The best beaches in Thailand are just like fairytales in real life. Once you visit them, you will feel like you are on a tropical island, so far away from the maddening world. Thailand is blessed with many natural and man-made beaches that look and feel incredible. Some of them are perfect for sunbathing while others are good for surfing and other water sports.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to reconnect with nature, look no further than Thailand’s beaches. With crystal blue waters and white sandy shores, these beaches are just what you need to de-stress from your chaotic life. Let’s take a look at 12 of the most picturesque beaches in Thailand that will leave you speechless.
Nai Harn Beach is a white sand beach located in Phuket. It’s a beautiful beach known for its crystalline waters and calmer waves, making it popular among both locals and tourists. The beach is secluded, so it’s a great place to go if you want some privacy.
There are a few restaurants and bars at the beach, allowing you to grab a bite to eat or relax with a drink after a long day of sightseeing. If you’re looking for something more traditional, there’s also a night market that takes place at the end of the main road running alongside the beach. It’s a fun way to spend an evening and there are plenty of food stalls to choose from.
Nai Harn Beach is also great for swimming, as it has some good waves that make for a great surfing experience. The water is also relatively shallow, so it’s easy to get in and out of the water. All in all, Nai Harn Beach is an excellent place to go if you want to get away from it all while still being close enough to experience all of Phuket’s attractions.
Maya Bay is a bay situated on the southwestern coast of Thailand. The bay is known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and numerous dive sites, including two islands: Koh Bon and Koh Tachai.
Over 100 species of marine life have been found in the waters of Maya Bay, making it one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in Thailand. Maya Bay is also home to a large number of fishing villages, making for a unique blend of beach life with the Thai culture. A number of boutique hotels are also located along the bay, providing visitors with comfortable accommodations.
Maya Bay was previously closed to the public in an effort to conserve local corals. Authorities only reopened public access to the bay in January 2022.
Railay beach is a coastal beach located in the southern part of Krabi province, Thailand. The area is renowned for its beautiful natural rock formations, white sand, shallow waters, and clear blue waters. It is also home to many wildlife, including dolphins and sea turtles.
There are three main beaches on the Railay peninsula: Railay East, West, and North. All of them offer stunning views of the ocean and different rock formations. The sandy beaches of Railay East and West can be found at the foot of limestone cliffs, which are formed from the erosion of these cliffs over time. The North Beach is located at the end of a narrow mountain path, which leads up to the top of Phra Nang Mountain. The beach here has steep cliffs that drop straight into the ocean.
Railay Beach can only be reached via a longtail boat, but the trip is well worth the effort.
Located on the west coast of Koh Tao is Sairee Beach, one of the most popular tourist beaches in the entire country. There are plenty of bars and restaurants along the beach, as well as plenty of activities you can take part in. The waters are also shallow, making them ideal for families.
At night, the beach transforms into a beautiful strip lined with lantern-lit bars and restaurants blasting techno music, doling out drinks by the bucket, and putting on incredible choreographed shows.
There are plenty of accommodations along the beach, mainly because it serves as the main area for lodging on the entire island. Accommodations range from affordable hostels to luxury resorts and boutiques.
Phra Nang Beach, also called Phra Nang Cave Beach, is a picturesque and colorful beach on the southern coast of Thailand. Located in the province of Krabi, Phra Nang Beach is a popular tourist destination with its clear blue waters, white sand, and lush tropical foliage. The beach is also known for its outcropping of rocks and towering limestone cliffs, making it an ideal destination for rock climbers.
Phra Nang Beach features several activities for visitors to enjoy, such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and fishing. There are also many food vendors along the beach selling local Thai cuisines such as fried rice, curry noodles, and fishballs. If you’re looking to cool off in the heat, try fresh fruits from a floating vendor.
Hua Hin is a dream destination for beach lovers, whether you’re looking for an exclusive resort getaway or a relaxed beachside hotel experience. Hua Hin beach itself is perfect for swimming and sunbathing, and its laid-back atmosphere makes it the perfect place to enjoy beachfront restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities dotting the beach’s four-kilometer stretch, including banana boats, pony rides, windsurfing, parasailing, and sun lounging. At the end of the beach, just behind Khao Takiap hill, sits the pal-fringed Suan Son Beach, which is a secluded stretch of sand with stunning water views.
For those looking for a relaxing holiday in Thailand, Haad Rin Beach is a perfect choice. Not only does it offer stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand, but it is also a popular day-trip destination from Bangkok. With its silky soft sand, crystal clear waters, and lush green hills, this beach has something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can take a dip in the sea or relax on one of the many loungers that line the shore. Or they can explore the nearby ruins and villages where they can find fresh seafood and local delicacies.
Haad Rin Beach is generally an active scene and is home to several water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. The best time to visit this beach is during the nights of the monthly full moon parties when the quiet beach can be quite crowded with young beach-goers.
Chaweng Beach is perhaps Thailand’s most famous beach, and it is the perfect place to visit if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet. The beach is lined with hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops, so it’s easy to find somewhere to stay or a place to eat. It’s also an ideal place to go swimming, as there are plenty of beautiful white sand beaches.
Being a popular beach, Chaweng is normally packed with crowds—which is why its smaller and more secluded version, Chaweng Noi, is a better choice. The shallow waters, calm surf, and quiet beachfront in Chaweng Noi offer a day of relaxation away from the crowds.
There are many reasons to visit Bottle Beach in Thailand. One of the most popular is that it is home to a sea cave, which can be explored via a guided tour or by swimming through the cave itself. Another reason to visit Bottle Beach in Thailand is the chance to see marine life in the area, including coral and fish. The beach is also close to other popular attractions, such as Phuket Town and Patong.
If you have time for one more reason, visit Bottle Beach in Thailand during low tide, when you can see the sea floor more clearly. This gives you a better sense of what’s happening underwater and makes it easier to spot fish and coral.
Bottle Beach is incredibly primitive, but it’s also naturally beautiful. At times, it can be crowded, especially during the peak tourist season. However, there are times when the beach is secluded and tranquil. On most days, however, people who visit the beach come on day trips, so staying overnight can give you a chance to have the beach mostly to yourself until early in the morning.
Ao Prao Beach is one of the most visited beach holidays in Thailand. It is located on the southern tip of Phuket Island and has developed a lot over recent years. The beach is relatively small and only comprises a few kilometers of sand, but it has been built up to provide you with all the facilities that you need for a fun-filled holiday. There is a range of accommodation options available in Ao Prao Beach, including hotels, bungalows, resorts, and villas. You can also choose from a number of different dining options, such as restaurants and cafes.
There are also several activities on offer along the beach’s soft white sand, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and jet skiing. If you are looking for something more active, there are several golf courses within easy reach as well as tennis courts and squash courts for those who want to get fit while they are away.
If you’re looking for a beach escape away from the city, Maenam Beach is the place to go. The beaches here are stunning, with golden sand and palm trees lining a seven-kilometer stretch. While the town where the beach is located is relatively small and quiet, it is home to a number of laid-back hotels, beachfront bungalows, and local-owned shops. It also happens to be home to the island’s Chinatown.
What makes Maenam one of the most adored beaches is its tranquility and great views of the gently rolling green-blue waters. It’s also removed from the hustle and bustle of society but not so far that it’s inaccessible.
Located on the southwest side of Phuket is the famous Kata Noi Beach, a 700-meter-long strip of white sands and crystal clear water set against the backdrop of lush green jungles. Kata Noi isn’t secluded, but it’s on a dead-end road, which means the only traffic you’ll encounter is if you’re looking for a place to park your car.
If you ask locals, they will give you two answers about Kata Noi’s best beach weather. If you’re traveling with family, locals will likely recommend the beach between December to April, when the waters are calm enough for a swim. If you’re visiting the area between May and October, locals will likely recommend you to stay away unless you’re a surfer. It’s because the water swells during this period, making it dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.
There are plenty of things to do on Kata Noi beach, including banana boat rides, speedboats, parasailing, jet skiing, and snorkeling. If you’re feeling famished after a whole day’s worth of activities, there are a few local restaurants serving Thai and international dishes near the beach.
