White sand, crystal water, remote islands, breathtaking landscape, fresh seafood, luxurious accommodation ? Thailand is rightfully famous for its beaches. Among the hundreds of beach destinations, we chose three for you: Phuket, Koh Samui, and Krabi.
Phuket is one of the most popular ones; it combines quiet beaches like Khao Lak with a vibrant night life. In the Gulf of Thailand, instead, you will find Koh Samui, famous for its secluded beaches, Thong Son and Choeng Mon. Krabi is characterized by many, many different activities: kayaking, rock climbing, snorkeling, paddling, scuba diving, etc.
Highlights
- Enjoy the pristine waters and the tropical climate of the best beaches in Thailand.
- Relax on quiet beaches like Khao Lak and Meanam.
- Have fun scuba diving, snorkeling, rock climbing, or kayaking .
- Stay at one of the many luxury resorts with their own private beach.
- Everyone will be satisfied, with such a great variety of beach destinations .
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Main Beach Destinations in Thailand
Each beach destination is unique in its own way, but any of them is a destination you don't want to miss.
In Phuket, Khao Lak and Bangtao are two excellent places. The first is quiet and ideal to relax; the second, with its many fun activities, is extremely appropriate for families with kids. Phuket is also the starting point for many day trips to the beautiful Phang Nga Bay.
Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand. Even though it is becoming more and more popular, it doesn't get as crowded as Phuket, and its beaches, especially Meanam, are perfect for families with kids or for young couples looking for a romantic escape. If you like to enjoy a beach by yourself, head to the secluded Thong Son and Choeng Mon.
Of the three, Krabi is the one offering the widest range of activities. Snorkeling, kayaking, rock climbing, are only some of the things you can do to enjoy this wonderful spot. From Krabi, it is also really easy to reach the Hong Islands and get a different view of the stunning Andaman Sea.
Phuket
Maybe the most popular beach destination in Thailand, Phuket, has everything you might expect from a tropical paradise: White sand, palm trees, and pristine waters. Boutique spas and resorts have seen a huge growth. At night, you can find activities like cabaret, shows for the whole families, and markets for shopping.
Top Beaches
Of the many beaches in Phuket, Khao Lak is the quietest one, perfect if you want to relax during your honeymoon. Bangtao is a long stretch of sand, and you will find the famous Laguna Phuket there, with some of the most luxurious resorts of the area. Finally, Kata Beach is beautifully surrounded by palm trees, and surfers love its clear waters.
Activities
Every beach offers a lot. Khao Lak, as said, is perfect for relaxing, and for having a nice swim. However, there is not much else to do on this beach, not even too many restaurants or bars to choose from; so it is recommended to bring food and drinks.
In Bangtao, you can ride a horse on the sand, play golf, mini-golf, or have fun wakeboarding. Kata Beach is where outdoor activity enthusiasts can have their time: scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaks, and many more. No doubt you will find what you are looking for.
If you are in Phuket, on the main island, there are tons of activities to choose from. You can have a leisurely day trip on a cruise in Phang Nga Bay, enjoying crystal waters and fresh seafood. Or you can trek to visit the Big Buddha, a 45-meters tall statue made of white Burmese marble.
Travelling Essentials
As said, the weather is always nice. Sometimes it can get cool and rainy, but it is never too cold. Like for the rest of Thailand, the high tourist season lasts from November to February, with cool and dry weather. Temperatures get pretty high after that until May, and then the rainy season will start, ending around October.
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Koh Samui
Koh Samui has become more and more popular among tourists, mostly because of its wide variety of beaches: from Meanam, perfect for families and couples, to Choeng Mon, an isolated beach where you will find some peace. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand, and it has white sands and amazing coral reefs. Beside the beaches, you can visit the gorgeous rainforest or the famous Big Buddha.
Top Beaches
On the north coast, you will find Meanam, a 5-km long beach. It is a top destination for families and honeymooners, with its quiet long stretch of sand and nice sunsets. Bophut, on the other side, is the starting point for many diving activities, and its beach is close to a water park (perfect for your children).
The two most secluded beaches are Thong Son and Choeng Mon. They are the ideal place if you want to enjoy a beach for yourself and spend some quality time with your loved ones. You can also rent a car and explore the rest of the island at your own pace.
Activities
When in Meanam, you can easily visit the nearby rainforest or play golf. The walking street is perfect for a night stroll. Bophut, more lively, gives you the chance for some excellent scuba diving and a visit to the Big Buddha Temple or to the Fishermen's Village.
As said, Thong Son and Choeng Mon are quiet and secluded, and there is not much to do. If you want, you can rent an electric bicycle in the evening and head to the more crowded places.
Travel Essentials
The beaches above can be visited all year round. All of them see nice weather especially from November to April, with high temperatures in May. In Bophut, the best time for scuba diving is between June and August, and the Big Buddha is particularly fascinating during the festivals. >>How to Get to Koh Samui from Phuket?
Krabi
Krabi is another extremely popular beach in Thailand. Its most peculiar feature are the limestone cliffs along the water, the beaches with white sand, the small coves, and the offshore islands. The varied area includes also highlands, plains, mangrove forests, and more than one hundred islands.
Top Beaches
For the best views of the Andaman Sea, head to Klong Muang, north of Ao Nang. From there, you can also easily go to the Ko Hong Islands and visit the incredible marine park. Klong Muang is the place for a luxury retreat away from the ubiquitous crowds. The hotels are on the shore, and they all have private beaches reserved for their guests.
Koh Lanta is an island with many beaches to choose from, and some of them are considered among the best of the country. All the beaches are laid-back, ideal for families. Kids can have fun playing on the beach, while the parents can relax with the many restaurants and shops.
Railay Beach, finally, has four beaches, limestone cliffs (with a lagoon hidden between them), and a deep jungle.
Activities
The most popular activities in Klong Muang are scuba diving, snorkeling, and paddling. Even just resting on the beach can make your day perfect.
Koh Lanta is perfect for relaxing. There is a National Park with rainforest and wild monkeys that you can visit. The lighthouse of the National Park offers the perfect spot to snap some pictures. Railay Beach, instead, is the place to go if you like rock climbing or exploring the coast with a kayak.
Travel Essentials
Krabi is located more than 800 kilometers south of Bangkok. The best time to visit is during the cold season, with temperatures around 28℃. The hottest months are April and May, where temperature can go above 35℃. During the rainy season, from May to October, the chances of rainfall are pretty high. >>How to Get to Krabi from Phuket?
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