

What to Pack: Regardless of how you get to Nui Beach, you should bring a small backpack with a few essentials. For starters, pack some drinking water, reef-friendly sunscreen and towels. It’s also not a silly idea to throw in some insect repellent, especially if you’re doing the jungle hike. For those kayaking there, keep your phones and cameras safe from any splashes by placing them in a dry bag.
Plan Around the Tides: Nui Beach is narrow and becomes even smaller at high tide. Try to time your visit for low or mid-tide if you want more space to relax on the sand. Low tide also exposes the limestone rock formations and little marine caves at the edges of the beach, which are fun to explore when the water recedes.
Respect the Environment: The saddest thing about Thailand's beaches is seeing some of them littered with rubbish. This, of course, is more prominent on touristy islands like Phi Phi. Remember to pack out what you pack in and be careful with any food or drink you bring. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t touch any of the coral or marine life if you go snorkeling further out at the bay.

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - When to Go — *Low tide*

FAQs About Nui Beach, Koh Phi Phi

How clean is the beach?

From our experience, Nui Beach was completely clean and we didn’t see any rubbish at all. But to be fair, we’ve read other reviews online that talk about litter scattered throughout the jungle backdrop. Sometimes the beaches in Thailand go through different periods of being immaculate versus dirty - depending on things like the time of year (with the sea wash-up), and whether you’re visiting in the high or low tourist season.

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - Worth Visiting — *Clear waters*

Is Nui Beach safe for snorkeling?

Nui Beach is reasonably safe for snorkeling, even if you venture as far out as Camel Rock which is known to have the best opportunities for seeing coral and marine life. If you arrive by longtail, you can ask your captain to stop at this famous karst - which makes hopping in and out of the water easy - or you could simply head out from the beach if you’re a competent swimmer.

Nui Beach Koh Phi Phi - Camel Rock — *Camel Rock*

How does Nui Beach compare to Maya Bay?

Nui Beach can’t compete with the dramatic scenery of Maya Bay, not many beaches in the world can, but for a more intimate experience Nui Beach definitely comes out on top. Maya Bay, unfortunately, is too popular for its own good and even the stricter visitor rules haven’t stopped the waves of tourists from pouring in. Keep in mind that you’re not allowed to swim at Maya Bay anymore, which gives Nui Beach another competitive edge.