The Best Beaches in Thailand for Backpackers, Luxury Travelers, and Everyone in Between
In a country known for the best beaches in the world, these slices of heaven in Thailand stand out from the pack.

The best beaches in Thailand? All of them. I'm only slightly kidding. Whether you're facing the gorgeous deep blue of the Andaman Sea or the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand, you'll rarely go wrong with a beach vacation in Thailand. But the kingdom offers so much variety in its sun-and-sand sanctuaries: from the tropical jungles of Koh Samui, to the dramatic karst and limestone landscapes of Krabi, to the party-playground of popular Phuket, there's something for everyone in Thailand's beach circuit. It's just a matter of matching a traveler to a shore that suits them.
Here are some of Thailand’s best beaches—some quiet retreats from the world, others bustling with cosmopolitan action; many are accessible to a first-time traveler to Thailand. One of the best things about the beautiful beaches of Thailand is that there are several lodging options in even the tiniest coastal towns, from backpacker-y hostels to ultra-luxe resorts. Wherever you go in Thailand, you're sure to find accommodation that matches your needs, but to help you out, each beach below comes with a Traveler recommendation for where you can rest your head after a long day in the sun.
The only challenge will be whittling down your itinerary to just a couple.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Patong Beach, Phuket
What makes it great: Located on the west coast of Phuket, Patong is perhaps the best known of the resort towns on Thailand’s beloved island of many beaches. This is a backpacker’s haven, with plenty of lodging options, gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea, and more than enough food outposts to feed a community twice its size—and it probably does, tenfold, given how much this place swells with tourists throughout the year. Patong Beach isn’t exactly for those looking to get away from it all (though you’ll find your moments of respite, for sure). If you’re looking for shopping and nightlife, though, look no further: Just steps away from the water, the famous—or infamous, to some—Bangla Road right in town will have you covered once the sun sets.
Nearest airport: Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Where to stay: Rosewood Phuket (six minutes away by car). Rosewood's first wellness resort in Thailand offers indulgently posh digs just steps away from the action.
Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui
What makes it great: If you’re the kind of person who needs to go from plane to beach as soon as you land, fly into Samui International Airport, take a 10-minute cab ride, and relish in the beauty of Chaweng Beach. It’s one of the longest stretches of sand on the island of Koh Samui, and one of the most well developed: There are more than enough restaurants, bars, and accommodations steps away from the water to satisfy every type of traveler. At Chaweng Beach, you’ve got all the conveniences of town at your fingertips, but total seclusion? Not exactly.
Nearest airport: Samui International Airport (USM)
Where to stay: Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui (10 minutes away by car). There are a number of well-equipped resorts clustered at the most southern point of Chaweng Beach, but Vana Belle is one of the most sophisticated and beautiful, according to Traveler readers: It ranked second in this year’s Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
Kata Noi Beach, Phuket
What makes it great: If you’ve heard of Kata Beach, you likely know it for its international surf scene; it’s where Phuket’s annual surfing competition is held and the scene is decidedly cosmopolitan—listen closely and you’ll hear tourists speaking countless languages. If you’re looking for something quieter, walk the leisurely mile south to Kata Noi Beach. You’ll still get some surfers, but you’ll find more room to frolic without running into someone’s board (or having one run into you). Be sure to visit nearby Karon View Point, where you can take in the glimmering sea, the island’s lush greenery, and all the bustling towns along the coast.
Nearest airport: Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Where to stay: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort (three minutes away by foot). Not only does this resort have six swimming pools of its own, but it also has direct access to much of Kata Noi Beach, should you ever grow weary of the chlorine. Book an oceanfront suite if you want to cannonball out of bed and directly into the Andaman Sea every morning.
Lamai Beach, Koh Samui
What makes it great: Think of Lamai Beach as the chiller, more relaxed counterpart to party-happy Chaweng. They’re just 20 minutes apart by car, so you don’t have to choose just one or the other. Come to Lamai for a moment of quiet by the beach and visit the tiny but terrific Lamai Night Market. As you stroll along the sand, keep an eye out for box jellyfish in the waters (they're most active in the wet season from October to December). Luckily the views from dry land are just as worthwhile.
Nearest airport: Samui International Airport (USM)
Where to stay: Banyan Tree Samui (eight minutes away by car). Another favorite of Traveler readers, this glamorous Banyan Tree outpost features 88 villas, each equipped with a pool, which dramatically ascend the hillsides on stilts, clinging to the slopes. When the chauffeur driving your golf cart tells you to hold on tight, you better listen.
Surin Beach, Phuket
What makes it great: If you’ve ever seen a tourism ad for Thailand and its fabulous beaches, then you’ve probably seen Surin Beach. It offers the platonic ideal of what a white-sand turquoise-water vista should look like, and—as it’s on the west side of Phuket—unforgettable sunsets as your beach day draws to a close. Come here if you have high expectations for your seaside holiday and plenty of storage on your phone for the many pictures you’ll take. Of course, no small number of tourists make a beeline for this place, so don’t expect to have it all to yourself.
Nearest airport: Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Where to stay: Amanpuri (seven minutes away by car). This is the ne plus ultra of the Aman hotel name: secluded property, white-gloved service, lush and luxe and utterly delicious. Treat yourself to a night or two, if you can. There’s also The Surin, Phuket down the way, and both have exclusive access to Pansea Beach, a part of Surin Beach reserved solely for both hotels’ guests.
Railay Beach, Krabi
What makes it great: Railay is the name of this small peninsula in the Thai province of Krabi and high limestone cliffs cut it off from the rest of the mainland—at least by road. You can, however, hop on a boat departing from the nearby beaches of Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao to get to Railay Beach, where those cliffs—and the karst formations piercing the water like giant spearheads—add an awe-inspiring backdrop to your chill beach vacation. Rock climbers can scale the rock faces, while the more heights-phobic can stick to the waters at the beach or hike to a secret lagoon.
Nearest airport: Krabi International Airport (KBV)
Where to stay: Rayavadee (10 minutes away by foot). If the serene surroundings of Railay aren’t enough for you, then the extensive spa menu of this five-star all-villas-and-pavilions resort will certainly get help you unwind.
Bang Tao Beach, Phuket
What makes it great: This 5-mile strip of heaven along the Andaman Sea is also known as Laguna Beach, named after the lagoons in the area. From November to April, there are plenty of beach activities at travelers’ disposal, from paragliding to jetsking to all sorts of surfing—wind, kite, and, well, the standard kind. You can even go for a horseback ride along the water. Just be mindful of the red flags along the beach; if you see them that day, usually some time in the season between May and October, authorities have deemed the water too dangerous for swimming.
Nearest airport: Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Where to stay: Banyan Tree Veya Phuket (four minutes away by car). If you’re in the mood for a bit of seclusion in busy Phuket, check into this resort, designed as a Thai village and built on rehabilitated wasteland. Snag one of the 24 two-bedroom pool villas that come with private infinity pools along the lagoon, plus 24-hour butler and in-villa chef services.
Choengmon Beach, Koh Samui
What makes it great: At roughly a kilometer (that’s about 0.6 miles), Choengmon is small but treasured. It welcomes visitors of all kinds, from families and couples to friend groups and solo travelers, and invites everyone to dip into the warm sea. The waters are calmer than most, so the soundscape is more “lapping at the shore” than “rolling waves.” Bring a book and plenty of sunscreen. Once you’ve awoken from a well-deserved nap, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby in town that can slake your sun-induced thirst.
Nearest airport: Samui International Airport (USM)
Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui (six minutes away by car). Voted one of the year’s best beach resorts in Thailand by Traveler readers, this Ritz-Carlton property offers suites and villas with some of the island’s most swoon-worthy views of the Gulf of Thailand. In some rooms, you don’t even have to get out of bed to appreciate all that infinite blue.
Bottle Beach, Ko Pha Ngan
What makes it great: Its local name, Hat Khuat, literally translates to Bottle Beach, and this place was named after a nearby protected cove, which resembles the shape of a bottle. This tranquil slash of sand on the northern end of Koh Phangan promises sweet sun and serenity, if you want it. Of course, you can visit the island, just north of famous cousin Samui, to go all out during Phangan’s celebrated Full Moon parties. Bottle Beach will always be a welcome place to recuperate after, shall we say, different kinds of bottles.
Nearest airport: Samui International Airport (USM)
Where to stay: Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas (15 minutes away by car). This Anantara outpost has the equally wonderful Thong Nai Pan Beach at its disposal, as well as pool suites and pool villas of all shapes and sizes.
Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach, Ko Lipe
What makes it great: Even with all the great infrastructure developments that are making Thailand’s beach circuit all the more accessible, there are still a few emeralds in the sapphire sea that take a bit more effort to reach. Koh Lipe is one of those gems. In the high season from October to June, the island is accessible by speedboat or ferry from a handful of coastal towns along the Thai province of Satun and even the Malaysian island of Langkawi. (There are almost no options outside that window.) Once you get to Lipe, transport is much easier—you’ve got your own two feet. Greet the day at Sunrise Beach, on the island’s eastern side; then whisper a little thank you to the universe as the sun sets at, well, Sunset Beach, on the island’s western coast, just an 18-minute walk away.
Nearest airport: Hat Yai International Airport (HDY)
Where to stay: Irene Pool Villa Resort, Koh Lipe (15 minutes away by foot). With Lipe’s size and geography, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everything is “beachfront.” Irene makes good use of that layout, with villas accessorized with little plunge pools that face the sparkling Andaman Sea.