Thailand Beaches: Pick the Right Coast and Season
44 guides
Krabi and Phuket carry the deepest beach coverage here, but the decision that trips people up is the same across all five cities: which stretch of sand suits your season, your swimming plans, and how far you will travel. Hua Hin alone has seven beaches to weigh, and Krabi nine, before you even reach the island day trips.
The contrast between areas is sharper than the brochures suggest. Railay is boat-access only, Freedom Beach rewards a jungle hike or a longtail, and Koh Larn sits a ferry ride off Pattaya. On Koh Samui, Bophut, Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam each draw a different crowd, and knowing when seas calm down matters as much as the view.
Hua Hin
- 7 Hua Hin Beaches: Which One to Pick (2026 Guide)
Compare 7 Hua Hin beaches by distance, swimming, crowds and getting around, then pick the right stretch of sand for your trip.
- Cha-am Beach Guide: Weekend vs Midweek, Hua Hin Compared
Is Cha-am Beach worth a trip? See when to go, which stretch to choose, how it compares with Hua Hin, and how to get there.
- Hua Hin Beach Guide: Zones, Tides, Access & Tips
Plan your Hua Hin beach day: compare the north, central and south zones, tides, public access, getting there and what to do.
- Khao Takiab Beach, Hua Hin: Is It Worth the Trip? (Guide)
Khao Takiab Beach guide: who it suits, tide and swimming tips, how to get there from Hua Hin, and where to stay.
- Pranburi Beach Guide: Getting There and Where to Stay
Is Pranburi Beach worth the trip from Hua Hin? Getting there, which stretch to pick, where to stay and what to skip.
Koh Samui
- 4 Koh Samui Island Hopping Routes Compared (Time, Cost, Best For)
Compare 4 Koh Samui island hopping routes to Koh Tao, Ang Thong, Koh Madsum and Koh Phangan, with sea conditions, booking tips and who each trip suits.
- Koh Samui Beaches: 10 Best by Coast and Traveler Type
Compare 10 Koh Samui beaches by coast, vibe, swimming, snorkeling and sunsets, so you can pick the right one for your trip.
- Bophut Beach, Koh Samui: Is It Right for Your Stay?
Honest guide to Bophut Beach, Koh Samui: what the beach is like, Fisherman's Village, getting there, when to go, and how it compares with Chaweng and Lamai.
- Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui: Access, Zones and What to Expect
A practical Chaweng Beach guide: how to reach the sand, which stretch to choose, nightlife vs quiet, what to expect, and when to pick another beach.
- Koh Madsum Pig Island: Is It Worth It? Getting There & Costs
Koh Madsum is Koh Samui's 'Pig Island.' See how to get there, speedboat vs longtail vs private boat, what it costs in THB, best season, and if it's worth a half day.
- Koh Samui Boat Tours Compared: Ang Thong, Koh Tao, Pig Island (Prices & Tips)
Compare Koh Samui boat tours by destination, boat type, and price range. See who each suits, what to ask before booking, and seasonal pitfalls.
- Koh Samui Sunset Cruise Guide: Boat Types, Booking Questions and Backup Plans
Choosing a Koh Samui sunset cruise? Compare catamarans, speedboats, long-tails and private charters, plus booking questions, transfers and weather risks.
- Koh Tan, Samui: Snorkeling, Boats and Costs
Planning Koh Tan from Samui? See how to get there, snorkeling quality, boat options, best months and whether it beats a Koh Madsum trip.
- Lamai Beach Koh Samui Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & Go
Planning Lamai Beach? Compare North, Central and South Lamai, see how it differs from Chaweng, and get time, access and cost tips.
- Maenam Beach, Koh Samui: Honest Guide and Best Time
Plan Maenam Beach on Koh Samui: who it suits, best months for calm seas, which stretch to pick, getting there and how it compares with Bophut and Chaweng.
Krabi
- 5 Krabi Island Hopping Routes: Costs and How to Choose
Compare 5 Krabi island hopping routes: 4 Islands, Hong, Phi Phi, Railay and Lanta. Costs, boat types, best season and how to pick your day.
- 9 Best Krabi Beaches: Pick the Right One for Your Trip
Compare 9 Krabi beaches by access, crowds and who each suits, from Ao Nang and Railay to quiet Klong Muang and the island day trips.
- Ao Nang Beach, Krabi: Is It Worth It? Guide & Tips
Ao Nang beach in Krabi: what it's like, how to get there, Railay boat basics, where to stay, and when beaches nearby beat it.
- Chicken Island (Koh Kai) Krabi: Getting There and Timing
Plan Chicken Island (Koh Kai) from Ao Nang or Railay: tour vs private longtail, tide and timing, snorkeling tips, and who should skip it.
- Four Islands Krabi: Stops, Inclusions and Tips
Planning the Krabi 4 Islands trip? See typical stops, what's included, tide and season tips, and how it compares to Hong Islands and Phi Phi.
- Hong Islands Krabi: Tour Costs, Stops & Best Time
Planning a Hong Islands day trip from Ao Nang? Compare boat options, check costs and park fees, and pick the best time to go.
- Klong Muang Beach, Krabi: Is It Worth the Trip?
Klong Muang Beach guide: how to get there from Ao Nang, swimming and sunset tips, where to stay, and who should pick it over Railay.
- Krabi Longtail Boat: Charter, Shuttle or Group Tour
How to hire a longtail boat in Krabi: shuttle vs private charter vs group tour, indicative ฿ costs, best routes, timing and common mistakes.
- Krabi to Phi Phi: Ferry vs Speedboat Guide
How to get from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi: ferry vs speedboat times, price ranges, pickup points and booking tips. Check live fares before you go.
- Phra Nang Cave Beach, Krabi: Getting There and What to Expect
How to reach Phra Nang Cave Beach by longtail boat or on foot from Railay, with the shrine cave, time planning, and who should skip it.
- Railay Beach Guide: Which Beach, How to Get There
Railay Beach is boat-access only. Compare East, West, Phra Nang and Ton Sai, plan the boat from Krabi or Ao Nang, and choose where to stay.
- Tonsai Beach, Krabi: Getting There, Stays and Tips
How to reach Tonsai Beach, how it compares with Railay, where to stay, tides, and what to know about climbing and cash before you go.
Pattaya
- 7 Pattaya Beaches Ranked by Swimming, Crowds and Effort
Compare 7 Pattaya beaches by swimming, crowds and effort: Pattaya Beach, Jomtien, Wong Amat, Naklua, Koh Larn and more, with timing tips.
- Jomtien Beach, Pattaya: Is It Worth It? Honest Guide
Is Jomtien Beach worth it? Water, crowds, getting there, where to stay and eat, and how it compares with Pattaya Beach and Koh Larn.
- Koh Larn Guide: Piers, Best Beaches & Day Trip Plan
Plan Koh Larn from Pattaya: ferry vs speedboat, Na Ban vs Tawaen pier, the best beach for your trip, getting around and a realistic day budget.
- Naklua Beach, Pattaya: Access, Vibe and Who It Suits
Is Naklua Beach worth it? See where it is, how to get there, how it compares with Wong Amat and Jomtien, and how to plan a half day.
- Wong Amat Beach, Pattaya: Getting There, Costs & Tips
Is Wong Amat Beach worth it? Free access, how to get there from Central Pattaya, best time for swimming or sunset, and where to eat and stay.
Phuket
- 12 Phuket Beaches: Best Pick by Area and Season
Compare 12 Phuket beaches by vibe, swimming safety, access and season, then pick the right base for your trip.
- 6 Phuket Island Hopping Routes and How to Choose
Compare 6 Phuket island hopping day trips to Phi Phi, James Bond Island, Coral, Racha and Krabi, with boat types, seasons, fees and who each suits.
- Coral Island Phuket: Beaches, Boats & Day Trip Guide
Plan a Coral Island (Koh Hey) day trip from Phuket: how to get there, Banana vs Long Beach, tour vs DIY, timing and what to skip.
- Freedom Beach Phuket: How to Get There, Boat vs Hike
How to reach Freedom Beach in Phuket by longtail boat or jungle hike, what to bring, when to go, and whether it's worth the effort.
- James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) from Phuket: How to Visit
Plan a James Bond Island trip from Phuket: tour types compared, how long you get, best season, fees to expect and what to pair it with.
- Karon Beach, Phuket: Zones, Swim Season & Where to Stay
Is Karon Beach right for you? Compare its north, middle and south, swim seasons, getting there and where to stay, and see how it stacks up against Patong and Kata.
- Kata Beach, Phuket: Is It Right for You? (Seasons, Access, Stays)
Plan Kata Beach with seasonal swim safety, Kata vs Kata Noi vs Karon, getting around, where to stay and evening options on Phuket's southwest coast.
- Nai Harn Beach, Phuket: Swim Seasons, Access & Tips
Is Nai Harn Beach right for you? Swim seasons, getting there, lake and temple, food, and how it compares with Kata and Karon.
- Patong Beach, Phuket: Which Part to Choose & What to Know
Where to sit on Patong Beach, how it compares with Karon and Kata, nightlife, safety, getting there and common mistakes. A practical Phuket guide.
- Phuket Boat Tour Guide: Pick the Right Trip and Boat
Compare Phuket boat tours by destination, boat type, season and cost, with a quick way to choose between Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, Coral and Racha.
- Phuket to Phi Phi: Ferry Times, Piers & Which Boat to Take
Phuket to Phi Phi in about an hour. Compare piers, boats and day-trip timing, with season risks and a Rassada Pier arrival plan.
- Racha Island Guide: Racha Yai vs Noi, Getting There & Day Trips
Racha Yai or Racha Noi? How to reach the islands from Phuket's Chalong Pier, which beaches suit you, and whether to book a day trip, diving or a night.