10 best beaches in thailand (with map)

The southern region of Thailand is home to some of the most visually stunning and exotic beaches in the world. If you're looking for quiet tranquility, stroll the beach overlooking towering limestone boulders and caves in Krabi's turquoise waters. For a more active beach scene, you can head to the popular island of Phuket. On the other side of the Gulf of Thailand, there are also many islands fringed by powdery soft beaches. Koh Samui is the starting point for exploring Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

best beaches in thailand

Thailand is one of the best beach destinations in the world and offers a wide range of stunning beaches. Whether you prefer wild and remote getaways or lively beach towns, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the best beaches in Thailand that you must visit:

best beaches in thailand map

list of the best beaches in thailand

1. Mai Khao Beach, Phuket
2. Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi
3. Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui
4. Bottle Beach, Koh Phangan
5. patong beach, Phuket
6. Freedom Beach, Phuket
7. Sairee Beach, Ko Tao
8. Hua Hin Beach
9. koh poda beach
10. Nui Beach, Ko Phi Phi

1. Mai Khao Beach, Phuket

Mai Khao Beach, Phuket

Mai Khao Beach in Phuket is 11 kilometers long and is part of the Sri Nat National Park. Apart from a couple of big hotel chains, the area near the beach remains undeveloped, which means you can walk or jog for miles and sometimes not see a single person the entire time you're there. Beach name translated as "white wood", this is a beach that is very nice to visit due to the rough sand of the undeveloped, unspoiled landscape.

Map of Mai Khao Beach, Phuket

2. Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi

Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi

Maya Bay shot to fame when the 1999 movie "The Beach" was filmed here, and it hasn't calmed down since. With silky soft sand, underwater corals, crystal clear waters and exotic fish, the word paradise simply doesn't fit this beach. Bay shaded by cliffs Threefold, the best time to visit is between November and April to avoid the unpredictable weather that can hit these parts of Thailand. A word of warning, the beach is stunningly beautiful, but every day thousands of tourists start to make their mark on the beach, and it's not as good As idyllic as it once was.

Map of Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi

3. Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui

Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui

Chaweng Beach is the lifeblood of Koh Samui, the island's largest and most popular town, and possibly the most beautiful beach. This is also where the nightlife is at its liveliest, with plenty of bars and restaurants to keep everyone entertained. Chaweng is located in Close to the beach and stretching for three kilometers, the avenue is full of restaurants and bars all competing for your money, so prices are relatively low and competition is fierce. If you're after something less loud and more relaxing, the bars dotted along the beach offer a quieter setting If you want to relax in the evening, the ambiance offers a view of the incoming tide and the oncoming sea breeze.

Map of Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui

4. Bottle Beach, Koh Phangan

Bottle Beach, Koh Phangan

Sitting on the other end of the island from where all the full moon parties happen is Bottle Beach. The beach is set in its own cove, and there are only four bungalows here, so it's very secluded. It's more of a hippie beach and few tourists venture here laid back and relaxed, there are several restaurants dotted around serving freshly caught fish and southern Thai food at affordable prices. The best way to get here is by taking a longtail boat from Chaloklum, or you can follow trails through the jungle.

Map of Bottle Beach, Koh Phangan

5. patong beach,phuket

patong beach,phuket

Patong is a seaside resort town on the west coast of Phuket, facing the Andaman Sea in southwestern Thailand. Its crescent-shaped sandy beach is lined with cafés, restaurants and bars. Famous for its raucous nightlife scene including beer bars, go-go bars, nightclubs, massage parlors and cabarets, Flood the streets along neon-lit Bangla Road and Patong OTOP shopping paradise complex.

Map of patong beach,phuket

6. Freedom Beach, Phuket

Freedom Beach, Phuket

Relax or snorkel for the day in the crystal clear waters of Freedom Beach, Phuket. It is best to take a longtail boat from Patong to reach the beach, as it is difficult to reach by land. Note that you need to pay a small entry fee, but the view is definitely worth it.

If you want a short hike, the Avista Hideaway Hotel has a path to the beach. Liberty Beach is the quintessentially picturesque and unspoilt beach scene you would expect to see in tropical Thailand. The best time to visit is December to February.

Map of Freedom Beach, Phuket

7. Sairee Beach, Ko Tao

Sairee Beach, Ko Tao

One of the best views of a spectacular Thai sunset is Sairee Beach, located on the small island of Koh Tao. This is a popular spot on the island with many restaurants and water sports such as diving and snorkeling. The long, narrow beach is perfect for a walk, with unobstructed views of the sunrise and sunsets, so it's a popular beach for photographers.

Map of Sairee Beach, Ko Tao

8. Hua Hin Beach

Hua Hin Beach

With more than four kilometers of sandy beaches, Hua Hin has something for everyone: plenty of family-friendly activities like banana boat rides and pony rides, great windsurfing and paragliding schools, and endless sun loungers and umbrellas. The vibe of Hua Hin beach is much better than Other beach destinations in Thailand to attract tourists looking for rest and relaxation.

Map of Hua Hin Beach

9. koh poda beach

koh poda beach

Visitors to Krabi will find it common to leave the mainland to explore the more secluded, deserted islands nearby. One of Krabi's most famous islands is Koh Poda within the Hat Nopharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

Koh Poda is uninhabited but can be visited with authorized tour groups. Several tour companies offer island-hopping tours from mainland Koh Phi Phi Krabi and Koh Lanta, taking visitors on day trips to experience the secluded, postcard-perfect scenery of Koh Poda.

This fantastic beach island is so small, you can circle the island in about 20 minutes. Surrounded by powdery soft white sand, it's a beautiful beach no matter which angle you look at it from. Calm lapping water and towering limestone cliffs only enhance the idyllic deserted beach experience.

Map of koh poda beach

10. Nui Beach, Ko Phi Phi

Nui Beach, Ko Phi Phi

Maya Bay - a small bay at the uninhabited island of Phi Phi Don made well-known for its look withinside the film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio - follows the Same fall-from-favor theme as the fictional atoll: too many people have discovered it. Now The film company simply irreparably damaged the once pristine coastline, but mass tourism forced Thai authorities to shut it down in 2018. After a cleanup program and a period of natural restoration, it reopens in 2022 with limited visitor numbers and strict sustainability Target.

The secluded bay of Phi Phi Nui Beach with bars restaurants and spas has the infrastructure to welcome tourists. Accessible by 4WD (prices vary), the bay follows the Kata-Karon lookout for 3 km (2 miles) through jungle and coconut groves.

Map of Nui Beach, Ko Phi Phi