In Thailand, a long-tail boat is your getaway to a picturesque beach. Once there, activities such as walking among palm trees, climbing rocks above the coast, and snorkeling among rainbow-colored coral reefs are filled with activities in the hours leading up to sunset – an activity in itself. Between November and March, the weather on both sides of the river is dry and warm, and crowds can be avoided if you know to go.
With more than 1,400 islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, it's hard for beach-headers to choose just one destination. It's almost impossible to go wrong, but here are some of Thailand's best sandy beaches to relax in the sun, climb to new heights, or dive headfirst into adventure.
Phra Nang Beach has a vista worth flying over the world. Here, on the Railay Peninsula, two huge limestone cliffs rise on either side of the sandy beach, overlooking the Andaman Sea. Staring at them is enough, but Panang has plenty of other things to do: rent a sea kayak to explore the Princess Cave and its offerings to the ancient goddess of fertility;Snorkel around colorful coral reefs;Walk to nearby Koh Rang Nok and Nai islands at low tide;Rock climbing on the cliffs;Or enjoy lunch from one of the "floating kitchens" on the shore – kebabs, pad thai, burgers, barbecue, fruit drinks, and more. Those who are more adventurous can also take the difficult trek to the Riley viewpoint to admire the winds of the peninsula.
To get to Phra Nang, take a 20-minute long-tail boat ride (just over US$3) from Ao Nang or a 15-minute walk from nearby Railay Beach.
Koh Lipe is the southernmost island in Thailand and has three main beaches: Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach, and Sunset Beach. While Pattaya is the longest and most popular, it's also known for its raucous parties and late nights, so skip it and opt for two smaller beaches that offer more solitude and a deeper connection to the Lipe landscape.
The east-facing Sunrise Beach is sheltered by a shallow bay. Snorkel to the coral reef and Koh Kra islet, or just catch the sun in the morning. A 20-minute walk west will take you to Sunset Beach, the smallest coast of Koh Lipe. The hippie vibe here extends to hammocks, bungalows, and locals. Snorkel from the beach at high tide (bring water shoes;A little rocky on the shore), sip a Sinha beer at the outdoor restaurant, or climb the boulder at sunset and take a front-row seat.
Koh Tao, also known as Turtle Island, is home to some of the best snorkeling and diving in Thailand. The surrounding waters are home to about a quarter of the world's tropical fish. Mae Haad Pier is packed with outdoor shops with access to the island's top dive sites.
Sai Nuan Beach is just a short hiking trail from the pier and is undeveloped, with some bungalows and hammocks hidden in the trees. There's more underwater activity here – you might see turtles and parrotfish not far from the coast.
In contrast, Sai Nuan's sister beach, Sairee, is bustling opposite Mae Haad. Lantern beach bars, restaurants handing out drink kegs, and fire dancers light up this long, popular stretch of sand as night falls. During the day, you can rent scuba gear and enjoy a different beach life underwater, thus avoiding the crowds.
Despite Koh Phangan's size and fame – perhaps you've heard of the full moon party at Harlem Beach – it's still only accessible by ferry from the mainland or Koh Samui. On the sand, Bottle Beach is the hardest to get to, but well worth a visit.
Hire a taxi from Chaloklum or trek for two hours inside the island's jagged rocks to reach this pristine piece of nature. Either way you come, you'll get clean white sand beaches, azure water, and plenty of nodding palm trees in return for shade. Also picturesque is the Bottle Beach Lookout, which can be reached via a path behind a row of restaurants at the eastern end of the beach. The hike takes 30 minutes and ends with a view of the water and all the views of Koh Phangan.
Lamai Beach is a great place for families looking for clean sand, calm water, and easy access to amenities. As the second largest resort area on the island, it's still lively, but it's quieter and more affordable than its sister beach, Chaweng Beach. The farther south you go, the livelier the scene becomes, and the deeper the water gets (on the famous Grandma and Grandpa Rock on the beach, things get pretty crazy), but more than two miles of sand is sugar-grade throughout.
With high-end accommodation, water sports gear, and exciting dining options, Lamai makes a strong case to never leave. In between activities (and massages), you can enjoy a drink or snack at a selection of restaurants such as Baobab, Kon-Tiki or No Stress, and enjoy the view from a beach chair with an umbrella, towel or even Wi-Fi. Markets abound, and Sunday nights are the perfect place to sample local delicacies like caramel-flavored coconut-flavoured kalamae (a candy stick).
The otherworldly Maya Bay is flanked by towering limestone cliffs with white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and abundant marine life. Unfortunately, the beach has been closed to tourists since 2018, when overtourism led to the need for coral restoration. Local** will reconsider these restrictions in June 2021 in hopes of establishing a ticketing system that may limit beach visitors to 1,200 per day (a fraction of the 5,000 previously available).
While the beach is still surrounded by ropes, you can still take a boat trip around the coast to take photos, minus the oversized boats and flashy tourists that used to crowd the sand.
2.Instead of palm trees, the 5-mile-long beach is lined with pine trees that hide bungalows, bars, restaurants, guesthouses, and resorts. Here, visitors can find themselves a stretch of golden sand and then meet new people for a drink or one of Koh Lanta's iconic sunsets, combining the tranquil experience of an empty coast with the hustle and bustle of a resort town.
Long Beach is a 10-minute drive from Saladan Village and less than an hour from the caves and waterfalls of Mo Koh Lanta National Park, making it easy to combine a beach day with other types of exploration.