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The most dramatic beach in Thailand. Towering limestone karsts, impossibly clear water, and a beach that's only reachable by longtail boat — no roads in. Railay West is the main beach; Railay East is mangrove-heavy and not for swimming. Phra Nang Cave Beach (a short walk away) is arguably even more beautiful.

It's small, which means it gets crowded by midday in peak season. Get there early or stay overnight for a completely different experience.

Thailand's top diving island — one of the cheapest places in the world to get PADI certified. The water around Koh Tao is clear and full of life: whale sharks, turtles, and reef fish. Sairee Beach is the main strip with cafés, dive schools, and nightlife. Haad Tien and Ao Leuk are quieter bays if you want to escape the buzz.

It's a small island that rewards staying a few days. Getting there involves a ferry from Chumphon or Koh Samui — the journey is part of the experience.

Koh Lanta is what Koh Phi Phi used to be — relaxed, unhurried, and genuinely beautiful. The west coast has a long stretch of beaches from Long Beach in the north to Klong Dao, Klong Khong, and the quieter southern end near Mu Ko Lanta National Park. Sunsets here are exceptional.

Good café scene, a growing number of quality restaurants, and a strong community of longer-stay travellers. Not the place for nightlife — which is exactly the point.

Famous for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin — 10,000+ people, fire shows, and dancing on the beach until sunrise. But Koh Phangan is much more than that. The north of the island (Thong Nai Pan, Haad Khuad) is quiet, beautiful, and almost a different island entirely. The wellness and yoga scene has exploded here too.

Avoid Haad Rin in the days surrounding Full Moon if you want sleep. Arrive before or after and you'll find a surprisingly calm island.

The water around Koh Lipe is some of the most vivid turquoise you'll see in Southeast Asia. It sits near the Malaysian border in Tarutao National Park. Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach are both stunning; the small Walking Street has good restaurants and laid-back bars. No cars allowed on the island.

Getting here is the challenge: it requires a long bus or flight to Hat Yai or Pak Bara, then a speedboat. Closes almost entirely from May to October. The effort filters the crowd — which is part of what makes it special.

Not a beach, but unmissable. Phang Nga Bay is a vast expanse of emerald-green water dotted with dramatic limestone karsts, sea caves, and hidden lagoons. Koh Tapu — better known as James Bond Island from The Man with the Golden Gun — sits here. Most visitors do a day tour from Phuket or Khao Lak, but staying in Phang Nga Town and doing a private longtail tour gives you the bay before the crowds arrive.

Sea kayaking into the hongs (hidden tidal caves) is one of the best experiences in southern Thailand. Go with a small group operator rather than a mass-market tour for a completely different experience.

Phuket is big, busy, and incredibly easy to get to — direct flights from almost everywhere. The beach experience depends entirely on where you stay. Patong is crowded and loud (great if that's what you want). Kata and Karon are calmer with good surf in low season. Surin and Bang Tao in the north are the most upscale.

Don't judge Phuket by Patong. The island is large and the quality varies dramatically by beach. Use it as a base for day trips to Phi Phi Islands or Phang Nga Bay.