Tonsai Beach: A Paradise Beach in Krabi
The Tonsai Beach in Krabi, sometimes written as Ton Sai Beach, is certainly one of the most stunning beaches in the region. This place is away from the hustle and bustle of neighboring beaches like Railay Beach and Ao Nang and a popular meeting point for travelers, climbers and backpackers from all over the world. The Beach itself is still really quiet and pleasant. Already on arrival, one thing will become clear: The Tonsai Beach is a real paradise in Thailand! High palm trees, gigantic rock formations and the incredibly beautiful sandy beach make the Tonsai in Krabi so special and many visitors are staying longer than supposed.
In this travel guide, we will show you the most beautiful pictures and places at Tonsai Beach in Krabi. In addition, you will get useful information and tips about how to get there, accommodation and the best activities!
Good to know!
The Tonsai Beach is located on the paradisiacal Railay Peninsula, where, in addition to the famous Railay Beach, there are other dream beaches such as Phra Nang Beach.
If you are still looking for a fantastic accommodation on Tonsai Beach, then we can recommend the Tinidee Hideaway in a paradisiacal location with a magnificent view.
Getting to Tonsai Beach in Krabi is only possible by boat. The easiest way to get there is by longtail boat from Ao Nang Beach, which runs several times a day.
During a stay in Tonsai, you should definitely take a 4 Island Tour. On this excursion, you can explore Chicken Island and the impressive island of Koh Poda.
The Tonsai Beach in Krabi
Tonsai Beach, often known as Ton Sai, is certainly one of the most amazing beaches in Krabi. At this beautiful dream beach, a paradise-like bay like tout from a travel magazine awaits you! Until today, Tuk Tuks, 7-Eleven and luxury accommodations are still in vain. Instead, you will find lots of hippie flair as well as coziness and cheap backpacker accommodations. Only at night, the small bars become a little busier. As always, the atmosphere at Ton Sai beach is very relaxing and still a great tip for travelers who want to explore Krabi Province individually.
Compared to the neighboring beaches like Railay Beach and Ao Nang Beach, Ton Sai is a lot less crowded. One thing is for sure, here everyone will catch an undisturbed place under the sun. For a cold beer, backpackers and travelers meet at the legendary Freedom Bar, right at the top of the beach. The atmosphere and the magnificent view of the spectacular cliffs are unbeatable. That part of the beach is hosting the climbing scene, but more of it later.
Tonsai Village
Just behind the beach in the middle of the jungle, a small chill village, the so-called Tonsai Village, has emerged, which exudes a special flair. Here you will find not just a few backpacker accommodations but also a small supermarket, cozy Reggae bars and a few yummy little restaurants which serve delicious Thai food. Be sure to bring enough cash with you, ATM is still not available at Tonsai.
Just a few years ago, due to a construction project, a long gray wall was raised. Luckily, until today, the construction project has not yet been implemented, and the hippie flair has been preserved. With great attention to detail and lots of love, the gray wall was embellished withbeautiful graffiti, and the Tonsai Wall has since become a kind of landmark for the Tonsai beach.
Best Things to Do at Tonsai Beach
On a visit to Tonsai Beach, you can look forward to numerous activities and excursions. We have summarized the best things to do and see in the area at a glance:
Climbing at Tonsai
Anyone who would like to climb the famous limestone cliffs of the Krabi province in Thailand should come to visit Tonsai Beach. At the southern end, there are gigantic rock walls, which offer an ideal place for rock climbing. But do not be intimidated by the pros, courses for beginners will also be offered. Also, there are plenty of opportunities for bouldering and even Deep-Water Solo is offered at Tonsai Basecamp!
Tip: If you do prefer solid ground under your feet, just relax and watch the climbers while enjoying a drink at the Freedom Bar.
Snorkeling, Kayaking & Yoga
One of the most popular activities is doing kayaking tours. This is a great way to enjoy the wonderful limestone scenery from the sea. Sportive ones also paddle over to the nearby Railay Beach. Kayaks can be rented directly at Tonsai Beach, either for one hour or for the whole day.
Snorkeling is of course also possible there. But if you want to see a diverse and colorful underwater world, a snorkeling trip is definitely a better choice. Another option would be a visit to the nearby Phra Nang Beach, where numerous fish can be spotted in the water.
As already mentioned, the scene at Tonsai is really tranquil and so there are also some yoga and massage options. For example, at the base camp, great yoga and tai chi courses are offered for only around 300 baht. Also, there are some nice massage places right on the beach
Visit Railay Beach & Phra Nang Cave
The Tonsai Beach is located on the famous Railay Peninsula, and so you will have the possibility to see the most famous beach of the entire Krabi province, the Railay Beach, in the immediate vicinity. Furthermore, you can visit the beautiful Phra Nang Beach with its Phra Nang Cave. The short crossing by boat from Tonsai to Railay currently costs 50 Baht.
If you are sporty, you can also reach Railay via a 45-minute jungle hike, or wait for the low tide. Then you can take a small 20-minute shortcut over the rocks along the sea. Some people also paddle to Railay Beach by kayak.
Excursions from Tonsai Beach
Tonsai is a great starting point to explore the beautiful islands in Krabi. Tours are mostly offered by longtail boat, but also by speedboat. We can recommend the following excursions in Krabi:
A unique experience is a Krabi 4 Islands Tour, where you can explore several dream islands like Chicken Island and Poda Island and also do some wonderful snorkeling.
The Hong Island is another true pearl of the Krabi region and a trip from Tonsai Beach should not be missed on any vacation in this region.
Ao Nang Beach is the tourist center of Krabi. Here you will find many bars, restaurants and stores. More interesting, however, is Krabi Town with numerous sights and lively night markets.
How to get to Tonsai Beach
The transfer from Ao Nang to Tonsai Beach is organized with the typical longtail boats and costs about 100 to 150 baht per person. During the day, the boats leave several times per hour, but there are no exact departure times. The longtail boats start as soon as they are full.
Although Tonsai Beach is located on the mainland, this dream beach can only be reached by sea. A dense jungle and huge limestone rocks cut off this jewel from the “outside world”.
Info: Tonsai Beach is located in Krabi region, which is best reached by flight, or by bus. For getting to Krabi, you can find many cheap transfer options from various places in Thailand on 12Go.Asia.
Where to Stay at Tonsai Beach
For a stay at Tonsai Beach, you will find a small but fine range of accommodations. At the back of the beach, a true backpacker settlement has formed, where you can find cheap hostels and bungalows. A nice resort and a small hotel have also settled here. If you are looking for tips for where to stay at Tonsai Beach, then we can give you these recommendations on the way…It’s worth a look!
- Popular Resort: The Tonsai Bay Resort is a popular accommodation and inspires with direct beach length and with good comfort.
- Hotel in the best Location: One of the best places is the Tinidee Hideaway in a paradisiacal location with a magnificent view of the sea.
- Backpacker Hostel: Many backpackers choose the Chill Out Bungalows. Especially the price is amazing and there are also hostel rooms for a cheap price.
- Backpacker Accommodation: The Garden View Resort is a simple, budget accommodation. It is located in the jungle and scores with friendly staff.
Find the best accommodation at Tonsai Beach:
More about Krabi:
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20 Best Things to Do in Krabi
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Thailand Island Hopping: Krabi to Koh Lipe
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Krabi Tours: 10 Best Day Trips & Excursions
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Top 10 Most Amazing Islands in Krabi
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Top 10 Unique Beaches in Krabi
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Klong Muang Beach: Most relaxing beach in Krabi
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More about Thailand
Bangkok | Koh Samui | Chiang Mai | Koh Lanta | Koh Phangan | Chiang Rai | Koh Lipe
Beaches in Thailand
Koh Samui Beaches | Koh Lanta Beaches | Koh Phangan Beaches | Khao Lak Beaches
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