The top 10 beaches in Thailand

Visitors to Thailand can expect white sands, crystal-clear waters, and swaying palm trees, and the country certainly delivers on that promise.

With over 1500 miles of coastline and 1430 islands, Thailand is home to countless picture-perfect beaches. Once you’re done soaking up the sun, many of these spots also offer exciting activities like snorkeling, diving, and rock climbing, along with access to the country’s incredible cuisine and rich cultural experiences.

It can be a bit overwhelming to choose where to go. To help narrow it down, we’ve compiled a list of the best beaches in Thailand. With so many options available, we’ve aimed to cover every coastal region, highlighting a variety of popular beaches and some hidden gems that require a bit more effort to reach.

1. Railay, Krabi Province

With its breathtaking backdrop of sheer, towering karst cliffs, Railay in Krabi Province offers one of Thailand's most spectacular beach settings. These cliffs, along with the striking karst formations rising from the sea, are perfect for climbing, featuring numerous established routes. If climbing isn’t your thing, consider hiking to Railay’s lagoon, which provides stunning views of the peninsula. Railay also serves as a great starting point for boat trips to prime climbing areas and secluded beaches in Phang-Nga Bay.

Planning tip: Although Railay is not an island, its cliffs make it accessible only by boat from Ao Nang, Ko Phi-Phi, Krabi, or Ao Nam Mao.

2. Tubtim Bay, Ko Samet, Rayong Province

Often overlooked as just an easy getaway from Bangkok, Ko Samet is, in fact, a stunningly beautiful island. Its sand is exceptionally white and fine, earning praise in Thai literature. Tubtim Bay, located on the island’s eastern shore, strikes a perfect balance with quality accommodations, good dining options, and a lovely beach, alongside access to secluded coves and small hidden beaches.

Local tip: Ko Samet is more frequented by Thais than tourists, providing a unique cultural experience. It's popular among Thai university students and the domestic LGBTIQ+ community. Enjoying a late-night acoustic guitar session on the beach with a bottle of Sang Som is quintessential to the Ko Samet experience.

3. Ko Kut, Trat Province

While many travelers overlook Thailand's eastern beaches, those who venture there will discover some of the country's most stunning and less-visited islands. Located at the edge of the Gulf of Thailand, just opposite Cambodia, Ko Kut is the most remote in a small archipelago that also includes the more famous Ko Chang. The beaches here, particularly on the western coast like Hat Khlong Chao, feature powdery white sand and a plethora of palm trees, far outnumbering the hotels. As Thailand's fourth-largest island, Ko Kut offers plenty of opportunities for exploration, both along the coast and inland, including beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails.

Planning tip: You can reach Ko Kut via Laem Sok in Trat Province. If you're planning to visit Cambodia, crossing the border at Hat Lek is also an option.

4. Surin Islands Marine National Park, Phang Nga Province

This group of five islands is among Thailand’s top diving destinations. Above water, the national park showcases pristine white sand, shimmering jade and turquoise waters, rocky cliffs, dense jungles, and a rich variety of wildlife. Ko Surin Nuea, which hosts the park's only accommodation and restaurant, is an excellent place to take in the beauty of the area. Additionally, Ko Surin Tai is home to a relocated community of Moken, known as Sea Gypsies, who historically lived primarily at sea until the 2004 tsunami changed their way of life.

Planning tip: The only overnight accommodation available is within the national park on Ko Surin Nuea. You can reserve rooms or tents through the DNP's official online portal once you're in Thailand or via agents in Khuraburi, who also provide transportation to and from the islands.

5. Maya Bay, Krabi Province

Nestled within Hat Noppharat Tara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Maya Bay is renowned as one of Thailand’s most stunning beaches. With its powdery white sand, transparent waters, and swaying palm trees, it gained fame when featured in the 2000 film The Beach. Sadly, this exposure led to an influx of visitors that the area could not sustain.

In 2018, Thai authorities opted to close Maya Bay. Following a cleanup and a recovery period for the ecosystem, it reopened in 2022 with strict visitor limits, a one-hour time allowance, prohibited swimming, and strong sustainability measures in place.

Planning tip: Speedboat access to Maya Bay from Krabi, Ko Phi-Phi Don, and Ko Lanta is typically restricted from August to October. Overnight stays are not permitted at any time of year.

6. Ao Khanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

For stunning, relatively hidden beaches that remain largely untouched by tourism, make your way to Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. This location is accessible via a 12-hour bus or a 15-hour train journey (or a one-hour flight) from Bangkok. In the northern section lies Ao Khanom, a long and picturesque tropical bay where you’re more likely to see local fishermen and their vibrant boats, and if you’re fortunate, some of the region’s charming pink dolphins instead of large crowds.

Local tip: Consider a short trip south to the Sichon District, home to the Buddhist temple Wat Chedi, famously known as Thailand’s Chicken Temple. Devotees leave cement roosters as offerings here, and you can find tens of thousands of them, including some larger than long-tailed boats, in a nearby chicken cemetery.

7. Sunset Beach, Ko Kradan, Trang Province

Trang Province is home to some of Thailand’s most breathtaking beaches. However, since they are off the typical tourist path, they attract relatively few visitors. Among them, Ko Kradan stands out with its fine, soft white sand beaches enveloping a lush, tropical interior. The island has minimal development, but for a true escape, head to Sunset Beach—a small, rocky, and isolated stretch on the western shore.

Planning tip: Trang, the inland provincial capital and your likely gateway to the island, is renowned as one of Thailand’s top culinary destinations. Make sure to spend an extra night here to indulge in the city’s fantastic dim sum spots, noodle shops, and vibrant markets.

8. Bottle Beach, Ko Pha-Ngan, Surat Thani Province

Since the 1970s, Ko Pha-Ngan has been a favorite among backpackers for its relaxed atmosphere. While the notorious Full Moon Party is the island's main draw, there are plenty of serene sandy spots for those seeking tranquility. Hat Khuat, also known as Bottle Beach on the northern coast, offers a picturesque expanse of white sand framed by lush hills and clear turquoise waters. After lounging in the sun, you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or even embark on a hike to a nearby fishing village.

Planning tip: The least crowded times on Ko Pha-Ngan are from April to June.

9. Nui Beach, Phuket

While popular beaches like Patong and Kamala in Phuket attract large crowds and vendors, those seeking a quieter experience should explore this semi-hidden gem on the island's southern coast. Nui Beach can be reached by a two-mile trek down a steep path or a short, bumpy truck ride. This charming cove is framed by palm trees and large boulders, featuring a few laid-back bars and restaurants. Though you'll find other visitors, it offers a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Local tip: Nui Beach has become a hotspot for Instagram, with swings, frames, and picturesque seating arranged along the beach for perfect photo opportunities.

10. Ko Lipe, Satun Province

For several years, Ko Lipe has been the top island getaway among Thai tourists, likely due to its secluded charm and access to some of the region's finest diving spots. Although some undesirable development has occurred inland, the island's two main beaches—Sunset Beach and Sunrise Beach—remain breathtaking, with powdery white sands bordered by lush hills and proximity to protected coral reefs.

Planning tip: Ko Lipe is typically accessible from mid-October to mid-May via boats from Pak Bara in Satun. If you're looking to travel further, boats also connect Ko Lipe to Pulau Langkawi in Malaysia.