Hidden Beaches of Thailand You Must Visit

Thailand is renowned for its stunning coastline, but the most popular beaches can get overwhelmed with tourists. If you’re seeking a more authentic and peaceful experience, I’ve discovered some incredible hidden gems that offer pristine sands, crystal-clear waters, and the tranquility you’re looking for.

After spending three months exploring Thailand’s coast, from the bustling shores of Phuket to remote islands accessible only by longtail boat, I’ve compiled this guide to help you find your own slice of paradise.

🏝️ Freedom Beach, Phuket

Freedom Beach with white sand and clear turquoise waters surrounded by jungle

🚤 Getting There: 15-minute boat ride from Patong Beach or challenging jungle hike
⏰ Best Time: November to April (calm seas)
✨ What Makes It Special: Complete isolation despite being on Phuket

Hidden behind thick tropical jungle and accessible only by boat or a steep, somewhat treacherous hike, Freedom Beach remains one of Phuket’s best-kept secrets. This 300-meter stretch of powdery white sand feels like your private paradise.

The beach is surrounded by hills covered in lush vegetation, creating a natural amphitheater that blocks out the noise from the bustling Patong area just over the hill. Unlike the beach club chaos of Patong or Kata, Freedom Beach has minimal facilities – which is exactly what keeps it pristine.

Pro Tip: Bring everything you need (water, snacks, sunscreen) as there’s only one small beach bar. The lack of jet skis and parasailing makes this perfect for swimming and snorkeling.


🐚 Banana Beach, Koh Hey (Coral Island)

Banana Beach crescent-shaped bay with pristine white sand and crystal clear waters

🚤 Getting There: 15-minute speedboat from Chalong Pier, Phuket
⏰ Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon
✨ What Makes It Special: Excellent snorkeling right off the beach

Just a short boat ride from Phuket lies this crescent-shaped slice of heaven on Koh Hey. Banana Beach gets its name from its curved shape rather than any banana trees, and it’s where I spent some of my most peaceful moments in Thailand.

Most day-trippers stick to the main beaches on Coral Island, leaving this little cove relatively quiet. The water here is incredibly clear – perfect for snorkeling. I spotted colorful parrotfish, angelfish, and even some small reef sharks during my morning swims.

Local Secret: The best time to visit is right after sunrise when you might have the entire beach to yourself. The local longtail boat captains know this spot well and can drop you off here instead of the crowded main beach.


🧗‍♀️ Railay Beach, Krabi

Railay Beach surrounded by towering limestone cliffs with longtail boats in the bay

🚤 Getting There: Longtail boat from Ao Nang or Krabi Town
⏰ Best Time: November to March
✨ What Makes It Special: Dramatic limestone cliffs and multiple beach options

While Railay isn’t exactly a secret, it deserves mention because it feels like an island paradise despite being connected to the mainland. The towering limestone cliffs make it accessible only by boat, creating that isolated island vibe.

Railay actually consists of four beaches: East Railay (mangrove, not great for swimming), West Railay (stunning sunsets), Phra Nang (the most famous), and Tonsai (popular with rock climbers). My favorite is West Railay at sunset – the golden hour here is absolutely magical.

Must-See: Don’t miss the Princess Cave (Tham Phra Nang) at Phra Nang Beach. It’s adorned with colorful wooden phallus carvings – offerings to the sea goddess that the cave is named after. Sounds strange, but it’s actually a beautiful cultural tradition.


🌊 Haad Wai Nam, Koh Phangan

Secluded beach with granite boulders and jungle backdrop on Koh Phangan

🥾 Getting There: Jungle trek from Hat Khom or longtail boat
⏰ Best Time: High tide (the beach almost disappears at low tide!)
✨ What Makes It Special: Adventure required, ultimate seclusion

Located on the north coast of Koh Phangan, far from the Full Moon Party madness, Haad Wai Nam (which means “swimming beach” in Thai) is the most adventurous beach on this list. Getting there requires either a challenging jungle trek or convincing a longtail boat captain to take you around the rocky coastline.

The beach is small and dramatically changes with the tides. At high tide, it’s perfect for swimming in the calm, clear water. At low tide, it nearly disappears, revealing interesting rock formations and tide pools.

Important: The jungle trail can be tricky to navigate. I recommend going with a local guide or at least downloading offline maps. The effort is absolutely worth it – I had the beach completely to myself for hours.


🌅 Kantiang Bay, Koh Lanta

Kantiang Bay at sunset with golden sand and calm waters backed by green hills

🏍️ Getting There: Motorbike or taxi from Saladan
⏰ Best Time: November to April
✨ What Makes It Special: Long stretch of sand that never feels crowded

On the southwest coast of Koh Lanta, Kantiang Bay offers a full mile of pristine white sand that somehow never feels crowded, even during peak season. The bay is framed by green hills and offers some of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever witnessed.

The water here is calm and clear during high season, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling near the rocks at either end of the bay. There are a few small resorts and restaurants, but the development is low-key and respectful of the natural environment.

Sunset Spot: Head to the southern end of the beach about an hour before sunset. Bring a coconut from one of the beach vendors and watch the sky turn into a canvas of oranges and pinks.


🐠 Secret Lagoon, Koh Hong (Krabi)

Hidden emerald lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs with kayaks

🛶 Getting There: Four Island tour from Ao Nang or private longtail boat
⏰ Best Time: Morning tours (fewer crowds)
✨ What Makes It Special: Hidden lagoon accessible only by kayak

This isn’t technically a beach, but it’s too magical not to include. Koh Hong’s secret lagoon is a hidden emerald-green pool surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, accessible only by kayaking through a narrow cave entrance.

The lagoon is completely enclosed by cliffs, creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere. The water is incredibly calm and warm – perfect for swimming. Fish swim right up to you, and the acoustics make even whispers echo dramatically off the stone walls.

Photography Tip: The best light is in the morning when sunbeams filter down through the opening above. Bring a waterproof camera – the photo opportunities are incredible.

Essential Tips for Beach Hopping in Thailand

🎒 What to Bring

  • Reef-safe sunscreen: Many of these areas have sensitive coral ecosystems
  • Water and snacks: Remote beaches have limited facilities
  • Waterproof bag: For your phone, money, and documents
  • Mask and snorkel: The underwater world is incredible
  • Cash: Many boat operators only accept cash

🌊 Best Time to Visit

  • High Season (Nov-Apr): Calm seas, perfect weather, but more expensive
  • Shoulder Season (May & Oct): Good weather, fewer crowds, better prices
  • Monsoon Season (Jun-Sep): Rough seas on west coast, but east coast is still good

🚤 Transportation

  • Longtail boats: Traditional, slower, but authentic experience
  • Speedboats: Faster, more comfortable, but more expensive
  • Ferries: For longer distances between islands
  • Motorbikes: Essential for land-based exploration (international license required)

🐚 Respect the Environment

These beaches remain pristine because previous visitors have treated them with respect. Please:

  • Take all trash with you (especially plastic)
  • Don’t touch or stand on coral
  • Use reef-safe sunscreen
  • Don’t feed fish or disturb wildlife
  • Support local businesses rather than bringing everything from tourist areas

💰 Budget Expectations

  • Longtail boat hire: 1,500-3,000 THB per day
  • Speedboat tours: 1,200-2,500 THB per person
  • Motorbike rental: 200-300 THB per day
  • Beach meals: 150-400 THB per dish
  • Accommodation near remote beaches: 800-2,500 THB per night

Making the Most of Your Beach Adventure

The key to finding these hidden gems is being flexible with your plans and open to local recommendations. Some of my best discoveries came from chatting with longtail boat captains, asking resort staff about local favorites, or simply following poorly marked trails that looked promising.

Consider staying near these beaches rather than just visiting for a day. Many have small, family-run bungalows or eco-resorts that offer a more authentic experience than the large resort areas. Waking up to an empty beach at sunrise is an experience you’ll never forget.

Final Thought: Thailand’s hidden beaches offer more than just beautiful scenery – they provide a connection to the natural world and local culture that’s increasingly rare in our interconnected world. Take the time to really experience these places: swim in the warm water, talk to local fishermen, try the grilled fish at the tiny beach shacks.

These beaches have remained hidden gems because they require a bit of effort to reach and respect to preserve. By following sustainable travel practices and supporting local communities, we can help ensure these paradises remain pristine for future generations to discover.

Have you discovered any hidden beaches in Thailand? I’d love to hear about your secret spots – share them in the comments or send me a message on Instagram @aripelomundo.