Thailand is best known for its clear water beaches, reflecting the shades of the sky, from clear azure to the misty grey, these beaches entice the best. With so many beaches along the coast of Thailand, here’s a list of best beaches of Thailand. It’s not all about lounging and catching the sun, there are various adventurous activities lined up in these beaches to make these weekend getaways profoundly exhilarating.
1. Phra Nang Beach
On the southern tip of Railay, the peninsula of Andaman coast lays Phra Nang Beach framed by limestone cliffs with emerald water lapping violently against them as it surges towards the white sand. Phra Nang is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, travelers and climbers are always interested in scaling the massively tall limestone rocks of Railey, there’re a lot of instructors to help in roping the way up. Phra Nang can be reached from Ao Nang through a long tailed boat.
Location: 2.7kms from Ao Nang, which is 22 mins, 14.4kms from Krabi
Distance from the city: 11.7kms from Krabi
Best activity: swimming, canoeing, rock climbing exploring the caves and sea kayaks
2. Railay Beach
It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand which will want you to have an immaculate weekend getaway in the solace of the hidden coves and the serene heaves of nature. It’s also surrounded by stunning limestone cliffs, as soon as you enter its vast expanse you’ll feel teleported into a private island cradling in the lap of nursing nature.
Location: between Krabi province and Ao Nang
Distance from the city: is only accessible though a boat ride, 3.7kms, 7 mins through route 411 from Krabi
Best activity: swimming, rock climbing, snorkel, kayaking, ferry rides to Ko Phi Phi and Phuket.
3. Koh Libong Beach
Amongst the scores of inhabited islands lies the tantalizing Koh Libong, Thailand’s undiscovered beauty with an astounding coastline and white sand beaches with a bulky population of the endangered Dugongs.
Location: Kantang District, Trang
Distance from the city: is only accessible through a boat ride, 29 miles from Trang
Best activity: swimming, kayaking, snorkel, diving
4. Koh Kradan Beach
This newly discovered beauty is recently magnetizing deep attention from various big resorts like Anantara Si Kao and Sevenseas. The water is a provocatively congregated shade of azure and emerald, the tide being low makes the schools of the fishes visible as you walk on the coral reefs.
Location: Island Road, Ko Kradan,Trang
Distance from the city: is only accessible through a boat ride from Trang, 840.3 kms from Bangkok
Best activity: swimming, fishing, kayaking
5. Maya Bay
Travelling alone? This bay is all set to inveigle with looming and towering cliffs on all sides on the clear water in sheer opulent aqua and turquoise above the strikingly colorful underwater marine life. From various water activities to parties this beach serves various purposes, Di Caprio’s ‘The Beach’ was also shot here.
Location: Koh Phi Phi Lee, Ao Nang, Mueang Karbi District, Karbi
Distance from the city: 40.9 kms from Krabi to Maya Bay, 2 hours by bus
Best activity: swimming, kayaking, surfing, snorkel, scuba diving
6. Haad Rin Beach
Famous for its full moon parties this undeveloped beach experiences more party people than any other beach. Each month, the entire beach serves as a perfect host to some intense all-night blow-out with thousands of party lovers. The excitement and enthusiasm in this beach sees isn’t lost on no-full moon nights, the dancing, music and drinking go on each night.
Location: Haad Rin town, Koh Pha Ngan
Distance from the city: 10 mins walk from Haad Rin Town in Koh Pha Ngan
Best activity: swimming, full-moon parties and regular –thrilling parties
7. Koh Kood Beach
This island has the soporific beach for all those who have no time for island hopping. It’s a remarkable permutation of dense wild jungle and clear sky-cadet blue beach. Soneva Kiri, an exotic resort has incredible design trimmed in Thai accents with an inconceivable infinity pool and some electric buggies to take one around.
Location: Trat Province
Distance from the city: 1 hour flight from Bangkok to Trat, 319.7kms from Bangkok to Trat via route 3
Best activity: swimming, diving and fishing
8. Koh Yao Noi Beach
Picture perfect wedding venue, this beach houses lush landscapes and cadet blue water with coves and limestone towering up ahead in the horizon. The Six Senses Yao Noi has erected elevated villas with big windy rooms overlooking the scenery. Ani Villas with private 10 bedrooms along the lapping beach is an ideal wedding destination.
Location: Phang Nga Bay
Distance from the city: 40 min ferry ride from Krabi
Best activity: swimming, scuba diving, surfing, snorkel, kayaking etc
9. Sunset Beach
Also known as Pramong in Thai this remote beach is exclusively unblemished and is prominent for its fantastic seafood and the mesmerizing sunset caressing the horizon with its rays. Different restaurants serve the best seafood meal with finest culinary skills and fewer crowds.
Location: Koh Lipe, Satun
Distance from the city: 12hrs 20 mins from Bangkok to Satun, 984 kms via Route 4 and AH2
Best activity: swimming, sunset point, diving
10. Lamai Beach
This quiet beach soothes the contending nerves and serves as a great place for family gatherings. With all new infrastructure, the Four Seasons Koh Samui has amazing family villas for brood travelers; quieter than Chameng the main area, Lamai is unruffled and doles out various activities and markets to shop.
Location: Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Distance from the city: 8 hrs 7 mins, 643.3 kms from route 4, Bangkok to Surat Thani
Best activity: swimming, diving, fishing
11. Kata Noi Beach
This laid back beach bustling year round with surging waves and palm trees on warm waters, stretches to a vast expanse in quieter mode than the Patong Beach. Kata Noi is famous amongst those who seek refuge from the bustle of Patong Beach. With soft white crunchy sand under the feet and condescending shades of cyan lining the beach, you’re bound to feel ecstatic. With luxurious hotels dotted all around and traditional long tail boats at their end and the tree towering road behind them carefully interspersing the natural beauty to the rhythms of Jazz and house rock from the nearby bars and restaurants, the nightlife is not different from the city making your feel a unique panorama.
Location: Phuket city
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: swimming, diving, surfing, canoeing
12. Koh Nang Yuan Beach
This beach has various thrilling activities and jaw dropping views. It’s an adventurer’s paradise laid back on the beach, the celeste and aqua cascading water flow and engulf silkily. There’s a path on the island which takes one to the highest peak of the island, a breath taking view almost fifteen minutes away. Another exhilarating activity of zip lining between the islands can also be done.
Location: Nang Yuan Island, Surat Thani Province
Distance from the city: 8 hrs 7 mins, 643.3 kms from route 4, Surat Thani to Bangkok
Beat activity: swimming, Snorkel, zip-lining, roping to the beaches highest peak, scuba diving etc
13. White Sand Beach
An elongated span of sugary sand where cerulean and Aegean fuse placidly forming gentle waves to dash against the granulose sand. Located near Cambodian borders of Thailand, this beach already feels like Phnom Phen; this recenlt developed great family destination has quaint bungalows to four-star resorts fully equipped with all opulent luxury with bars and restaurants serving a wide range.
Location: Ko Chang district, Trat
Distance from the city: 5h 44 mins, 349.2 kms via route 3, Trat to Bangkok
Best activity: swimming, canoeing and diving
14. Hat Pramong Beach
Also known as the sunset beach which exceeds in hypnotizing as the rays of dusk dance on the beach in cardinal and amber. It gives an untarnished insight as to what Thailand gloried in, small huts and bungalows can be seen speckled nearby for the travelers. Facing the west, this beach offers eye-catching sunset.
Location: Ko Lipe, Satun
Distance from the city: 12hrs 20 mins from Bangkok to Satun, 984 kms via Route 4 and AH2
Best activity: swimming, canoeing, diving, surfing
15. Patong Beach
Patong the informal party capital of Phuket assent to partying all night till the sunrises up to seek the reverence of the faithful. Lined with nightclubs, bars, restaurants and tourist shops once can indulge in various water sports as the first emissions of the dawn hit the top of the hills and slowly glide down the beach in Salmon and tea rose across its 3.5 km spread.
Location: Patong, Phuket province
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: swimming, Parasailing, Jet Skiing, Flyboarding, scuba diving, parasailing, wakeboarding etc.
16. Hua Hin Beach
Built warily as a royal gateway for King Rama VII in the mid 1920s, Hua Hin Beach has since been a much desired vacation destination of Thais and tourists. Giving a grandiose glimpse of the Klai Kangwon Palace which is still the current residence of the Royal Thai family, this beach is a sheer delight in its entire 8km stretch. It also houses a highest concentration of golf courses in Thailand; located in the northern Malay Peninsula, Hua Hin Beach is an absolute delight for a golfer.
Location: Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
Distance from the city: 3hrs 40mins, 294 kms from Route 35 and Route 4, Prachuap Khiri Khan to Bangkok
Best activity: swimming, Surfing, diving, snorkel
17. Sairee Beach
A mile long, this beach is the longest elongation of sand on the west side of the dazzling island of Ko Tao also known as the Turtle Island in English. This low key beach sports some very fun gratifying bars, night clubs and sport activities, this island can be reached by air of by various ferry services. The huge rocks in various shower of Payne and Silver grey sees some major tide fluctuation which mark the rocks into two colors with aquatic vegetation sprouting from beneath.
Location: Ko Tao, SuratThani Province
Distance from the city: 8 hrs 7 mins, 643.3 kms from route 4, Surat Thani to Bangkok
Best activity: swimming, snorkel, scuba diving
18. Donald Duck Bay
This is one of the most beach beauty personified iconic beach in the small chain of Similan islands. It derives its name from the boulder rocks hopped on one another overlooking the bay; it’s a part of a national park to protect and conserve the magnificent natural beauty encompassing it. The corals burgeoning near the shore make it a painful experience to wade out, but they’re sure to entice at just a glance, they’ve to be seen to be believed in their exquisiteness.
Location: Similan Islands, Phang Nga Province
Distance from the city: 9hrs 37mins, 761.7 kms via route 4 to Donald Duck Bay from Bangkok
Best activity: swimming, snorkel, diving, surfing
19. Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach
The name refers to ‘much quieter but much more amazing’ (big and small) Thong Nai Pan Beaches scattered in the north Koh Phangan. Haad Rin might be famous in Koh Phagnan for its full moon parties but it’s not as jaw dropping beautiful that you’ll feel like stopping the party to just gaze around and amass your thoughts and wits. This beach is quiet and serene with only the winds slapping your body and the tidal waves hitting the rocks that dare to make a sound.
Location: Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province
Distance from the city: 8 hrs 7 mins, 643.3 kms from route 4, Surat Thani to Bangkok
Best activity: swimming, kayaking, diving
20. Buffalo Bay
This recently discovered tranquil bay sets itself amongst the dense mangrove forests by the riverside and a small gypsy settlement at the southern end of the bay. With creamy brown sand and aquamarine water dancing to the tides, this beach is perfect to bask in the sun with a complete volume of your favorite classics in hand.
Location: Koh Phayam, Koh Chang, Ranong Province
Distance from the city: 7hrs 36mins, 582.5 kms via route 4 to Ranong Province from Bangkok
Best activity: swimming, scuba diving and fishing
21. Laem Thong Beach
Just off the creamy white sandy shore where the electric blue pristine water shows the massive coral reef below, irresistible to the explorers, one can see the bamboo islands smudging nearby creating splendid coastal panorama of tall tropical trees and colorful parasols above the sun loungers with verdant vegetation in the backdrop, they’re all intricately designed and put together by the nature to beguile.
Location: Koh Chang, Phi Phi Islands, Ranong Province
Distance from the city: 7hrs 36mins, 582.5 kms via route 4 to Ranong province from Bangkok
Best activity: diving, swimming, fishing
22. Klong Dao Beach
This beach looks like the modern personification of man-made beach with the rippling waves and white sand preset by the waves in unperturbed manner. Being Koh Lanta’s most popular beach it still is too quiet and leaves no thought flustered. The sunset is the best thing about the beach as you gaze standing on the powdery white sand and feel the touch of nature engulfing.
Location: Koh Lanta district, Krabi
Distance from the city: 11hrs 15mins, 832.7 kms via route 4 from Bangkok to Krabi
Best activity: surfing, scuba diving, jet skiing, swimming
23. Pattaya Beach
This beach, not to be confused with Pattaya city- it’s noticeably less attractive namesake, is Koh Lipe’s unsurpassed beach. Amidst the huge boulder rocks which have been there since centuries lay the exquisite white sand stretched to almost 1.5kms with tufts blue water oscillating the drifting canoes slowly through its tide. The sunrise and the sunset beaches are just a small walk away.
Location: Koh Lipe, Satun
Distance from the city: 12hrs 20 mins from Bangkok to Satun, 984 kms via Route 4 and AH2
Best activity: canoeing, kayaking and diving, swimming
24. Nang Thong Beach
Nang Thong is the most stunning beach of Khao Lak’s fantastic beaches which feature peaceful seclusion amongst beautiful seas and great sand. It’s carefully set by nature with lush green tropical jungle covered hills and turquoise and Aquamarine interspersed in the water that surges to the shore garlanding the rocks wet each time. On the nearby road to the village you can treat yourself with some old traditional drinks in the various bars and restaurants to enjoy the Thai tipsy moments.
Location: Khao Lak, Takua Pa District, Phang-nga
Distance from the city:10h 2 mins. 763 kms from Khao Lak to Bangkok
Best activity: surfing, diving, kayaking, swimming
25. Sai Kaew Beach
Set amongst the white sands and island beauty, the Sai Kaew is an unforgettable beauty. It’s the most develop beach on the island with trails and paths, the other beaches don’t have these forget the tarmac roads though it has a good nightlife, you can enjoy at dusk in one of the bars or restaurants.
Location: Koh Samet, Rayong province
Distance from the city: 168 kms from Bangkok to Ko Samet
Best activity: canoeing, swimming
26. Ton Sai Beach
This beach is near Karbi, surrounded by mountain like rocks speckled with bushy tall trees and red and brown deposits. This sea green and mint colored beach isn’t overly sanitary and becomes unsuitable for swimming during high tides every moon period.
Location: karbi, Karbi province
Distance from the city: 9 hrs 33 mins, 782 kms via route 4 from Bangkok to Krabi
Best activity: rock climbing, scuba diving, kayaking
27. Ao Sane Beach
In the south of the Island next to the Nai Harn Beach lies the 200 metre Ao Sane whose verdigris and teal colored water washes ashore to the huge granite boulders. It has two snorkeling areas where one is a sharp jagged drop off away and out into the deep waters habitat of schools of parrot and clown fishes, you might find some eels too slithering in the water, the other area for snorkeling can only be accessed in the high tide due to the rising corals.
Location: Tambon Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: snorkel, diving
28. Paradise Beach
At the last stretch of Patong’s beach road leading to Amari Phuket Resort with sharp left at the fork up on the hill past the Bann Yin Dee is Paradise beach over the Patong Bay 5kmSW of Patong. It has large granite rocks and coral reef stretching to more than 100 meters, sheltered by hills and trees it lies to not more than 150 meters and should only be accessed by strong and experienced swimmers due to the colonies of corals.
Location: Muen-Ngern Road, Patong, Kathu district, Phuket
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: snorkel
29. Ya Nui Beach
This beach is set compactly in the south of Phuket with a rock-strewn promontory or a cape jutting out into the Nai Harn Bay surrounded by colonies of corals lying to meters in the beach amongst the tropical aquatic fishes. Arounf the base of the ‘windmill hill’ is a good snorkeling overlooking the beach. It’s not advised to swim between May and November.
Location: Phuket, Phuket province
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: snorkel
30. Laem Ka
It’s the only eastern-facing beach in the south of Phuket which offers fine swimming and a full-on Thai experience making it one of the unique beaches. Though it’s southern end is sheltered with tall trees and stout branches, it is rocky and expands to about 150 meters, there are huge granite boulders in the middle of the beach a suitable habitat of variant species of crab, the northern-end has less rocks favoring the kids for its safe waters and shady trees.
Location: Phuket, Phuket Province
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best Activity: snorkel, swimming
31. Ao Yon Beach
This tropical beach is archetypical sculpture of envisioned panoramas with leaning palms, white sand and shallow waters. It’s also home to a beachside village in the right and houses a few hundred meters away in the sea some oyster growing rafts. Facing the southern bay, it’s usually busy at weekends and peaceful on the weekdays.
Location: between Cape Panwa and Novotel Cape Panwa, Phuket
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: kayaking, canoeing
32. Banana Beach
This crescent shaped beach is a quick change from Alice blue to aqua to Cerulean. It’s hard to find as you trek down the hill through a wooded area, during high tides and windy days there’s not much space but during the calms days Banana beach is a real beauty. There’s a beach restaurant to feed the fresh seafood.
Location: south of Naithon Beach through the Andaman White Beach Resort, Thalang District, Phuket
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: rafting, surfing, kayaking
37. Nui Beach
It’s one of the most scintillating ‘secret beaches’ in Phuket, the Nui Bay Member Cluc takes care of this 120m beach from the Kata-Karon viewpoint to the jungle and the road that links Kata and Nai Harn Beaches. It’s spotted with large rocks in the centre and dashes against the tropical trees and grasses on the hill past the rocks.
Location: Phuket, Phuket Province
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: Fly boarding, Snorkel, Beach volley, kayaking, donut boating, scuba diving
38. Khao Khad Beach
Also known as Panwa Beach has managed to freeze exactly the same for a shocking déjà vu in spite of the intense urbanization nearby, it’s a safe haven for peace lovers. It has condominiums and luxury villas lining the entire beach facing the scenic Chalong Bay and Lone Island. Its coarse sand runs through the fisherman’s hut and ends in the west where the mangrove swamps start.
Location: east of Phuket town, Phuket province
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: swimming, canoeing
39. Yae Beach
It’s one of the most beautiful ‘secret beaches’ with its gravel like sand and rocks stretching to more than 200 meters. It lies 5km north of Patong but isn’t good for swimming due to the huge rocks surfacing below too, the beach bars and clubs are there to cheer up and lounge in the ever soothing rays of the sun to gush with peace within.
Location: Patong, Phuket Province
Distance from the city: 10 hrs 59 mins, 844.3 kms from Bangkok to Phuket city via route 4
Best activity: Canoeing during high tide