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Thailand's Beaches and Islands

From wild southern islands to family-friendly beaches — where the water is actually clear.

Thailand has two coasts on opposite weather cycles. The Andaman Sea (west: Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi) has turquoise water and limestone cliffs, dry roughly November–April. The Gulf of Thailand (east: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) has long palm-lined beaches, dry roughly December–September. Picking the wrong coast for the wrong month is the single most common planning mistake.

Here's the mistake almost everyone makes with Thailand's islands: picking one because a friend posted a nice photo, without checking which coast it's on or whether it's about to rain there for a month straight. Phuket and Koh Samui sit on opposite sides of the country with opposite dry seasons — get that backwards and you can lose a week of your trip to gray skies. Here's every beach and island worth knowing, with the one detail most guides skip: timing.

Phuket
Beaches & Islands

Phuket

Thailand's biggest island — beaches, nightlife, and easy day trips.

Krabi
Beaches & Islands

Krabi

Dramatic limestone cliffs, a quieter pace than Phuket.

Koh Samui
Beaches & Islands

Koh Samui

Family-friendly beaches on the Gulf coast, with wilder islands nearby.

Questions people actually ask

Which Thai island has the most beautiful beaches?
It's subjective, but Phi Phi, Railay (Krabi), and the Similan Islands are consistently ranked among the most beautiful in the world for scenery. Our 'which island is right for you' comparison breaks it down by travel style, not just looks.
When is the sea calmest in Thailand?
Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi): November–April. Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao): December–September, with a rainier window around October–November. Outside these windows the sea can be rough and some boat trips get canceled.
Which island is best for families?
Koh Samui and Krabi have more shallow, calm beaches and family-oriented resorts. Phi Phi and Koh Phangan lean toward a younger, party-focused crowd and suit families with older teens better than young kids.