The 9 Best Beaches in Thailand

If you have visited Thailand, you will probably agree with the irrefutable fact that some of the world’s most beautiful beaches can be found in this Southeast Asian country. Beaches in Thailand offer everything from surreal rough limestone structures that seem to be dangerously perched on the blue water to vivid coral reefs whose residents are best observed with snorkels and fins. From palm-fringed shores, exotic Koh Phi Phi to the famous coast of Phuket, Thailand’s variety of spectacular beaches turns beach bumming into a professional sport.

Here is our round-up of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand that you should not miss on your next trip!

1. Ao Nang

Ao Nang is one of Krabi’s most well-known beaches, located just a short drive from the province’s capital, Krabi Town. It has the relaxing ambience of a small town, the beauty of a beach resort, the everyday conveniences of home, and the kindness that distinguishes Thailand. 

The settlement of Ao Nang is the tourism hub of the Krabi Peninsula. It is undoubtedly the most “western” and commercialised beach in the area, and it is pretty popular among European tourists. There’s a lot of activity around the main beachside road, and it’s a family-friendly (though touristy) place. Don’t miss the food carts along the main street; they provide some of the most incredible Thai street cuisine around!

Phra Nang Beach is a relatively secluded beach located in the centre of Krabi and Ao Nang. You need to take a boat to get to the beach, but once there, you’ll find many exciting activities such as hiring kayaks, exploring the various caverns, and taking rock climbing classes. All which you can experience on this fully-customisable 11-Day Authentic South Thailand Tour. 

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The pristine beaches and stunning limestone scenery of southern Thailand have made it a favourite backdrop for Hollywood movies, such as “The Beach” and of course James Bond’s “Man with the Golden Gun” – you’ll feel like you are on a movie set riding through this gorgeous landscape. Staying at some of the most beautiful resorts Southern Thailand has to offer, including the Haven Khao Lak for some rest and relaxation during your 11-day bike tour! Southern Thailand has more to offer than turquoise waters, white sand and lush jungles – it’s also home to a fascinating mixture of cultures. Thai Buddhists mingle with Muslim seafarers to produce colourful people steeped in history and tradition. Priding themselves on their openness and hospitality, the people of the south, or Khon Dai, are always ready to show “farang” (foreigners) their country. Our tour starts on the Gulf of Thailand, at a pristine beach that is off the tourist track. We then head inland and spend time on a stunning lake and ride on the edge of Khao Sok National Park – home to the last of Thailand’s great rainforests – before we head to the beaches on the Andaman Sea. From Khao Lak, we’ll head to the paradise island of Koh Yao Noi where you’ll spend time with a local fishing family. As we boat through Phang Nga Bay towards Krabi be awed by the spectacular limestone cliffs rising vertically from the sea. Though we ride through the world-class tourist destinations of Khao Lak and Krabi, we also leave behind the tourist enclaves and see a southern Thailand that is a rarely visited gem to be discovered. Cycling distance: 384 km (4 full/4 half) Elevation profile: +3,454m/-3,434m Minimum age: 18 years We cycle 384 kilometres exploring beaches, waterfalls, jungle, fishing villages and islands. We enjoy some time off the bike so we can take in boat rides, wildlife and the culture of this fascinating region. Cycling is on a mixture of tarmac and dirt roads. An air-conditioned minivan that travels behind the group provides excellent support. You can cycle as much or as little as you like and still enjoy the same views as the rest. – Suitability: The riding is primarily on tarmac roads, with a few undulations, but there are no major hill climbs. The distances are well within the capability of most riders with a reasonable fitness level.

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2. Koh Nang Yuan

This lovely island is only a short boat ride away from Koh Tao. Koh Nang Yuan is three tiny islands joined by a wide sandbar. Once you get there, you will feel like you are stepping into a postcard, with its distinctive landscape, breathtakingly white sand beaches, and shoreline overflowing with fish and coral. 

Koh Nang Yuan is ideal for a day excursion due to its small size. You will want to take a few pictures with its beautiful panorama that perfectly showcases the island’s splendour.

It would be best if you also visited the island of Koh Tao (known as Turtle Island), one of Thailand’s best scuba diving sites. The island, an important breeding place for Hawksbill and Green turtles, has also become a centre for ecologically friendly diving activities, such as reintroducing hundreds of juvenile turtles into the island’s ecosystem and attempts to conserve and enhance coral reefs. 

Thailand is humid year-round – if that doesn’t encourage you to jump into the water, what else will? You can get a grasp of the weather from our in-depth Thailand travel guide.

3. Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi

The sands of Maya Bay, which were once packed with snorkelers, beach bums, and every other sort of tourist one can imagine, are now closed to tourists as part of a conservation initiative to assist native coral recovery. Nonetheless, the green cliff-sheltered bay, with its silky white sands, crystal-clear seas, and diverse marine life, is worth a visit as it reopens in January 2022! 

If you find this beach familiar, you’re most likely a Leonardo DiCaprio fan; after all, Maya Bay is where the well-known movie “The Beach” was filmed. Koh Phi Phi is among the top destinations visited during this 4-Day Bangkok and Iconic Beaches Tour.

4. Phra Nang Beach

Ao Phra Nang offers everything a beautiful beach should have: soft white sand, clear shallow water for safe swimming, two tiny islands (Koh Rang Nok and Nai), coral reefs, and caves. All of this is situated against a backdrop of gorgeous limestone cliffs that give natural shelter from the hot afternoon heat and provide rock climbers one of the most stunning locations in Krabi Province for this adventurous pastime.

Phra Nang is an excellent place to relax. The two tiny islands listed above are only offshore, and you may walk there at low tide along a sand bar as it’s a great place to snorkel. Longtail boats equipped as floating kitchens float along the beach around lunchtime, serving a wide variety of local and foreign meals as well as fresh beverages to hungry beachgoers. You can discover Phra Nang beach on this customisable 11-Day Bangkok and Iconic Beaches Tour.

5. Chaweng beach

Chaweng Beach is the most famous strip of pristine white sand on Koh Samui. For decades, the vast bay has served as a focal point for the growth of the island’s tourism economy. This magnificent five-kilometre-long crescent is bounded on either end by rocky headlands, with an offshore coral and the tiny archipelago of Koh Matlam to the north.

Chaweng Beach has excellent swimming, various water activities, and food and lodging alternatives, which you will try on this 11-Day Authentic South Thailand Tour. 

During the high season on Koh Samui, there is a joyful vacation vibe, with numerous sunbathers relaxing on the sand. It’s not the quietest or most serene of Samui’s beaches, but everything you’d want, such as cold beverages, snacks, and massages, is within arms reach.

Chaweng Beach is a great place to relax and work on your tan, but there is also a wide selection of activities for the more energetic travellers. You can hire jet skis, catamarans, and kayaks just by walking along the beach, and you can even engage in some banana boat madness.

6. Railay Beach

Railay Beach is, in reality, a tiny peninsula with four beaches. Railay is one of the most in-demand beaches in Thailand and it should be on every savvy traveller’s itinerary. Railay is a tranquil and one-of-a-kind paradise located just south of Ao Nang Beach, encircled by a steep mountainside and only accessible by sea.

Outstanding white sand beaches, tall limestone cliffs, vistas, coves, and a lagoon nestled inside the ridges, formed and maintained by the shifting tides, may all be found on a single tiny peninsula. Everything is within close proximity!

There is no traffic in Railay, only trails for pedestrians. There are no buses or vehicles, only longtail boats. Even though the beautiful Phra Nang Peninsular is connected to the mainland, in reality, the area is blocked off from the rest of Krabi by limestone headlands and steep jungle slopes; the only way to arrive there is by boat. 

West Railay Beach is the epitome of a tropical paradise. It is best for leisurely days and relaxation. Visitors may spend the day at the beach, eating street cuisine and enjoying local fruit shakes. 

For those searching for a tranquil island hopping trip with lots of fun and breathtaking scenery, customise this 14-Day Thailand Islands Tour with one of our trusted Local Designers in Thailand.

7. Haad rin

The Haad Rin Beach Koh Phangan is located on the island’s southern point and is the most well-known Koh Phangan beach owing to the Full Moon Celebration. Haad Rin has two main beaches: Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach, separated by rugged cliffs. A maze of streets filled with bars, restaurants, pharmacies, and inexpensive beachwear shops lies between the beaches. In the heat of the day, Haad Rin might feel a little claustrophobic. The town comes alive at night, with bars, pubs, and clubs blasting music.

8. Ko Tarutao

The biggest island in the Tarutao National Marine Park, Ko Tarutao, is located in Thailand’s Satun Province, close to the Malaysian border. Ko Tarutao evokes a primal feeling of awe with its rough cliffs, former prison sites, vast beaches, and old-growth jungle flourishing on slopes up to 700 metres. It’s a fantastic location for anyone seeking adventure as well as isolated beaches. The island is packed with exciting activities and is ideal for busy beachgoers. You may also cycle, kayak, and trek through the mangroves during our popular 11-Day South of Thailand trip.

9. Koh Tachai Island

The Similan National Park’s northernmost point is home to Koh Tachai Island. The island, along with the island of Koh Bon, is one of the most recent additions to the National Park region. Its 800-kilometre-long virgin sandy beach faces east, with a vast jungle behind it. Snorkelling and scuba diving are very popular in these waters. Whale sharks, leopard sharks, and manta rays are frequently seen hunting in the rich waters. If you want to learn more about the creatures and wildlife, including land crabs, hermits, take a look at our ultimate guide to Koh Tao Diving.

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