Thailand is home to some of the best beaches in the world. Beautiful white sands and softly breaking waves, there is little better than the blue waters of the Thai beaches. So grab a beach towel and get your board shorts on because we are going to explore 15 of the best beaches in Thailand.
Patong Beach
Patong Beach is the largest and most popular of Phuket’s beaches. This is undoubtedly due to the beautiful soft, white sand, warm water and plethora of restaurants, hotels and bars that line the nearby areas. If you are staying in the heart of Phuket then you’ll need to take a relatively short bus ride to the beach, or catch a cab. The fare for either shouldn’t exceed 10USD. If you are staying in one of the many hotels that line the nearby area then it should be just a short walk to the beach and surrounding restaurants for a quick drink.
Maya Bay
Surrounded by tall limestone cliffs, this beach is a part of the small island of Ko Phi Phi. The beach is held within a small bay and may have some of the most spectacular scenery of any Thai beach, the cliffs are covered in beautiful green vegetation, and the water is a beautiful blue. The easiest way to get to this deserted beauty is by boat from Phuket; however expect a relatively long journey as the distance is around 20km.
Hua Hin Beach
This beach located within the Gulf of Siam is an extremely popular spot for locals and international visitors. The beach is extremely accessible, being close to Bangkok, however if you are looking for a great swimming experience it might leave something to be desired, due to the slope from beach into the gulf. To get to the beach from Bangkok it’s advised that you catch a Tuk Tuk or Taxi, remember to get your driver to activate his meter or be prepared to pay extra.
Railay Beach
This quiet beach is located on Krabi, an area on the mainland to the East of Phuket. The beach is only accessible by boat from Ao Nang, making it a bit difficult to get too especially given that Krabi is not a popular tourist destination. However if you do get there, be prepared for an extremely quiet and serene time. There are no cars near the beach, so you can sit back and enjoy the sandy beaches whilst listening to the water.
Mai Khao
Mai Khao in Phuket is a beautiful beach close to the airport. This is one of the best stops after a long flight, really helping you wind down and relax. Unlike other beaches on Phuket, Mai Khao is a great alternative for those wanting to get away from the busier parts of Phuket. But if you want to socialise a bit, the nearby hotel Centara has a great range of restaurants, bars and even a waterpark for your entertainment needs.
Karon Beach
This beach in Phuket is all about the restaurants and nightlife. Whilst it’s not as wild as Patong beach, this beach is perfect for those who still want to get out and have a good time, but not be crushed by the hordes of party goers in Patong. This beach stretches over a great area, with beautiful light blue waters and lots of beach chairs for you to relax on in the sun. Karon Beach is located on the Southern end of Phuket Island and is easily accessed by Tuk Tuk.
Kata Beach
Phuket once again shows off its natural beauty with Kata Beach. This beach has got soft, white sands and lots of vegetation lining nearby islands. Whilst some of the surf of the beaches in Phuket can get a bit choppy, Kata Beach is protected by the stretch of land blocking some of the wind from the sea. Like Karon Beach, Kata is located to the South of Phuket and is easily accessed by public transport or a taxi service.
Kantiang Beach
This beach is located on Ko Lanta Island, which is to the South East of Phuket. Being close to Krabi this area while not a haven for tourists, offers a great choice of hotels and restaurants. This beach doesn’t attract the big crowds, but has got beautiful scenic views over the water and lush mountainous vegetation on the surrounding countryside. To get to this island you have to take the Krabi Lanta Island Ferry.
Phi Phi Don
This location has got quite a tourist following because of the idyllic scenery and closed off bay area that stops any massive wave action. Located directly south of Krabi and only accessed by boat, this island might seem a bit difficult to get too, however be assured that when you arrive you will be blessed by a beautiful series of views, however be sure to book rooms early as there are only a few places to stay on the island and they get booked out very quickly.
Chaweng
Chaweng town has a great nightlife and recently has set up a new shopping area, which is great for finding lots of cheap clothes. The beach stretches on for an impressive distance and has got miles of beautiful sands and trees to impress any tourist. Located within the island of Koh Samui this beach is pretty easy to get to, given that most of the resorts on the island are located within a kilometre of Chaweng town. To get to Koh Samui you can book a flight from Bangkok, making it very accessible, and indeed the number of tourists reflects this. The beach is packed all the time and can sometimes be a bit dirty; however the views over the water are well worth it.
Bophut
Being near the amazing Big Buddha temple, Bophut Beach has got a fantastic location which allows you to see all of the great attractions on the Northern Coast of Koh Samui. The number of restaurants near the beach is extensive and range from Italian to traditional Thai. We recommend the oddly named Dr Frogs for a beautiful lunch at a very reasonable price. Considering that Koh Samui is one of the most expensive areas in Thailand Dr Frogs is a bargain. If you are on Samui Island and not close to the beach itself then get your resort to arrange a taxi.
Choeng Mon
This is one of the most child friendly beaches, with low lying clean water and offering great views out over the sea to the distant horizon. Once again Choeng Mon is within Koh Samui and can be accessed by Taxi. There are a few great restaurants that are not very far away, and Chaweng town is a short walk away requiring little effort. The Hotel Tangsai Bay has got an unbelievable view out over the water for those that have the cash to spare.
Bottle Beach
This beach located on Koh Pha Ngan is all about the scenic mountains which surround the beach. Covered in trees and vegetation there is a lot to see on Bottle Beach, and If you are seeking a relaxed, long term stay then Koh Pha Ngan is a great island to visit. To reach the island you have to take a ferry from one of the eastern sides of mainland Thailand, a fairly short trip that shouldn’t be any more than US$20.
Koh Samet
This beach, close to Bangkok is another easily accessible area; to get to the area you can either take a 90 minute bus ride or a short ferry from the mainland. This area is best to travel to if going to Thailand during the wet season, as it has the countries driest weather. This makes a great day trip if you want to have a swim, as the water is quite clean and protected by the coast.
Long Beach
Our final beach, Long Beach can be found on Ko Phi Phi Le Island. This Island is difficult to get to, only being accessible via the water and containing no hotels or roads. Having said that though, you could quite easily walk around the entire island in less than an hour. To get to this island you have to catch a private ferry from Phuket or Krabi, which can be quite a chore. However the natural beauty of Ko Phi Phi Le is not to be missed, with jagged rocky outcrops all around the island which protect the beach from waves.