The best beaches in Thailand
The top 3 according to 2,058 votes from people: Railay Beach (Krabi) · Phra Nang Cave Beach (Krabi) · Nui Beach (Phuket). (Updated Dec 31, 2023.)
Limestone cliffs, island coves and lively party sands: Thailand's best beaches according to Lonely Planet and travellers.
Top 10
-
1
Railay Beach (Krabi)
Reachable only by boat, framed by towering limestone cliffs.
-
2
Phra Nang Cave Beach (Krabi)
White sand beside a cave shrine and climbing walls.
-
3
Nui Beach (Phuket)
Secluded cove in Phuket's south.
-
4
Kata Beach (Phuket)
Golden crescent good for swimming and beginner surf.
-
5
Freedom Beach (Phuket)
Hidden beach reached by boat or a jungle path.
-
6
Chaweng Beach (Koh Samui)
Samui's liveliest stretch of sand.
-
7
Sunrise Beach (Koh Lipe)
Turquoise water in the far south of the Andaman Sea.
-
8
Sairee Beach (Koh Tao)
Long beach on the island famous for diving courses.
-
9
Haad Rin (Koh Phangan)
Home of the Full Moon Party.
-
10
Tubtim Bay (Ko Samet)
Quiet bay on the island closest to Bangkok.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
-
11
Ao Khanom (Nakhon Si Thammarat)
Quiet coast known for pink dolphins.
-
12
Ko Kut
Unspoilt island beaches near the Cambodian border.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (36)
Sairee is great for diving schools, Koh Tao is the cheapest place to get certified.
Got my Open Water on Koh Tao, best decision of my life.
Tubtim on Koh Samet is great for a quick escape from Bangkok.
Thailand beaches > Bali beaches, change my mind.
Nui Beach has a hike down but worth it, barely anyone there.
Koh Lipe is technically almost in Malaysia, the vibe is different and so relaxed.
Phra Nang's cave with all the wooden offerings is so strange and beautiful.
Freedom Beach by boat from Patong, totally worth it.
Ao Khanom with the pink dolphins! Nobody knows this place.
Chaweng is a party street with sand, not my thing.
Fair, but the north end of Chaweng is still really nice and quieter.
Freedom Beach in Phuket, still quiet.
Ko Kut is the real hidden gem here, no big resorts and crystal water.
Phra Nang with the cave, unique.
Koh Lipe was paradise when I went in 2019, I heard it's much busier now.
It's busier but Sunrise Beach in the early morning is still magic.
Maya Bay isn't on the list? It reopened after closing to recover.
Kata in Phuket is the easiest with kids, calm water in the dry season.
Thailand has the best beaches in Asia.
Go in the dry season, November to April.
Andaman side Nov-Apr, Gulf side Jan-Aug, plan accordingly!
Great tip, I messed this up on my first trip.
Saved this for my trip in February!
Kata is great for families.
What about Koh Kradan? Best snorkelling I've done in Thailand.
Haad Rin without the Full Moon Party is actually a lovely beach lol
Railay climbing is world class too, not just beaches.
Railay is my favourite place on earth, the cliffs at sunset are surreal.
Avoid Phuket in monsoon season, the red flags are there for a reason.
Railay is only reachable by boat, which makes it special.
The longtail boat rides between islands are half the fun.
Sairee Beach sunset with a Chang beer.
Please don't step on the coral, it's dying fast.
Mango sticky rice on the beach at Railay, nothing better.
Koh Lipe, the Maldives of Thailand.
Chaweng is too crowded now.