Not a top-ten written from a desk. This is every named beach on the island in Num's directory, with coordinates — and where the concierge would actually send you, depending on the day you want.
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 Beachหาดกะรน — Three kilometers of space — the beach for groups who want room to spread out. (7.8440, 98.2918)
Patong Beachหาดป่าตอง — The famous one. Loud, alive, everything within walking distance. (7.8964, 98.2924)
Kamala Beachหาดกมลา — The quiet family bay between Patong and Surin. (7.9564, 98.2805)
Surin Beachหาดสุรินทร์ — Broad white sand, a smarter crowd, no jet-skis. (7.9756, 98.2781)
Nai Harn Beachหาดในหาน — The south-tip local favorite with a lagoon behind it. (7.7756, 98.3053)
Bang Tao Beachหาดบางเทา — Eight kilometers fronting Laguna — runs, riding, resort calm. (8.0083, 98.2886)
Mai Khao Beachหาดไม้ขาว — 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 Beachหาดยะนุ้ย — 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 Beachหาดกล้วย(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 Beachหาดในทอน(8.0580, 98.2773)
Nai Thon Noi Beachหาดในทอนน้อย(8.0470, 98.2775)
Nai Yang Beach(8.0902, 98.2956)
Nakalay Beach(7.9247, 98.2739)
Nui Beachหาดนุ้ย(7.7873, 98.2907)
Pansea Beach(7.9821, 98.2764)
Panwa Beach(7.8061, 98.4103)
Paradise Beach(7.8910, 98.2654)
Sai Kaew Beachหาดทรายแก้ว(8.1950, 98.2854)
Siray Bay Beach(7.8725, 98.4283)
Tenta Nakara Beach(8.0550, 98.4693)
Tri Trang Beachหาดไตรตรัง(7.8864, 98.2750)
Trisara Beach(8.0356, 98.2755)
Yae Beach(7.9255, 98.2670)
Yao Beachหาดยาว(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.