My top 20 beaches, the extended list

The full pam‑approved set.

The continuation of my top 10.

Begin the the deeper journey.

No.20
Haad Kata, Phuket

Haad Kata is the kind of beach that feels like a soft welcome hug. Long, sandy, and always alive with gentle movement, it’s the place where families play, surfers wait for the right wave, and the sky slowly warms into gold as the sun begins to fall. The water is calm enough for long swims, the sand is soft enough for barefoot wandering, and the whole bay curves in a way that makes the light linger just a little longer.

Why I love it

Because it’s easy. Friendly. Familiar. A beach that never tries too hard but always delivers a beautiful day. It’s the kind of place where you can sit on the sand, watch the horizon soften, and feel your whole body exhale.

Why it ranked No.20

It’s lovely, but gentle. A warm beginning to the extended list. The beaches above it simply carry more drama, more clarity, or more emotional pull.

Activities

  • Sunset walks along the long curve of the bay
  • Soft‑wave swims
  • Surf lessons in the afternoon light
  • Coconut shakes from beachside stalls
  • Sitting on the sand watching the sky turn gold

Start here if you want a beach that feels warm, easy, and beautifully familiar.

No.19
Haad Chaweng, Koh Samui

Haad Chaweng wakes up early. The sand glows pale in the morning light, the water turns clear and calm, and the whole beach feels like it’s stretching awake with you. It’s long, lively, and full of energy — the kind of beach where you can walk for ages, swim for hours, and feel the day begin in the brightest way.

Why I love it

Because it’s a sunrise beach. A place where the morning feels fresh, hopeful, and full of possibility. The water is warm, the sand is soft, and the whole shoreline feels alive.

Why it ranked No.19

It’s beautiful, but busy. A great beach for movement and morning energy, but not the quiet, emotional kind of beauty that climbs higher.

Activities

  • Sunrise walks
  • Long swims in calm morning water
  • Beach cafés with ocean views
  • Paddleboarding
  • People‑watching

Come here if you want your day to begin bright, warm, and full of life.

No.18
Haad Ao Nang, Krabi

Haad Ao Nang is a long, glowing shoreline framed by cliffs, boats, and distant islands resting quietly on the horizon. When the sun begins to fall, the whole beach transforms — the sky turns orange and pink, the islands fade into soft silhouettes, and the sea reflects everything like a slow‑moving painting. It’s a cinematic moment that feels almost unreal.

Why I love it

Because the sunset here is a full experience. The cliffs darken, the boats drift, the islands soften, and the sky performs. It’s warm, wide, and deeply calming.

Why it ranked No.18

It’s stunning at sunset, but the water clarity and daytime beauty are softer compared to the beaches above it.

Activities

  • Sunset watching
  • Long shoreline walks
  • Boat‑view photography
  • Evening swims
  • Sitting on the sand as the sky melts into color

Come for the sunset that turns the whole horizon into warm, glowing magic.

No.17
Haad Mai Khao, Phuket

Haad Mai Khao is wild, quiet, and endlessly long. A stretch of sand that feels untouched, where the waves roll in with a deep, steady rhythm and the horizon feels wide open. It’s the kind of beach where you can walk for an hour and still feel like you’ve barely begun.

Why I love it

Because it feels like freedom. Space. Silence. A beach that lets you breathe deeply and walk without thinking.

Why it ranked No.17

It’s beautiful, but more about mood than color. A place for long walks, not snorkeling or bright turquoise water.

Activities

  • Endless beach walks
  • Wave watching
  • Quiet picnics
  • Photography with wide horizons
  • Sitting alone with your thoughts

Come here when you need space, silence, and a horizon that belongs only to you.

No.16
Haad Khuat

Haad Khuat is a hidden gem — a beach you earn. Tucked away behind hills and winding roads, it feels like a secret kept by the island. The water is clear, the sand is soft, and the whole bay curves into a perfect, quiet embrace.

Why I love it

Because it feels like a reward. A beach that whispers, “You made it.” The water is calm, the vibe is peaceful, and everything feels untouched.

Why it ranked No.16

It’s beautiful and secluded, but the beaches above it have stronger clarity, color, or emotional impact.

Activities

  • Quiet swims
  • Hammock naps
  • Beach wandering
  • Kayaking
  • Slow, peaceful afternoons

Come here if you want a beach that feels like a secret kept just for you.

No.15
Haad Tien, Koh Lan

Haad Tien is bright, playful, and full of life. The moment you step into the water, fish appear — curious, colorful, and ready to swim around your legs like tiny, friendly guardians. The sand is soft, the water is clear, and the whole beach feels cheerful.

Why I love it

Because the fish greet you before the people do. It’s lively, fun, and perfect for easy snorkeling.

Why it ranked No.15

It’s joyful and bright, but smaller and busier than the beaches above it.

Activities

  • Easy snorkeling
  • Floating in clear water
  • Beach cafés
  • Sunbathing
  • GoPro moments

Come here if you want a beach that welcomes you with playful, curious fish.

No.14
Haad Koh Khai Nai, Phang Nga

Haad Koh Khai Nai is a small island with water so bright it feels unreal. The sand is white, the sea glows turquoise, and the whole place feels like a postcard that someone forgot to tone down. It’s lively, colorful, and perfect for quick, joyful swims.

Why I love it

Because the water is pure joy — bright, shallow, and sparkling.

Why it ranked No.14

It’s beautiful but tiny, and often busy. A perfect stop, not a full‑day stay.

Activities

  • Quick dips
  • Snorkeling
  • Photography
  • Walking around the tiny island
  • Sitting on the sand watching the water glow

Come here for bright, joyful water that feels like pure holiday energy.

No.13
Taley Waek, Krabi

Talay Waek is a natural wonder — a sandbar that rises from the sea when the tide is right, connecting islands with a glowing strip of white sand. The water on both sides shines in different shades of blue, and walking across it feels like stepping into a dream.

Why I love it

Because it feels magical. A beach that appears, disappears, and reappears with the rhythm of the sea.

Why it ranked No.13

It’s stunning, but tide‑dependent and often crowded.

Activities

  • Sandbar walks
  • Photography
  • Wading in shallow water
  • Island hopping
  • Watching the tide shift

Come here when you want to walk across the sea like it’s a dream come true.

No.12
Haad Koh Mai Phai, Krabi

Haad Koh Mai Phai is a glowing, white‑sand beach surrounded by clear, turquoise water. It’s bright, open, and incredibly photogenic — the kind of beach that makes you squint even on a cloudy day. The water is shallow, warm, and perfect for long, lazy swims.

Why I love it

Because it’s pure brightness. A beach that feels clean, open, and beautifully simple.

Why it ranked No.12

It’s stunning, but the beaches above it have deeper emotional pull or stronger snorkeling.

Activities

  • Swimming
  • Sunbathing
  • Walking the long shoreline
  • Snorkeling
  • Photography

Come here if you want bright white sand and water that glows like a gemstone.

No. 11
Ao Siam, Koh Racha, Phuket

Ao Siam is wide, open, and breathtaking. The water is clear and deep blue, the sand is soft, and the whole bay stretches out like a calm, endless horizon. It’s peaceful, elegant, and perfect for long swims in water that feels like silk.

Why I love it

Because the blue here feels infinite. A bay that opens your chest and softens your mind.

Why it ranked No.11

It’s stunning and spacious, but the Top 10 beaches simply carry more emotional weight or underwater magic.

Activities

  • Long swims
  • Floating in deep blue water
  • Beach wandering
  • Quiet afternoons
  • Photography with wide horizons

Come here when you want blue that feels endless and a bay that lets you breathe.

Framed by light gear, made for moving

Let simple moments shift your whole day

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *