The short answer
Monkey Beach: what visitors should know first
Visit only if you are comfortable keeping a distance from wild monkeys. Do not feed them, carry no loose food, and keep children close. Skip it if anyone is nervous around animals.
Useful facts
Monkey Beach facts at a glance
- Location
- Ko Phi Phi Don
- Experience type
- Wildlife viewing
- Known for
- Wild crab-eating macaques
- Access
- On foot, canoe or longtail
- Warning
- Monkeys may bite; do not feed them
Why it matters
Why Monkey Beach is worth your time
Monkey Beach is a reminder that Ko Phi Phi is part of a national park, not only a resort. The macaques are wild animals that become bolder when visitors feed them, and the park authorities and Wikivoyage both advise against it.
For families, it is an easy lesson in respecting wildlife and a chance to take photographs from a safe distance. If any member of the group has a nervous temperament or mobility limits, it is perfectly reasonable to stay on the boat.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Macaques in the wild
Watch from a distance and do not feed them.
- 02
Calm cove
Good for a short swim or snorkel when seas allow.
- 03
Boat or kayak approach
Arrive from the water for the easiest landing.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Most visitors arrive by longtail boat or kayak, with some taking the walking route. Agree a return time with the boatman before you land.
The cove is small and the macaques are the point. Wikivoyage warns that they can be aggressive and that bites carry a rabies risk, so do not feed them, do not tease them and do not carry food or drinks in the open. Keep bags zipped and stay a few metres away.
Watch from the boat if you are unsure. You can see the animals perfectly well from a short distance, and the beach is also a pleasant swimming and snorkelling stop for the calmer parts of the year.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Do not carry food or open bags
- Keep children close
- Agree a return time with the boatman
- See a doctor promptly after any bite or scratch
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Ko Phi Phi Don
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Best time
- Morning, in calm seas
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Reaching the cove needs a boat landing or an uneven walk. Monkeys can snatch bags and bite, so older travellers and children should stay back and avoid carrying food.
- Tickets and access
- Free to visit, though longtail transport is charged and negotiated. Wikivoyage warns that monkeys can bite and that rabies is a risk.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Monkey Beach
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Reaching the cove needs a boat landing or an uneven walk. Monkeys can snatch bags and bite, so older travellers and children should stay back and avoid carrying food.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Are the monkeys dangerous?
Wikivoyage warns they can be aggressive and that bites carry a rabies risk. Keep your distance.
Can I feed them?
No. Feeding makes them bolder and more likely to bite.
How do I get there?
On foot, by canoe or by longtail boat; agree the return before you land.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
