Where the concierge points people first
- Freedom Beach — Reachable only by longtail or a steep jungle path — which is exactly why it stays quiet. (7.8749, 98.2750)
- Karon Beach หาดกะรน — Three kilometres of space — the beach for groups who want room to spread out. (7.8440, 98.2918)
- Patong Beach หาดป่าตอง — The famous one. Loud, alive, everything within walking distance. (7.8964, 98.2924)
- Kamala Beach หาดกมลา — The quiet family bay between Patong and Surin. (7.9564, 98.2805)
- Surin Beach หาดสุรินทร์ — Broad white sand, a smarter crowd, no jet-skis. (7.9756, 98.2781)
- Nai Harn Beach หาดในหาน — The south-tip local favourite with a lagoon behind it. (7.7756, 98.3053)
- Bang Tao Beach หาดบางเทา — Eight kilometres fronting Laguna — runs, riding, resort calm. (8.0083, 98.2886)
- Mai Khao Beach หาดไม้ขาว — The longest beach on the island, and planes land right over it. (8.1459, 98.2946)
- Banana Beach — The small half-hidden cove on the quiet north-west coast. (8.0420, 98.2763)
- Ao Yon Beach — East-coast calm — swimmable in monsoon season when the west coast flies red flags. (7.8119, 98.3930)
- Ya Nui Beach หาดยะนุ้ย — A pocket cove between two headlands — snorkel territory. (7.7676, 98.3060)
- Rawai Beach — Not for swimming — for longtail charters and the seafood grills. (7.7702, 98.3202)
The rest of the island — every named beach
- Chalong Beach (7.8135, 98.3419)
- Hat Karon Noi beach (7.8647, 98.2823)
- Hua Beach (7.9474, 98.2652)
- Kalim Beach (7.9105, 98.2954)
- Kamala Rock Beach (7.9478, 98.2705)
- Kluai Beach หาดกล้วย (7.7451, 98.3821)
- Laem Ka nude beach (7.7769, 98.3361)
- Laem Sing Beach, Phuket (7.9683, 98.2792)
- Layan Beach (8.0346, 98.2841)
- Merlin Beach (7.8824, 98.2716)
- Nai Thon Beach หาดในทอน (8.0580, 98.2773)
- Nai Thon Noi Beach หาดในทอนน้อย (8.0470, 98.2775)
- Nai Yang Beach (8.0902, 98.2956)
- Nakalay Beach (7.9247, 98.2739)
- Nui Beach หาดนุ้ย (7.7873, 98.2907)
- Pansea Beach (7.9821, 98.2764)
- Panwa Beach (7.8061, 98.4103)
- Paradise Beach (7.8910, 98.2654)
- Sai Kaew Beach หาดทรายแก้ว (8.1950, 98.2854)
- Siray Bay Beach (7.8725, 98.4283)
- Tenta Nakara Beach (8.0550, 98.4693)
- Tri Trang Beach หาดไตรตรัง (7.8864, 98.2750)
- Trisara Beach (8.0356, 98.2755)
- Yae Beach (7.9255, 98.2670)
- Yao Beach หาดยาว (7.7459, 98.3738)
- ชายหาดอ่าวเสน (7.7779, 98.2967)
- หาดกระทิง (7.7779, 98.2951)
- หาดคอกวาง (7.7821, 98.3863)
- หาดซันใรท์ (7.8807, 98.4380)
- หาดบางขวัญ (8.2200, 98.2822)
- หาดปากพระ (8.1997, 98.2900)
- หาดอ่าวเฮ (7.7428, 98.3727)
- หาดเกาะมาลี (7.9240, 98.4554)
- หาดเล็ก (7.7899, 98.3837)
- หาดแดง (7.7866, 98.3868)
- หาดแหลมงา (7.9104, 98.4412)
- หาดไม้ไผ่ (7.7823, 98.3887)
The one thing to know in monsoon season
From May to October the west coast can fly red flags. Never swim under one, however calm the water looks — the current is under the surface, not on it. East-coast bays like Ao Yon stay swimmable. NUM answers beach questions with the season and your location in mind, which a static page cannot — ask it on the day.