Monkey Beach, The Enchanting Monkey Paradise |
Monkey Beach is one of the popular tourist destinations located on Ko Phi Phi Don (Phi Phi Don Island), a small island in Thailand. This beach is famous for its fairly large population of monkeys and is a major attraction for tourists. This exotic beach offers beautiful natural scenery with fine white sand and clear seawater, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Size of Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach is not a very large beach. The beach is approximately 150 meters long and about 50 meters wide. Despite its relatively small size, the beauty and uniqueness of this beach make it a must-visit place in Ko Phi Phi Don. Its skyrocketing popularity has led to Monkey Beach being flooded with both local and foreign visitors.
Challenging Location And Access
Monkey Beach |
Monkey Beach is just a beach in a small bay that is part of Ton Sai Bay. There are no roads for vehicles leading to this beach, making it feel more exclusive and natural. The only way to reach Monkey Beach is by water, either by boat or kayak.
To reach this beach located in the southwest part of Ko Phi Phi Don, tourists usually use boats from Ao Nang, Krabi, or Phuket. The boat journey usually takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the departure point. The journey itself is part of the experience, with stunning views of the clear and mesmerizing Andaman Sea.
Monkeys At Monkey Beach
Monkey at Monkey Beach |
True to its name, Monkey Beach is inhabited by many wild monkeys that often interact with visitors. These monkeys are Long-Tailed Macaques, known to be intelligent and sometimes mischievous. They are often seen wandering on the beach, climbing trees, and even approaching tourists in search of food.
Why Are There So Many Monkeys At Monkey Beach
Monkeys at Monkey Beach |
The monkeys at Monkey Beach are not newcomers. They have been living there for centuries, long before the island became a popular tourist destination. The dense forest around the beach is the habitat of these monkeys. Their presence on the beach is considered part of the natural ecosystem of Ko Phi Phi Don. The lush coastal environment provides abundant food sources for these monkeys, such as fruits and insects.
Getting to Know The Long-Tailed Macaques, The Crab-Eating Monkeys
Crab-Eating Monkeys |
Long-Tailed Macaques, also known as Crab-Eating Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), are one of the most famous monkey species in Southeast Asia. They can be found in various habitats, including mangrove forests, beaches, and tropical forests. One popular place to see them is at Monkey Beach, Thailand.
These monkeys are characterized by their long and slender tails, which they often use to maintain balance while moving in trees. Additionally, they have gray to brown fur with slightly lighter faces. Long-Tailed Macaques are known to be intelligent animals and highly adaptive to their surrounding environment.
Their diet is highly varied, including fruits, leaves, flowers, and insects. However, what makes them unique is their ability to catch and eat crabs, especially in coastal areas and mangrove forests. This skill has earned them the nickname "Crab-Eating Monkeys."
Threat of Monkey Attacks
Although the monkeys at Monkey Beach appear cute and fascinating, tourists should be cautious. The monkeys here can be aggressive, especially if they feel threatened or disturbed. There have been cases where tourists were attacked by monkeys for getting too close or attempting to feed them. It is recommended not to bring food or valuables to the beach and always maintain a safe distance from the monkeys.
About Ko Phi Phi Don
Ko Phi Phi Don (Phi Phi Don Island) |
Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest and most populous island in the Phi Phi Islands group, located in the Andaman Sea, Thailand. This 9.73 square kilometer island is known for its natural beauty, with towering limestone cliffs, white sandy beaches, and clear seawater. Ko Phi Phi Don, along with 5 smaller islands, is part of the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. This 38,789.9-hectare national park covers the Phi Phi Islands and their surrounding waters, serving as a protected area for coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Ko Phi Phi Don is located in the Ao Nang area, Muang Krabi, Krabi Province. The island gained even more fame after the release of the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 2000, which showcased the beauty of Maya Bay in Ko Phi Phi Le, a small island adjacent to Ko Phi Phi Don.
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