Monkeys on Monkey Beach: What You Should Know

What Is Monkey Beach?

Monkey Beach (Ao Ling) is a small sandy cove on the southwest side of Phi Phi Don island. It is home to a troop of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) who have become accustomed to tourist boats stopping by. The beach is a common stop on Phi Phi Islands day tours from Phuket.

What to Expect

Tour boats typically pull up near the beach for a brief stop of 10 to 20 minutes. The monkeys are usually visible on the beach or in the trees along the shoreline. Some boats stop just offshore for viewing and photos, while others may let passengers wade ashore (depending on the operator and conditions).

The monkeys are wild animals, but they are habituated to humans. They are not tame. They are territorial, curious, and can be aggressive, especially around food.

Why You Should NOT Feed the Monkeys

This is important. Despite what you may see other tourists doing, do not feed the monkeys. Here is why:

Health risks to monkeys: Human food (chips, candy, bread, fruit juice) is unhealthy for macaques. It causes dental problems, obesity, and digestive issues.
Behavioral changes: Monkeys that associate humans with food become aggressive. They will grab bags, food, and shiny objects from tourists. This leads to bites and scratches.
Disease transmission: Macaques can carry diseases transmissible to humans, including herpes B virus (rare but serious), rabies, and various parasites. Contact should be minimized.
Ecological damage: Artificial feeding disrupts the troop's natural foraging behavior and can increase population beyond what the island can sustainably support.

Safety Guidelines

Do not approach monkeys. View from the boat or from at least 3 to 5 meters away on land.
Do not make direct eye contact. Macaques interpret direct eye contact as a threat.
Do not show your teeth (smile with closed lips). Bared teeth are a threat display in primate body language.
Secure your belongings. Monkeys will grab sunglasses, hats, water bottles, and bags. Keep everything tucked away.
Do not carry food or drinks visibly. Monkeys can smell food from a distance.
Keep children close. Young children are at eye level with adult macaques and more vulnerable to scratches.
If a monkey approaches you, stay calm. Do not run, scream, or make sudden movements. Back away slowly.
If bitten or scratched, clean the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis may be recommended.

Is Monkey Beach Worth Visiting?

Opinions vary. For some visitors, seeing wild monkeys in a tropical setting is a highlight. For others, the reality of habituated, sometimes aggressive monkeys surrounded by tourist boats is less charming than expected.

Most Phi Phi tours include a brief stop at Monkey Beach as part of a larger itinerary that also covers Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and snorkeling spots. The stop is short and you are not obligated to get off the boat.

Responsible Tourism

The best thing you can do for the Monkey Beach monkeys is to observe from a distance, not feed them, and support tour operators who enforce no-feeding rules. Thai authorities have periodically considered restricting access to reduce human-monkey conflict. Your responsible behavior helps the case for keeping the beach accessible.

For the complete Phi Phi experience, see our Phi Phi Islands guide. Browse our available tours for Phi Phi options.