Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy.
Thailand is many things; impressive temples and wild jungles, chaotic cities and fascinating history – and miles and miles of gorgeous Thai Beaches. With powder white sand and teal blue water, Thailand beaches are what attract many visitors to the country – and it’s easy to understand why.
In our opinion, every Thailand Itinerary should include at least one beach. While the beaches are some of the most beautiful places to visit in the country, they are not all the same. Far from it, actually.
There are Thai party beaches, touristy beaches, resort beaches, private beaches and beaches just for relaxation. There are Thai island beaches and mainland stretches of sand; beaches along the Andaman Sea and on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand.
Each time we visit Thailand, we are lured to the striking shoreline. We have often sought out the best destinations for a relaxing beach experience. Therefore, we’re featuring 4 incredibly beautiful and completely relaxing Thailand Beaches.
Which Thailand Beaches are Best?
With so many beaches, determining which exactly is the best for your trip is quite the task. The most famous Thailand tourist destinations – like Phuket, Phi Phi Islands and Ko Samui – are recognizable to many by name, but does that really make them the best for you?
When we are searching for Thailand beach destinations, we consider numerous factors. The things that are most important to us are the ease of access, value for money and the overall Thai beach vibe.
Top Thai Beach for Ease of Access
Before we choose our Thailand vacation spot, we check to see how accessible it is. Some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand are in hard-to-reach places – requiring a long series of flights, buses, boats and taxis. While we don’t immediately discount these destinations, it is a key factor to keep in mind when planning a trip.
Best Value for Money
While considered a budget destination, staying at some of the top beaches in Thailand can be pricey. Exclusive resorts and luxury Thai beachfront hotels come with high price tags.
As independent and budget-conscious travelers, we seek out spots that offer a range of accommodations – not just high-end Thailand beach resorts or only cheap hostels. Furthermore, we check the area to ensure there are different types of restaurants and activities for our trip.
Complete Beach Vibe
Perhaps most important when choosing where to go, however, is identifying the atmosphere. There are beaches in Thailand that are notorious for wild Full Moon Parties and feature bawdy nightlife. On the other hand, some Thai beaches are so remote they lack electricity or running water. Our version of the Best Beach Vacation in Thailand falls somewhere between those two extremes.
Relaxing Thailand Beaches
While searching for the ideal beach vacation location, we are not seeking out the most quiet islands in Thailand…but we aren’t interested in all-night raves, either. Our idea of a perfect Thai beach is a place where we can sink our feet into the sand, cool off in the turquoise sea and watch the sunset with an ice-cold beer in hand.
The good news is that there are many beaches in Thailand that fit the bill…it’s just a matter of seeking them out!
4 Best Thailand Beaches for Relaxation
We believe the beaches we feature are the best places to visit in Thailand for a little R&R. Our list includes three island destinations and one mainland beach that feels like an island. We’ve included a helpful Thai Beach Map at the end of the article to help you easily find each location.
#1 Koh Lanta: Klong Khong Beach
Koh Lanta is one of the best islands in Thailand. The long slice of land seems to hang from the southern tip of the mainland, dripping into the Andaman Sea. The lengthy west-facing shoreline hosts numerous crescent coves lined with white sand – and the most chill beach among them is Klong Khong Beach.
Less than 2 miles long, the entire beach is fronted by casual bars, low-key restaurants and a range of hotels. Bamboo loungers and mats offer oceanfront seating while Bob Marley tunes drift through the speakers. Koh Lanta sunsets are spectacular and while the sea floor is reef (not sand) the refreshing water is the perfect way to cool off (unless, of course, it’s low tide!).
What We Did: The best thing to do on Klong Khong is to soak in the relaxed beach vibes and watch the tide roll in and out. During our stay, we also visited the more developed area to the north (Long Beach/Phra Ae Beach) and took an amazing Four Island Snorkeling Koh Lanta Tour.
Read more in our Koh Lanta Best Beach article!
#2 Phuket: Kamala Beach
Phuket ranks as one of the top places to visit in Thailand, with hordes of tourists descending on (in)famous Patong Beach. Although pictures show a serene beach with swaying palm trees by day, the outrageous nightlife and bawdy bars don’t reflect the same sense of peaceful calm. Patong’s rowdy reputation nearly kept us from Phuket entirely, but then we heard about Kamala Beach.
Sitting just 6 miles north of Patong, Kamala Beach is a completely different scene. Boasting just two attractions – the weekly market and Fantasea Park – all focus is on the beach in Kamala. Jet skis, stand-up paddle boards and surf boards are all available for rent. A truly blissful way to experience the surroundings is with an on-beach Thai Massage.
Kamala restaurants sit at the top of the sand and line the busy street that runs parallel to the shore. Café Del Mar on the north end of the beach provides a bit of fun nightlife on the seafront, otherwise it’s relatively quiet at night.
What We Did: Kamala Beach is one of those places where you can really just kick back and relax – which is exactly what we did. On the days when the swells were big, we headed into the sea with body boards. The long stretch of sand is perfect for beach walks – and we never missed an amazing Kamala Beach sunset!
Find our recommended Restaurants in Kamala Beach!
#3 Koh Chang: Kai Bae Beach
When we were looking for beaches near Bangkok, we passed right over mega-developed and seedy Pattaya and continued searching along the eastern coastline until we found Koh Chang.
Ranking as the third largest island in Thailand, more than half of the land is covered in nature. The best Koh Chang beaches are on the west side of the island – and we zeroed in Kai Bae as the one that fit our style.
Kai Bae Beach has the perfect mix of beachfront resorts, boutique hotels and locally owned restaurants. The public beach is small, but sufficient for taking a dip in the sea and launching kayaks. It’s is also where the local elephant camp takes the baby elephants for their daily bath, which is an entertaining sight.
Another highlight of Kai Bae is the location in between the busy-but-beautiful White Sand Beach to the north and rugged Lonely Beach to the south – which can be reached via an inexpensive ride in a songthaew.
What We Did: Our visit to Koh Chang was in the rainy season…and, oh my, did it ever rain! Despite the often-flooded streets, we managed to spend time on the beach. We went kayaking around the islets, embarked on a snorkeling tour and visited other beaches along the western coastline.
Get the honest details of our 4-Island Koh Chang Snorkeling Trip!
#4 Railay Beach, Krabi
Although Railay Beach is technically on the mainland, it feels like a faraway tropical escape. Located on the southern tip of a peninsula in Krabi, dramatic cliffs isolate the location so that it is only accessible by boat. Behemoth monoliths rise from the sea, creating a landscape so striking that it takes your breath away.
The town is comprised of East Railay (where mangroves grow beside the long pier) and West Railay (which features a sandy beach and 2 upscale resorts). The limestone rocks are wrought with Thai caves that can be explored, including one that hosts a fertility shrine filled with carved phalluses.
Kayaking, rock climbing and diving are all popular Railay Beach activities during the day. Although relatively chilled out, there is a bit of nightlife in Railay – especially at the numerous Bob Marley-themed bars lining the East-West pedestrian walkway and East Railay coastline.
What We Did: Rather than just sinking into the sand, we explored a little in Railay Beach. Venturing up the cliffs, into caves and down hidden trails, we were often joined by monkeys along the way. We rented kayaks twice and discovered hidden Thai beaches while taking in the outstanding scenery!
Thailand Best Beaches Map
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our Best Beaches in Thailand Map below.
Top Travel Tips for Thailand
Hang with us a bit longer, because before you start planning your vacation, we have a few helpful tips to prepare you for Thailand!
When To Go to Thailand for Best Beach Weather
Determining when to plan your trip will depend on your budget and tolerance for weather. Thailand has three seasons: Wet Season, Dry Season and Hot Season. We tend to visit Thailand in the Wet Season – as that is just how it usually fits into our plans. While the weather is not ideal for soaking in the rays, we enjoy the lighter crowds and lower prices.
- Wet Season (Monsoon Season): Mid-May to Mid-October
- Dry Season (Cool Season): Mid-October to Mid-February
- Hot Season: Mid-February to Mid-May. April is the hottest month.
Water Clarity in Thailand for Snorkeling
Our top Thai beach picks are stunningly beautiful and incredibly relaxing…but they are not necessarily the best for snorkeling right from the shoreline. That said, there are ample snorkeling tours for each of our recommended beaches. The full day boating adventures whisk visitors to clear waters where they search for marine life on coral reefs under the sea.
Trash and Debris
While certainly not unique just to Thailand, the enormous amount of single-use plastic and lack of proper disposal will be noticeable on the shoreline.
The Wet Season seems to compound the problem, as run-off dumps even more trash on the beaches. With fewer visitors and many businesses closed, this slows the already lackadaisical approach to do anything about it. If you’re interested in assisting in the clean-up effort, become a Trash Hero!
Where To Stay on Thailand’s Best Beaches
The prime Thai beaches have an array of accommodation options to fit many different styles and price points. We usually search for mid-range options that include some amenities, like air con and Wi-Fi. Other key features we look for in Thailand beach hotels are proximity to the shore, a swimming pool and included breakfast.
Distance to Beach
Beachfront hotels are fantastic, as they put you mere steps from the shore. Unfortunately, they are often out of our price range. Instead, we seek more affordable accommodations near the coast.
We can easily cut our hotel costs in half by simply choosing a hotel that is across the street from the beach rather than right on it. However, before booking hotels off the beach, we always check how long the walk is to the sand – and which routes are open to the public (you can’t just cut through most resorts!).
Swimming Pool
As much as we love swimming in the sea, we also like splashing around the pool! Many mid-range Thai beach hotels offer pools – some even have rooms that open onto the pool for direct access.
Included Breakfast
Some people love eating out for breakfast…we are not those people. We find it to be much more relaxing to simply saunter down to the hotel restaurant where there is either a buffet already prepared or options for a simple made-to-order breakfast.
Searching for the Best Beach Hotels
Everyone likes to book great hotels at the best prices – and our Money-Saving Hotel Tips can help you do just that! Then, start your search for the perfect off-beach hotel or prime beach resorts in Thailand on Booking.com.
What You Need For a Thai Beach Vacation
Now you are nearly ready for your Thailand trip…you just have to pack! Use our FREE Packing Checklist – and make sure the essentials below are in your luggage!
Sunscreen & Insect Repellent
Pack plenty of sunscreen – you will need it! While available in Thailand beach towns, it is at a severe up charge. Mosquitoes in Thailand are fierce and scrappy – so sure to bring bug spray with you!
Sunglasses, Hat and Swimwear
Don’t forget your beach gear! I believe polarized sunglasses, a wide-brimmed travel hat and at least one swimsuit are necessities. Beach towels take up too much room in suitcases, so inquire if your hotel provides them. If not, bring a sarong or wrap that can double as a beach towel.
Top Tip: Water shoes are ideal for rocky beaches – but make sure to pack your favorite flip flops, too!
Camera, Dry Bag & Underwater Action Camera
These Thai beaches are beautiful, so remember to bring a proper camera to capture the memories for years to come. We recommend using an actual travel camera, rather than relying on your phone. For our photos, we shoot with a Canon Rebel, which takes excellent photos, comes with great accessories and is a super budget camera.
Remember to pack your GoPro – or less inexpensive Action Camera – for fantastic underwater videos. Whatever digital devices you will be carrying on your beach vacation, be sure to have a dry bag they can all fit into. We use reliable Sea To Summit cases to keep our electronics dry around water.
Thailand Travel Insurance
Trip insurance can protect against a wide range of unfortunate events – like lost luggage, delayed flights and injuries or illnesses abroad. Rates and suggested coverage for your holiday to Thailand can be found on World Nomads.
Trip Planner for Thailand
As you begin to make plans and reservations for your vacation, staying organized is key. Use our Travel Planning Printables to stay on top of all the details!
Start planning your trip to Thailand! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Thailand Travel Guides
Visiting more top places in Thailand? We’ve spent months exploring the country, and our honest advice and detailed articles can assist you in preparing for your trip!
- 2-Week Thailand Itinerary
- Best 4 Days in Bangkok
- Top Things To Do in Chiang Mai
- What To See in Chiang Rai
- Travel by Slow Boat on the Mekong River
Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board.
