Top 12 Best Beaches in Thailand

Thailand is a true dream destination! White beaches, palm trees, crystal clear water, and not a soul in sight. But where can you actually find these hidden gems, and which islands should you target to be undisturbed? We reveal to you our top 12 Thai islands with the most beautiful beaches in the country.

During peak season, many beaches in Thailand are packed with tourists from all over the world. If you're looking for secluded beaches and pure relaxation, it's best to stay away from the tourist hotspots and seek out secluded and unknown beaches. Thailand truly has many of these hidden beauties. We have searched for you and found beautiful beaches that are often still relatively untouched by tourism. Even on the popular islands, you can find quiet beaches away from mass tourism. So, stay tuned!

The following map gives you a glance at the most beautiful beaches in Thailand:

In the southeastern part of Thailand, near the border with Cambodia, you'll find the island of Koh Mak. This small island is home to only a few people. Hustle, stress, and traffic jams are completely unknown to the inhabitants of this dream island, where you'll only find one supermarket and a few restaurants. The island is so small that you can explore it on foot, discovering its pristine beaches. The beaches are mostly untouched, and you won't find large hotel complexes here. So, if you're someone who can forgo a vibrant nightlife and a wide selection of restaurants, Koh Mak is just right for you.

This dream beach is located on the eastern side of the island and is accessible via a gravel road. Due to its secluded location, only a few tourists usually find their way here. Thus, there are no accommodations on Laem Son Beach. Instead, you'll find a large area of untouched nature with many palm trees, crystal clear water, and a great view of the neighboring island Koh Kradat. Be sure to bring enough food and drink with you if you plan to stay longer, as the small huts there are not always open.

The next dream beach on Koh Mak is located in the northeast. It's not particularly long, but the fascinating thing about Ao Tan Beach is the impressive pier that extends far into the sea. From there, you can even jump right in. The colors of the water change from green to blue, making it particularly beautiful to behold. The best part: Ao Tan Beach is usually quite empty, allowing you to enjoy plenty of peace and privacy.

Ao Soun Yai, also known as Suan Yai Beach, is one of the two larger beaches on Koh Mak and is located in the northwest. It is about 2 kilometers long and lined with coconut palms. The turquoise, crystal clear water invites swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. The white sandy beach, which slopes gently, is perfect for families with small children. You also have a great view of the small island Koh Kahm. Romantic sunsets promise pure magic that you can enjoy here.

As you can see, Koh Mak has many quiet and family-friendly beaches to offer. Your unforgettable Thailand vacation is already waiting for you!

Have you ever heard of the island of Koh Jum? If not, you're not alone, as many vacationers overlook this island east of Phuket, which, while in close proximity to well-known tourist hotspots, is much quieter and more relaxed. At the beaches on Koh Jum, it's quite possible that you won't see another person for miles.

We particularly like the three-kilometer-long Andaman Beach, located on the west coast of the island. It forms together with the Golden Pearl Beach the main beach on Koh Jum. Andaman Beach invites you to sunbathe extensively and take long walks in front of a fantastic jungle backdrop. After a perfect day at the beach, you'll find a wider selection of restaurants and bars that will sweeten your evening.

The Ao Si beach is significantly quieter than Andaman Beach and is particularly popular with photographers, as the scenery allows for stunning snapshots. It is located in the south near the border with Golden Pearl Beach. The best way to reach it is by scooter. The soft sand and crystal-clear water ensure pure swimming enjoyment. Convenience is provided by shops offering drinks and snacks.

The small bay consists of an 800-meter-long beach, where only about four resorts are located. Ting Rai Bay is very quiet, and many coral reefs can be found here. Therefore, it is perfect for snorkeling. You can encounter lionfish and sea snakes. If you want to eat or enjoy a few drinks, you can do so in one of the resorts or simply bring enough provisions to have a great beach picnic.

When it comes to natural, secluded beaches, Koh Jum has a lot to offer. Book a stunning resort and spend a quiet vacation on this Thai island!

You can find the best hotels on Koh Jum here.

The most popular Thai island, Phuket is a fantastic island for those visiting Thailand for the first time. The tourist infrastructure is so well-developed that you will hardly have any problems traveling around and finding the right accommodations. Tourist hotspots are places like Patong and Kamala - here, the large hotel complexes and western restaurants make it clear that tourism is the main source of income for the island. However, even on this island, you won't have to look long to find beautiful and secluded beaches.

One such beach is the somewhat underrated Mai Khao Beach. On the over ten-kilometer-long sandy beach, nothing disturbs the peace; however, occasionally, you might witness a small spectacle: airplanes landing at Phuket Airport fly in for a spectacular low pass right above you. This might not be for everyone, but Mai Khao Beach is anything but ordinary on the tourist island of Phuket.

The second dream beach on Phuket is located at the eastern end of the Panwa Peninsula. It is surrounded by two hotel resorts, which you must cross to reach it. This effectively makes it a private beach, but it is still publicly accessible. Therefore, there are significantly fewer tourists here than on Phuket's main beaches. Charter a longtail boat as a taxi, stay here in one of the resorts, or kindly ask at the reception if you can head over to Cape Panwa Beach. When you arrive, you'll be greeted with fine, white sand and clear turquoise water. Be sure to bring your own umbrellas, blankets, towels, or chairs unless you're a hotel guest at one of the resorts.

Laem Singh Beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket, but it is a bit complicated to reach. Therefore, you won't have to share it with many other vacationers. You can either take a day trip by boat or take a footpath to the beach. You also get a bit of a party atmosphere here, at least in the middle section. There, a few cozy beach bars invite you to linger. If you want to be a bit more active, you can use a stand-up paddleboard or a jet ski to explore the surroundings.

Find here information, tips, and handpicked offers for your next Phuket vacation.

Stunning coves, crystal-clear water, and plenty of tranquility. You'll find these on the island of Koh Ngai in southern Thailand. The kilometer-long beaches with fine sand will delight you as much as the secluded bays you'll find on this island. Especially in the evenings, after the day tourists have left, you can still experience the original Thailand here. Numerous restaurants will spoil you with national and international delicacies.

Fresh seafood tastes particularly good here. Diving and snorkeling fans will also find their paradise on Koh Ngai. Fascinating coral reefs with a diverse underwater world are just waiting to be discovered by you. Make sure to visit the beaches and small coves in the south of the island, where few resorts have settled so far. Close to the ferry dock that brings you to the island, you'll find one of the island's most beautiful beaches that you absolutely must not miss!

On one hand, there's the well-known Main Beach, which, at about two and a half kilometers, is the longest beach on Koh Ngai. It is located on the east coast. Here you'll find the most resorts and bungalow facilities, as well as some diving schools. But if you venture further south on the island, you'll find two hidden gems.

Want to have a Thailand vacation? The best hotels on Koh Ngai are waiting for you.

The epitome of party islands is probably Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand. When one of the infamous full moon parties is taking place here, accommodations on Koh Phangan are usually booked weeks in advance, and vacationers looking to escape the party bustle steer clear of this truly scenic island. Yet there are places on the island that remain untouched by the thumping bass and large crowds. For example, the Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach in the east of the island can only be reached via boat or a small footpath, making it a calm retreat. The beach, surrounded by lush rainforest, is clean, and the tranquil water invites for a pleasant swim.

Koh Samui is one of the most popular islands in all of Southeast Asia. Its endless long beaches, stunning accommodations, and the warmth of its inhabitants-these and many more make vacationers' hearts beat faster. If you want to take a break from various water sports activities at the famous and busy Chaweng Beach, you should head west on the island. On the west coast, for instance, you'll find the natural and somewhat rocky Five Islands Beach, and further to the southwest is Thong Krut, known for its magical sunsets. In general, Koh Samui is excellent for Asia beginners wanting to catch a whiff of exotic air, as the island is very well-developed for tourism and has a good infrastructure.

The island of Koh Lanta in southwestern Thailand is a very popular and tourist-developed island. Nevertheless, you will always find secluded beaches, besides the popular main beaches, that will definitely make your heart race. For instance, the Kantiang Bay in the south of Koh Lanta has only a few hotels and restaurants, so you can snorkel, swim, or simply sunbathe in peace. You certainly won't miss out on amenities like the typical Thai massages commonly offered on the beaches.

The turtle island Koh Tao is certainly well-known among divers. This island in the Gulf of Thailand, north of Koh Phangan, impresses with its numerous dive schools, hotels of all price ranges, and everything else that makes vacationers' hearts beat faster. Especially around Sairee Beach in the west of the island, tourists from all over the world flock. If you prefer a more secluded and less bustling atmosphere, you should look for accommodation at Aow Leuk Beach in the southeast of Koh Tao or Sai Nuan Beach in the southwest of the island. The beautiful beaches, which are among the best in the entire Gulf of Thailand, are much less crowded compared to some other beaches on Koh Tao.

In the southernmost part of Thailand lies the island paradise of Koh Lipe. You will find clearer water and whiter beaches than in almost any other place in Thailand. Because the island is located close to Malaysia, you can even see the coast of the neighboring country on particularly clear days. Koh Lipe is a car-free island, but you can quickly reach all the essentials on foot or by longtail boat. The island, which was once considered a hidden gem, is of course getting more popular, yet you will still find typical restaurants, small hotel complexes, and secluded beach sections along the longest beach on Koh Lipe, Sunrise Beach on the eastern side of the island.

Koh Phi Phi - This island has become more popular than ever since the Hollywood movie 'The Beach' featuring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Every day, boats arrive here carrying day-trippers and backpackers from around the world, and the town of Tonsai, often referred to in travel guides as a pure tourist town, is filled with bars, western restaurants, and souvenir shops.

Thus, the beach of the town, Loh Da Lum Bay, is relatively crowded. However, if you don't want to miss out on this picturesque Andaman Sea island (which is truly worth it!), you should aim for the smaller beaches. Most of these are only reachable by water, a journey that the majority of day-trippers and party-goers tend to avoid. A more peaceful beach example is Long Beach. You can reach the white sandy beach within just ten minutes by longtail boat. The water here is so clear that you can observe the fish swimming around you. The great thing about Long Beach is that you can quickly return to the main town at any time. A bit further away, in the northeast of the island, you'll find Phak Nam Bay, and in the north of Koh Phi Phi is Laem Tong Beach. Both beaches can only be reached by longtail boat, ensuring their seclusion.

You don't always have to head to one of the islands to find Thailand's most beautiful beaches. A station where many backpackers and travelers pass through is Ao Nang in the Krabi region. If you stay here for a few days, we recommend Railay Beach, which is characterized by the bizarre limestone mountains that frame it beautifully. If after an extensive sunbathe you're looking for a bit more action, you can even climb these limestone cliffs. Various agencies offer climbing courses that cater to beginners and advanced climbers alike. By the way, the view from up high is magnificent. A bit more secluded and just as enchanting is Pai Plong Beach, located northwest of Railay Beach.

Another Thai paradise is the Khao Lak region, which is located on the mainland, just 60 kilometers north of the popular island of Phuket. Although several hotels have been built here in recent years, the large masses have so far stayed away. However, Khao Lak is a true beach paradise: 20 kilometers of white sandy beaches stretch along the coastline. Small restaurants and beach bars invite you to daydream with your feet in the sand. Particularly picturesque is Khuk Khak Beach in the north of Khao Lak, as due to its calm location, only a few tourists make their way here.

Are there any Thailand fans among you who have been to any of the featured beaches? Which beaches in Thailand do you like best? If you're now really craving a vacation in Thailand, why not take a look at our current Thailand offers or browse through our other articles in the travel magazine!