Finding gorgeous beaches on Thailand’s many islands is easy. But finding the most idyllic, tranquil, and unspoiled beaches where you can wander alone and swim in crystal clear turquoise waters, is becoming more challenging. We searched many of Thailand’s islands to find beaches to satisfy even the most discerning intrepid beach lovers. These beaches have their good and bad times—so visit during the right season, and at the right time of the day, and you will be in paradise!
READ MORE: To read about all 7 regions of Thailand’s islands and the best beaches, start at “Latest (2022) Guide to Thailand’s Islands”
Table of Contents
1) Nui Beach Koh, Phi Phi Don
Nestled in a tiny cove at Nui Bay in the north-west of Koh Phi Phi Don, this small powder-soft beach is framed by tall limestone karsts and several impressive, rocky islands. The water is crystal clear and perfect for snorkelling from the beach and around the oddly-shaped Camel Rocks.
This beach is a secluded tropical paradise. It is a magical and spectacularly beautiful place where you can sit and relax for hours, and not be disturbed by another soul. Once you get here, it becomes almost impossible to leave. Hiking back through the jungle to Tonsai village, the bustling heart of Koh Phi Phi, is like returning from a dream
READ MORE ABOUT Nui Beach on Koh Phi Phi Don which lies in the Upper Central Andaman Coast region.
2) Mai Ngam Beach, Koh Surin
Mai Ngam Beach on remote Koh Surin Nuea is one of only two beaches in the idyllic Surin Archipelago where the Thai National Parks allow camping. This beach will easily lure you to rent or pitch your own tent right on the sand and stay for as long as you possibly can.
Snorkelling in this large bay of shallow emerald waters with its rich coral gardens is phenomenal. If that is not enough, take a boat to several other snorkelling spots in the area. Most other beaches here are protected turtle-breeding habitats.
READ MORE ABOUT Mai Ngam Beach on Koh Surin which lies in the Northern Andaman Coast region.
3) North-western Beach, Koh Wai
Koh Wai remains a little undiscovered paradise south of Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand. With only a few basic bungalows and no electricity other than resort generators, it attracts just a few island enthusiasts who know about this secret island.
Its north-facing shore is alternated by rocks and palm-fringed white sand beaches with crystal clear turquoise waters. For the island’s best beach, head to the far north-western tip of the island. Here, tiny pieces of broken coral and coarse sand ensure that the water is free of sediment.
4) Sandbank Beach, Koh Nang Yuan
While Koh Tao’s tiny satellite island, Koh Nang Yuan, is no longer the undiscovered and undeveloped gem it was 30 years ago, the brilliant white beaches on both sides of its sandbar lie along clear aquamarine waters. Combine the beaches and water with the picturesque rock setting and it creates the perfect postcard scene.
For a change from enjoying the beach and its enticing tropical waters, take the short but exhilarating hike on a tiny footpath up to the top of the big boulders for stunning panoramic views over the island.
READ MORE ABOUT Sandbank Beach on Koh Nang Yuan which lies in the Central Gulf of Thailand region.
5) Sabai Beach, Koh Mook
Koh Mook offers the ideal mix of tourist facilities, local villages and immaculate natural attractions. The island has great hiking trails which lead to hidden coves with spectacular beaches such as Sabai Beach. While a long-tail boat can easily reach this beach, it is a challenging and much-rewarded adventure to arrive via the lush jungle trail while warding off the bugs.
Flanked by impressive limestone cliffs, this is one of the most scenic beach locations in the region. The sand is slightly coarse and the water is brilliantly clear.
READ MORE ABOUT Sabai Beach on Koh Mook which lies in the Lower Central Andaman Coast region.
6) Golden Buddha Beach, Koh Phra Thong
The savannah-like Koh Phra Thong remains an unfamiliar island to locals and foreigners alike. With limited roads and leisure industry infrastructure, it is the perfect retreat for island enthusiasts who appreciate natural attractions untouched by development and mass tourism.
While the water is not the clearest in the region, the only interruption to your solitude on the 10-kilometre-long (6.2 mi) tranquil and peaceful beach is the curiosity of the fast-running large yellow ghost crabs.
READ MORE ABOUT Golden Buddha Beach on Koh Phra Thong which lies in the Northern Andaman Coast region.
7) School Beach, Koh Bulon Leh
Off-the-radar to most travellers, tiny Koh Bulon Leh is home to a small community of Moken people, and one of the region’s most beautiful beaches.
While the brilliant white sand island with aquamarine water is not very long, its palm tree-lined beach makes it postcard beautiful. Stay at one of the two humble resorts along the beach for a surreal tropical island experience. A school located along the beach must be one of the most scenic classrooms on earth in which to learn your ABC’s.
READ MORE ABOUT School Beach on Koh Bulon Leh which lies in the Southern Andaman Coast region.
8) West Coast Beaches, Koh Adang
Koh Adang, the second biggest island within the Tarutao Archipelago, is one of the largest unspoiled and untouched islands in Thailand. With only one resort and a few tents offered by the National Parks, the island remains pristine.
Adang offers several beaches along its west coast with clear water and an abundance of offshore coral reefs. There are no roads on the island so the only way to reach its beaches is to charter a long-tail boat either from the island’s resort in the south, or from nearby Koh Lipe.
READ MORE ABOUT the West Coast Beaches on Koh Adang which lies in the Southern Andaman Coast region.
9) Tung Yaka Beach, Koh Libong
While Koh Libong is one of the most ideal places to experience the lives of the fishing communities, the island also offers great beaches. Tourism remains a minuscule contributor to the local economy, so even the most beautiful beaches remain free of resorts and noisy tourists.
Known for its small population of rare dugongs, beach rock formations, and spectacular caves, the broad expanse of golden Tung Yaka Beach fringed by palm trees is as close to complete serenity as you can get.
READ MORE ABOUT Tung Yaka Beach on Koh Libong which lies in the Lower Central Andaman Coast region.
10) Loh Moo Dee Beach, Koh Phi Phi Don
Koh Phi Phi Don is known for its many beautiful beaches, hence its popularity. Fortunately, it is not that difficult to escape to the lesser-visited beaches.
Located at the southeastern tip of Koh Phi Phi Don lies Loh Moo Dee Beach. This long, wide beach is fringed by palm trees and lapped by warm, clear emerald waters. The beach has no accommodation, but a rustic restaurant with a bar located near the centre of the beach provides cold fresh coconuts, beer, and Thai snacks. The only crowds here are the monkeys.
Links to all island regions of Thailand
Overview and map of Thailand’s Islands
Region 1: Southern Andaman (Koh Lipe area)
Region 2: Lower Central Andaman (Koh Mook area)
Region 3: Upper Central Andaman (Koh Lanta area)
Region 4: Northern Andaman (Koh Phayam area)
Region 5: Central Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui area)
Region 6: Eastern Gulf of Thailand (Koh Chang area)
Region 7: Northern Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samet area)
The 10 Best Beaches on Thailand’s Islands – YOU ARE HERE
Further reading:
- CNN Traveler: The 11 best islands in Thailand
- Top 10 Best Thai Islands that need to be on your bucket list
Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.