Suay Mak Mak: Beaches in the Land of Smiles

Thailand has a 3219 kilometre coastline.
Five Thai beaches were named in the top 20 beaches on earth, including Koh Kradan at number 1.
Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With their vast, striking landscapes, crystal-clear waters, soft, white sand and of course, perfect beach weather, why wouldn’t you want to pay some of them a visit? So we’ve compiled a list of 8 of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.

Throughout this blog, we’ll be moving around the Thai coast and onto some small islands, visiting some of Thailand’s best beaches along the way. While this is obviously not an exhaustive list, we think there’ll be at least one beach on this list suited to everyone. We’ll be starting on the tiny island of Ko Libong, at the best beach in the world.

Koh Kradan, Koh Libong

Starting with a worldwide favourite, Koh Kradan has so much to recommend it. Largely part of a national park, Koh Kradan has no motorised vehicles, so is well suited to hikers and those wanting to explore the jungle.

Attractions

There are a number of beaches to look at in the area, but the main one is Kradan Beach. Often referred to as Paradise Beach or Sunrise Beach for obvious reasons, this beach boasts fine, powdery sand just asking to be walked on. Other beaches in the area like Ao Niang, Ao Mai, and Sunset Beach are all worth a visit as well. You would be hard-pressed to find more beautiful scenery anywhere in the world, so it’s the perfect place for some rest and relaxation.

Activities

There is a fantastic snorkelling option at the border of the reef. Or maybe you’d prefer to rent a kayak for the entire day and explore the Kradan coastline.

Accommodation and Amenities

Most of the accommodation on Koh Kradan is in resorts, but there is also the option for some very basic camping. This is a tiny island, so you won’t find many shops, in fact you’ll only find one. The KBR mini market tends to be on the pricey side. Consider stocking up beforehand or acquiring a prepaid card upon arrival, loading it with e-Pocket for local spending. Moreover, take advantage of e-Pocket’s zero exchange fee offer to save on remittance when sending money to Thailand.

Railay Beach, Krabi

Moving slightly north, we’re now at Railay beach in Krabi. Clear water, rock climbing and incredible limestone cliffs, Railay Beach is an absolute sight to behold. Visitors can enjoy a sense of exclusivity and relaxation, as this beach is only accessible by boat.

Attractions

It is technically separated into three different beaches. Railay Beach West is surrounded by limestone cliffs, where many visitors love to swim or watch the sunset. Railay Beach East is popular for its rock climbing, attracting a lot of foreign tourists. Then there is the Phra Nang Cave, which truly is a sight to behold. Stalactites descend from the mouth of the cave, making a chandelier-like form. This is another popular place to view the sunset. Additionally, the Phra Nang shine inside the cave is a popular place for locals sailors to worship, who believe the spirit of Phra Nang (Princess Goddess) resides in the cave.

Activities

Visitors to Railay Beach also have the opportunity to do some snorkelling, kayaking and trekking, as well as exploring caves and hidden lagoons.

Accommodation and amenities

There are all kinds of accommodation options on Railay beach, like luxury resorts, mid-range hotels and even bungalows. You will find lots of bars, restaurants and shops as well.

Ao Nang Beach, Krabi

There are so many incredible beaches in Krabi that we had to do more than one. More sunsets and stunning limestone cliffs, Ao Nang is close to a number of other nearby islands for you to explore, and also offers lots of water-based activities.

Attractions

Ao Nang has a stunning, long coastline with golden sand, and is surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush vegetation. For those who love a view, this is the place to be. Ao Nang is very family friendly, with many shallow waters for children to enjoy. There are plenty of other things to see beyond the beach as well, with places to look out across a panoramic view of the area, as well as lots of caves, hot springs and trails to explore.

Activities

You can have all kinds of fun in the water: scuba diving, snorkelling, and kayaking are all options. You can also go on boat tours.

Accommodation and amenities

Ao Nang offers hotels, resorts, guesthouses and other budget friendly forms of accommodations, many of which are very close to the beach. There are quite a few restaurants that serve local cuisine, seafood and international dishes, as well as lots of cafés and bars. They even have street food vendors.

Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Lee

A picturesque cove with clear waters, and stunning cliffs, Maya Bay is was made famous in the early part of the century due to featuring in the Leonardo DiCaprio film ‘The Beach’, leading to an immense growth in tourism.

Attractions

Maya Bay has breathtaking scenery, with limestone cliffs covered in lush greenery. The soft white sand and clear turquoise waters create plenty of postcard picture opportunities. It has diverse marine ecosystems, with colourful coral reefs and all kinds of fish species. Just watch out for the curious blacktip reef sharks.

Activities

Most visitors to Maya Bay come on day tours on boats from nearby Phuket, Krabi and Ko Phi Phi Don. These typically include snorkelling, beach time and exploring the surroundings. Whilst these tours have temporarily shut down intermittently in recent years, if you’re in the area, it would certainly be worth checking whether these tours are open. The beach has become so popular that in recent years, limitations have been put on the number of visitors, in order to mitigate damage being done to the ecosystem.

Patong Beach, Phuket

One of Phuket’s liveliest beaches, the vibrant nightlife makes Patong Beach a common destination for partygoers.

Attractions

Patong Beach offers a fantastic glimpse into Thai culture, with festivals, cultural celebrations and performances. The nightlife is immense in the area, with nightclubs, bars and restaurants opening up after dark.

Activities

There are all kinds of water activities available, like banana boat rides, snorkelling, parasailing and jet skiing. Lots of people love to swim here, so it can get very crowded. It becomes even more crowded during the Patong carnival, which usually takes place in early November. If you want to get away from the chaos, there are many spa and wellness centres where you can get a massage or relaxation therapy.

Accommodation and Amenities

There are all kinds of accommodation options, be it luxury resorts, guesthouses or hotels, there’ll likely be a price suited to your budget. There are also lots of markets and shopping streets in the area. Check out the famous Bangla Road if you want all the excitement and chaos Patong has to offer.

Freedom Beach, Phuket

In what is quite a contrast to many beaches in Phuket, Freedom Beach is characterised by its seclusion and tranquillity.

Attractions

The beach is surrounded by towering cliffs and thick greenery, which creates a beautiful and picturesque backdrop. White sands and clear waters add to the beauty. Conditions vary greatly depending on the season, but when calm, this is the perfect place to relax and soak in the atmosphere. Just be sure to check the weather before you go!

Activities

Other than relaxing, snorkelling and swimming are in order for those seeking some more activity. There is lots of marine life to see, which is at its best in the calm morning waters. With any luck you’ll spot some parrotfish.

Ko Samet, Rayong

Ko Samet is an island in the Gulf of Thailand that contains a number of beautiful beaches. For example, the Ao Prao Beach in was rated the #1 thing to do in Ko Samet on tripadvisor.com.

This is no surprise when you consider the astounding scenery, clear water and soft sand. The Hat Say Kaew and Ao Nuan beaches are also well worth checking out.

Attractions

There is a lot more to see than just the beaches on Ko Samet. It is part of the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, which has some beautiful scenery. But visitors often need a pass to enter certain parts of the national park area. The island is generally quieter and much more relaxed than other Thai islands as well, making it a great destination for those just wanting to soak in some atmosphere.

Activities

You can engage in the usual water activities, like jet-skiing, scuba diving, and kayaking. The currents are generally very calm, so you can experience the stunning views while you’re kayaking. As is usual in Thailand, these beaches have reliably clear waters, making it ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

Accommodation and Amenities

You can stay in guesthouses, bungalows and hotels, but we think the beachfront resorts are the most appealing.

White Sand Beach, Koh Chang

The aptly named White Sand Beach is one of the most popular and developed beaches on the island of Koh Chang.

Attractions

Boasting a relaxed atmosphere, calm waters and soft white sand, this is an ideal spot for sun-seekers. It’s also known for its beautiful sunsets, attracting large crowds who watch the beautiful colours go down over the horizon. Despite being quite developed compared to other beaches in Koh Chang, the White Sand Beach still boasts a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for those just wanting to chill out.

Activities

On the water side of things, like most Thai beaches, this is perfect for swimming. For those not wanting to spend time on the water, there are massage parlours and spas in the area as well. The Kach Resort and Spa is particularly appealing.

Accommodation and Amenities

You’ll find many different accommodations on the beachfront, including resorts, hotels, bungalows and guesthouses, many of which are very close to the beach. There are also plenty of shops and convenient stores and markets around, where you can buy all your essentials, as well as souvenirs, beachwear and many other items.

Conclusion

You can’t get the fullest experience of Thailand without visiting at least one of their beaches. They have great facilities, soft sand and glorious clear waters, as well as being picturesque. We’re sure this blog has inspired you to check new places in Thailand, and we hope you have the time of your life exploring the country.

You can read more about Thailand on our blog page, as well as many other countries, and you’ll get only the best exchange rates on remittance when using e-Pocket.