Hello, Summer! Your Guide to the Best Beaches In Thailand
What is one point about Thailand that is unquestionable? This Southeast Asian country has some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet! These are the most charming beaches in Thailand, from the palm-fringed coasts of gorgeous and exotic Koh Phi Phi to the famous shores of Phuket.
Most seashores in Thailand have exactly the thing individuals are searching for, which is why it is a famous destination for beachgoers and travelers. Envision yourself strolling in the fine white sand, drinking a coconut in one hand, your hammock softly swinging to the sound of the sea breeze, as you gaze out at the sparkling turquoise ocean. It is the perfect definition of paradise!
Longtail boats are a great way to get to picture-perfect beaches in Thailand. While there, events such as exploring between palm trees, cliff hiking above the beach, and snorkeling across vibrant coral reefs will complete your day, creating an experience all on its own. Some beaches are often crowded, while other secret gems are hidden away on islands.
Given the number of gorgeous islands in the country, deciding which ones to visit can be challenging, so we’ve narrowed it down for you by incorporating a rundown of the best beaches in Thailand.
1. Railay Beach
One of Krabi’s many beautiful beaches is particularly picturesque. With the turquoise water of the Andaman Sea on one side and spectacular ridged cliffs on the other, this beach is a must-see.
The magnificent Railay Beach, one of Thailand’s great attractions, is only available by longtail boat since it is situated on a small peninsula. However, it is certainly worth the trip. The fine white sand on the seashore is just one aspect of the experience.
Railay Beach is encompassed by caves and cliffs, limestone stone monuments, wilderness, and lagoon-like spots for swimming. Railay Beach is made up of many smaller beaches that are all close together. This stretch of shoreline is ideal for mixing traditional time on the beach with a little bit of island exploration.
2. Kata Beach
Kata Beach is a 1.5-kilometer stretch of gorgeous golden sand. It is known to be one of Phuket’s most popular beaches due to its perfect blend of elegance, amenities, and activities. Every day, numerous people flock to the beach to go sunbathing and swim in the ocean. This beach is enticing in many aspects, including the fact that it is always busy but never crowded.
The warm sea is always completely flat, crystal clear, and sparkling turquoise in color every November to April, also known as the northeast monsoon season. The south-west monsoon season, which occurs from May to October, will make for more arduous swimming situations.
However, surfers still rush to the beach to enjoy the waves at this time of year. On days that red warning flags are up, it is highly advisable that you don’t touch the water due to dangerously strong tides and winds, but on these days, you would probably prefer to stay at your hotel and cozy up instead of going to the beach anyway.
3. Sunrise & Sunset Beaches
The Sunrise and Sunset Beaches on Koh Lipe offer peace and quiet.
Koh Lipe, Thailand’s southernmost island, has three main beaches: Pattaya, Sunrise, and Sunset. Though Pattaya has the longest coastline and is the most popular, it is also known for noisy parties and long nights. If you’re not interested in that scene, ditch it and head directly to the two smaller beaches, which offer more privacy and stronger connections to the landscape of Koh Lipe.
Sunrise Beach faces east and is covered by a shallow bay. Have a splash in the sea and snorkel out to the coral reef and the tiny islet of Koh Kra, or enjoy the sunrise as it emerges over the horizon. Sunset Beach, the smallest of Koh Lipe’s beaches, is a 20-minute walk towards the west. The hammocks, cottages, and locals all have a hippie feeling.
4. Sai Nuan & Sairee Beaches
At Sai Nuan Beach, you’ll find parrotfish and turtles swimming near the sea. Koh Tao, also renowned as Turtle Island, has some of Thailand’s best snorkeling and diving spots. The encompassing waters are home to approximately a quarter of the planet’s tropical fish. The Mae Haad Pier is brimming with dive shops providing access to the island’s best dive sites.
Sai Nuan Beach is only reachable through a quick hiking path from the pier, and it is blissfully uninhabited, with only several bungalows and hammocks hidden among the trees. There are more fun activities underwater here, as you can see turtles and parrotfish not far from the sea.
Sairee, Sai Nuan’s sister beach, which is situated on the opposite side of Mae Haad, is busier in contrast. Lanterned beach bars, cafés handing out beer buckets, and fire dancers illuminate this long, iconic stretch of sand around evening time. During the day, steer clear from the crown by renting snorkeling gear and hanging out with some tropical sea creatures underwater for a unique type of beach life!
5. Maya Bay
Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi, one of the world’s most gorgeous islands, is surrounded almost entirely by massive limestone monuments. The aerial photograph of the beach demonstrates why this place was chosen as the setting for Leonardo DiCaprio’s film The Beach.
Although it is likely to be busy with tourists and longtail boats when you visit, the steep hills overlooking the water make it feel like a hidden paradise. Since the bay is a vast reef, you can see a lot of tropical fish, which is why snorkeling is a popular activity here.
Read more: Beginner’s Guide to Authentic Thai Food
6. Chaweng Noi Beach
The renowned seashore of Chaweng on the island of Koh Samui can become extremely busy, which is why Chaweng Noi, a more modest and more isolated version down the coast, is an incredible choice. The shallow water and calm beachfront make this seashore ideal for a day of unwinding away from the crowds.
Enjoy a meal from a shoreline café or drive your worries away with massages that come with a stunning view.
7. Lamai Beach
Lamai Beach is ideal for families seeking clean sand, calm water, and convenient access to facilities. It is still crowded as it is the island’s second-largest tourist resort, but it is more peaceful and less expensive than its sister beach, Chaweng. The scene becomes more vibrant, and the water gets deeper as you travel south. Note that things get particularly crazy at the beach’s popular Grandma and Grandpa rocks. However, the two-plus miles of fine sand are perfectly white the entire way.
With top-of-the-line facilities and luxurious dining options, Lamai puts forth a solid case for never leaving the island. When going between fun activities and massages, there are many options to fill your belly. Grab a drink or quick snack from select restaurants and appreciate the scene from the beach.
8. Bottle Beach
Like other notable beaches in Thailand, Bottle Beach can get jammed during peak tourist season, but for a good reason. It is wild and majestic in its natural state. This beach, on the other hand, can be almost isolated and peaceful at times.
Bottle Beach will welcome you with clean white sand, azure water, and rows of nodding palm trees for shade. Similarly beautiful are the views from Bottle Beach, accessible through behind the restaurants on the east end of the seashore. The climb up takes about 30 minutes. The hike will eventually reward you with views of the sea and the whole island of Koh Phangan.
9. Long Beach
Spend the day relaxing at Long Beach before heading to neighboring Saladan Village for drinks. Instead of palm trees, the 2.5-mile Long Beach is filled with pine trees that conceal bungalows, pubs, cafes, guesthouses, and resorts.
Tourists can mix the tranquility of empty beaches with the bustling of a resort town by choosing a private spot of golden sand and meeting new people for drinks or catching one of Koh Lanta’s famous sunsets.
10. Phra Nang Beach
The views from Phra Nang Beach are worth traveling the world to see. On the Railay Peninsula, two massive limestone cliffs surround the beach, providing an impressive view of the Andaman Sea. Staring at the view can be breathtaking. There are also other fun activities to do, like kayaking, snorkeling, and visiting nearby islands.
Conclusion
Traveling and experiencing the best beaches in Thailand is definitely heaven on earth! We hope you will enjoy the sugar-like sands, vibrant marine life, nodding palm trees, and turquoise waters with this guide! The beaches of Thailand are some of the best in the world, so don’t miss them!
