Thailand attracts travelers from all over the world with its wide landscapes and its culture. After visiting Bangkok and exploring the temples in the center and north of the country, many find a different side of Thailand in the south and along its coasts. The islands and beaches offer a very different experience, away from city noise. This collection takes you to the most beautiful white sandy beaches in southern Thailand. From Phuket to Koh Samui, including Koh Phangan and its many coastal spots, you will find places where time seems to slow down. Busy beaches like Lamai are paired with quieter spots such as Mae Haad. Places like Maya Bay or Railay Beach draw visitors with their tall limestone cliffs that rise straight from the water. Whether you want to relax under palm trees, explore coastal caves, or enjoy the clear water, Thai beaches provide a good break. Each island has its own feel, from the gentle pace of Koh Samui to the more free atmosphere of Koh Phangan. It is a place where sea, sand, and blue sky make the perfect setting to forget everyday life.
Koh Nang Yuan Beach is a small stretch of white sand located on a private island accessible by boat from Koh Tao. The clear water allows you to observe tropical fish. This location offers a quieter option compared to other southern Thai beaches and fits well into a journey that moves beyond Bangkok and temples to explore coastal areas.
Mae Haad Beach stretches along the west coast of Koh Phangan with clean sand and calm, shallow water. Two coral reefs lie just offshore and are easily accessible from the shore, making this spot popular with divers and snorkelers who want to explore the underwater life. The beach draws fewer crowds than other nearby spots, offering a quieter experience while still having all the amenities for a full day by the water.
Sri Thanu Beach sits on the western shore of Koh Phangan with soft white sand and clear water. Coconut palms line the shore, providing natural shade. At high tide, the water becomes especially transparent, and coral reefs are accessible by swimming from the beach. This spot offers a quieter alternative to the busier beaches on the island.
Had Sai Kao is one of the main beaches on Koh Chang, stretching for several kilometers with fine white sand. Palm and coconut trees line the shore, and the water stays warm throughout the year. This beach offers a good place to relax, swim, and watch daily life along the coast. It is more centrally located than other beaches on the island and therefore easier to reach.
Silver Beach on Koh Samui is a small stretch of white sand tucked between the busy areas of Chaweng and Lamai. Measuring around 250 meters long, this beach is lined with palm trees and granite rocks that create natural shade and shelter. The water here is clear and inviting, making it a nice place to swim. The setting feels more relaxed than the nearby busier beaches, giving visitors a quieter spot to spend time. The rocky formations add character to the shoreline and provide interesting spots for exploring. This beach offers a simple, low-key experience away from the main tourist crowds.
Lamai Beach is a long stretch of white sand on the east coast of Koh Samui that extends for several kilometers. Coconut palms line the shore and provide shade throughout the day. Large granite rocks emerge from the water at both ends of the beach. The water is deep and good for swimming in most areas. This beach draws visitors who want to relax under the palms as well as those interested in exploring the rocky formations.
Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley is a cove with turquoise water surrounded by limestone cliffs that rise directly from the sea. The beach is wide and covered in light sand. Underwater, coral reefs and tropical fish inhabit the waters. This location draws many visitors who come to this southern part of Thailand seeking relaxation and natural beauty. The bay offers a contrast to urban experiences and creates a place where you can enjoy the sea, sand, and sky.
The Emerald Grotto at Ko Libong is a natural cave reached by boat. The passage leads to a hidden beach inside, surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs. This grotto reveals another face of southern Thailand - not the busy beaches, but the secret places where water and rock meet.
This long sandy beach on the northern coast of Koh Phangan stretches for several hundred meters between palm trees and mountains. The white sand invites you to relax, and the water is calm and welcoming. Malibu Beach offers a good place to escape the bustle and enjoy the natural beauty of the island. The beach has a laid-back character and attracts visitors looking for a quieter spot than the busier beaches on the island.
Railay Beach in Krabi is a peninsula surrounded by limestone cliffs with white sand beaches. The site attracts climbers from around the world who come to tackle its many routes. The turquoise water and steep rock walls create an unusual setting for both relaxation and adventure.
This small beach on Koh Samet sits on the island's east coast, offering soft white sand framed by granite rocks. Pine trees provide shade for visitors seeking a quieter spot away from the crowds of more visited beaches.
Thong Nai Pan Noi is a white sand beach on the northeastern side of Koh Phangan, sheltered naturally by a bay. Coconut palms line the shore, creating a peaceful setting away from the busier beaches on the island. The water here is calm and shallow, making it suitable for swimming. The area feels quieter than other popular spots on Koh Phangan.
This beach on Koh Kut stretches about 1 kilometer with white sand and shallow waters perfect for swimming. Coconut palms line the shore, providing natural shade. The sheltered bay keeps waves minimal, making the water calm and welcoming for visitors of all levels.
Koh Surin Nuea Beach is found within the marine national park of the Surin Islands and features light sand backed by tropical forest. This beach is accessible only by boat from the mainland, giving it a remote feel. The water is clear and suitable for swimming, and the setting remains less developed than many other southern Thai beaches.
Ao Khanom Beach stretches along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand with white sand and coconut palms overhead. This beach differs from the more crowded islands like Phuket and Koh Samui by offering a quieter setting where you can swim in clear water. Pink dolphins live in these waters and sometimes appear near the shore. The beach has a relaxed feel and attracts travelers looking for a place without much crowd.
Sunset Beach on Koh Kradan is a secluded cove along the island's western shore. Fine white sand meets rocky outcrops, and the clear water lets you see the coral reefs below. This beach provides a quiet escape from the busier coastal spots found elsewhere in southern Thailand, fitting naturally into this collection of beaches that offer respite from urban life.
Nui Beach is a small sandy beach nestled in a cove surrounded by palm trees, about 300 meters from a dirt path. The water is clear and filled with tropical fish. Located in Phuket in southern Thailand, this beach offers a quiet spot to relax away from busier coastal areas.
Sunrise Beach on the eastern shore of Koh Lipe is a stretch of light sand where the water stays shallow, making it good for swimming and snorkeling. This beach is part of Thailand's southern islands, where the coast shows its natural beauty. It's a place where you can spend time in simple ways: floating in the water, feeling the sun, watching the sea. The beach offers the kind of setting where visitors come to step back from daily life.
Koh Tachai is a white sand beach set within the Similan Islands. The water off this shore holds colorful coral reefs and tropical fish. The beach draws divers who want to explore the underwater world. It is a place where the sea is clear and clean, and where visitors can experience nature in its unaltered state.
Haad Salad sits on the northwestern coast of Koh Phangan with light sand, palm trees, and rocks framing the shore. The shallow water here works well for swimming throughout the year. This beach sees fewer visitors than other popular spots on the island and offers a quieter experience for those looking to rest and unwind.
Klong Dao Beach is one of the longest sandy stretches on Koh Lanta. The shallow water and sandy bottom make this beach popular with families who want to swim safely. The wide shore is perfect for walks, with coconut palms providing shade. Compared to busier southern Thai beaches, this spot feels more relaxed. The clear water and gentle slope into the sea make it easy to spend hours here without worry.
Ao Kham Beach sits on the southern side of Koh Muk with white sand and shallow, clear water where you can see tropical fish swimming. Limestone cliffs frame the beach and slope down to the turquoise sea. This beach fits naturally into southern Thailand's island experience, offering a quiet place to swim and explore small rocky coves.
This beach on Koh Phangan stretches for 3 kilometers of white sand lined with coconut palms. Local fishermen moor their boats here and sell fresh fish daily. The beach has a quieter character than other spots on the island and shows the daily life of the coastal community.
Freedom Beach sits in a small bay south of Patong, offering a quieter escape from Phuket's busier shores. White sand stretches across the cove, framed by limestone cliffs that give the place a secluded feel. You can reach it by longboat from Patong or by hiking through forest. The water is clear and good for swimming. This beach draws fewer crowds than other spots on the island.
Nang Thong Beach in Khao Lak offers a long stretch of white sand where visitors can swim and relax. Palm trees line the beach, and restaurants and hotels sit back from the water. This beach provides a quieter experience compared to the busier beaches on other Thai islands, making it a good choice for those seeking a more relaxed pace.
Maenam Beach is a long stretch of white sand on the north coast of Koh Samui that extends for several kilometers. The beach is lined with coconut palms and offers calm, shallow waters that are comfortable for swimming. You will find a relaxed pace here, far from the busier atmosphere of other island beaches. The sand is fine and light-colored, and the water invites you to take a refreshing dip. Simple restaurants and small shops dot the shoreline, where visitors can grab drinks and snacks. Maenam Beach is a good choice for those looking for a quiet day by the sea.
Kata Beach on the southwest coast of Phuket is a sandy beach with fine white sand and calm water. The beach draws visitors looking for a balance between comfort and nature. Restaurants, hotels, and shops line the shore directly on the water. The beach is large enough to avoid feeling crowded, even though it attracts many tourists. The water is shallow and warm, ideal for swimming. Palm trees provide shade in some areas. The beach has a relaxed pace, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
Pasai Beach is a white sand beach on the east coast of Koh Yao Noi. Coconut palms line the shore, and limestone formations of Phang Nga Bay rise from the water. The beach is quieter than busier spots in the area, with calm water that invites swimming and wading. Within this collection of southern Thai beaches, Pasai Beach offers a more peaceful alternative to the crowded destinations.
Ao Phrao Beach lies on the west coast of Koh Kood and stretches along white sand with clear water. The bay is known for its calm conditions and lush vegetation that grows right down to the shore. This place offers a peaceful alternative to the more famous beaches in southern Thailand, attracting visitors who seek quiet and natural beauty.
Sai Daeng Beach is located on the eastern side of Koh Kood and offers views of Golden Shark Island. The clear water allows you to see colorful fish. This beach is part of the collection of southern Thailand's coasts, where visitors can experience landscapes different from the country's center and enjoy relaxation by the sea.
Haad Khom sits on the northern shore of Koh Phangan with white sand and coconut palms. The clear water reveals coral reefs just beneath the surface, making it a good spot for snorkeling. This beach stays quieter than other popular spots on the island and attracts visitors looking to escape the crowds.
This beach in Krabi stretches for several kilometers with soft white sand, shaded by pine and palm trees. Across the water, limestone cliffs rise from the Andaman Sea. The beach feels less crowded than other spots in the region, offering a quieter place to swim and relax. The landscape of steep rock formations in the distance creates a pleasant backdrop, especially in the evening light.