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Best Beaches to Visit in Thailand
May 25, 2023 Travel
10 minutes, 39 seconds Read

Best Beaches to Visit in Thailand

Best Beaches to Visit in Thailand

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Edited by: Bhawna Nijhawan

Thailand is home to thousands of amazing beaches. Thai beaches have everything visitors seek, which is why it is one of the popular destinations for beach lovers and tourists. Imagine walking on white sand and watching the crystal blue ocean and the sounds of gentle waves while sipping coconut water. Feels amazing, right?

The first thing I tell people when they ask me what to do in Thailand is to spend a few days exploring Bangkok or Phuket, and then head over to the beaches as soon as possible. From partying hard to relaxing in a beachside resort, Thailand offers it all. While some beaches can be pretty crowded and touristy, if you visit at the right time, you’ll feel like you’re in paradise.

There are many beaches in Thailand, so deciding which one to visit is hard so I have compiled a list of the best beaches to visit in Thailand. I’ve spent days traveling around Thailand year after year, and here are my top picks!

1. Kata Noi beach

The best part about this beach in my opinion is that despite being on the busy island of Phuket, it’s relatively peaceful and quiet, making it a nice retreat from the island crowds. Kata Noi is one of those places that hasn’t changed over time. Even though it has gained popularity in recent years, you can still find peace and tranquility on this palm-fringed beach.

Kata Noi beach

It is an ideal place to swim since the seabed is mainly sand. As this beach has various restaurants and food stalls, cold refreshments and light snacks are available throughout the day. A friend of mine and I went to Orchid Restaurant at Kata Noi Beach. We ordered prawns which were about 250 THB per 100g. I loved the flavor, it was just what I wanted. It was delicious with the dipping sauce. Definitely worth the money!

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: November to February.

Tourist Attractions: swimming, snorkeling, body surfing

2. Donald Duck Bay

I think there is something very photogenic about Donald Duck Bay located on Similan Island. This beach has pristine sand and a unique rock formation that can be climbed relatively easily. There is a large rock on the Western side of the bay with an odd shape that resembles the cartoon character Donald Duck’s head.

Donald Duck Bay

The classic Similan photos of crystal blue waters and white sand are actually taken from this beach. Donald Duck Bay offers a good diving experience in the Similan Islands and remains one of the most popular places for snorkeling and scuba diving. For scuba diving, you will pay between 3000 and 4000 THB. Unless you own your own gear, you will have to rent equipment for about 500 THB.

Location: Koh Similan, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: October to May

Tourist Attractions: Diving, Snorkelling, Hiking

3. Nai Harn Beach

Nai Harn Beach has clear blue waters and smooth white sand and is relatively undiscovered. This beach has many things to offer, such as souvenir shops, hotels, and massage centers. I recommend visiting here during the high season (December to May).

Nai Harn Beach

Despite there not being many facilities available, you can easily find a restaurant here if you want to try out delicious Thai cuisine. Behind the beach are a number of beach cafes serving Thai-style snacks and meals under the shade of the trees. You’ll also find locals selling everything from exotic fruits to essential handicrafts on the beach. You can also get a relaxing massage for about 300 THB an hour at Nai Harn Beach.

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: December to May

Tourist Attractions: Massage centers, Thai cuisine, paddle boating

4. Phra Nang Beach

It’s got a beach, a lagoon, a cave, a viewpoint and it’s got monkeys too. Yes, It’s Phra Nang Beach in Krabi, one of the prettiest beaches in Thailand. There’s something so mysterious about Phra Nang thanks to its wooden phallic symbols and riveting stories. Aside from the crystal clear water and pristine sand, the beach has a lot to offer travelers.

Phra Nang Beach

This beach is famous for its Phra Nang Cave, also called Princess Cave, where a special fertility shrine can be found. The Phra Nang Cave Beach doesn’t charge an entrance fee, but the boat ride from Ao Nang Krabi to Phra Nang Beach/West Railey costs 200 THB both ways. Many travel publications list Phra Nang Beach in their top beaches lists every year. 

Location: Chang Wat Krabi, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: February to April

Tourist Attractions: Wooden phallic symbols, Phra Nang Cave

5. Karon Beach

On my first visit to Phuket, I chose to go to Karon Beach, a three-kilometer-long beach with white sand. Karon Beach has long been a very popular Phuket beach, alongside Patong Beach (to the north) and Kata Beach (to the south) in Thailand. You can get to Karon from Phuket by taxi, which costs 450-550 THB and takes 18 minutes.

Karon Beach

I arrived at my hotel late, so I immediately dropped off my luggage and wandered down to Karon Beach to watch the sunset. I was overjoyed to see the long stretch of soft white sand on the beach. Seeing the sky turn pink as the sun slowly set on the ocean as I stood barefoot in the sand, I knew the long hours of travel were definitely worth it.

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: November to April

Tourist Attractions: Karon Temple Market, Massage centers, Nightlife

6. Lamai Beach

The powdery white sand of Lamai Beach is surrounded by palm trees and is perfect for sunbathing. Lamai Beach’s water is equally alluring, with a deep central stretch ideal for swimming and watersports. If you want to spend a few days on the beach, the Lamai Muay Thai Camp will provide everything you need, so you won’t be too far from the beach.

Karon Beach

Families with small children will find this beach ideal because of the calm, shallow nature of the sea. It is common for vendors to walk on the beach selling ice cream, fruits, sweet corn grilled over charcoal, Thai papaya salad, perfume, jewelry, traditional sarongs, etc at night. During my visit to Lamai Beach, I ate a typical fast food meal there that was around 70-80 THB only.

Location: Surat Thani, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: December to April

Tourist Attractions: Lamai Muay Thai Camp, Night market

 7. Buffalo Bay

The beach is popular with both local and foreign tourists due to its wide range of activities including fishing, boating, surfing, or just relaxing and sunbathing in the shallow waters. If you visit between July and October, you might be able to spot a dolphin or two frolicking in the waves.

Buffalo Bay

There is a long stretch of sand at this beach that is complete bliss for any visitor. Besides breathtaking white sand beaches and dunes, the area offers coastal fynbos, which are also spectacular in themselves, flanked by a coastal forest. During my visit, I stayed at Buffalo Bay Vacation Club, a 3-star property featuring an on-site restaurant. There is a charge of 1000-1200 THB per night for the stay.

Location: Ko Phayam, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: November to April

Tourist Attractions: fishing, fynbos, surfing

8. Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach

There’s no doubt that Thong Nai Pan is one of the most beautiful beaches in Koh Phangan. Known for its heavenly white sand, which is soft on your bare feet, and turquoise waters which are deep enough to swim in, Thong Nai Pan Noi is a favorite destination for families, couples, and honeymooners, as well as local Thai people who drive to this island on weekends and holidays.

Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach

There is also a beautiful Beach Resort conveniently located at a 300m distance from the beach. A stay at the resort starts at around 1500-2000 THB per day.

Location: Koh Phangan, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: November to April

Tourist Attractions: boat tours, water sports

9. Long Beach

Long Beach is a great place to watch stunning sunsets, which paint the sky with all kinds of colors over the sea before the sun sinks below the horizon. It is a spectacular beach due to its long, uninterrupted view of the horizon. Due to the resorts, guesthouses, bars, and restaurants scattered along the beach, the beach itself remains wide open and there are very few sunbeds or restaurant tables on the beach itself.

Long Beach

I love how this gives the beach a sense of space. Thai massage is also available on the beach. A basic one-hour Thai massage will cost you around 250 to 300 THB. However, if you bargain-hunt, you can get deals as low as 200 THB an hour. 

Location: Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: November to April

Tourist Attractions: boat ride, Thai Spa, beach kayaking

10. Laem Tong Bay

Laem Tong is the most remote and perhaps most exclusive beach with only four resorts. Most of the hotels and resorts are very luxurious.  Due to the lack of hotels and the abundance of palm trees, the beach does not feel very crowded. There are some nice shady spots along the coastline.

Laem Tong Bay

It’s truly a paradise on Laem Tong Beach! All of the restaurants on this beach are owned by resorts and serve good food. However, there are some good stand-alone restaurants too. You can have a romantic dinner by candlelight on the beach, it’s perfect! That’s why Laem Tong is so popular with honeymooners. I recommend Chili And Pepper Restaurant if you’re looking for authentic Thai food. The restaurant has an excellent view, delicious food, and really that Thai vibe! I can’t recall the exact bill I paid, but it was reasonably priced.

Location: Krabi, Thailand

Best Time To Visit: November to March 

Tourist Attractions: boating, snorkeling, kayaking

Tips for Thailand Beach Vacation

To make the most of your Thai beach vacation, follow these tips:

  • There is a lot of sun in Thailand, so be sure to use sunscreen frequently. Also, carry a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, and some way to cover yourself after getting out of the water.
  • During the rainy season, you may need an umbrella or a raincoat for beach hopping. In general, it rains more at night than during the day in Thailand.  
  • Once you have shortlisted your destinations in Thailand, be sure to research the local dress code. There is generally a laid-back dress code on islands and beaches. You will be fine in shorts, flip-flops, and, of course, swimwear. 
  • If you want to go rock climbing and walking on rough surfaces, make sure you wear hiking or all-terrain shoes.
  • In general, Thai beaches do not have lifeguards on duty at all times, so it is not recommended that you swim alone on the beach. 
  • When it rains, the waves tend to swell and the sea gets rough. It is not a good idea to get too far from the coastline if it is expected to rain.
  • Avoid purchasing any Thai gems from beachside shops. The shops will claim that these gems are worth five or ten times more in your country, but that is simply not true.
  • Thailand is generally a safe place to travel. There is, however, a higher probability of theft occurring to tourists than physical attacks, so it is crucial that you remain vigilant about your money. As a safer alternative to currency notes, it is advisable to carry a Forex card.
  • Purchase Thai Baht currency from local banks or forex providers before arriving in Thailand. Tourists are often shortchanged and exploited by money changers in Thailand due to their unfamiliarity with the Thai currency. If you are from India, you can exchange your INR to THB at the best exchange rate through BookMyForex.

FAQs

What part of Thailand has beautiful beaches?

Thailand’s southern region, which includes the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The warm and clear waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and the stunning sunsets make the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening.

Which beach is better Pattaya or Phuket?

Phuket is better suited to families, while Pattaya is more suitable for adventure seekers and travelers seeking a fun nightlife experience. While both places offer sea views and beaches, Phuket is the better choice for tropical scenery with white-sand beaches, clear water, and palm trees.

Which is the best beach party in Thailand?

There is no better beach party in Thailand than the Full Moon Party which takes place on Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan Island. At this party, over 30,000 people gather on the beach every full moon. The full moon beach party is famous around the world and attracts backpackers, travelers, and locals too.  

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