A few years ago, while I was in Sardinia, a local friend shared a seemingly devastating truth with me. "Thailand's beaches are totally overrated," she concluded, after recommending a list of all the supposedly more beautiful beaches on her island that I should visit in the following days. "You'll see what I mean."

I won't lie: I made some major mistakes when planning my trip to Sardinia (some of which I describe in the blog post above, if you click on it). But the fact is, no place in Sardinia even comes close to the Thai beaches I'm about to write about.

Whether you prefer Thailand's most beautiful beaches to Sardinia's is a matter of taste. But believe me, when I saw them: they are all absolutely spectacular.

Thailand has won the beach lottery

As you can imagine, if you've been there before, choosing the best beach in Thailand isn't so easy. There are so many options, depending on your personal preferences, where exactly in the kingdom you're staying, what kind of trip you're taking, and so on. Honestly, it's much harder to find a beach in Thailand that isn't absolutely stunning than all the stunning ones. Oh yeah… I'll write a post about less beautiful beaches in Thailand later. No problem.

In fact, Thailand performs significantly better relative to its size. My country (the USA) has much more coastline than Thailand, but only a handful of beaches that rank among the most beautiful in the world. I would even argue that Thailand surpasses Sardinia's coastline despite its beauty (and certainly Italy as a whole, although I love that country for many other reasons).

Thailand's most beautiful beaches

Koh Lipe North Point, Satun

I admit it: When a friend told me that North Point Beach on Koh Lipe was something like the "Maldives of Thailand," I was skeptical. (I'd heard this description for other beaches before—it wasn't true.) Whether it's accurate here, I'll leave up to you, but with its powdery white sand and crystal-clear water, North Point is undoubtedly a breathtaking beach.

Railay Beach, Krabi

Some Thailand experts would vehemently disagree if you were to call Railay Beach in Krabi the best beach in Thailand. Admittedly, Railay (which actually consists of several beaches, including the beautiful Tonsai and Railay West) has its problems: from an overabundance of tourists and questionable hotels to less-than-perfect water. But if the towering limestone cliffs surrounding the beach don't embody the true Thailand, then I don't know what does.

Koh Similan Beach, Phang Nga

The Similan Islands, on the other hand, are completely untouched. And that's intentional, as they are a protected national park. Which islands you visit depends on the tour you book, but I can assure you that they all offer pristine beaches with fine sand and some of the clearest water in all of Thailand. It's like a journey back in time to more popular islands of 50 or even 100 years ago!

Koh Kradan Beach, Trang

Koh Kradan's main beach was one of the first beaches on my list of Thailand's most beautiful beaches – and that was over ten years ago. At low tide, the Andaman Sea feels like a private swimming pool: shallow, crystal-clear water washes over you while you admire the karst formations of the islands in the distance. To fully enjoy the experience, I recommend staying overnight (rather than just taking a day trip from nearby Koh Mook).

Bang Bao Beach, Trat

I'm torn about the Trat Islands. On the one hand, they were the first island group I visited in Thailand. On the other hand, they're difficult to reach and even more challenging to explore. Nevertheless, the merits of many individual beaches here are undeniable, such as Bang Bao Beach on Koh Kood. It's probably my favorite beach in the Gulf of Thailand (even if Koh Tao wouldn't agree!).

Honorable Mentions

Not all of Thailand's beaches can be the most beautiful, but many of my favorites are still fantastic, even if they aren't outstanding. Here are a few that I almost included on the main list:

  • Maya Bay on the Phi Phi Islands
  • Chalok Beach on the island of Koh Tao
  • Secluded beach in Koh Chang
  • Tonsai Bay, also on the Phi Phi Islands
  • Each of the beaches along the west coast of Koh Lanta

    • More frequently asked questions about beaches in Thailand

    Which part of Thailand has the most beautiful beaches?

    In my opinion, Thailand's most beautiful beaches are mainly located in the Andaman Sea, the shallow part of the Indian Ocean that laps against the southwest coast of the kingdom. However, you can find stunning beaches all over Thailand if you know where to look.

    Which beach in Thailand has the clearest water?

    Clear water is not uncommon in Thailand, so this question is difficult to answer. However, I have found that Tonsai Bay on Koh Phi Phi offers exceptionally clear water, especially at low tide. The same is true for North Point Beach on Koh Lipe.

    Where are the best places to swim in Thailand?

    Ironically, I have to say that Thailand's most beautiful beaches are sometimes not so suitable for swimming. You're so busy taking photos that you can't really let go and float in the water! Lately, I've found the long beaches on the west coast of Koh Lanta to be ideal for swimming, but of course, this can vary from person to person.

    Conclusion

    Which of Thailand's most beautiful beaches appeals to you the most? Personally, I can say that all five mentioned here (and, frankly, all the others as well) are among my absolute favorite beaches worldwide – and I say that as someone who has traveled to almost 100 countries! Thailand is truly fortunate when it comes to beaches: Many countries with significantly longer coastlines (including my home country) can't compete with Thailand's stunning beaches and islands. Would you like some help planning your Thailand beach trip? Then I would be delighted if you would entrust me with the planning!