Thailand Beaches: Which Thai Beach is Best for Your Trip?

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.

Our site utilizes Affiliate Links. If you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy.

There are Thai party beaches, luxury resort spots, 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 access, value and the overall vibe.

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.

#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. 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 wicker mats offer oceanfront seating while Bob Marley tunes drift through the breeze.

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!

The best thing to do on Klong Khong is to soak in the relaxed vibe and watch the tide roll in and out. During our stay, we also visited the more developed Long Beach/Phra Ae Beach and took an amazing Four Island Snorkeling Tour.

Read more in our Koh Lanta 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 scene 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 and surf boards are all available for rent. A truly blissful way to experience the surroundings is with an on-beach Traditional Thai Massage.

Restaurants sit at the top of the sand and line the street that runs parallel to the shore. A few clubs on the north end of the beach provide a bit of nightlife, otherwise it’s relatively chill in the evening.

Kamala Beach is one of those places where you can really just kick back and relax – which is exactly what we did during our month long housesit.

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 relished the amazing Kamala Beach sunsets!

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 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.

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 is technically a mainland Thailand beach, it feels like a faraway tropical escape. Located on the southern tip of a peninsula in Krabi, dramatic cliffs make Railay only accessible by boat.

Behemoth monoliths rise from the sea, creating a landscape so striking that it takes your breath away. The limestone rocks are wrought with caves, including one that hosts a fertility shrine filled with carved phalluses!

The town itself is comprised of East Railay (where mangroves grow beside the long pier) and West Railay (which features a sandy beach and 2 upscale resorts).

Kayaking, rock climbing and diving are all popular Railay Beach daytime activities. Although relatively chilled out, there is a bit of nightlife – especially at the numerous reggae-themed bars lining the East-West pedestrian walkway.

Rather than just sinking into the sand, we explored a little during out stay. Venturing up cliffs, into caves and down hidden trails, we were often joined by monkeys along the way.

We also 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 Beaches

Hang with us a bit longer, because before you start planning your vacation, we have some insight to help 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 (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.

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.

Tours 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. These boating adventures whisk you away to clear waters to search for marine life on coral reefs under the sea.

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 search for mid-range options that include some amenities, like air con and Wi-Fi.

Other key features we look for in a Thailand beach hotel is 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 property that is across the street from the beach rather than right on it.

However, before booking hotels off the beach in Thailand, 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 Thailand beach hotels offer pools – some even have rooms that open onto the water 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 a prepared buffet or a simple made-to-order breakfast.

Finding the Best Thai Beach Hotels

Everyone likes to book great hotels at the best prices – and our Money-Saving Tips can help you do just that! Here’s where we stayed on the beach in Thailand (except Phuket where we were house sitting).

Looing for something else? Start searching for your perfect off-beach hotel or prime beach resorts in Thailand on B ooking.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, as well.

Sunglasses, Hat and Swimwear

Don’t forget your beach gear! I believe polarized sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and of course a 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. On our travels, we shoot with a Canon Rebel and a 18/135mm lens. This setup takes superb photos, comes with great accessories and is an excellent value for photographers.

Remember your GoPro – or less inexpensive Action Camera – for fantastic underwater videos. Whatever devices you will be carrying, be sure to have a dry bag. We use Sea To Summit cases to keep our electronics safe around water.

Thailand Travel Insurance

Trip insurance may reimburse you for a wide range of unfortunate events – like lost luggage, delayed flights and injuries or illnesses abroad. Rates and 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 track 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? Super! We’ve spent months exploring the country, and our experience can assist you in preparing for your trip to SE Asia.

Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board.