The 10 most fabulous beaches in Thailand

White sandturquoise waters and palm trees are high priorities for just about every visitor to Thailand. And for just about every visitorThailand delivers.

In a country with over 2414km of coastline and some 1430 islandsyou can expect to find a lot of postcard-perfect beaches. Yet you shouldn’t count on just loungingthough that’s fine too. Many of these sandy areas also offer activities such as snorkelingdiving and rock climbingnot to mention proximity to Thailand’s amazing cuisine and unique cultural experiences.

So while you can’t go wronghow do you begin to choose?

In this guide to Thailand's best beacheswe touch on most of the country's coastal regionswith a mix of iconic beaches that are easy to reachas well as islands that take a bit more work to get to. Get inspired and add a few of these blissful coves to your next itinerary.

1. Hat Ya Nui 

Best beach for escaping the Phuket crowds

Big hitters in Phuket Province such as Patong and Kamala get all the attentionwhich means they also draw all the crowds (and touts). To strike out on your ownhead to this semihidden beach on the island’s far southern shore. Accessible via a 3km walk down a steep hill (or a briefbumpy ride in the back of the truck)the petite cove is attractively framed by palm trees and massive boulders. You’ll find a handful of low-key bars and restaurantsand although you won’t be aloneyou almost certainly won’t feel like part of the crowd.

Local tip: Hat Ya Nuialso known as Nui Beachhas emerged as something of an Instagram posing groundwith swingsframes and seats set up at the beach’s perimeter for that coveted shot.

2. Ao Khanom

Best beach for watching fishers and fish

For stretches of sand largely untouched by touristshead to Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in southern Thailanda 12-hour bus or 15-hour train ride (or a 1-hour flight) from Bangkok. In Ao Khanom's lengthy bayyou’re more likely to encounter local fishers and their brightly colored boats than crowds. If you’re luckyyou might even get to cross fins with one of the region’s adorable pink dolphins.

Local tip: Consider a side trip south to Sichon District for Wat Chediknown as the Chicken Temple. The devout leave cement roosters as offerings here – and tens of thousands of themincluding some larger than a long-tailed boatcan be found in an adjacent chicken “cemetery.”

3. Tubtim BayKo Samet

Best beach for easy access from Bangkok

It is easy to get to Ko Samet from Bangkokit’s trueand with its famous white sandsthe island is seriously beautiful as well. On the east shorethe resort of Tubtim Bay provides good accommodationsa solid restaurant and a great main beach – plus access to lesser-known coves and tiny beaches.

Local tip: More popular with Thais than foreignersKo Samet draws lots of Thai university students and the domestic LGBTQ+ crowd. A late-night acoustic guitar session by the beachfueled by a bottle of SangSom (a distilled spirit)is a classic Ko Samet experience.

4. Ko Kut

Best beach at little-visited islands

Thailand’s east is on the radar of few beach seekersyet those who find their way here will enjoy some of Thailand’s loveliest – and least-visited – islands as their reward. At the edge of the Gulf of Thailandjust across from Cambodia, Ko Kut is the remotest speck of a tiny archipelago that includes the better-known Ko Chang. The beaches hereespecially Hat Khlong Chao and others on the island’s west coasthave sand as fine as talcum powder and more palm trees than hotels. Since this is the fourth-largest island in Thailandthere’s much to explore both on the coast and inlandincluding waterfalls and day hikes.

Planning tip: You can reach Ko Kut via Laem Sokin Trat Province. If Cambodia is on your itineraryit’s possible to cross the border at Hat Lek.

5. Railay

Best beach for rock climbing

With a backdrop of towering karst cliffs that almost look artificialRailay (also spelled Rai Leh) in Krabi Province boasts the most dramatic setting of just about any beach in Thailand. Those sheet cliffs – as well as the karst formations that jut out from the sea – are great for climbingwith lots of established routes. If you don’t want to strap on a harnesshike to the lagoonwhich involves a stop to enjoy amazing views over the peninsula. Railay is also well positioned for boat jaunts to ocean-based climbing spots in the area or trips to hidden beaches and snorkeling spots in Phang-Nga.

Planning tip: While Railay is not on an islandthe cliffs mean that it can be reached only by boat from Ao NangKo Phi-PhiKrabi or Ao Nam Mao.

6. Surin Islands Marine National Park

Best beach for scuba diving

This archipelago of five islands is one of Thailand’s premier diving spots. And above sea levelthe protected natural refuge offers snow-white sandjade- and turquoise-hued waterrocky headlandsrugged jungle and wildlife galore. With the island’s only accommodation and restaurantKo Surin Nuea is one of the best spots to appreciate it all. Another of the islandsKo Surin Taiis home to a relocated community of Moken: before the 2004 tsunamithey were among the few cultures who organized their society almost entirely at sea.

Planning tip: The only way to overnight here is in the national park. You can book rooms (or tents) via the DNP online portal once in Thailand or through agents on the mainland in Khuraburi (who also operate transportation to and from the islands).

7. Ao Maya

Best beach for a cinematic experience

Located on an island that forms part of Hat Noppharat Thara Mu/Ko Phi-Phi National ParkAo Mayaalso known as Maya Bayis simply one of Thailand’s most gorgeous beaches. Indeedits fine white sandclear waters and palm trees were so perfect that it was featured in the 2000 film The Beach. Unfortunatelythis star turn led to the same fall from grace that beset its fictional counterpart: too many people found out about it.

In 2018Thai authorities closed Maya Bay. After a cleanup and some time for the natural environment to recoverit reopened in 2022 with strict restrictions on visitor numbersduration (1 hour) and activities (swimming is not allowed)as well as strict sustainability goals.

Planning tip: Access to Maya Bay via speedboat from KrabiKo Phi-Phi Don and Ko Lanta is generally banned between August and October. It’s not possible to overnight there at any time of year.

8. Sunset BeachKo Kradan

Best beach for seclusion

Trang Province contains some of Thailand’s most fabulous beachy areas; removed from the typical visitor circuitthey receive relatively few visitors. Arguably the handsomest of the lot is Ko Kradanan island with slendersilky white sand beaches that ring a lushjungly interior. While there’s little development anywhere on the islandif you really want to escapehead to Sunset Beacha tinyrocky outpost on the island’s western shore. It might be one of the best secluded beaches in Thailand.

Planning tip: The landlocked provincial capital and likely your access to the islandTrang is one of Thailand’s best food cities. Be sure to tack on a night here to take advantage of the city’s fantastic dim sum hallsnoodle shacks and markets.

9. Hat KhuatKo Pha-Ngan

Best beach for avoiding full-moon parties

The laid-back vibes of Ko Pha-Ngan have drawn backpackers since the 1970s. These daysthe infamous Full Moon Party is the island’s biggest attractionand the event has its passionate fans as well as detractors. Yet if you’re not looking to partyyou’ll find plenty of quiet sandy places well away from the dance floor. Located on the island’s northern shore, Hat Khuat (also known as Bottle Beach) consists of a dreamy slice of white sand backed by green hills and fronted by turquoise waters. When you’re finished sunbathingthere are opportunities for swimmingsnorkeling or even a day hike to a nearby fishing village.

Planning tip: The quietest months on Ko Pha-Ngan are April to June.

10. Ko Lipe

Best beach to find vacationing Thais

Among Thai touristsKo Lipe has been the It island escape for several years nowthanks to its remote location in Satun Province and access to some of the best diving in the region. Some unpleasant inland development has followed as a result. Yet the island’s two longest beachesSunset Beach and Sunrise Beachstill amaze: both salt-white crescents of sand backed by verdant hillswith access to nearby protected reefs a few meters off the shore.

Planning tip: Ko Lipe is generally only accessible from mid-October to mid-May via boats from Pak Bara in Satun. Have aspirations to go beyond Thailand? Boats link Ko Lipe and Pulau Langkawi in Malaysia.

The best times to visit Thailand's beaches

Peak season on all of the islands and mainland beaches is December to February. On the Andaman Coast and the islands off the eastern seaboardcrowds start to thin as rainy season (June to October) approaches. But July and August are still busy on the southern gulf islands of Ko SamuiKo Pha-Ngan and Ko Taowhere good weather remains until the monsoon season from October to December.

Most mainland beaches get the monsoon between June and Octoberexcept for Ao Khanomwhich has similar weather to the southern gulf islands. All of the beaches get much busier and prices go up on public holidaysespecially during Songkran in April.

How to visit beaches in Thailand responsibly

Thailand’s islands and beaches are so popular that tourism infrastructure is often stretched to the limitespecially during the peak winter tourist season (December to February).

Rampant development is increasingly threatening ecosystems as larger hotels and mega resorts replace guesthouses and beach hutspersonal watercraft buzz across baysand islands struggle to maintain adequate fresh water supplies and to dispose of waste without negatively impacting the environment. Water pollution and large numbers of visitors can have a harmful effect on coral reefs especially.

Visitors can play their part in reducing the impact of overtourism:

• Opt for lesser-known islands or beaches such as Ko KutKo Mak and Ko Wai on the eastern seaboardor Ko Yao NoiKo Chang (Ranong) or Ko Phayam on the Andaman Coast.

• Travel out of high season – if you don’t mind a little rainthe quietest (and least expensive) period on the Andaman Coast is June to October.

• Check the credentials and safety records of tour operators and dive outfits before booking.

• Dispose of garbage carefully.

• Take care when diving and snorkeling. Remember that it is an offense to damage or remove coral in marine parksand make sure that no equipment touches the reef.