Thailand boasts an abundance of beautiful beaches, with extensive lengths of coastline throughout both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf Coast, as well as more than 1,400 islands and islets, to name just a few examples. Thailand is a nation with a rich cultural heritage. Ancient ruins, majestic palaces, tropical environment, and a turbulent past will not fail to awe and inspire visitors of all ages. The mentality of the people who live there only adds to the country’s unique charm.
Thais place the most importance on being able to enjoy one’s life. As a result of its warm temperature, clear waters, and many white-sand beaches, Thailand has been a popular tourist destination for Russians in recent decades. Other reasons for its popularity include the country’s low cost of living and availability of cheap flights.
No matter where you choose to spread down your beach blanket on Thailand’s southernmost point, you will find yourself in a beachgoer’s paradise. If you want to go on a vacation, choosing the appropriate beach for you will depend on how you want to spend your time: active or relaxing, and the kind of setting that fits your mood, whether sociable or isolated. Beaches that are constantly busy may be difficult to discover; however, there are some hidden treasures that are tucked away on islands and need a little more work to locate.
Using our list of the Best beaches in Thailand, you can choose the ideal location for your next trip.
Nai Harn Beach, Phuket
Nai Harn is a beach on the western coast of Phuket that is located in the same-named bay. There are mountains around the beach, and the mountains are covered with dense rain forests.
Nai Harn Beach is one of Thailand’s most popular beaches, despite the fact that it may get very congested at times. The beach, which is located on the island of Phuket, is renowned for its crystal blue water, white sand, and waves that are not too overwhelming while swimming. The beach strip stretches for about 700 meters in length and up to 50 meters in width, and it is coated with fine, fair sand. The entry to the sea is gradual, and the bottom is sandy. During the swimming season, there are no waves, but from the beginning of Spring until the beginning of Autumn, the beach is under the influence of monsoons, which bring storms, huge waves, and rip streams. The sandy strip is lined by palm trees and casuarinas. Sunbeds with umbrellas are available for purchase in the Central section.
A constant temperature and weather conditions make the beach one of the most popular destinations in the world, making it ideal for visitors all year round. It is possible to spend the whole day at the beach because of the abundance of nearby restaurants and food sellers.
The ideal season to visit Phuket is from November to April or May, when the weather is warm and sunny. During this time period, the weather is bright and quiet, and the water is calm, with practically no waves to speak of. The month of December marks the height of the beach season.
Morakot Cave (Emerald Cave)
The breathtaking Morakot Cave can only be reached by boat from the sea. The greenery-covered rugged cliffs of Koh Muk, on the outskirts of Trang, provide a tiny entrance for clear sparkling water. Enter the lagoon via a tiny entrance, with the thundering sounds of waves smashing outside and filling the darkness, to find yourself in a small but beautiful lagoon. High, craggy cliffs encircle a length of pure white sand that is kissed by seas that are the darkest shade of emerald.
On a daily basis, visitors go to Koh Mook to see the Emerald Cave (Koh Muk). This is due to the fact that the hidden lagoon on the west shore of this tiny genuine island is the primary attraction. The lagoon can only be reached after making a little sacrifice, which consists of swimming almost 80 meters through a pitch black tunnel! After swimming the 80 meters, you’ll arrive at the lovely hidden lagoon, which is like a little paradise in itself!
Visit the cave between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. if you want to view the Emerald Cave at its finest, since this is when the cave is most beautiful. Then you have the best opportunity of seeing the sun shining down on the lagoon and the water becoming a lovely shade of green from the sun. This is also the time of year that the lagoon receives the most visitors, which is not completely coincidence. When the water level in the lagoon is at its lowest, avoid visiting since there is no water in the Emerald Cave.
It is only accessible between November and April because to the fact that the Emerald Cave is part of a National Park (high season). The secret lagoon is closed during the other months of the year to allow nature to recuperate.
Despite your best efforts to avoid the crowds, such a magnificent natural marvel will never be kept a secret for long, and you will be forced to enjoy it with a large number of other tourists. When large groups of people enter the cave at the same time, the sense of being in paradise is diminished a little.
White Sand Beach
The beach was given its name because of its magnificent white sand, which is only replaced by shingle and rocks at the southernmost end of its length. The three-kilometer White Sand beach on Koh Chang island is the most historic on the island.
This is the most popular beach on the island, and it also happens to be the one with the most well-developed infrastructure. A three-kilometer-long sandy strip on one side is bordered by a broad road on the other, which is lined with a variety of bars, clothes stores and souvenir shops, restaurants, karaoke, and day spas on both sides of the street. A wide range of accommodations for every budget and taste are available, ranging from inexpensive bungalows to luxurious villas.
Water attractions are not accessible on this beach, as they are on the other beaches on Koh Chang. Because the island has been designated as a National Park of Thailand, it is not only illegal to utilize water attractions on the island, but it is also illegal to construct structures higher than three or four stories in order to preserve the stunning scenery.
Thailand’s high season is often regarded to be from November to March, when temperatures are at their highest. The combination of a comfortable air temperature and little rainfall creates the ideal circumstances for a beach vacation.
Railay Beach
Railay Beach is one of Krabi’s many beautiful beaches, and it is very picturesque. Because it is located on a tiny peninsula, the magnificent Railay Beach, one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations, can only be reached by longtail boat. However, the journey is well worth it once you arrive.
A beautiful and unique universe awaits you at Railay beaches, complete with observation platforms, natural caverns, lagoons, and tunnels. There are no buses, automobiles, or bicycles in this area; only long-tail boats are available.
In addition to the beach, Railay Beach is surrounded by limestone monoliths, tropical vegetation, and lagoon-like swimming places. Railay Beach is comprised of a number of smaller beaches, all of which are within walking distance of one another.
The beaches in the province of Krabi are situated in the country’s southernmost area, in a tropical climatic zone, and are a popular tourist destination. From November through April, the ideal time to travel is during the winter months. There is no precipitation throughout this time period, and the air and water temperatures are steady at about +30 degrees Celsius. The ocean is calm, and there is no precipitation.
Maya Beach
The shallow, blue waters of Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi, one of the world’s most beautiful islands, are nearly completely encircled by massive limestone monoliths, making it one of the world’s most stunning places to swim. Many tourists come to the area to follow in the footsteps of Leonardo DiCaprio, who made his film debut here in the blockbuster film The Beach.
Maya Bay is a little length of coral beach (300-400 meters) that is physically wedged between two massive hundred-meter-high cliffs that are covered with lush tropical flora and surrounded by turquoise waters. Everything about the bay and its surrounds is fascinating! The sea here has a stunning turquoise hue, with many various variations of the color. A coral reef is at the bottom of the bay, resulting in very fine, soft, and lightweight sand on the beach.
The island is a part of a national park, which you can learn more about here. Rather than being a destination for a beach vacation, the Bay and Maya beaches are more suited for sightseeing as part of an excursion trip or for diving. It is possible to enjoy the sand on any other, less popular beach in the islands of Thailand with excellent comfort while taking in the breathtaking scenery. There is very little infrastructure in the area – a toilet and a tiny snack bar are the only amenities (in a wooden building). Because meals cannot be prepared on the beach, you must carry sufficient supplies of food and water with you.
From November through April, the ideal time to travel is during the winter months. There is no precipitation throughout this time period, and the air and water temperatures are steady at about +30 degrees Celsius. The ocean is calm, and there is no precipitation.
Phra Nang beach
Located in a cove on Railay Peninsula in a setting surrounded by cliffs, Phra Nang is one of Krabi’s most stunning beaches and is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Phra Nang is covered with a fine layer of clean, light, nearly white sand that is virtually white in color. The water descends at a rather slow pace. The bottom is made of sand. Clean and clear water makes it simple to observe the clean bottom underneath it all. It is important to inspect your feet carefully before entering so that you do not tread on a starfish.
The beach is very popular among visitors who arrive in longtail boats from the adjacent beaches of Ao Nang and Nopparat Tara, where the beach is located. As a result, it is not very convenient to relax with children since the journey to Phra Nang is much too lengthy. There are no playgrounds in the area. There are no restaurants or cafés on the island, but there are many floating mobile kitchens in the sea along the beach that serve a limited selection of fried fish and meat on skewers, as well as a variety of national soups and snacks from across the world. Drinks may also be purchased from mobile kitchens that float over the water.
Haad Rin Beach
Haad Rin Beach is one of the most popular of the roughly 30 beaches on the tiny island of Koh Phangan, and it is also one of the most photographed. It’s a beautiful beach day thanks to the lengthy expanse of white sand and blue sea flanked by coconut palms and rocks that make up the stretch of beach.
It is here that the magical celebration Full Moon takes place, bringing in guests from all around the globe to enjoy the festivities with them. The beach is not busy and peaceful throughout the remainder of the day, making it a popular destination for those seeking a tranquil vacation. Thousands of visitors flock to them each year in quest of wild entertainment and romantic excursions. The Full Moon Party is a night filled with live music, spectacular fire displays, and casual conversation.
The beach is usually a bustling place, with impromptu volleyball games, people swimming, and tourists participating in water sports such as jet skiing and kayaking, among other activities. The ideal time to come is outside of the area’s monthly full-moon festivities, which may be very busy with young beachgoers during certain times.