Beaches in Thailand

Known For : Rock Climbing in Railey Tham Phra Nang Cave View Point and Lagoon

It's one of the most famous Beaches in Thailand even though it is only accessible by boat. This beach is a favourite rock climbing spot in southern Thailand. Its looming limestone cliffs provide not just a challenge to adventure junkies and shade for those spending the day on the shore. There are no roads here and no traffic, just footpaths for pedestrians and bicycles. A few beach bars and restaurants are available nearby. 

Best Time: November to March

3 Railay (Rai Leh) Attractions

With clear blue waters and smooth white sand, Nai Harn Beach is a relatively untouched beach in Thailand. This vast beach is not much crowded during the high season (December to May) and has many things to offer, like souvenir shops, hotels and massage centres. One can get a relaxing massage for 300 TBH per hour or try out delicious Thai cuisine. There are lounges, beach beds and umbrellas available. 

The Phra Nang Beach is situated between Krabi and Ao Nang beach as a part of a small peninsula. The coral reefs, caves and cliffs lapped around by crystal clear waters and home to two small islands – Koh Rang Nok and Nai Phra Nang is also well recognized for its “Princess Cave” or Tham Phra Nang Nok. There are a few bars and restaurants. Beach beds and umbrellas are also available. 

Time Required : 1 day

Maya Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Thailand for being the subject of the Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie 'The Beach'. The white sandy beach is generally crowded. Due to increased tourism and pollution, swimming is currently prohibited in the beach. The beach is accessible via speed boats. Entry to the national park and the beach costs THB 400. There are no bars or restaurants in the beach. 

Pattaya Beach is one of the most well-known beaches in Thailand. There are various water sporting activities, such as parasailing, jetskiing, speedboats and diving boats. Palm trees line through the stretch of the beach. The golden sandy beach offers accomodation for different budgets, and has plenty of restaurants and bars and malls nearby. Beach beds and umbrellas are available. Events happen in the beach on special days like new year's. 

Covered in beautiful palm trees but not the crowds of Chaweng Beach, Mae Nam Beach is a 7 kilometres stretch full of quiet spots to unwind under the sun. It's quite popular amongst expats who love to gaze out at Koh Phangan Island on the horizon. Just off the Pra Lawn Pier is Wat Na Phra Lan which is a beautiful Buddhist temple. The closest traffic cuts off nearly half a kilometre away, and the beach is ideal for swimming.

This golden sand beach is approximately 7 kilometres long, making it one of the longest beaches in Thailand on Koh Samui's east coast. It is accessible mostly through the hotels as only a few paths lead down to the beach. The central part of Chaweng Beach is a great party location and is popular among backpackers and younger crowds. There are plenty of dive sites here, and you can arrange trips to the close-by Angthong National Marine Park.

Freedom Beach is a pristine 300m stretch of white sand that is peppered with granite rocks and surrounded by lush green hills full of jungles. The unique location of Freedom Beach makes it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Longtail boats are the most popular means to access the beach. There are beach bars and restaurants. Beach beds are available but is chargeable. 

Entry Fee :
THB 120 - THB 140
Public Toilet - THB 50

Unlike the other quaint beaches in Thailand, Sairee Beach on Koh Tao is a party destination.  Sairee Beach is 2 kilometres of pubs, nightclubs and bars with heart-thumping music, neon lights and non-stop energy.The beach can be accessed a ferry from Koh Samui. Nightly pub crawls and Full Moon Parties happen regularly.  Scuba diving is also one of the main attraction and there are diving training centres. Accommodations are available for a variety of budgets.

Located in the heart of Phuket, Patong Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Thailand. It has gorgeous white sand and plenty of hotels, restaurants, massage parlours. Parking can be a problem, though the crowd thins as you move further north of the beach. Some great shopping locations are within walking distance, as is Soi Bangla which is known for its vibrant nightlife. Jet skiing and parasailing are popular activities.

Also called Phra Ae Beach or Hsd Phra Ae Beach, Long Beach is a family-friendly beach in Thailand. It stretches across 4 kilometres of plush white sand and shallow waters.The seabed is devoid of sharp rocks or sea urchins. There are beach bars, karaoke bars, restaurants and night and parties. Swimming and snorkeling are popular activities in the beach as it doesn't see waves more than 1 metre (3 feet). 

The Monkey Beach, as the name gives away, is filled with monkeys, who paddle in the sea as well as go up to the tourists to play. Located in Phi Phi Islands, the beach is also famous for snorkelling as the crystal clear waters host colourful and vivid underwater habitats. One must not get too close to the monkeys as they snatch away bags, sunglasses and other valuables as well as bite and scratch people.

Haad Salad in the north west of Koh Phangan island is a beautiful sandy bay with green cliffs on each side and a coral reef in the shallow waters, making it the perfect spot for snorkelling. Swimming in the warm waters is also popular, as its most in-depth sections are only shoulder-deep. Haad Island has a classic beach tree swing and only a handful of hotels at different budgets.

Located in Phuket Island, Karon Beach, is a white sand beach stretching over 5 kms and surrounded by hotels and trees . For those who are looking forward to trying some water sports, Karon Beach is a must-visit. There are plenty of snorkelling and diving activities at the beach. It is a perfect place for a quiet getaway. The views of sunrise and sunsets are delightful, as are the chairs, umbrellas, drinks, markets and massage services in the area.

Kantiang Bay lies at the southern tip of Ko Lanta island with white sands, clear waters and an awe-inspiring backdrop of a tropical rainforest. This beach is famous amongst divers because of its beautiful reefs, visibility and fascinating marine life. It's not much of a tourist location but a lovely getaway for those who enjoy calming silence on their beach days. There are a handful of bungalows and stays here. 

As the name suggests, this island in south Thailand faces east, making it a gorgeous place to catch the sunrise. Sunrise Beach is excellent for sunbathing and has tropical coves to explore. On the opposite end of the island is Sunset Beach that is popular in the evenings. Sunrise Beach is a party destination with plenty of bars and clubs along the beach. Accommodation can be difficult to find during peak tourist season. 

This white sand beach is cited as a surfer's paradise in south Phuket. It has little commercial activity like hotels and malls but has plenty of beach shacks, food kiosks, sunbeds and umbrellas. It's a fun location for boogie-boarding too. Kata Beach sees the most crowds during the off-season when surfers descend to enjoy the waves. Every September, it hosts the Phuket Surfing Contest sponsored by big brands like Quiksilver.

An island located in the marine national park of Hat Jao Mai, Koh Kradan can be reached by private boats or ferries from Koh Mook or Koh Ngai island. Snorkelling, Kayaking and swimming are popular, especially with the limestone rock structures. Coral reefs can be found 50 metres off the coast. It would take you about 3 hours to explore the entire island. There are resorts and bungalows for an overnight trip but no ATMs or nightlife at Koh Kradan.

Located on Ko Chang island, it is a quiet beach exhibiting a long stretch of sugary white sand. There are luxury resorts, mid-range hotels and bungalows around the beach. White Sand Beach is perfect for those who wish to sunbathe, swim or play football. It is not recommended to try these activities during the low tides. There are many cafés and eateries and plenty of beach vendors offering jewellery and costumes.

Best Time to Visit: November to February

Ko Nang Yuan is famous as a local day outing from Ko Tao. Mostly crowded, the beach has crystal white sands and clear waters with lush greenery and marine life. Swimming relaxed sunbathing and watching the sunrise are some of the best experiences. The beach also offers some of the best snorkelling spots in Thailand, with intricate shallow coral reefs. Dive boats are available at the beach to visit the diving sites of Twin Peaks and Japanese Gardens.

Hat Lamai is a white sandy beach in Koh Samui and is less crowded than Chaweng Beach. It is famous for its amazing natural rock formations and is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports such as snorkeling. The beach has turquoise waters, buzzling downtown atmosphere, massage parlours, growing Thai-style nightlife, and a number of beach bars and restaurants. There are beach benches and umbrellas which is complimentary with drinks. 

The Hua Hin beach is located in the small town of Hua Hin in Bangkok. There are large rock formations that are visible from the beach. It is a 4 kilometre long white sand paradise with the entire view of the gulf of Thailand. Jet skiing and banana boat kites are popular activities. It is ocated close to the town centre and Khao Tokiap, and there are hotels and bars near the beach. Sunbeds are available, but not free.