51 Best Sights in The Gulf Coast Beaches, Thailand

With a quarter mile of fine white sand, this isolated beach on the island's north coast is a sunbather's paradise. The vibe is decidedly young and funky, and there are several places to grab a decent meal. Get here by longtail boat from Chaloklum pier (B250 per person) or Thong Nai Pan. Another option is to hike the track that starts at the end of the paved road at Haad Khom. The route over the mountain takes around 90 minutes and is one of the island's best activities. Haad Kuat might be more difficult to reach than other beaches, but it's one of Koh Phangan's best and definitely worth the effort. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: solitude, swimming, walking.

On the southern end of Koh Samet, this beautiful and secluded beach has crystal-blue waters and fine white sand that lend the strand a picture-postcard feel. If you're looking to relax, Ao Kiu is an ideal choice. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude.

This crescent-shaped stretch of sand is the only real beach on the western side of the island, and it's a beauty. Quieter than the beaches in the island's northeast, it's a hit with couples who come for candlelit dinners on the sand, a real highlight for many. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: sunset.

This beautiful shoreline of a half-moon bay is packed with resorts and restaurants, so food and drink are never far away. Ao Vong Duan is the epicenter of water sports on Koh Samet, with Jet Skis and speedboats operating from the beach. The white sands and crystal-blue waters make the beach worth a visit, and the beaches of Ao Cho to the north and Ao Thian to the south are an enjoyable five-minute stroll away. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: sunrise; walking.

Quaint and romantic Bophut has a devoted following of return visitors who enjoy its quiet vibe. This north-shore beach is narrow, but more than wide enough for sunbathing. The water is like glass, making it good for swimming, though it's deep enough to be unsuitable for young children. Bophut has a bit of nightlife. Central Bophut, known to everyone as Fisherman's Village, has a beachside strip of old houses that have been converted into restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Chanthaburi's French influence is evident in its dual-spired Catholic cathedral, across the river from the center of town. Christian Vietnamese who migrated to the area erected the first church on this site in 1711, and the cathedral has been rebuilt four times since. The present Gothic-inspired structure was completed in the early 1900s, when the city was under French control. The best time to visit is during the morning market, when local foods, fruits, and desserts are sold on the grounds.

At Cha-am's broad town beach you can often see Bangkok families gathered at umbrella-covered tables for all-day meals, stocking up on fresh fruit and seafood and cold beer from wandering vendors. The beach's sand, though, is fairly dark and dirty. Most visitors head to one of the all-inclusive resorts farther away, where the sand is prettier and the water better for swimming. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: walking.

A peaceful strand on Koh Tao's southern shore, Chalok Baan Kao has a relaxed, friendly vibe. The beach itself lacks the crystal-blue water and golden sands of other beaches in the region, but it's reasonably good for swimming. Budget accommodations surround the beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming.

This long-established market is a favorite with locals and tourists. Residents come during the day to purchase meats, seafood, and produce; after 5 pm you'll find everything from jewelry and clothing to toys and artworks. The evening market also has interesting eats, including Thai kanom (sweets), exotic fruits, barbecued meats, and traditional Thai dishes.

The smaller and less developed of the east-coast beaches adjoining Chawaeng town, Chawaeng Noi lacks the charms and spectacular golden curve of its bigger brother, Chawaeng Yai. It's quieter and more relaxed, though, and there are nearby resorts where you can grab a snack. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: solitude.

Travelers in search of sun and fun flock here, especially during high season. The northern half of this beautiful east-coast beach is a hit with backpackers because it's lined with budget lodgings. The southern half, more popular with the package tourists, has more in the way of high-end resorts. Chawaeng Yai is a great swimming beach. The fine sand is brilliant white, and the waters are clear and usually calm. During the day, tourists pack in and the water buzzes with Jet Skis and banana boats. At night the streets come alive as shops, bars, and restaurants vie for your vacation allowance. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

A mellow spot on Samui's northeastern coast, this beach is blessed with crystal-clear water. Choengmon was once pitched as the island's next big thing. There's hardly a boom, but a few guesthouses, a handful of luxury resorts, and some restaurants are scattered along the wide shore. The sand is firm and strewn with pebbles and shells, but the beach is adequate for sunbathing. A few of its food options are right on the beach. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

King Rama V built this summer palace and named it after his son, Prince Chudhadhuj, who was born on the island on July 5, 1893. Earlier in the 19th century, King Rama V's father, King Rama IV, had learned that the island's residents lived longer than anywhere else in Thailand and had concluded that Koh Si Chang's climate was responsible. The palace was abandoned in 1894 when France blockaded the Gulf of Thailand during a political crisis. Few buildings remain today, but the palace gardens are great for a stroll. King Rama V also commissioned another residence here, Vimanmek Mansion, which in 1901 he had moved to Bangkok. All that remains is the mansion's beachside foundation. Nearby, an old wooden pier has been restored to its former glory.

About 4 km (2½ miles) from Lamai, at the small Chinese fishing village of Baan Hua Thanon, the road that forks inland toward Na Thon leads to the Coral Buddha, a small temple complex built on a natural rock formation carved by years of erosion. One of Samui's most serene and least touristy spots, the Coral Buddha provides a glimpse of a more fundamental, traditional world of Buddhism less apparent at brasher, more high-profile destinations.

Chanthaburi's gem mines are mostly closed, but the Gem Market, which still operates in the center of town, attracts traders. You can often see them sorting through rubies and sapphires and making deals worth hundreds of thousands of baht. The market, an assortment of tables and stalls, takes place on Friday and Saturday along Sichan Road and various alleys off and near it.

Its mix of pebbles and sand makes Kai Bae less popular than nearby strands, but this beach provides the best, and safest, swimming on Koh Chang. Quiet and relaxed, still enjoying a sleepy feel, Kai Bae has only a few restaurants and resorts. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming.

Khlong Phrao is an arc of golden sand leading down to placid waters. Scattered around the beach are a few high-end resorts and restaurants. The shallow waters discourage boaters, but also don't invite much swimming. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: walking.

If you are looking for the party, then head to Haad Rin. The beach is divided into two parts, Haad Rin West and Haad Rin East, each with its own personality. Haad Rin West has swimmable water, but you needn't settle for this beach when Haad Rin East is only a short walk away. Beautiful Haad Rin East is lined with bungalows and bars fronting pristine waters. Every four weeks, Haad Rin East gets seriously crowded when throngs of young people gather on the beach for an all-night full moon party. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers; swimming.

This beach on Koh Samet's northeastern edge is the island's longest and busiest one. The sand is white and the water is clear, though in the rainy season the sea does get a little rough. A few boats operate from the beach, but Haad Sai Kaew is a better place to relax than the crowded beaches of Pattaya. All manner of food and drink is available from the nearby resorts and restaurants. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: partiers.

With numerous resorts and some great restaurants, Koh Chang's busiest beach is ideal for those seeking a bustling atmosphere. The beach remains free from deck chair vendors, but a few hawkers wander through during the day. Especially during the rainy season, between June and October, severe riptides can occur, and swimming can be unsafe for extended periods. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers.

Just south of Haad Rin, this smaller strand is close to the party yet relatively peaceful. Also known as Leela Beach, Haad Sarikantang has picturesque palms, fine white sand, and clear blue water. Resorts and restaurants surround the beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Koh Chang's hangout for the backpacker set has murky, sometimes rough water that's not ideal for swimming, but the vibe is cool. Though the beach itself is strewn with rocks, the hammock-lined bars draw patrons seeking a bit of spiritual enlightenment, cheap drinks, or both. Despite its name, beautiful Lonely Beach can get crowded. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers.

A small strip north of the party beaches at Haad Rin, this is an ideal choice for those seeking relaxation and smaller crowds. The sand is a fine yellow and the waters are shallow and clear. A few resort hotels and several good restaurants do business on the waterfront or near the beach. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

On a horseshoe bay at the island's northern end, Haad Thong Nai Pan is split into two. The northern part is the most beautiful, with stunning golden sands set around crystal-blue waters. The seas are usually calm, but swimming can be rough when the monsoon rains sweep in. Guesthouses and mid-range resorts surround the beach. Food and drink are available from the nearby restaurants. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

A 10-minute boat ride from Haad Rin, small beautiful Haad Yuan is worlds away. Extremely quiet most of the time, the beach is wide and clean, with fine sand and crystal-blue waters. The rocky outcrop at one end makes a fine photo backdrop. The swimming is good here, but the water occasionally gets rough. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Hua Hin's namesake beach is the nicest of those along this part of the coast, but it's also the most popular. Though not as stunning as other Thai beaches, it's a wide, 7-km-long (4½-mile-long) boulevard of golden sand. Vendors hawk food and drink nonstop, but you can escape this parade by booking a relaxing beach massage or taking a horseback ride to less populated areas. Water sports can be arranged at various points. It can get rough and the sea isn't clear, but you can definitely swim here. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: walking.

Pattaya Beach's quieter neighbor to the south, Jomtien Beach is less gaudy, less crowded, and a bit less expensive. The white sand, cleaner water, and cordoned-off swimming areas are also draws. Shaded areas with deck chairs cover large sections of the beach, and vendors sell food and drink at inflated prices. Water sports play a dominant role here; you can rent Jet Skis, paragliders, and speedboats up and down the beach. Jomtien is home to a few windsurfing schools. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; windsurfing.

You'll pass rice fields, sugar palms, pineapple plantations, and crab farms as you make your way to this park south of Hua Hin, the gloriously named "300 Peaks." It has two main trails and is a great place to spot wildlife, especially monitor lizards and barking deer. With a little luck you might even see the adorable dusky langur, a monkey known for the white circles around its eyes. About a kilometer (½ mile) from the park's headquarters is Khao Daeng Hill, which is worth a hike up to the viewpoint, especially at sunrise. Another 16 km (10 miles) from the headquarters is Haad Laem Sala, a white-sand beach. Near the beach is Phraya Nakhon Cave, once visited by King Rama V. The cave has an opening in its roof where sunlight shines through for a beautiful effect. If you don't have a car or haven't hired one, you'll have to take a bus to Pranburi, which is a 30-kilometer journey from Hua Hin. From here you take a songthaew to the park.

A landscape of tall mountains, lush greenery, and small streams, this 161,000-acre park contains the most beautiful forest in Thailand. The diverse and rare wildlife that thrives here includes gaurs, bantengs, sambar deer, bears, Malayan tapirs, macaques, gibbons, mouse deer, and porcupines. Khao Sok is also one of the few places to see a rafflesia, the world's largest flower, and rare bird species such as hornbills live here. Hiking, boat rides, and night safaris are some of the activities that take place in the park.

Rain is frequent in Khao Sok, as the weather is influenced by monsoon winds from both the northeast and west—the best and driest time to visit is between December and April. Both the national park and some private resorts offer various types of lodging. Only very basic accommodations can be found in the park. But there is additional private accommodation outside the park, some of it very comfortable indeed. The bus ride (B120) from the station in Surat Thani to the park takes about 2½ hours. Minivans (B200) leave from the center of town and take around 2 hours. The TAT office in Surat Thani has information about the park.

Sunbathing is the ideal activity at Khao Takiab, especially during low tide, when the golden, sandy strand is flat and dry. Jet Skiing, banana boat rides, and other water-sports activities are available here, all the more enjoyable than in Hua Hin because the beach and water are less crowded. A granite headland also named Khao Takiab separates the beach's northern and southern sections. On the headland's northern side, there's a tall standing image of the Buddha. You can hike to the top of the hill, where you'll find a small Buddhist monastery and several restaurants with excellent views. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: walking.