01706 753 636 
It’s hard to beat Thailand for a beach holiday, with crystal-clear waters, powder-soft sands and everything from lively resorts to castaway islands. With more than 1,000 islands and almost 2,000 miles of coastline, pinning down Thailand’s best beaches can be a challenge. We wanted to whittle them down to a top 10, but even that was too tricky.
Hint: the most picturesque ones are the most secluded ones. While most travellers pick well-known destinations (and hope for the best beach in return), it’s actually worth exploring a little further. Stunning stretches of powder-soft sands aren’t always advertised. We pinned down 12 of them to save you the trouble.
Thailand’s beach season varies depending on which coast you visit. Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak and the Andaman islands are generally at their best from November to April, when conditions are drier and sunnier. Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao have a different weather pattern and are generally best from December to August, making the Gulf islands a particularly good choice during the UK summer months.
Pretty much ticking every box for paradise is the world-famous, rainforest-wrapped Railay Beach in Thailand. Accessible only by a short boat trip and surrounded by the Andaman Sea’s turquoise-blue waters, Railay Beach stands out for its craggy, limestone cliffs, picture-perfect setting and three-sided peninsula location. The entire Krabi coastline offers blissful beaches, but Railay is the most famous. It’s literally the stuff of dreams – bobbing longboats, lapping waters and sun-drenched sands.
Phra Nang Beach is Krabi’s second-most-famous. Set on Krabi’s southernmost tip, commanding views here stretch out dramatically to the Andaman Sea, although the unique cave formation framing it will attract a fair few backpackers. It’s a worthwhile day trip, but for an upmarket escape from the crowds, try Klong Muang and Tubkaek or the getaway Koh Jum island.
Then there’s the magic of those low-lying, castaway islands just off the coast of Krabi. You literally pay a fisherman a few pennies, see where they take you, and you can quite possibly wind up with an entire island to yourself. “Bamboo Island” is definitely one to bookmark.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island. With everything from developed towns to isolated hideaways, Phuket is on the hotspot list for a reason. While the South offers waterfalls and the North has national parks, it’s the beaches that people just keep raving about.
Patong Beach is the island’s most famous, but more for its 24/7 nightlife than the beach itself. If the Phuket party life isn’t your scene but you still want the nightlife option and a good mix of things to do, the neighbouring resort of Karon Beach is ideal.
Karon Beach is where you’ll find warm, golden sands, clear-blue waters, wide bays and lots to do in the bustling Karon Centre, from Buddhist temples to buzzing bars. You’re also a few minutes from the next bay, Kata Beach. Here, it’s white sands, picturesque rocks, palms and a family-friendly restaurant and bar scene. The small headland bay of Kata Noi Beach is next to Kata (and it’s widely regarded as Phuket’s most stunning shore).
For a more peaceful escape, head further north to the long-stretching Bangtao Beach or the neighbouring Surin Beach, both of which are truly spectacular. This region is home to Phuket’s most prestigious hotels, villas, varied dining scenes, and Surin’s epic seafood and barbecue options. Alternatively, for something a little different, head to Freedom Beach. It’s best reached by boat, although there is also a steep walking route down to the beach, helping it retain its secluded feel.
Scattered between Phuket and Krabi, you’ll find countless beautiful islands known for their sleepy fishing villages, long-tail boat rides, coral waters and dive sites.
The Phi Phi islands are the most well-known. Leonardo DiCaprio basically made the spot legendary after The Beach was filmed here, with Maya Bay (pictured above) on Koh Phi Phi Leh becoming one of Thailand’s most famous sights. After closing for several years to allow the ecosystem to recover, Maya Bay reopened with stricter visitor controls. Boats now arrive at Loh Samah Bay on the other side of the island and visitors walk across to the beach. Swimming in Maya Bay isn’t permitted, and the bay normally closes during August and September for conservation. The underwater corals, exotic fish, towering rock shelters and green-against-blue settings are simply stunning.
Another favourite is Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don, where the clue is very much in the name. It can get crowded, but it is still worth a visit. Phi Phi can get busy with visitors on day trips, so if you have the chance, stay for a night or two and experience the islands once the daytime crowds have left.
For somewhere quieter and more laid-back, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are great options. If total seclusion feels a little too remote, Koh Lanta is a great compromise. Located just off the coast of Krabi, it’s easier to reach and has a good range of luxury hotels, along with some stunning beaches including Kantiang Beach. Our guide to Thailand’s lesser-known islands covers these and a few more ideas in detail.
Khao Lak’s coastline stretches north from Phuket, boasting endless stunning beaches which roll on for miles. The most famous here is Pakweep Beach, but all of Khao Lak’s shorelines offer long, wide stretches of powder-white sand. You can literally walk miles here.
Three national parks, sweeping hills and tropical forests hug this region, making it a spectacular place to visit. Compared with Thailand’s more developed resorts, Khao Lak is much more peaceful, although the main centre still offers a good mix of bars and restaurants.
Khao Lak also places you perfectly for exploring the island hideaways of the Similan and Surin islands. If you head here, make sure you visit Donald Duck Bay, a unique beach thanks to its interesting rock formations (which look remarkably like a duck). Please note though that the Similan and Surin islands are seasonal, normally opening from mid-October to mid-May.
Once a sleepy island, Koh Samui is now a well-established tourist hotspot, with Chaweng Beach being the island’s main hub. It’s also the only bustling resort to make our top 12. Despite the crowds, it’s hard to deny this island’s beauty. Expect wide, long-stretching sands lapped by emerald waters and a thick, palm-lined coastline contrasting them. To escape the crowds, head to Maenam or Lipa Noi Beach. For something in between, Lamai and Bo Phut Beaches are definitely ones to add to your list.
Legendary full moon parties on Haad Rin Beach are mostly what made neighbouring Koh Phangan famous. This island still has its quiet spots though, like Bottle Beach on the island’s north. Nearby Had Yao has more of a wilderness feel, excellent scuba diving and there’s a coral reef nearby. For reggae bars and chilled vibes, head to Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach.
Also, if you’re in this region, you absolutely have to take a day trip to the unique Koh Nang Yuan. This formation of three tiny islands connected by a sandbank is picture-perfect. You’ll see what we mean when you get there.
Located as far south in Thailand as you can get and reached by boat from Pak Bara, or seasonally from Langkawi, Koh Lipe feels wonderfully remote. It’s what gives it that dreamy appeal. Come here, and you’ll be all set for Thailand’s second most-stunning beach, Sunrise Beach.
Bangkok is the massively buzzing mega-city that’s well placed for visiting Pattaya and Hua Hin.
Pattaya is Thailand’s original beach resort, with over two miles of sand backed by hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and the famous Beach Road and Walking Street. It isn’t all super lively either, with Jomtien Beach and Wong Phra Chan Beach offering calmer options. You’ll find everything from bar-lined strips to romantic boutique stays, although the high-rise skyline means it isn’t quite the classic picture-perfect Thai beach scene.
On the opposite side of the Gulf, Hua Hin stretches north towards the quieter resort of Cha-am. It has a much more relaxed feel than Pattaya and is popular with Thai families, with a long beach, good hotels and plenty of places to eat and explore.
One of the best things about Thailand is how easily its beaches can be combined with the rest of the country. You could island hop between two or three very different beach stops, mix Bangkok or Chiang Mai with a few days by the sea, or add in jungle, wildlife and adventure before finishing on the beach. It’s this variety that makes a Thailand multi centre holiday such a great way to experience more of the country.
Inspired by the guide? We’ve handpicked a few holidays that bring it to life—perfect for turning travel ideas into reality.
