I Spent a Month on Thailand’s Islands — These Are the Beaches That Are Actually Worth It

Thailand equally delivers in culture, gastronomy, and jaw-dropping natural landscapes—the three main ingredients I look for in any destination. In 2018, I spent an unforgettable month backpacking through the country, moving from the temples and mountains of the north down to the islands in the south. The highlights? Getting scuba certified in Koh Tao and hopping between limestone-framed bays in the Andaman Sea.

If you’re planning your own beach holiday to Thailand, it helps to understand how the coastline is laid out. The country’s islands are split between the Andaman Sea (west coast, facing the Indian Ocean) and the Gulf of Thailand (east coast). The landscapes, water conditions, and even peak seasons differ slightly. While the Andaman is known for dramatic limestone cliffs and crystal-clear visibility during its dry season, the Gulf tends to have calmer waters and a different monsoon season.

Thanks to opposite weather patterns, when one coast is in its rainiest stretch, the other is often enjoying clearer skies—making Thailand a strong year-round beach destination.

If beaches are your priority, December to March is the sweet spot in Thailand’s Andaman Sea islands.

Best beaches: Maya Bay, Long Beach, Loh Dalum, Laem Tong, Loh Moo Dee, Nui Beach

Ko Phi Phi (often just called “Phi Phi”) is a small group of islands off the coast of Krabi Province, protected as part of a national park. To get there, you’ll take a ferry or speedboat from Phuket, Krabi/Ao Nang, or Koh Lanta. The approach alone is part of the experience: electric-blue water and those quintessentially Thai limestone cliffs rising straight out of the sea.

Most travelers come to visit nearby smaller islands, snorkel, and check out the famous Maya Bay, the one featured in the movie “The Beach.” If that’s your plan, the trick is to manage expectations and timing. Maya Bay now operates under tighter conservation rules and is typically closed from August to September. Regardless, it’s a good idea to stay overnight on Phi Phi Don, then head out early the next morning to see the bays before day-trippers arrive. And don’t miss the hike up to the Phi Phi Viewpoint for a spectacular view of two turquoise bays separated by just a sliver of land.

Best beaches: Klong Dao, Long Beach (Phra Ae), Klong Nin, Kantiang Bay, Bamboo Bay (Ao Mai Pai), Nui Bay, Khlong Khong

Koh Lanta is the Andaman island you choose when you want space and slower days. It’s larger and less sceney than nearby Phi Phi, with a low-key stretch of beaches where you can bounce between swimmable bays, beachside restaurants, and long walks on soft sand without the crowds.

Plan at least 4 to 5 days here to explore beyond your home beach. Long Beach is an easy base with tons of casual places to eat and a famously beautiful golden-hour glow. For a quieter, prettier pocket, head south to Kantiang Bay, then keep going for Bamboo Bay, a jungle-backed cove that feels tucked away, especially outside peak season. If you want a half-day adventure, ride down to Mu Ko Lanta National Park for lighthouse views and a short jungle trail.

The best weather is typically from November to April; May to October is greener, cheaper, but rainier.

Best beaches: Railay West Beach, Phra Nang (Princess) Beach, Tonsai Beach, Railay East

Railay might have been my favorite stop on my Thai island trip—and it’s technically not even an island. Yet the small peninsula is cut off from the mainland by towering limestone cliffs and is only accessible by longtail boat, giving it a very much island feel.

I spent three nights here in 2018, and it’s still, hands down, home to some of my favorite beaches in the world. I stayed at Avatar Railay Resort, which I loved for its beautifully designed pool that flows right up to the hotel rooms. The beaches here have soft sand framed by dramatic karst formations, with warm, swimmable water and a totally laid-back rhythm.

Railay gets busy with day-trippers between late morning and mid-afternoon, but staying overnight gives you access to sunsets on Phra Nang, quiet mornings, and that rare feeling of being somewhere completely removed (and a nice respite from the busy streets of Krabi next door).

Best beaches: Sunrise Beach, Pattaya Beach, Sunset Beach, North Point Beach

Koh Lipe is tucked inside the mesmerizing waters of Tarutao National Marine Park. The island is small enough to walk across in 15 minutes, which means your days will revolve around three main beaches and a handful of boat trips.

Sunrise Beach is the showstopper: powdery sand, unreal turquoise water, and views of Koh Adang across the channel. It’s the best place to swim and snorkel straight from shore. Pattaya Beach is livelier, with longtail boats docking and beach bars that fill up by sunset. For something quieter, Sunset Beach offers a softer, sleepier vibe and glowing evening skies.

Beyond beach hopping, book a longtail to nearby islets like Koh Adang for a short jungle hike and panoramic viewpoints. Three to five days is perfect—enough time to slow down, snorkel coral reefs, and settle into that barefoot-island rhythm.

Unlike the Andaman side, the Gulf’s monsoon hits later in the year, which makes it a smart alternative if you’re traveling in July or August.

Best beaches: Silver Beach (Crystal Bay), Chaweng Beach (south end), Lamai Beach, Maenam Beach, Choeng Mon Beach, Lipa Noi Beach

One of Thailand’s largest islands, Koh Samui, strikes a rare balance of being big enough to offer variety, yet compact enough to explore in a day by scooter. Seriously, my favorite activity was riding around the  50-kilometer ring road and just stopping at random places to eat, talk to locals, and go for a swim.

Beach-wise, there’s something for every mood. Chaweng Beach is lively and social, ideal for bar and restaurant hopping after dark. Just south, Lamai Beach feels more relaxed but still has plenty of dining options. For a quieter, more traditional vibe, wander through Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village, where wooden shopfronts now house cafés and night markets.

Don’t miss the jungle trails to Na Muang 1 and 2 waterfalls; when I went, I had the waterfalls all to myself. Plan for at least 3 to 5 days, more if you want beach time and adventure. Samui truly works for everyone—couples, families, solo travelers, and even digital nomads settling in for a while. And there’s a lovely range of accommodations available, ranging from sprawling luxury hotels to backpacker hostels.

Best beaches: Sairee Beach, Tanote Bay, Freedom Beach, Sai Nuan Beach, Jansom Bay, Chalok Baan Kao Bay, Mango Bay.

Koh Tao holds an extra special place in my heart because it’s where I received my scuba diving certification. It’s genuinely one of the more affordable places in the world to do it, and I ended up loving the experience. Koh Tao is the smallest of the “big three” Gulf islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao), and it has that backpacker energy without feeling like the party is the only point. Think: beach days that turn into snorkeling sessions, then sunset drinks on Sairee Beach.

If diving isn’t your thing, you can have an excellent snorkeling experience at Tanot Bay. Beyond scuba diving and hanging out, you can also take a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan for a famous sandbar viewpoint. Just know there’s usually an entry fee, and they don’t allow plastic water bottles. Add a short hike to John-Suwan Viewpoint, too.

Getting here is part of the fun. You can fly into Koh Samui, Surat Thani, or Chumphon and connect by ferry; from Samui, the ride is often around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the boat. (I opted for the slightly chaotic yet very budget-friendly version at the time: an overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, another overnight to Chumphon, then a bus and ferry. Read: I was a backpacker living on $50 a day.)

Best beaches: Haad Rin Beach, Leela Beach, Zen Beach, Sri Thanu Beach, Haad Yao Beach, Haad Salad Beach, Mae Haad Beach (Koh Ma sandbar), Malibu Beach (Chaloklum), Thong Nai Pan Noi/Thong Nai Pan Yai, Secret Beach

I didn’t visit Koh Phangan, but it’s the island that hosts Thailand’s legendary Full Moon Party once a month. During this time, a massive beach party erupts on the sand (and accommodation books out fast). Outside of full-moon week, it’s known for a more laid-back, “hippie” vibe, with a strong yoga and wellness scene around Sri Thanu and gorgeous beaches all around the island. The East Coast beaches are generally better for swimming, while parts of the West Coast can get shallow at low tide because of reefs (still stunning, just different depending on the time of day).

If you want a quieter Thailand island circuit, the eastern trio of Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak delivers. These islands sit near the Cambodian border and connect surprisingly smoothly by ferry, so the logistics are easier than people might expect.