Thailand is a superb choice for holidaymakers, whether the preference is a bustling city break or a balmy beach retreat. Attracting millions of tourists every year, there is no doubt that Thailand is a popular holiday destination, and with good reason. This exotic haven is ideal for a budget getaway, as favourable exchange rates make accommodation, travel and food easily affordable. The climate offers year-round sunshine, with a peak dry season between November and April. There are a wide range of diversions to enjoy, and among other things, visitors can peruse stunning architecture, go shopping in the markets, experience delicious food and unwind with vibrant nightlife.
Thailand is well known for its beautiful beaches, and despite numerous visitors, the coastlines of its mainland, peninsula and islands remain largely unspoilt. Whilst it is easy to find a sandy shore, there’s no need to share with all the other tourists! Let’s take a look at the five best secret beaches in Thailand so you can enjoy your very own slice of tropical paradise.
Secret Beaches near Phuket
Phuket is a great base for a Thai holiday, and it is also perfect for discovering some of the country’s best secret beaches. The first of these can be found on the Koh Khai islands. Situated off the east coast of Phuket in Phang Nga Bay, the little-known paradise is easy to reach via a twenty to thirty-minute boat-ride. Koh Khai Nok, the larger of the two islands, has an abundance of tropical fish that aren’t afraid of people, and a little further from the shore, masses of intriguing coral. However, Koh Khai Nok is often frequented by groups of tourists on island hopping boat trips. They are left to explore for a couple of hours before being picked up again, and this means it can be crowded and noisy at times.
Instead, head to the smaller island of Koh Khai Nai. Much more serene, here you will find idyllic secret beaches, dramatic rocky features and a small woodland. As with the bigger island, there are exotic fish and coral to discover, but without other people spoiling the experience. It’s easy to imagine you’re stranded on a desert island on Koh Khai Nai, with the advantage of having a boat-ride back to civilisation already arranged!
For a bit more of an adventure from Phuket, plan an overnight trip to Khura Buri, on the north-west coast of the Thai peninsula. Regular buses run from Phuket’s bus station, and the journey time is around three hours. Alternatively, car hire is another convenient option. From Khura Buri, take a boat to the Surin Islands, part of the Mu Ko National Park. Comprising an archipelago of five islands, the two most sizable are Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai. While all the islands are scenic and have interesting fauna, Ko Surin Tai offers a unique experience for the secret beach seeker. Not only is it home to the area’s unusual wildlife, but it is also where a small community of native Moken people, or ‘sea gyspsies’, live. They have thatched houses on stilts along one of the beaches, and they build their own boats for fishing. This secret beach offers cultural insight as well as an irresistible expanse of sand and sea.
Ko Samui Secret Beaches
After a long flight, many travellers head straight to the delightful resort island of Ko Samui, situated to the east of Thailand’s peninsula. It’s a great place to enjoy a variety of beaches and facilities without having to travel once you’ve arrived, but just because you’re on an island doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden gems. Ko Samui is in fact home to three of Thailand’s best secret beaches. All found to the north of the island, Mae Nam, Choeng Mon and Bo Phut offer the very best in laid-back sandy beaches. All can be enjoyed in peace and tranquillity as the rest of the tourists head to better-known Chaweng and Lamai.
The Unspoilt Charm of Ko Mak
We may have already revealed the five best secret beaches in Thailand, but as a little bonus, here’s one more! For those looking to stay in the Trat region, book a resort on the island of Ko Mak. This relatively new tourist destination retains the character of the Thai islands that has become lost on some of the others. Although Ko Mak is small, there is plenty to see and do. There are palm trees and coconut groves, a temple and fishing villages. There are hills with spectacular views for those who enjoy hiking, and an excellent nearby Marine Park. The beaches of Ko Mak are quiet and unspoilt, and for the time being at least, remain secret.
Pictures provided by: © Thaïlande - Ko Samui (nicolas_vollmer_photo/Flickr, CC BY 2.0) ; © Mae Nam Beach (farbfilm/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)
