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If you’re planning a visit to Tonsai Beach, you will probably have some questions about transport facilities and amenities. In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about Tonsai Beach in 2025.
Tonsai Beach is amongst the most beautiful beaches in the world. I know lots of people say this about lots of beaches. So we have included some photos to try and persuade you! This beautiful golden sand beach is surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and lush jungle. The shallow waters have that idyllic tropical glow and the whole landscape has an adventurous and intrepid feel. There are lots of amazing beaches in the area. But Tonsai beach really does deserve it’s own article on our site, so here it is. You’re complete guide to the magnificent Tonsai Beach.
We have written this article to be a super helpful and up-to-date planning guide. Perhaps you are still trying to work out whether to visit Tonsai Beach, or maybe you are doing some last-minute research to prepare for a trip. Whatever stage of planning you are at, we have some helpful tips, information, insight, and advice for you.
Please do read this article carefully. There are some really important things that you need to know before you visit Tonsai Beach. In travel, a little research early on can save a lot of time and stress later.
ALSO – don’t miss our full guide – how to travel to Tonsi & Railay Beach from Ao Nang
Map of Tonsai (click on the pins for more info)
This map includes the location of boat stops in Ao Nang, Krabi, and Tonsai. We have also marked the location of shops, restaurants, and other things to do around Tonsai to help you plan your trip. Click on the pins for more information.
NOTE taxi boats are a fixed price of 100baht per person each way (no matter which port you use). So just go to the nearest port and don’t waste emotional energy trying to barter – they really do stick to the price here!
Tonsai vs Railay – Which beach should you visit?
Before we dive into reviewing Tonsai Beach, we just wanted to share a few words about the beaches in the area. You will probably be deciding which beach to visit: Tonsai Beach or Railay Beach. Actually, it’s not even that straightforward. In the area, you can visit Railay West Beach (next to Tonsai), Railay East Beach, and Phra Nang Beach. So there are actually four beaches to choose between.
The shared taxi boats from Ao Nang can drop you off at Tonsai West Beach and Railay Beach, and the price is the same for both beaches: 100 baht per person each way (around £2 or $2.50).
Here is a quick rundown to help you decide which beach to visit: if you’re planning to go climbing, then we recommend visiting Tonsai Beach. There is also a good climbing spot on the south side of Railay East Beach. Another advantage of visiting Tonsai Beach is that this beach is more peaceful, quiet, and tranquil than the other beaches in the area. So, if you are hoping to escape the crowds, then Tonsai Beach is a great option.
The main disadvantage of Tonsai Beach is the lack of facilities. There is still a bar, a restaurant, a resort, a couple of shops, and a climbing company, and some public toilets situated on Tonsai Beach. However, the facilities on this beach are much more limited. Because this beach is quieter, you will also need to wait longer for a return boat at the end of the day; remember the boats only leave when they fill up. It is possible to walk from Tonsai Beach to Railay West Beach. Learn more about how to get between the beaches in the Railay area.
Are there any restaurants at Tonsai Beach?
There is a nice restaurant located at the south side of Tonsai Beach: Tonsai Bay Restaurant. This restaurant predominantly serves local Thai food. They serve a range of dishes, including Thai soups such as Tom Yam soup, green curry, and Tom Ka Soup.
They also serve dishes such as noodles, fish, chicken, and rice. Tonsai Bay Restaurant also has an indoor and an outdoor seating area and also serve a range of drinks. Most dishes range in price between 150 baht – 250 baht (£3 – £5 or $4 – $6). We found the food at this restaurant to be very tasty and satisfying; however, the prices are relatively high due to the premium location.
Are there any shops on Tonsai Beach?
Yes, there are two small shops situated at Tonsai Beach close to the restaurant on the south side of the Bay. Both of these shops are open throughout the day every day, and they sell a small range of snacks and drinks. On average, prices are around 30 – 50% higher than Ao Nang and Krabi. For example, you can buy bottles of water in the shops; a small bottle costs 40 baht (1.5 liters), and a large bottle costs 80 baht (5 liters). There is also a bar on Tonsai beach too.
If you require specific things like certain types of food, particular snacks and drinks, or any special medication, make sure that you bring this with you; you will not be able to buy specialist things on this remote beach. You can also rent kayaks, book tours and get your laundry done on Tonsai Beach (this is all in the area near the shops).
What things can you do on Tonsai Beach?
Here are a few things that you can do on Tonsai Beach:
- Rent a kayak (150 baht 1 hour single kayak or 250 baht 1 hour double kayak).
- Go snorkeling (Bring your own snorkel and mask).
- Swimming (swim in the swimming ropes to stay safe from boats).
- Play on the beach swing (situated under the overhang on the south side of Tonsai Beach).
- Bouldering (rent some kit from the climbing shop and boulder at the overhand on the south side of Tonsai Beach).
- Climbing (you can take climbing tours or rent kit and go independently).
We just wanted to share a little more about climbing at Tonsai. You can rent kit and organize climbing trips with the Rock Shop, open daily from 9 am – 7 pm.
info@justclimbthailand.com
+66 089 6824056
Prices for guided climbing trips are as follows:
- Half-day beginner 1,200 baht (£24 or $28)
- Half-day intermediate 1,500 baht (£30 or $40)
- Full day beginner 2,400 baht (£50 or $60)
- Full day intermediate 3,000 baht (£60 or $80)
How do you get to Tonsai Beach?
There is no overland access to Tonsai; therefore, the only way to travel to Tonsai is by boat. The cheapest way to take a boat is to use a shared taxi boat; you can take shared taxi boats from Ao Nang and Krabi. We have pinned the location of all the boat locations on the map above. The taxi boat price is standard, and it is not possible to barter—well, I guess you can always try, but the locals will not be willing to budge on the price; there is a fixed cost of 100 baht per person each way, and it doesn’t make any difference where you take the boat from.
You do not need to book your boat in advance; just turn up and book your ticket from the kiosk on arrival; you will then need to wait for the boat to fill up. If you arrive at 8 am when the boats start operating, you may need to wait a little longer for a boat to fill up (perhaps 30 – 40 minutes). After around 9 am, you generally don’t need to wait any more than 20 minutes for a boat.
If you are not able to wait or if you do not want to take a shared boat, you can also take a private boat, which generally costs around 800 baht one way. Around 10 people can go on a private boat. Children 4 years and older also need to pay for a boat ticket, and the price is the same as for adults. This rule is not strictly enforced.
How do you get a boat back to Ao Nang from Tonsai Beach?
In order to return to Ao Nang, you can take a shared taxi boat for the same price. Boats depart from the north side of Tonsai Beach. However, it is important to recognize that this beach is relatively quiet, so boats do not depart particularly often. If you get lucky, you may be able to grab a boat when you want to go; however, if you were on the key, you may have to wait a long time for about a different alternative is to either take a private boat or to walk to Railay Beach. This picture shows how many boats are typically waiting at Railay beach…
Boats depart very regularly from here, and the walk is only 15 minutes along a rocky jungle path. If you take a return boat from Tonsai or Railay to Ao Nang, you will be dropped off at the South side of Ao Nang Beach (near the Last Fisherman Bar).
Is there anywhere to stay on Tonsai Beach?
Yes, there are three places to stay at Tonsai:
- Tonsai Bay Resort – 3-star resort close to the beach. Find Tonsai Bay Resort on Agoda and Tonsai Bay Resort on booking.com
- Chill Out Bar and Bungalows – Great budget guest house set back from the beach. Book Chill Out on Agoda or book Chill Out on booking.com
- Garden View Resort – Clean and great value for money, set back from the beach. Find Garden View on Agoda or Garden view on booking.com
For a more luxurious stay nearby, we recommend the 5-star Rayavadee resort on the south side of Railey East Beach. Get a place early. Book Rayavadee on Agoda or Rayavadee on booking.com ALSO learn about other areas to stay around Krabi to help plan an EPIC trip.
