10 Best Beaches in Thailand for Snorkelling Seclusion
Thailand is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the entire world, if you know where to find them. I’ve been living in Thailand for the last 6 years, and in that time I visited many of the country’s top beaches. The best ones might be a little surprising.
Koh Lipe Sunset Beach for Coral Reefs and Sunsets
The island of Koh Lipe is located at the southern tip of Thailand, right next to the border with Malaysia, and it’s home to some of the most stunning coral reefs in the entire country. Seriously, you can just step out of your hotel onto the beach and immediately be surrounded by coral reefs and tropical fish, so this is one of the best snorkelling spots in Thailand.
Whereas the rest of the island is quite built up and has more bars, restaurants, and hotels on it, this beach has a much more natural feel to it and can only be accessed after a short hike down the hill. But this beach is most famous for its stunning sunsets, as you watch the sun fall behind the beautiful Koh Kang island in the distance. The Thais like to keep things simple, so this is conveniently named Sunset Beach on Koh Lipe, and in my opinion, it’s the best spot on the island.
Koh Phi Phi Long Beach for Snorkelling and Quiet Stays
Koh Phi Phi is home to some of the most iconic beaches in the country, but which is the best beach on the island? The most famous beach by far is the iconic Maya Bay. I mean, it’s where they filmed The Beach, so it must have something going for it, but whilst it is stunning, you really have to get there early to beat the crowds.
Another candidate is Loh Dalum Beach. This is where most people on the island stay, and it’s famous for its all-night beach parties and stunning crescent-shaped bay. So I like to stay a little further away from the action, near a spot that is one of the best snorkelling spots in the country, where you can swim with starfish, clownfish, moray eels, and even blacktip reef sharks.
This beach has a much more natural vibe to it and some stunning beach bungalows. It’s called Long Beach, and the snorkelling spot is known as Shark Point.
Koh Kood Beaches for an Off the Beaten Path Escape
The next beach is one of Thailand’s hidden paradises. Some people complain that Thailand’s beaches get too packed with tourists, but there is one island that is still very much off the beaten path. Koh Kood is part of the Trat Islands, which are tucked away right at the border with Cambodia. It’s small, it’s quiet, and it’s home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Ao Suan Yai.
This beach is a long stretch of white powdery sand lined with coconut palms and clear blue waters, and if you feel adventurous, you can even kayak over to Koh Mai Si, a tiny island off the coast. But honestly, just lying in a hammock with a coconut in hand, listening to the waves rolling, that’s the real Ao Suan Yai experience.
Unlike its more famous neighbours, Koh Chang and Koh Mak, Koh Kood has managed to stay off the radar. No wild parties, no big resorts, just chill island vibes. You’ll find a few boutique resorts along the beachfront, some cosy beachside restaurants, and a wooden pier that stretches out into the shallow turquoise waters. This is the perfect beach to unwind on.
Kata Beach Phuket for Surfing and Family Stays
Alright, so let’s talk about Phuket. Phuket is Thailand’s biggest island, and it’s packed with beaches, but which is the best beach on the island? By far the most popular place to stay is Patong Beach. This is the centre of the island’s nightlife, with Bangla Road being one of the busiest bar streets in the whole country.
This whole area is rammed with things to do, but I don’t really know if it’s the best option. Personally, I like to visit it for a night out, but I think there are a few nicer options. Other great beaches to stay on are Kamala Beach, which has a focus on high-end resorts and fine dining, and Karon Beach, which is one of the longest stretches of beach with a more laid-back atmosphere and plenty of beachfront restaurants.
But if you’re visiting the island for the first time, there is one beach that is the ultimate all-rounder. It’s got everything: one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, excellent hotels, and great bars where you can have a good night out without the red-light district. If you’re into surfing, this is one of the best places in Thailand to catch some waves, especially between May and October, and there are a number of surf schools for beginners at the southern end of the beach.
But even if you’re not surfing, this beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, or just kicking back at one of the beachfront restaurants. One of my favourite bars in the whole country is Scar Bar, and it has a great place to knock back a few beers and watch people fall off their surfboards. This is Kata Beach, and I think it’s the safest choice for places to stay on the island.
Phuket is a touristy island, so it’s not exactly off the beaten path, but it’s a great spot for families and a more laid-back vibe than Patong. Plus, it’s home to some very nice resorts, including Beyond The Boat House, The Shore, and Katathani. It also has one of the best views of the island’s iconic Big Buddha statue.
Haad Yao Koh Phangan for Wellness and Relaxed Beach Days
One of the wildest nights out you could ever have in Thailand has to be the Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan. Once a month, the southern beach of Haad Rin fills with visitors who have descended onto the beach to cover their bodies in neon paint, neck a bucket of rum, and try not to pass out on the beach.
Like I said earlier, this isn’t really my vibe anymore, so luckily there are plenty of other places to stay on Koh Phangan, and it’s home to some absolutely stunning beaches. A part of the island that I really enjoy is the northwestern side of the island. It’s got much more laid-back vibes and, most importantly, beautiful beaches.
Haad Yao, also known as Long Beach on Koh Phangan, is a 1 km stretch of golden, perfect sand lined with coconut trees and small boutique resorts and beachfront bungalows, as well as a few laid-back beach bars. This beach is a bit of a wellness hub, with lots of opportunities for yoga and meditation nearby. Despite not being as famous as the Full Moon Parties on Haad Rin, this beach has a lot going for it.
Koh Kood Secluded Beach for Clear Water and Snorkelling
The next beach is not particularly famous and is one of the most stunning beaches that I’ve ever stumbled across. I was exploring the island of Koh Kood on a scooter when I decided to do a bit of off-roading. I got a bit lost down a winding sandy jungle road that eventually spat me out at one of the most stunning and secluded beaches I’ve ever seen.
What jumped out at me most was just how untouched this beach was. There were a few beach bungalows by the beach, but not much else. It didn’t even seem like there were any footprints in the sand from people walking along the beach, and since Koh Kood isn’t as developed as places like Koh Samui or Phuket, you’ll find this stretch of sand completely empty and perfect if you’re looking for a private tropical escape.
The water here is ridiculously clear, too, and since the beach is protected by the coral reef, it’s great for snorkelling.
White Sand Beach Koh Chang for Easy Island Access
Koh Chang is Thailand’s second-largest island, and it’s home to a beach that strikes the perfect balance between convenience and island charm. It’s the most popular stretch of sand on the island, but thanks to its size, it never feels overcrowded.
Again, these Trat Islands are famous for their beachfront bungalows, and that’s what you can find along here, but there’s also a mix of relaxed bars. What sets this beach apart is how easy it is to reach, just a short drive from the ferry pier, giving you tropical scenery without the hassle of long boat rides or remote jungle hikes.
While there’s a lively atmosphere, it’s not overwhelming. Expect to see a few great fire shows here along the beach. It also has easy access to some of the island’s waterfalls. That’s why White Sand Beach is the best beach on Koh Chang.
Koh Larn Tubtim Beach for Local Food and Relaxed Days
What if you only have a short amount of time in the country and don’t have time to take internal flights to Krabi, Phuket, or Koh Samui? The closest beach town to Bangkok is Hua Hin, which is an interesting place to say the least, although in my opinion, it isn’t quite one of the stunning tropical beaches that you usually associate with Thailand.
But if you travel just a little further, there is a tropical island paradise that many tourists have never heard of called Koh Larn. What I like most about Koh Larn is how local it feels. This island is mostly geared towards Thai tourism, as it is a place for Bangkok locals to escape to on the weekend, meaning the Thai food here is some of the best on any island I’ve ever been to.
The main beach on the island is Samae Beach, and you’ll find this beach lined with delicious seafood restaurants. But personally, I like to head a little further south. Looking at the map, this beach doesn’t actually even really have a name, but I’m going to call it Tubtim Beach because there’s a resort named Tubtim nearby.
This beach has a much more laid-back vibe and has a few chill beach bars on it, but my absolute favourite thing about this beach is the vendors who carry grilled chicken upon their shoulders and serve one of my favourite Thai dishes, grilled chicken and papaya salad.
Railay Beach Krabi for Limestone Cliffs and Hidden Coves
Krabi is known for having some of the most iconic beaches in the country. This part of Thailand is famous for its towering limestone cliffs that jut out of the water, giving us some of the most stunning views in the country.
By far the most famous beach in Krabi is Railay Beach, which is punctuated at either end with massive cliff faces. But what I like most about Railay is that it’s so much more than just a beach. If you venture a bit further back, there’s a collection of chill beach bars on the Walking Street, but there’s also a collection of hiking routes and caves to explore, as well as a number of other hidden beaches in Railay East and Phra Nang Beach.
Koh Poda Beach for Postcard Views and Snorkelling
But if you’re truly looking for the best beach in Krabi, you have to venture a little further. This island has some of the most stunning blue waters in the country, but to get there you’ll need to hop on a longtail boat and take a short ride from Ao Nang.
The destination is Koh Poda Beach, one of the most breathtaking beaches in all of Krabi. The moment you step onto the beach, you’re greeted with one of the most iconic views in Thailand, a massive limestone karst jutting dramatically out of the sea. And the best part about this beach is that since it’s only accessible by boat, it doesn’t usually get too crowded, especially if you get there early.
You can spend the day snorkelling on the shallow reefs, spotting colourful fish, or just relaxing on the sand and admiring the mountain in the ocean. If you get there early, you might even have the entire beach all to yourself. Even later in the day, it still feels more peaceful, so if you’re looking for the ultimate postcard-perfect beach experience in Krabi, Koh Poda is where you’ll find it. This island can be visited as part of the Four Islands Tour.
Sairee Beach Koh Tao for Diving and Nightlife
Koh Tao is the ultimate island for divers, and Sairee Beach is the beating heart of the island, stretching 2 kilometres along the island’s west coast. This is the longest and liveliest beach on Koh Tao, offering everything from chill beach days to wild pub crawls.
This is where most of the dive schools on the island are located, so it’s a great place to meet other people undertaking scuba diving courses. From here, you can head out in the hopes of spotting whale sharks and other stunning tropical fish.
But at night, the divers want to cut loose, and the beachfront bars light up with fire shows, live music, and cocktails. It’s home to one of the most famous bar crawls in Thailand.
Nang Yuan Islands Three Island Sandbar Viewpoint
But if you think Sairee Beach is impressive, just wait till you see the actual best beach on the island. A short boat ride away from Sairee Beach takes you to one of the most unique natural formations in Thailand, the Nang Yuan Islands.
This tiny cluster of three islands is unlike anything else you’ll see, because if you visit during the right time of day, these three islands are connected by a unique structure known as the three-prong white sandbar that connects them. Once the tides are low, this pathway is visible and can be seen in the crystal-clear water above.
Depending on the tide, this white sand pathway appears and disappears beneath the crystal-clear water, and for the best views of it, you need to hike up to the viewpoint above.
