Thailand’s West Coast Beaches

The west coast of Thailand is famed for its sparklng clear blue waters, snorkeling and diving. Phuket Island is an international resort connected to the mainland by a causeway and home to some of the most exclusive hotels in Thailand. Almost 80 percent of the island is mountainous, enveloped by dense forests and nature reserves with nothing but the most idyllic beaches.

On the mainland, Khao Lak is a peaceful destination with 3 national parks embraced by the surrounding hills that sweep down to this wonderful stretch of coastline with beaches that extend for miles. The most common image of a Thai beach originates from the picturesque, tropical island of Krabi, known as "the emerald of the Andaman Sea", with towering limestone cliffs and outstanding natural beauty. Nearby, the island of Koh Lanta has similar scenery but is less developed, with deserted beaches and a dense rain forested interior.

Khao Lak

An hour's drive north of Phuket airport, this strip of medium-fine yellow sand and clear sea is little developed, with no buildings over two stories and mostly good quality bungalows scattered under the palms and casuarinas [a kind of fir tree] beside the beach.

The beach is winding, narrow in parts and has character, with rocky outcrops and a lovely cluster of stilt bars and restaurants at one end. Waves can be a problem for small children, especially at the start of the season, in December and January.

The bungalows aren't cheap but the location - Andaman Sea on one side, wildlife-rich rainforest the other, and Thailand's scuba superb Similan islands 64 km offshore makes them worthwhile. Large tour groups are not a common sight.

The one horse town of Khao Lak provides basic shops and restaurants. Best time  to visit are during the months of November to March, but showers may happen anytime.

Phuket

This is one of the world's most famous international resort islands. It is the largest, the most expensive and the most touristy of all Thailand's islands, with busy sand and an international airport. Patong beach is particularly crowded and unpleasantly pushy, but comfortable, quiet beaches do exist here, mainly far NW or far SW.

Nai Harn beach, SW Phuket - For those with more money to spare, this beach is quiet, clean, safe, gorgeous and has 2 hotels. The superb Le Meridien [Phuket Yacht Club], and less expensive Nai Harn Resort. Big waves in December.

Nai Thon beach, NW - Very, very quiet, just a couple of simple bars/ restaurants/ hotels, but wonderful squeaky clean white sand, clear water, no boats, few cars, no clubs and an adjacent nature reserve. It makes for a quaint and romantic getaway. Big waves in December.

Mai Khao beach, NW - If you're looking for real solitude, try the least visited and serene Mai Khao Beach. Medium grain yellow sand, clear water, but seees big waves in December. Only one little bungalow operation in 13km without airconditioning, but you spend your days under lush, big trees, sipping cold drinks by the beach as you wake up and deal with a lovely and friendly family as your "crew". It doesn't get any better than that!
 
Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh beaches. These were hidden tropical paradises until the movie 'The Beach' was filmed there. Now another Thailand tourist Mecca, The Phi Phi islands have turquoise water, white sand and palm trees, and 1 million visitors a year in a tiny area.
 
If you stay well away from noisy, frantic Ton Sai bay, the transport hub, even just across the neck at Loh Dulum bay, you will get some serenity, lovely sand, turquoise water and those sensational views.

Phi Phi Leh is half an hour by boat and has no accommodation at all. Day trips by boat from Phuket are also popular.

Best time to visit: November to March. Worst: May to October.

West Railay, the Krabi Coast

Accessible from Ao Nang in a few minutes by longtail boat, West Railay is stunningly pretty, has restrained development, reasonable prices, soft white sand and clear water. Best visited during the months of December to March.

Ko Lanta Island

Khlong Dao and Phra Ae beaches. Ko Lanta is a relatively new resort island in Thailand, with a winning combination of big, soft, sandy beaches on the upper west side, calm clear waters, relaxed locals and cheap accommodation, though the road running down the centre is an unattractive mess. Beaches are only accessible via hotels.

The longest and the most popular beach is Khlong Dao, where the best hotels are, but Ao Phra-Ae [Long Beach], 2km south, has a more placid atmosphere. The further south you go the cheaper the 'hotels' get and the worse the beaches. Best visited during the months of December to March.

Ko Tarutao National Marine Park, Ko Tarutao

Ko Tarutao National Marine Park is a natural beauty, with about 50 mostly inhabited islands. The beaches in the park are considered the least spoilt and the most magnificent of all Thailand's beaches. Some simple accommodation can be found at Pak Bara on the mainland, or three bigger islands, Ko Tarutao, Ko Adang, and Ko Lipe have bungalows and restaurants.

The park is closed mid-May to mid-November, due to the rains. Best visited during the months of December to March.

Hat Farang, Ko Mook

Ko Mook, known for its Emerald Cave, is popular with budget travelers and not commercial yet. The island's best beach is Hat Farang, extremely peaceful, with excellent swimming, snorkeling, and perfect for sunset slumping. Best visited during the months of December to March.