These Beautiful Beaches in Thailand Are Some of the Best in Asia

Baan-Kai Beach

Baan-Kai Beach on Phangan is the longest beach on the island with a wide variety of activities, particularly water sports. The four-kilometer-long beach is easy to get to and has a cool beach club in the center of the beach where young people relax beneath swaying palm trees. Baan Kai Beach offers several water-sports options, including stand-up paddling, kayaking, and kitesurfing and there is a small kitesurfing school in the middle of the beach, which provides taster lessons and complete courses. The beach has several access roads, and a village in the northern area and a short, sandy path leads directly to the beach from most car parks.

Unnamed Rd Ban Tai, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach is the largest and busiest beach in Koh Samui with plenty of lively action all year round. The beach is home to many bars, pubs, and nightclubs which attract a young crowd of party-goers, along with massage parlors, restaurants, and water-sports suppliers. The seven-kilometer-long beach is lined with coconut trees and is divided into four sections: North Chaweng, Central Chaweng, South Chaweng and Chaweng Noi (Little Chaweng). Activities at the beach include scuba-diving, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, and sightseeing trips to nearby Ko Tao and the Angthong National Marine Park.

Chaweng, Bophut 84320, Thailand

Haad Rin Beach

If it’s a vibrant nightlife you are looking for than Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan is the place to go. The beach is home to the most clubs of any kind on the island and crowds reach peak levels during the Full Moon party when between 30,000 and 60,000 flocks to the beach to party. Aside from being the party capital of the island, Haad Rin is a beautiful bay surrounded by cliffs with a long, white sandy beach and azure blue water. The spacious beach has plenty of accommodation and dining options and is a popular spot with young travelers to hang out in the evenings. Jet skiing is very popular at Haad Rin Beach, as well as surfing in the rainy season from October to November.

Moo 4 | Ban Tai, Ko Pha Ngan 84280, Thailand

Haad Yao Beach

Located in the north-west of the island, Haad Yao Beach is a soft sandy beach with gleaming white sand and crystal-clear water that attracts young holidaymakers for its dream beach setting. There are cool beach bars and restaurants all along the beach that play music all day, and a nearby village has accommodation and other essentials. Water sports here include swimming, snorkeling along the nearby reef, kayaking and boating. A diving school at the beach offers diving excursions to the well-known Sail Rock, which is between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand

Haad Yuan Beach

Haad Yuan Beach is a small, sandy beach situated in the south-east of Phangan with large rock formations and a very picturesque setting. The tiny bay is enclosed by giant smooth rocks and offers excellent swimming year-round, and huge palm-trees separate the beach from an enormous jungle which stretches right up to the hills, giving the beach a special charm. The beach can only be accessed by boat, which is an adventure in itself, and there are plenty of accommodation options for all budgets, as well as fantastic restaurants, including the highly recommended Garden Eden, Bamboo Hat and Ocean Rock, laid-back beach bars, two open-air clubs.

Koh Pha-Ngan, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

June Juea Beach

June Juea Beach is a well-hidden bay and beach on the west coast of Koh Tao with small sandy areas, plenty of rocks and trees and gin-clear water. The perfect hideaway for honeymoon couples, the remote beach is not easy to find and an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of other beaches. There is a small bar that serves delicious drinks, and a wooden walkway which visitors can use to walk to the end of the beach, but otherwise the beach is quiet and peaceful with not much else to do except relax, sunbathe and swim. Canoes and snorkeling equipment are available to rent, and there is a lovely little reef to explore.

6/7 Moo 3 | June Juea Beach, Koh Tao 84360, Thailand

Kamala Beach

Kamala is a fishing village that lies just north of Patong with a beautiful enclosed bay with a long, palm-tree lined crowd-free sandy beach surrounded by forested hills. One of the most beautiful places in Phuket, Kamala has small hotels, villas and apartment rentals around the village and several luxury villa developments on the headland to the south. There are a large number of sun-loungers for hire and a pretty promenade lined with bars and restaurants for dining and drinks options. There are plenty of water activities to enjoy, including banana boating, jet-skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, and swimming and the beach is easily accessible by car and scooter and from the southernmost popular resort of Patong, which is only a few miles from Kamala Beach.

Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Karon Beach

Located on the west coast, between Patong and Kata, Karon Beach is the third-longest beach on Phuket Island and one of the most popular holiday destinations in Phuket. The long, white sandy beach is lined with several large resorts, as well as restaurants and shops, including the famous Karon Bazaar, and offers a wide array of water sports and activities, ranging from snorkeling and scuba-diving to kayaking, jet-skiing, banana boating, stand-up paddling, and more. The nearby Karon Centre has a bustling, vibrant atmosphere with a good choice of dining, shopping, and nightlife entertainment, as well as a beautiful Buddhist temple hosting a bi-weekly market. The southern end of the beach hosts excellent restaurants and lively nightlife spots.

Karon, Phuket, Thailand

Kata Beach

One of the most beautiful and relaxed beaches in Phuket, Kata Beach is a pleasant bay with a small, palm-lined beach and a busy, but relaxed and calm atmosphere. Impressive rocks tower majestically over the beach which boasts clear, shallow waters which are perfect for swimming, snorkeling and splashing about – particularly for families with small children. Kata also has an impressive range of dining options, from budget street food to fine dining establishments, a lively but not too raucous nightlife, and an array of accommodation options all close to the beach. Surfers flock to catch Kata's waves from May to October.

Pakbang Road, Kata Beach, Karon, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Kata-Noi Beach

Located just south of the central Kata Beach, Kata-Noi Beach is a beautiful little bay along Phuket’s west coast with a charming beach of lovely soft sand and stunning scenery. Home to some of Phuket’s most luxurious resorts and restaurants, the beach can be busy in the high season, but the waters are crystal-clear and offer fantastic swimming and snorkeling. The hillside road next to the beach is lined with an array of best sunset bars where you can soak up stunning views over the sand and out to the horizon while sipping colorful cocktails and dining on fresh Thai food. Kata Noi Beach is very popular with surfers in the low season between May and October.

Karon, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Koh Nang Yuan Beach

Located close to the idyllic diving islands of Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan Beach is set on one of three tiny islands connected by shimmering white sandbanks and crystal-clear water, creating a dream-like setting and making it a popular holiday destination for many tourists. Accessible only by boat, the beach features three well-known coral reefs that are a popular destination for snorkelers and divers, and a diving school offers courses and excursions. The beach and islands can be explored on foot with sandbanks and old wooden bridges stretching across the small islands with few huts deep in the jungle, and plenty of exotic creatures. There is a famous viewing point from which spectacular views can be enjoyed.

Koh Tao

Laem Singh Beach

Tucked away on the west coast between Kamala and Surin beaches, Laem Singh Beach is one of Phuket's most beautiful beaches. Nestled in a steep-sided bay, lined with nodding palm trees and dotted with giant boulders, the beach is a hidden gem that is popular with young travelers, but not too raucous. Overlooked by a popular viewpoint along the coastal road, the beach features cozy beach restaurants which will deliver food, drinks and shisha pipes to sun-loungers, and the beautifully clear waters offer excellent swimming and snorkeling, particularly in the southern part of the beach. The northern section has good waves for body-boarding and surfing in the low season.

Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand

Lamai Beach

One of the best known and most visited beaches, Lamai Beach, is Samui's second-largest resort area after Chaweng. The seven-mile-long beach is lined with palm trees, has soft white sands, and offers plenty of upmarket accommodation, dining and shopping options to explore. Quieter and less bustling than its big sister, Lamai has a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere with sun loungers for hire, shady spots in which to kick back, and beautiful waters to swim in. Water sports are available such as parasailing, stand-up paddling, banana boating, jet-skiing and kayaking, and the shallow, clear waters are ideal for families with small children who can splash about in safety.

Ko Samui, Thailand

Lo Dalam Beach

Loh Dalum (meaning Dalum Bay in Thai) is an exotic tropical paradise on the north-facing coast of Phi Phi Don Island opposite Tonsai Bay that offers a quiet, relaxing place to sunbathe during the day and enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and sea kayaking. When the sun goes down, Lo Dalam Beach becomes one giant discotheque with dance music, fire shows, and buckets filled with beverages. Situated in the northern part of the narrow headland near Ton Sai Village, Loh Dalam Beach can be reached by a short walk from the ferry landing stage at Ton Sai Bay. The beach is lined with hotel complexes, restaurants, bars, and plenty of nightclubs, which play loud music all night long. In the low season between April and October, it is much quieter during the night in this picturesque bay when some of the nightclubs shut down.

Phi Phi Don Island, Thailand

Mai-Khao Beach

Situated on the northwest coast of Phuket, Mai-Khao Beach a six-mile-long straight beach that is part of the Sirinat National Park. Quiet and relatively deserted, the beach is strict nature protection, and the few hotel resorts located near the beach such as the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Phuket International Airport have to comply with regulations, such as no beach chairs, motor boats or jet skis in the area. Mai Khao Beach is the only beach on Phuket where turtles still come to lay their eggs, and volunteers from a nearby turtle sanctuary collect many of the eggs so that the baby turtles can hatch in a sheltered environment. Hotel guests and other beach visitors can take on sponsorship and accompany the little ones to the sea by hand. Swimming-wise, there is a sharp drop off into the Andaman Sea a short distance from shore, making swimming dangerous from May to November.

Phuket 83110, Thailand

Naithon Beach

Located a little off the beaten track from the famous holiday resorts on Phuket, Naithon Beach is on the west coast of the island and has a natural, unspoiled, sandy beach with a relaxed atmosphere. Although much quieter than many other beaches on the island, Naithon Beach still has facilities and amenities such as restaurants, shops, and bars, and is popular with families with children between November and April who come to enjoy the calm seas and the friendly atmosphere. The beach offers some spectacular waves between May and November which attracts surfers and bodyboarders and during the high season, canoes, stand-up paddle boards can be rented, as well as and motorized longtail boat excursions to other islands.

Nai Thon, Phuket, Thailand

Nai-Yang Beach

Nai-Yang Beach is located on the northwest coast of Phuket with the international airport runway situated directly at the northern end of the beach. While the north end of the beach can be reasonably noisy with aircraft landing and taking off, the southern end is much quieter. Set in the middle of the idyllic Sirinat National Park, the beach lies in a semicircular bay opening in a northwestern direction protected by a coral reef off the coast, making swimming and snorkeling conditions very good. The protected coral reef is also excellent for scuba-diving, and a well-equipped diving school at the beach offers courses and dive excursions to the exciting dive sites along the coast. Nai Yang Beach also offers horseback riding along the beach, kayaking, beach massages, and golf nearby.

Nai Yang, Sakhu, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Nui Beach

Nui Beach is one of Phuket’s hidden gems and a tropical dream destination. Also called the Water Beach Club after the company that takes care of it, the beach is located about two miles from the Kata-Karon Viewpoint and features a stylish restaurant and bar, and plenty of activities such as snorkeling, sea kayaking, beach volley, and an exclusive spa that offers massages and a sauna. Surrounded by impressive boulders, a coconut grove, and bamboo and thatch buildings on several levels down the hillside, the beach also has a natural stream from the mountain ends with a pretty two-level pond, where visitors can enjoy a refreshing dip. Nui Beach can be reached by water-taxi or kayak from Lo Dalam Beach on Koh Phi Phi.

Ko Phi Phi Don 81000, Thailand

Pai Plong Beach

Pai Plong Beach is part of Ao Nang and can be reached from the neighboring Ao Nang Beach on foot. This beach is famous for being the starting point of the ‘Monkey Trail,’ and there are small monkeys to be seen everywhere. The path to the beach is quite difficult and appropriate footwear is recommended, but it’s well worth it on arrival to the beautiful 500-meter wide bay surrounded by steep, high cliffs with golden sands and spectacular views of the offshore islands on the horizon. There is a luxury hotel complex overlooking the beach, and a relaxed beach bar which belongs to the hotel but is open to the public and serves signature cocktails and other drinks.

Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81180, Thailand

Paradise Beach

Situated about five kilometers southwest of Patong, Paradise Beach is one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches. The compact beach boasts 150m of white sand and shade-giving palm trees and tropical almonds with large granite rocks at both ends of the sand and a coral reef about 100m offshore. There is a fee to access the beach and jet-skis are discouraged, making it a quiet and peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Patong. A beach club provides a variety of activities including snorkeling, kayaking, body boarding and scuba diving on the reef just a short swim off the shore. There is a rope attached to an overhanging tree branch that people swing and drop into the water and a beach volleyball net.

109, Muen-Ngern Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Patong Beach

Patong is a bustling beach resort town on the west coast of Phuket Island and home to the most famous beach resort on Phuket – Patong Beach. Famous for its raucous nightlife scene with beer bars, go-go bars, nightclubs, massage parlors and cabarets along neon-lit Bangla Road, Patong and its beach have developed into a real cult beach. While the nightlife is wild, during the day the beach is busy but bearable with miles of palm tree lined fine-grained, yellow sand. The water entrance is very shallow, so if you want to swim, you have to walk a few meters, and the water visibility is not great and sometimes very polluted due to the high numbers of people visiting the beach and swimming.

Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Silver Beach

Located on the east coast of Samui just north of Lamai Beach, Silver Beach is a charming little bay with a 250m-long beach with white sand, palm trees and turquoise water with several long-established hotels resorts, including Crystal Bay Beach Resort, Silver Beach Resort, Thongtakian Resort, and Crystal Bay Yacht Club, and plenty of restaurants, and bars overlooking the beach. Also known as Haad Thong Ta-khian (which in Thai means ‘the beach of the Ta-khian Trees’), Silver Beach is a classic bathing bay with shallow water and is suitable for families with small children and non-swimmers. Other activities at the beach include kayaking, canoeing, and snorkeling and there is plenty of parking.

Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84310, Thailand

Surin Beach

Known as 'Millionaire's Row' due to the high-end resorts and the residences of the rich and famous that line the beach, the naturally beautiful Surin Beach is a sophisticated spot with fine white sand, calm, clear waters and spectacular views. Exuding a laid-back coastal village feel, the picturesque beach is very popular with tourists and Thais alike and features fine dining restaurants, stylish wine bars, and lively beach clubs at either end. The azure waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and canoeing, while boogie boarding and surfing are popular in the low season with good waves on the high tide or the low-mid tide.

Choeng Thale, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Than Sadet Beach

Located in the east of Phangan, the lovely beach of Than Sadet Beach boasts swaying palm trees, snow-white sand, and bright, turquoise water and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. There is not much to do on this peaceful beach except for sunbathing, swimming, relaxing and enjoying great drinks with music in a relaxed beach bar. A couple of cozy beach huts on the hill offer comfortable accommodation, and the beach can easily be reached by scooter via a tarmacked road. Water activities include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and a national park with a waterfall can be found just inland which is worth exploring.

Ban Tai, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand

Wai Nam Beach

One of the lesser known beaches of Koh Phangan, Wai Nam Beach is a small, peaceful spot a little off the beaten track in the east of the island. Accessed by boat from one of the neighboring beaches or by walking through the jungle, the beach boasts a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with a hippy flair. The tiny bay is enclosed at both ends by impressive rocks, and the beach has coarse, light yellow sand, and unlike other beaches in Phangan, swimming in the nude is allowed here. Wai Nam Beach has simple bungalow sites for overnight stays, however, supermarkets and cash machines can only be reached by boat. The only restaurant at the beach offers exclusively vegetarian dishes with lots of nuts and seeds and vegan food, and yoga, meditation, and other workshops are often held here.

sBan Tai, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand